Now available on DVD & BLUE-RAY-DISC:
"AWAKENING TO SPIRIT - Inner Peace to World Peace
Get your copy today. The proceeds from this DVD's will all go towards our nonprofit organization (LL4P), building the Peace Center and making Labyrinth education affordable.
BLUE-RAY-DISC: $20.00 plus shipping direct from KUNAKI.COM (Blue-Ray 35 MINUTES)
DVD-DISC: $15.00 plus shipping direct from KUNAKI.COM (DVD 35 MINUTES)
UNIVERSAL CINEMA REVIEW
Awakening to Spirit / Inner Peace to World Peace
By Hooman Razavi – October 26, 2020
Is it fair to ask how much cinema and moving time-image has the power to induce transcendence and spiritual matters? One can think of Carl Dreyer and his window into Christian spirituality through the medium of cinema. Vibhas Kendzia, a multi-instrumentalist and filmmaker familiar meditative practices and "Native American" traditions, take us through a similar path, giving a short glimpse of the life of Sandra Wasko-Flood, a poet, artists, and labyrinth educator and enthusiast.
Awakening to Spirit is 35 minutes long and takes the form of six intertwined episodes. The subjects narrate her poetry, vision, life journey, and accomplishment. The atmosphere is serene and pensive, and as interestingly, the visuals are mesmerizing and, to some extent, uncannily outwardly. The labyrinth’s power against a maze and its penetration and power in inducing another state of mindset is clearly conveyed. The unfamiliar becomes familiar, the meandering path and center project their meaning for internal and external peace and meaning-making.
The audience may not relate much with protagonist lines and themes; they could question the film themes of integration spirituality, poetry, art, and technology on aesthetic grounds. Sandra and Vibhas both offer an alternative explanation in this era of hyper-modernity and AI. Apart from reciting lyrics of The Owl Knows, Unloose the Snake, types of the labyrinth, dance within it, it is clear that this project is to bring together hidden treasures and link it to our modern existence. The fifth episode and the Center in Sedona make this very evident. The film editing and narration support this position and warm the audience to Labyrinth’s power in social and political transformations.
The documentary may demand another interpretation with its direct language of expression on such novel idea. The labyrinth that Sandra advocates and Kendzia showcases are analogous to the medium of cinema and how it can take us through the intricacies of modern life and be a positive source of awareness, inspiration and social change. In a sense, cinema has a labyrinth character to allow self-exploration not only for the artists who give it the lifeline but for the viewers who can internalize and externalize the challenges of the life. The educative nature of cinema, documentary and empowerment of novel ideas are all ingredients, that can be aptly seen in this work.
In sum, one can ask, is this "Awakening Spirit" able to send its message? Is Kendzia able to open up the eyes of viewers on a gem forgotten? Are the genuine voice, poetry, and experience of Sandra Wasko-Flood convincing enough to sway the opinion and viewership of those who may find a link between tradition, art on the one hand, and spiritual void and era of technological domination? "Awakening to Spirit" makes its case that dance in the labyrinth can heal, and watching this documentary can awaken the undernourished souls. In fairness, as surfing in the virtual museums and Facebook pages of this era, especially in the covid-imposed world, it is hard to argue against technology’s integration in our daily lives; the labyrinth may make us realize our ontological and social standing more grounded and profoundly.
Learn More
Hooman Razavi was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. Since 2002, he moved to Canada and completed his studies in Science and Education. Apart from being engaged as teacher for many years, Hooman has been heavily involved in the intellectual community and been member of Agora Philosophical Board for many years. Hooman’s interest in cinema started and grew since attending a film club associated with University of Toronto in 2007. Since then Hooman has been involved in various aspects of film industry including club management, film reviews, essays and festival engagement in Toronto. Hooman appreciates and contemplates on cinema’s multifaceted and evolving nature and how it is intricately interwoven with our contemporary lives as global citizens.
Continue of CREDITS:
LIVING LABYRINTHS FOR PEACE, INC
PRESENTS
AWAKENING TO SPIRIT
Inner Peace To World Peace
A Documentary of Artist, Poet and Labyrinth Worker Sandra Wasko-Flood
Keith Howard: Introduced me and others, in our art class at the Lee Arts Center in Arlington, VA., to new safe non-toxic etching techniques, so I could give these classes in my home studio in Mount Vernon, VA., and many other places (1997).
