Melissa Gayle West is a psychotherapist who serves as a coordinator at a retreat center outside Seattle. She is an avid labyrinth walker and facilitator, and has created one in her backyard. Writing of the history of this sacred space, West calls it "one of the oldest contemplative and transformational tools known to humankind." She examines two forms of labyrinths — the Cretan and the Chartres — and then goes on to discuss the six contemporary needs it fulfills: deepening spirituality; inwardness and connection to the soul; access to intuition and creativity; simplicity; integration of body and spirit; and intimacy and community.
West has gathered many interesting stories about why people walk the labyrinth and what they derive from this experience. She devotes four chapters to the construction and care of labyrinths. The most revealing and helpful part of the book deals with the ways people have made walking the labyrinth into a playground for Spirit. West emphasizes the power of conscious intention, the use of lights and sound, and the soulful blending of the walk with journaling, creative visualization, and affirmations. Equally impressive is her overview of rituals that can be done in conjunction with this tool for transformation.