Robinson Preserve offers a meditative walk through a lighted labyrinth

Most people think of a labyrinth as a maze that’s difficult to escape from.

The Light Labyrinth Walk at Robinson Preserve on Thursday night will be something different. There’s no puzzle, no chance of getting trapped inside. But you might get lost in your own thoughts.

“Traditionally, a labyrinth has been a single path,” said Aedan Stockdale, the education program director for Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. “One way in, one way out. Not a maze. You see them in gardens, you see them in churches. In places of spiritual significance.”

The light labyrinth will consist simply of warm, white lights — steady, not blinking — laid in the grass. The idea is that, starting shortly after sunset, visitors will simply walk slowly through the meandering path, enjoying the night, the nature and the glowing lights, and think about nothing else.

“This is geared to take 15-20 minutes,” Stockdale said. “It’s to encourage you to meditate, to be in the moment, to let go of everything else that’s in your head for a little while.”

This is the first time the parks department has held this particular event. It’s part of what Stockdale calls the “Vitamin N” program, designed to encourage people to spend more time in natural surroundings.

Stockdale said organizers are hoping the labyrinth will be popular enough to turn it into an annual event, possibly with a longer labyrinth.

Early indicators suggest that the labyrinth might be a success. A full day before the event, about 30 people had indicated they would attend. That’s a heartening number for a new and unusual type of event, Stockdale said.

The parks department is asking people to let them know in advance if they plan to attend, but it’s not required. If you want to wait until the last minute and decide, you can just show up. (If you want to call ahead, the number is 941-742-5923 ext. 6039, or you can email Aedan.Stockdale@mymanatee.org.)

“No one will be turned away,” Stockdale said. “We just want to get an idea of how many people will be there.”

It’s recommended for people age 6 and older, but that’s mostly because organizers want the atmosphere to be quiet and contemplative.

Because the labyrinth will be set up in the grass, people who have kids who get antsy, or who just decide they don’t want to finish the Labyrinth Walk, can simply exit at any time, Stockdale said.

Details: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Free. 941-742-5923 ext. 6039, .facebook.com/events/134921210619781.

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Robinson Preserve offers a meditative walk through a lighted labyrinth."