Pathways to Peace

The Bob Beshara Labyrinth at Hospice of the Hills

A labyrinth, unlike a maze, has only one path,
there are no dead-ends or wrong turns.  

The path is designed to help
you find your way.

You cannot get lost though
you may feel lost.

Along your walk,
open your mind,
listen to your heart,
and heal your
spirit.  

Our hope is that you return to walk
this special place time and time again.

"Cause I've seen blue skies
Through the tears in my eyes
And I realize,
I'm going home.
I'm going home."

History of the Labyrinth
at the Hospice House

In 2010, the Bob Beshara Labyrinth at Hospice of the Hills in Rapid City was completed. Donated by the Bob Beshara family as a memorial, the labyrinth was designed and completed by Enviroscapes and is based on the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth. It is located outside the Hospice Grief Center in the lower level of the Hospice House. It is open to the hospice families and the public.   

Labyrinths date back to prehistoric time, and are perceived as sacred spaces. They seem to have been an integral part of many cultures, such as Celtic, Mayan, Greek, Cretan, and Native American. Today, labyrinths are places of meditation and contemplation.  

How to Walk a Labyrinth
There is no wrong way to walk a labyrinth. It is the journey or the seeking that is important. It is a place to discover our own sacred inner space. For those weighing difficult circumstances and decisions, walking the labyrinth can clear the mind and give insight into our own life journey. For those in sorrow, it can give solace and peace.   The journey is different for everyone. It can help us see life in the context of a path. We each bring our own individuality to the path, and often depart with a greater sense of oneness and unity.  

The labyrinth is a path for reflection, meditation or prayer. Collect yourself before you start. Look at the path.  Think of different people, events, situations, places or things in your life to develop a specific intention if you wish to use one in your meditation.

Get centered.

There are two common ways of walking. The way of silence and the way of image. In choosing the way of silence it might be helpful to focus on your breathing. The way of image might be done by reciting a meditation over and over to yourself. Ask yourself: How am I loved? How do I love? In either case or in some other manner best suited to you, be open to your heart and mind. Pay attention to your thoughts as they rise and then let them go.

The labyrinth is a place of presence; allow yourself to be present to yourself. The labyrinth is a teacher; let it teach you. As you walk the path, thoughts and ideas may rise up for you and in you - often in refreshing and startling ways.

One way to feel more connected to walk slowly. There is no need to rush. Some people feel a sense of confusion as they first start, remember there is only one path in and one path out. You will not get lost. For some people running as quickly as possible to the center, resting there, and then running quickly out is a powerful experience.

People have different experiences walking the labyrinth. There is no "right" experience. Some people feel a sense of peace. Others find old memories rising up as they walk. Others find themselves thinking about an immediate situation or person. Others walk at varying speeds as different thoughts and emotions come and go.  Some people have profound insights. Others have very small experiences or none at all. The experience of walking the labyrinth is different for each person, each time. 

Whatever you experience, it is your experience. Relax and see what happens.

For more information, or to schedule someone to be with you while you walk the labyrinth, please call the Hospice
Volunteer Coordinator at 719-7729.

224 Elk Street
Rapid City SD 57701