Dr. Robin Dilley, founder of Arizona Labyrinth Connections and Regional Representative for The Labyrinth Society, will lead the Global Walk for Peace hosted by Doing Grief Community Healing Project 9 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at the labyrinths at The Church of the Palms, 14808 N. Boswell Blvd.

“For me, walking the labyrinth has been a spiritual journey,” claims Kay Klinkenborg, Labyrinth enthusiast and member of The Church of the Palms. “It has helped me to heal from critical illness and an experience of deep grief.”

Labyrinths have been used since ancient times as a walking meditation in various cultures around the world. Often outlined with placed stones on the earth, the labyrinth provides a walker with a singular path from the outer edge of the labyrinth to its center. “There are no particular religious dogmas attached to the labyrinth,” Dilley explains. “The labyrinth invites people of all religions or none to come to the center with a contemplative, meditative heart, seeking peace.”

Dilley discovered the healing effects of the labyrinth after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. At the end of her treatment, she walked a labyrinth. That healing walk inspired her to walk the labyrinth once a week for a year. Since then, Dilley became an advanced veriditas labyrinth facilitator. She uses the labyrinth in her work as a licensed psychologist and offers workshops through Arizona Labyrinth Connections.

This year marks The Labyrinth Society’s 15th World Labyrinth Day. On May 6, thousands of walkers across the globe will participate in the Global Walk for Peace. There are nine confirmed walks in Arizona, including the walk at labyrinths at the Palms.

The Church of the Palms Labyrinths were designed and their creation overseen by Palms member Max Klinkenborg. The smaller of the two labyrinths was made accessible for those with wheelchairs and mobility walkers.

“I often enter the labyrinth with family in mind or people from my past, alive or departed, who impacted my life or shared wisdom with me,” relates Klinkenborg. “At the same time, I enjoy walking the labyrinth with people I know, reinforcing our community in this shared experience of meditation.”

The Healing Project’s Walk for Peace will take place on the eleven-circuit medieval-style labyrinth at the Palms – modeled after the oldest walkable labyrinth in Europe, Chartres Cathedral.

“This is a beautiful opportunity to introduce yourself to this ancient symbol that is now a modern-day mindfulness tool,” Dilley adds.

Visit DoingGrief.com or call 602-315-8480.