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The Labyrinth
as a Pathway Towards
Healing the Wounds of War

by Cathie LeVasseur
for The Labyrinth Society Newsletter

In August of this year, fifty-six youths from the Balkans and surrounding countries came to participate in the Balkan Reconciliation Seminar Series. They had gathered at the Sankt Peterburg Hotel in Plodiv, Bulgaria to explore the question, "Where do you want the Balkan Peninsula to be in five years and how do we get from here to there?" Each and every student had made a conscious choice to begin the long and emotional journey towards healing the wounds of war and opening the door to resolving what for many has been a life long conflict with the "others" living in their midst. Among the facilitators involved in this first seminar were a Balkan Dance Troop, a Tai Chi instructor, two theater groups, a debate society, an artist and a labyrinth facilitator.

"My goal was simple. I wanted to touch the lives of the Balkan youth one heart at a time."

There was very little grant money awarded to this innovative program using the arts to cultivate peace. Most of us traveled great distances with the belief that what we had to offer personally and professionally would assist the youth of the Balkans on their path towards establishing peace among themselves and their countries. Little did we know just how profound the changes would be for each of us.

My trip to Bulgaria was the first time I facilitated a labyrinth workshop internationally. Much of my time preparing was spent reading late into the night books and articles describing in vivid detail the historic and most recent conflicts and wars that are such a part of the fabric of the Balkans. Beginning as far back as the eighteenth century during the Turkish occupation, progressing to the assassination of the Habsburg Archduke, Franz Ferdinand that sparked the beginning of World War I and finally to some of the most recent events such as the cleansing of ethnic Albanians from the Serbian province of Kosovo. All of the conflicts in this area have involved the rape of women and young girls, mutilation and slaughter of men, women and children, starvation, living in concentration camps, refugee camps or in bullet ridden streets. Hundreds of thousands of people have died, most buried in communal graves without any plaques that mark the fact that they were born and died. Many died and fought out of hatred, belief, passion and greed. Each one of them a family member who was loved by someone and who was trying to make what they thought was a better world. I was deeply affected by what I read.

One night while meditating I posed two questions: "How does one heal from the deep wounds of war? Where does reconciliation begin?" Three words immediately came to mind, FROM THE HEART. My goal was simple. I wanted to touch the lives of the Balkan youth one heart at a time.

I did not think that centuries of conflict would by some miracle disappear by bringing a labyrinth to Bulgaria but I hoped for some it might make a positive difference in their lives. Upon arriving in Plodiv, Bulgaria I immediately drew a 7-circuit labyrinth on a large stained and cracked piece of asphalt located just outside our hotel. I smiled as I drew the seed pattern knowing it was indeed the "perfect" place to draw this labyrinth. Connecting the lines from the left to right I noticed weeds struggling to survive, reaching up through the cracks towards the scorching mid-day sun. New life has a way of continuing even in the harshest of environments. A friend of mine drew the Balkan Peninsula over the top of the 7-circuit labyrinth. We called our creation, "The Balkan Vision Labyrinth."

Several nights later we met as a group to walk the labyrinth. With the luminaries glowing and the music playing softly each one of us entered carrying a small river rock. It was into this rock that we placed all of our problems, emotions, thoughts and beliefs that did not serve us at this time. Upon reaching the center we left our rocks in a pile and focused on our desire to be supported in our conscious choice for peace. Many left knowing that their dreams and visions were somehow more real than when they began with their first step that night. Some of the journal writing from the students are as follows:

Deyan Denchev wrote: "When I was walking through the labyrinth I felt something changing inside me. The meditation while following the circuits gave me a feeling of further self-confidence that I will be able to cope with problems that I had invested in the stone. I also felt that we, the people walking through the labyrinth, formed one community with shared aims and multiple powers. I also learned a way to relax in critical moments and boost my concentration. All that will definitely influence my own life and the fate of the Balkans. Thank you!!! "

Denitza Gerimikova - "The labyrinth helped me get rid of some negative emotions and thoughts, it gave me energy, hope and love... And now I believe! I believe the world can be better. "

Penka Kovatcheva - "The labyrinth was a way for me to gather all my personal dreams and hopes into something bigger that I'll always keep in my heart as a peace message to the people all over the world"

Kaloyan Patrekov - "In the beginning when we first started the workshop I didn't believe, but when I walked the labyrinth one, two...three times I felt that something is going on with me and my feelings. I felt light like a feather, lead by the wind and by a special path; a feather cleaned from dirt, from the bad things. I believe that the labyrinth is not just a compelled path, but something bigger. All that together with the music - gentle and sensitive was something really impressive and exciting."

What a great gift to be part of a journey like this with all people wanting to find peace within them self and their surroundings. May peace be with all of us." - Anonymous

The paths that take all of us towards our own healing are as diversified as the people who travel them. However, I do believe that the singular path of the labyrinth can move us to a place of love for ourselves and others, a place where we can begin to forgive, experience compassion and create a more peaceful world.

Funds needed for Seminars 2 & 3 in Hungary and Romania
Cathie is presently raising funds to attend the next conference in Hungary to be held in January 2001. She is offering slide shows about her recent trip and labyrinth workshops as well as selling wonderful canvas labyrinths to help raise the money needed. To find out more about this wonderful project, please contact Cathie.

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Mandalas from the Balkans Here are the first mandalas to be mounted from Cathie's Balkan Youth Reconcilliation workshops... Stay tuned... many more to come!

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