Gary Cook: My printmaking Instructor at the UNM Taos, one of the best teachers I have ever had, gave me updated safe printmaking classes. He is both conceptual and spiritual, giving such classes as “Creativity and Consciousness” (2008-20).
Paul Re: This artist friend, in whom we have so much in common as seen in his book: “Art, Peace, and Transcendence: Reograms that Elevate and Unite,” that brings together art, poetry and science, informed me of his Paul Re Peace Prize.
Andrew Cassatt: Graphic artist who did a superb design, for the postcard rendition of my Vision in the Great Kiva of Chaco National Historical Park, New Mexico. Thank you for your friendship our Washington DC studio, where I exhibited my art/technology labyrinth from 1994-2006.
Sig Lonegren: His book, “Labyrinths: Ancient Myths and Modern Uses (1991),” led me to do labyrinth work, and create my art/technology “Dance of the Labyrinth,” which emphasized those paths in his book that related to Earth (physical), Water (emotional), Fire (mental), and Air (spiritual). He published my article about my light-up “Dance of the Labyrinth” in his journal, “Caredroia” (1993).
Glen Aparicio Parry, PhD: Invited me to lead a peace walk on the labyrinth at the Mabel Dodge Luan House in Taos for his Sacred Politics Retreat. He is a founder of the SEED Institute, and the author of Original Thinking: A Radical Revisioning of Time, Humanity and Nature, and just published Original Politics.He invited me to help design his backyard Taos labyrinth with a center fire pit (2017).
Julia Pyatt: Did excellent Public Relations work as an LL4P board member (2012-2018). She interviewed me about LL4P on KRCA-87.7 FM radio show (2014-15): Exploring Sacred Spaces: Building a Bridge between Humanity and Nature.
Asaria Speicher: Bishop of the Madonna Ministry, served on our LL4P Board as Vice-President, bringing her art and labyrinth experience to it.
Jill Cline: Helped organize LL4P’s labyrinth program in Kit Carson Park: Regeneration Festival for Suicide Victims (2018), and invited me to present at the Serenity Retreat for Recovering Alcoholics at the Bosque Center in Albuquerque (2016).
John Acker: Former board member, helped with the Labyrinth Society’s Gathering by creating that new design, the Butterfly Labyrinth for our Ac-Tah Gathering at the Agricultural Center in Taos (2013), and donated that canvas portable Butterfly Labyrinth to Living Labyrinths for Peace.
Norm Cadorette: Electrician on our LL4P board, who helped update our art/technology “Dance of the Labyrinth.”
Bob Torres: Secretary on LL4P board, architect, city planner for the town of Taos, lawyer, and Managing Attorney who helped us with fundraising and grant writing.
Susan Moore: LL4P Bookkeeper who does our financial reports, is working on our upcoming book: Labyrinth Instructors Handbook, gave Ceramics Workshop at El Rancho’s Elementary School.
Jim Glenn: Leads Lions Club events at the Taos Country Club and served on the LL4P Advisory Fundraising Committee.
Janet Sailor: Helped direct the Labyrinth Society’s Paranormal Conference in Angel Fire, NM and in Taos.
Anwar Kaelin: Center Director of Taos Entrepreneurial Network (TEN) Taos County Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Gives expert free help to LL4P: donors, grant writers, creating LivePlan.com.
Father Michael Olsen: Former Pastor at St. James Church, Taos, who invited me to instruct teenagers to build an outdoor labyrinth there.
Harwood Museum of Art Taos, NM: Invited me to exhibit the “Children’s Labyrinth Drawings” which had been done in local schools, and sponsored Labyrinth Workshops for the Taos Sacred Spaces events (2010).
Carmela Duran: Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM: Invited me to exhibit the Labyrinth Posters shown in the Cannon Rotunda of the House of Representatives as part of the Labyrinth Sacred Spaces Events, which I organized for the Town of Taos (2010).
Rev. Pam Tyler: invited me to do a labyrinth program for school children of Compass Point Camp at San Geronimo’s Lodge in Taos, where they could walk their outdoor labyrinth (2009).
James Jereb: Inspired me through your “Star Dreaming, Temple of the Cosmos,” a 22 acres of scared stone labyrinth complex in Santa Fe, NM.
