Walking Together - Listening with Heart

The Uluru Statement From the Heart's generous call to the people of Australia to walk with them in a movement of the Australian people for a better future has been taken up by the Australian Labyrinth Network Inc., a registrable national body through ASIC.

Lorraine Rodda, a co-founder of ALN, said she was delighted to announce the organisation's participation in Reconciliation Week as a national response.

"There are 217 Labyrinths across Australia, with 73 in Victoria and one at San Remo. You can find a labyrinth to walk at aln.org.au.

"This decision not only demonstrates a willingness to listen with our hearts but to utilise this ancient sacred pattern, inspired by nature, to experience a sense of presence and as a portal to consider the bigger picture; for First Nations People, the oldest living culture on Earth, to thrive as they live and walk in two worlds.”

Ms Rodda said before walking the labyrinth, it is helpful to know your heart sends more messages to the brain than the other way round.

“Walking the labyrinth is an excellent way to process your thoughts, not only during Reconciliation Week but, importantly, an opportunity to process your response to the referendum; a historical nation-building opportunity to be held later this year,” she said.

"By setting a heartfelt intention for your Reconciliation Walk, you engage your brain's right hemisphere to contemplate both the Yes and the No positions. It then acts spontaneously, without conscious effort; you reflect with images, gain new insights, clarity and new ideas emerge.”

Emily Simpson, the founder of the Centennial Park Labyrinth in Sydney, recently inspired the formation of a National Facebook Group, "Walking Together – Listening with Heart”, to engage with people nationwide to hold the space for an inclusive and mutually expansive way forward with First Nations people.

“The labyrinth teaches us about acceptance and flow," Emily said.

"It's a good bridge for the western mind to learn to appreciate, through direct experience, what the First Nations people never forgot: how to live in the way of belonging and connection. It's the perfect metaphor for this moment in time."

Read more at: www.facebook.com/EmililyUrsula/about_details

The initiative has been supported by Aunty Ali Golding, an Elder of the Biripi Nation.

"Walking home to the country is a connection our people have always had with Mother Earth. Our culture is defined by the closeness of family circles and staying connected to the people within it,” she said.

“The labyrinth invites and welcomes people to walk the path together - it calls them to the land in oneness.

"In the months leading up to the referendum, to build awareness and momentum, intentional, collective labyrinth walking will be a chance for each of us to cross the threshold into new beginnings.

Walking together - listening with heart and feet to the song of this land.”

The San Remo Labyrinth, maintained by the Bass Coast Shire Council, is always open to walk.

A Candlelight Walk will be held on the eve of the referendum. For information about facilitated Reconciliation and Referendum Walks contact Lorraine and Geoff Rodda. Email lgrodda@gmail.com.

Labyrinth location: Drive along Back Beach Road San Remo, then along the unmade road past Lions Children's Park and Picnic Ground.