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Take a walk on the mystical side, add a labyrinth visit to your North Carolina trip
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Medieval style labyrinth at Millbrook Baptist Church in Raleigh
Powerful enough to contain a mythical Minotaur, yet a serene tool for personal and spiritual quests, the labyrinth has retained its mystical sense since ancient times.
For centuries, people have found solace walking the single-path symbol of power and peace. Travelers on a spirit quest, or just curious, may want to add a labyrinth walk to their itinerary, especially since North Carolina has many different types of labyrinths scattered about the state.
Some NC labyrinths are private, some open to the public only at certain times, and others available 24/7. Most public labyrinths do not charge a fee for use. The ones that do, use the minimal fees to maintain the labyrinth and grounds.
Walking a labyrinth is a personal journey and everyone does it for their own reasons. While there are no set rules on how to do it, there are suggested guidelines to help you make the most of your labyrinth experience. They are similar, yet vary. It’s really up to you to decide. The routine below is my preferred way.Prior to the walk, sit or stand for a bit and take the energy in. If you go with a specific question or issue, put it out there and take a breath before entering the labyrinth. As you enter, allow negativity drain from your body, and let your mind to clear. Focus on breathing and cleaning out negativity as you move along the path.
When you reach the center, stay for at least a moment, preferably longer, to allow answers, comfort, inspiration, messages or thoughts to enter your mind. Don’t worry if nothing seems to come, and don’t try to force it. Some people find that praying in the center helps too. Leave the center when you feel the urge and start on the return path.
As you walk your return. Take in the goodness of the ground beneath your feet. Feel the good energy rise upward through you with each step. After you exit, take some time to reflect on your experience.
As a courtesy, if other people are walking the labyrinth when you do, keep quiet and pass with care. Respect the quest of other walkers as you expect them to do for you.Below is a sampling of public, no fee labyrinths in the Raleigh Durham area.
Chapel Hill: The Church of Reconciliation, Elliott Road: Rock, Classical Labyrinth located behind the Education building. Always open.
Chapel Hill: NC Memorial Hospital – John M. Reeves All Faiths Chapel: Canvas Labyrinth located in the chapel. Available to public every Wednesday from 10 a.m. until Thursday at 10 a.m. unless there is another event. For questions: 919.966.4021
Durham: St. Philips Episcopal Church, E. Main Street: Brick Labyrinth. Open M-F 9 – 4:30, Sundays, and special days when church is open.
Durham: Avila Retreat Center, Mason Road: Rock Labyrinth. Open during day, call first to be sure it is available. 919.477.1285
Raleigh: St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Canterbury Road: Brick, Medieval Labyrinth. Always open.
Raleigh: Millbrook Baptist Church, Millbrook Road. Paved concrete, Medieval Chartres style Labyrinth. Always open.
Rougemont: New Bethel United Methodist Church. Rock Labyrinth (could use some TLC). Always open. Questions: 919.245.0015
Wake Forest: Grace Haven Baptist Fellowship. Rock (white quartz stone & mulch), Medieval, Santa Rosa Labyrinth. Call for availability: 919.554.0180
For more info: North Carolina is loaded with labyrinths. For a list of public, private, and other labyrinths: Click Here Also try: http://www.labyrinthsinnc.com/Photos: Barbara Dolny-Bombar. Top right: Labyrinth at Millbrook Baptist Church, Raleigh; Bottom right: Labyrinth at Meredith College, Raleigh; Lower left: Entry to Labyrinth at St. Philips Episcopal Church, Durham
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Barbara Dolny-Bombar is an award-winning writer, photographer, and independent filmmaker who loves living in and exploring North Carolina
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