Louise Deretchin: Artist, writer and educator invited me to write my article, Labyrinths for Creativity and Peace in Schools, edited by you and Cheryl J. Craig, for the Teachers Education Yearbook XIX published by the University of Houston.
Rick Romancito: Editor of the Tempo: Arts and Entertainment Magazine of the Taos News, published articles on my labyrinth work.
Susan Germann: Former president of Taos Integrated School for the Arts (TISA), invited me to do a labyrinth program there. Her testimony: “Creating our own labyrinth was an invaluable lesson in team work and peaceful conflict resolution.”
Jason Pfeifer: Member of Taos Entrepreneurial Network (TEN), helped me to promote my labyrinth work.
Lindsay Rawlinson Elliott: Membership Coordinator of the Taos Chamber of Commerce, invited me to participate in networking events.
Joy Cowan: Artist friend in my UNM Taos printmaking class promoted my art and poetry book in her home studio art classes.
G.B. Cornucopia: Tour guide at Chaco National Historical Park, NM. Affirmed that my vision of the ceremonial dancers and spirals in the Great Kiva was true.
James Needham: Brought the Mayan Ac-Tah from the Yucatan Peninsula to be the main presenter at the Labyrinth Society’s Gathering at the Kachina Lodge in Taos, NM co-sponsored by our organization, Living Labyrinths for Peace (2013).
Ac-Tah: Mayan presented at the Labyrinth Society’s Gathering in Taos, creating those new labyrinth designs to walk, based on the sacred geometry of the pyramids, and did his new World Peace Labyrinth for World Labyrinth Day at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC (2013).
Virginia LoneSky: With her organization, Peaceful Endeavors, co-sponsored the Memorial Day Celebration at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC (2013), and our World Labyrinth Day Program at New Door Creative Art Gallery in Baltimore, MD (2015), where I did my new labyrinth design on the blacktop: “Goddess of the Universe.”
Origin Retreat Center Lodge, Ojo Caliente, NM:Director Jill Marie Inanna invited LL4P to give a spiritual introduction to labyrinths. Jason Robnett built the Innsbruck Labyrinth design with rocks.
Chris Madrid: Founding member of Taos Ten organization whose purpose is to improve our community and business networking. Gave excellent advice to Living Labyrinths for Peace.
The Labyrinth Society: As a founding member of the International Labyrinth Society, I and Marilyn Larson directed its first Special Project: Labyrinth walking demonstration for inner peace on the East Lawn of the U.S. Capitol with a photo exhibit of labyrinths from around the world in the Cannon Rotunda of the House of Representatives, and a reception in the House Rayburn Building. Helen Post Curry, TLS’s first president, gave a very supportive speech at our reception at the House Rayburn Building.The Labyrinth Society invited me to present at its Gathering in Bainbridge, Washington:“Co-creating Peace with Technology and Nature,( 2017)” to co-host its gathering in Taos, New Mexico, when we invited the Maya Ac-Tah to build his new World Peace Labyrinths (2013). Labyrinth Society Gathering, Sacramento, California: Invited me to give workshop on Labyrinths on Capitol Hill and Labyrinths in the Schools (2002).
World Labyrinth Day Programs: Labyrinth Society World Labyrinth Day Program where everyone in the world walks Labyrinths for Peace at 1 pm in their time zone, our LL4P program at Johns Hopkins, Bayview Medical Center (2014).
Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM: Town of Taos Labyrinth Sacred Spaces Events, exhibited the posters art show we had in the Cannon Rotunda of the House of Representatives, for our “Labyrinths for Peace: 2000” event on Capitol Hill.
Institute of Noetic Sciences: Invited me to give a labyrinth lecture in Santa Fe (2003).
Marie Augusta Kauffman from Rhode Island School of Design: Gave me private undergraduate art lessons in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when I decided I liked printmaking the best. (1970-73).
Warrington Colescott, University of Wisconsin, Madison: Gave me an excellent introduction to printmaking (1977-78).
Keith Howard, Lee Arts Center, Arlington, VA:Introduced me to new Safe Etching Methods, so that I could develop a Non-toxic Monotype class for oil based and water based inks in my studio (1997).
Manifest Ra, Washington DC: Gave me the “Healing Humanity: Award: “Honoring the Divine Feminine (2013).
Baltimore Office on Promotion in the Arts: Grants for school art programs, for me to give an after school art program (2006-2007).
DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities: Grants for our “Labyrinths in the Schools” programs (2000-04).
Washington Women’s Arts Center: Founding member in (1981), had many exhibits and gave your members printmaking classes in my Alexandria studio.
Artists Equity, Inc. Washington DC: “Best of Show” Award.
Virginia Commission on the Arts: $5000 grant for my light-up, art/technology “Dance of the Labyrinth.”
College of Notre Dame, Baltimore, MD: Purchase Award.Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Gallery, Alexandria, VA: $1000 grant on my Cycles wall hangings with etchings printed on fabric.
Rev. Gail Riina: Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois: Invited me to the ELCA-Episcopal/Lutheran Campus Ministries Conference to give a presentation with of “Rainbow Labyrinth of Peace,” composed of computer programmed lights with wall light boxes.
Sub-basement Studios, Baltimore, MD: Jeffery Kent, invited me to exhibit my light-up “Rainbow Labyrinth of Peace.” And to present that Peace Panel with Coleman McCarthy, (author, director of Peace Studies at Georgetown University, Washington DC; Marty Cain (worldwide labyrinth builder), and a Poetry Reading with me and other local poets, as well as a Mandala Workshop (2008-09).
Bishop Eugene Sutton: Invited me to be on the Labyrinth Advisory Committee (2002-04) of the Washington Cathedral when he was a Cannon there. Now, as Bishop of Baltimore, he supports our organization, Living Labyrinths for Peace.
Charles Sumner Museum, Washington DC: Three part exhibit: “Labyrinths for Peace: 2000; Photo Exhibit,” “Labyrinths to Walk with Hands and Feet,” and “New Turns: Contemporary Labyrinth Designs (2000).”
Terra Williams Matthews: Connected to James and Mai Needham to hear Ac Tah speak at the Labyrinth Society Gathering in Taos, planning a sequence of ceremonies in Taos, especially sending Ac Tah to build his Orion Labyrinth at the New Buffalo Retreat Center in Arroyo Hondo, as well as Reuben Medina to do his guitar playing.
Freedom El: Present LL4P board member, who created the foundation for Library Café in Ghana, to unify Diaspora and Continental Africans worldwide, and is helping our organization with fundraising.
Elaine Williams: Capitol Heights, Washington DC:Council Member and Chair of the Community, Health, and Environment Committee (CHEC), who promoted our labyrinth building and education programs in the DC schools.
Sue Anne Foster: Loomis, CA: Artist and educator, who helped organize “Labyrinths for Peace: 2000:” first project of the International Labyrinth Society on the east lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
Cheryl Bragg: LL4P’s registered agent in Virginia where we were founded in 2005. Invited me to give a labyrinth workshop for the Phillips Program for children and adults in Virginia.
Claire D’Gaia: Gave “Light of the Earth,” Rife Master Qigong classes at our Living Labyrinths for Peace Center in Taos, NM (2012-13).
Kelly Johnson: Did curatorial work for her MFA program at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) for the Feminist Art Project in Baltimore. Invited me to contribute my art piece to that exhibit at New Door Creative art gallery in Baltimore (2015).
Dr. Nancy Bandeira: Actor, teacher of communication and performance studies at La Guardia Community College on New York City, helped me get labyrinth connections in New York City.
Carol Pulin: As Curator of Fine Prints at the Library of Congress in Washington DC, helped me exhibit my works in museum collections, and get me a copy write of my “Dance of the Labyrinth” installation in the Library of Congress.
Claudia Vess: Longtime artist friend who does multi-media art: relief sculpture, printmaking, painting. We had an amazing trip to Mexico together where we so inspired by ancient pyramids.
Lauren Artress: Priest at Grace Cathedral Church in San Francisco who founded the organization, Veriditas, which provides labyrinth education and building of the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth throughout the world. She is the author of ‘Walking the Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Sacred Tool.” In 1995, she walked my art/technology “Dance of the Labyrinth” in my DC studio, and so encouraged me to continue my work.
Jerry and Rene Buettner. Jerry, a former priest, leads a Merton Discussion group that addresses many spiritualties at his Baltimore home that has inspired deep friendships with so many neighbors. His wife, Rene, a former nun, invited me to give a labyrinth presentation at St. Francis of Assisi School nearby.
Robert Moss: The Shift Network: His Shamanic Dreaming Webinars have changed my life.
