Rob Kohn, 22, was known by his family and friends as a kind and gentle soul. When he passed away unexpectedly in December 2015, his parents, DeeDee and Andy Kohn, and brother, Michael, knew they wanted to create a memorial that would honor his memory in a way that reflected his nature.
For the Kohn family, it seemed appropriate to create a place of peace and tranquility to honor him and his life. Creating this place on the Missouri Baptist campus became a way for the family to reach out to other families who experience similar stress and worry with their loved ones and where employees could retreat to recenter.
Working with the Missouri Baptist Healthcare Foundation, the Kohn family decided to create The Robert N. Kohn Memorial Labyrinth.
“This is our way of giving back and honoring my son’s life,” Dee Dee said. “It gives our family comfort to create peaceful places for others.”
Dating back more than 4,000 years, labyrinths have been used by cultures worldwide as a place of calm where one can meditate, pray, or just become quiet and focused. The shape and winding path represents the journey to find peace.
Rob's family and friends gathered on Sunday, October 30, 2016 to officially dedicate and open the labyrinth. Located near Ballas Road on the southeast corner of the campus Wellness Trail, the Robert N. Kohn Memorial Labyrinth welcomes everyone for peaceful meditation, prayer, or contemplation.
How to walk the labyrinth:
- Preparation: As you approach the entrance to the labyrinth, take a deep breath or pause for a moment of silence, clearing your body and mind.
- The Journey Inwards: As you follow the path toward the center, one step at a time, go at your own pace. Use the time to pray, listen, reflect, and feel. Let yourself lose track of the outside world as you move toward the center.
- At the Center: As you linger in this space, receive what is there for you to receive. This is considered the most sacred of the labyrinth.
- The Return Journey: Reflect on what you have learned and let yourself feel gratitude for the journey and insights. Reflect on this as you re-enter the world.