Features Editor

What a few people with a vision can do is simply a(maze)ing.

A group of Troy State University faculty members and students and townspeople had a vision of constructing a maze-like Labyrinth, an ancient sacred symbol, near Sorrell Chapel.

Construction began on the modern example of the ancient symbol in April 2000 and the Troy Labyrinth was dedicated on Sept. 23, 2000.

In order to maintain

and improve the Troy Labyrinth, the Friends of the Labyrinth will host a day lily sale from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday at 417 Murphree Street.

All proceeds from the sale will be used to benefit the Troy Labyrinth.

The Labyrinth, which is located under the trees just north of Sorrell Chapel, is a gravel path bordered by monkey grass that twists and turns in an elaborate design that has its origins in unknown prehistoric times.

In the Christian tradition, the Labyrinth has been used as a prayer path, meditation device, symbolic pilgrimage and as a tool for spiritual centering, said Dr. Robert Pullen, a member of Friends of the Labyrinth and dean of the college of arts and sciences at TSU.

The Labyrinth looks like a maze when first viewed, but it differs from a maze in that there is only one path that folds back and forth upon itself to the center. The same path must be followed to exit the Labyrinth.

"There are no dead ends and no choices to be made as the path is walked," Pullen said. "This frees the mind to contemplate the journey and allows a concentration of attention as the center is approached.

"People find the center to be a place to pause and reflect or, perhaps, a good place to offer prayers. The path back out into the world offers an opportunity to think about how one can reenter the world with a renewed spirit and a renewed commitment to serve God and one’s fellow man."

More than 400 people hours have been donated to the Labyrinth project by TSU faculty and students and citizens of Troy.

"The building of the Labyrinth was a wonderful experience of working with many people to create a unique place where the physical and spiritual come together," Pullen said.

People are invited to walk the Labyrinth Saturday either before or after selecting day lilies for their own flower gardens in support of this project.

The day lilies are available in an assortment of colors and varieties and may be purchased for $5 a pair.