Year of Miracles with Dr. Sue Mortar, Marci Shimoff and Lisa Carr: This webinar has changed my life, making me more loving and peaceful in realizing my life’s passion and purpose.
Daksha Madhu Rajagoplan: She gives Meditation classes inspired by worldwide meditation experts and private consultations. We will create a virtual Peace Center together including labyrinths, and then an outdoor one.
Barbara Zeman: One of my best Hinsdale Township High School (Chicago Suburb) friends all these years. We were in the same Advanced English Class, and had much in common.
Marianne Valdrighi: A great high school friend, who lived down the street from me. We walked to school together and shared our lives and teaching experiences all these years.
Publications by Sandra Wasko-Flood
- The Labyrinth Path to Light and Peace: Art and Poetry by Sandra Wasko-Flood: Copyright: Sandra Wasko-Flood 2016, Publisher: Create My Space
- Universal Journey: A Fine Art Retrospective: Copyright: Sandra Wasko-Flood, 2017, Minuteman Press, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Art/Technology Labyrinths of Light: Co-Creating Peace with Technology and Nature: Copyright: Sandra Wasko-Flood, 2017, Minuteman Press, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Labyrinths in the Schools for Creativity and Peace: Copyright: Sandra Wasko-Flood, 2017, Minuteman Press, Baltimore, Maryland.
- A Collection of Labyrinth Poems: 4 Booklets: Copyright: Sandra Wasko-Flood, 2017, Staples, Sedona, Arizona.
- Living Labyrinths for Peace, Student Labyrinth Designs,compiled by Sandra Wasko-Flood for educational programs through her organization: Living Labyrinths for Peace: www.livinglabyrinthsforpeace.org.
Publications which Feature Sandra Wasko-Flood
- Labyrinths: Ancient Paths of Wisdom and Peace, Copyright: Virginia Westbury: Published by Lansdowne Publishing Pty Ltd, Sydney Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW 2001 Australia. Features my light up “Dance of the Labyrinth.
- Caerdroia 1993-The Journal of Mazes and Labyrinths: Thundersley, Essex SS7 3EB, England, UK.Features my article: “Unloose the Snake: One Artist’s Labyrinths.”
- Cultivating Curious and Creative Minds: The Role of Teachers and Teacher Educators: Part II, Teacher Education and Yearbook XIX. My article: Labyrinths for Creativity and Peace in the Schools: Cultivating Curious and Creative Minds. Editors: Cheryl J. Craig: University of Houston and Louise F. Deretchin: Education Consultant, Rowman & Littlefield Educaton; Lanham, Maryland, Toronto, Plymouth, UK, 2011.
- El Dorado: A Newsletter Bulletin on South American Anthropology, Volume 1, Number 3-December 1976. My Article: “Nasca Tongue Iconography” (Attempt to establish the tongue as a multi-fertility symbol.), Professor George E. Fay, Editor-Museum of Anthopology, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado 80639, December, 1970.
- Yellow Silk: Journal of Erotic Arts (ISSN: 0736-9212) In this issue, with my art pictures that illustrate others poetry, I wish to overcome the split between sensuality and spirituality, humanity and nature, sacred and secular found in this culture. Published by verygraphics, Albany, California, Autumn 1987.
Videos:
Labyrinths for Peace: 2000: A documentary of the inspiring event held at the Nation’s Capitol from March 13-25, 2000. Sponsored by the International Labyrinth Society. Produced by Living Labyrinths for Peace, Inc., Producers: Sandra Wasko-Flood (Executive Producer) and Carolyn Carnell.
Interview with Sandra Wasko-Flood, Labyrinths for Peace by Elizabeth Martina Bishop, Ph.D: Videographer is Ron James at Sandra’s Angel Fire House with her backyard Labyrinth.
Power Point: Labyrinth Peace Museum by Jill Cline: Presentation of the education and building goals of Living Labyrinths for Peace of the Luminous Labyrinth Center for Peace in Sedona, Arizona.
CD: WASKO-FLOOD: Interactive Art, Prints and Sculpture from 1970-2003. Produced by Charlotte’s Web Studios, Vienna, Virginia.
Film Festival POSTER 2021
Find the MOVIE on Film Free Way
Link to FilmFreeWay.Com
Download Poster PDF 2021
Link to POSTER PDF