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christiana brinton
Authors Background
In the fall of 1998, I read an article in a section of the Sunday New York Times about an Episcopal minister who had traveled to Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France where she had removed the chairs from off of a labyrinth set into the stone floor of the cathedral and had walked this labyrinth over and over again. By the time she returned to her ministry at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, CA she was convinced that this simple spiral path was the way to reacquaint her parishioners with the contemplative aspect of Christianity and that it just might strike a chord with people of all faiths as well as those simply searching for some meaning to their lives. Thus, Dr. Lauren Artress’s organization, Veriditas, was born and reading that article was an epiphany for me as well; one of those defining moments in one’s life we all experience. I knew that I had found the answer; a way to coalesce all the various passions of mine, dance, theater, transformational coaching, energy therapy, etc, into a single path that would allow me access to Spirit and give me the service oriented life I so longed for. I completed my certification with Veriditas in 1999 while using many of the seminars I created for my certification to also satisfy masters degree credits towards a masters in transpersonal psychology which I completed in 2003 from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA. It was a glorious learning experience providing me with a solid foundation to support and guide walkers from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. I was able to participate as a student and then again as a facilitator in the "Let Us Walk with Mary" seminars given by Veriditas in Chartres, France as well as participate as a facilitator for the "Theater of Enlightenment" seminars and trainings when Veriditas held them in Maryland. I gave labyrinth seminars on Long Island and was a consultant for the installation of the permanent paver labyrinth at CW Post College Old Westbury campus. I have been a dancer and a performer my whole life. Whether it was modern dance, jazz aerobics, or African drumming and dancing with Babatundi Olatunji and Sanga of the Valley, or practicing tai chi/qigong, reiki, shiatsu, and macrobiotics, I was always seeking a holistic approach to my physical and spiritual health. Working and playing with labyrinths has given me a venue to do all of this and more. I came to dowsing through labyrinths and a whole new world opened to me plus a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the transpersonal energetics of this precious planet and its beings. I consider my labyrinth ministry a wondrous gift with which I try to reciprocate in as many ways as possible and as often as Spirit grants me the opportunity to pursue. The "Healing Sanctuary Labyrinth Walks" my friend, Lucrezia Mangione, and I offered as a community service in Emmaus, PA was one venue as well as the two labyrinths I installed (with the help of many friends and community members) in Lincoln, VT and Texas Canyon, AZ. Lucrezia and I also conducted a "Healing Sanctuary Labyrinth Walk" at the New England Labyrinth Guild’s Spring Labyrinth Festival in May, 2002 which was lots of fun and enjoyed by all who participated. The two permanent labyrinths I have installed so far can both be found on the world wide labyrinth locator with a picture of each (wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org.) The Peace Village Lotus Labyrinth is a 50’ modified medieval style honoring the Cherokee and Tibetan Buddhist lineages of the Peace Village in its cuniform design and the use of lotus petals in the center and around the perimeter. The Triangle T Texas Canyon Harmony labyrinth is a 24’ classical Pima “Man in the Maze” style honoring the Hohokum and Chirachaua Apache lineages of this sacred ceremonial area within which the Triangle T Guest Ranch is located.
I now live in Vancouver, WA where I offer my canvas labyrinth for Equinox and Solstice walks at the Unitarian Universalist Church on 18th St in Vancouver. I am a member and on the board of Labyrinth Network Northwest (LNN), was on the planning committee for the 2009 Labyrinth Society Gathering in Troutdale, OR, was the PR person for the 2010 TLS Gathering in New Harmony, IN, and am currently the Registrar and PR Coordinator for the 2011 TLS Gathering in Taos, NM. I am LOVING the Pacific NW and the unique vibe of the Portland, OR area. Lucky, my dog, and I go on long hikes every day and I have just become a grandmother of twins, Will and Charlotte. Check out my Facebook pages for more info.
Many blessings on the path
Christiana
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