about myra smith - my labyrinth journey
facilitator and labyrinth artist
I grew up surrounded by church and family in the deep South, and majored in Philosophy and Religion in college, where I especially enjoyed studying Comparative Religion and the similarities rather than differences between religious faiths. I moved from the South to the Pacific NW in 1991 shortly after graduating from college, and worked in the nonprofit realm of human services for ten years. Shortly after the birth of my first child, I began working from home for a family business so that I could stay home with my children and spend more time on spiritual pursuits.
I have nearly always struggled with prayer and mediation outside of church, and was prone to what the Buddhists call "monkey mind" where my mind would jump from my prayers to my to do list or other distractions. Years ago, I started doing what I called "prayer-walking" to keep my body busy so my mind could focus, but was again distracted by passing cars, traffic noise and the scenery around me. I also struggled with wanting to share the peace and happiness I find in God with others without offending them or assuming that my religion was necessarily the best practice.
facilitator and labyrinth artist
I first saw labyrinth walking as a prayer practice on a DVD series and was intrigued by the pattern and that others were enjoying praying and walking at the same time. Soon after viewing the DVD, I was invited to walk a labyrinth at a Buddhist teacher's home near Mt. Baker, WA. My first walk was in 2005 with a group of women who were from many different faiths - Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and one agnostic. I entered my initial walk with a question and was blown away by my experience of the walk and the answer I received. I was also very excited that the labyrinth provided a way to journey and commune with people from many different faith backgrounds at the same time. I loved that we didn't have to believe exactly the same thing, but we could walk as one and all have spiritual or meditative experiences.
I commenced to read everything I could get my hands on about labyrinths and found that labyrinths had not only spiritual, but creative, celebratory and even corporate applications. I attended labyrinth facilitator and building training in 2008 and started my labyrinth business shortly after that.
facilitator and labyrinth artist
Since that first labyrinth walk, I have created dozens of labyrinths, and walked the labyrinth hundreds of times. It is easier for me to quiet my mind and hear the "still, small voice" of God on the labyrinth than anywhere else in the world. I also have more creative inspiration and easier problem solving abilities on the labyrinth. I am constantly amazed by the stories walkers share with me about the different positive effects walking the labyrinth has for them - that they are able to find a quiet peace, or an answer to a critical issue, or resolve a conflict, or finish a book or poem, or discover an insight. It is truly a watering hole for the mind, body and spirit for all people who are open to giving it a try.
Building labyrinths and leading labyrinth walks is a passion and a calling for me. It blends my love of caring for the earth with caring for the soul. There are plenty of expensive national labyrinth companies already, so I specialize in local, simple, natural materials and use of donated or reusable materials to keep costs and impact on the environment minimal. I especially enjoy problem-solving to help labyrinths fit the space and the available budget available, and creative-thinking to make labyrinths accessible and enjoyable for all ages, faiths or groups.
I look forward to creating a labyrinth experience just for YOU.
professional certification and qualifications
- Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator with specialized labyrinth building training from Robert Ferre, Owner of Labyrinth Enterprises
- Member of The Labyrinth Society, Northwest Regional Labyrinth Facilitators, Labyrinth Network Northwest, Western Washington Labyrinth Network and the Wisdom Circle, Stillpoint at Beckside Spiritual Retreat Center
- Graduate of United Way of America's Fundraising Training, Western Washington University's Leadership in Business Certificate Program, and the Grantmanship Center's Strategic Fundraising and Grantwriting Programs
- BA in Philosophy with Minor in Religion, The University of the South
- Former Board President and Board Member, Project Labyrinth of Bellingham
- Extensive nonprofit work experience and volunteer service with community organizations and churches