One of few indoor labyrinths soothes many walkers





	Nearly a dozen guests walked the labyrinth in Stony Brook last week, each for their own reasons and benefits. Photo by Jennifer Choi (click for larger version)

January 13, 2010 | 03:33 PM
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook is home to one of few permanent indoor labyrinths in the nation.

The fellowship, a religious community that promotes diversity, individual spiritual growth and social and economic justice, according to its website, has a 32-foot indoor labyrinth permanently inlaid in the sanctuary floor. Unlike a maze, there are no wrong turns or dead ends in a labyrinth, which is believed by many to have healing and meditative powers.

At the Stony Brook UUF, fellowship member Linda Mikell facilitates labyrinth walks that are open to the community and designed to bring peace and clarity in a spiritual setting. Mikell, a Commack resident for 40 years, said she became interested in labyrinths several years ago and traveled to France to take classes at Chartres Cathedral, which houses one of the most recognized labyrinths in the world. She then earned her facilitator certification from Veriditas, a California-based organization dedicated to the labyrinth experience, and has been facilitating labyrinth walks since 2003.

"I saw a picture of a labyrinth and I just thought it was very, very important," Mikell said, "and I wanted to know more about it."

Features

	A question every teen should ask themselves
	Red Watch Bands save lives
	Staller name synonymous with culture on North Shore
Times of Huntington
	The new year brings renewed promises from Town Board
Times of Northport
	Swimming for a neighbor's supper

Extras

	comments to this article
	e-mail this article link to a friend
	letter to the editor about this article
	print this article

Mikell, who joined the Stony Brook fellowship about 30 years ago, said some view the labyrinth as a religious tool while others participate in the walks "just to be thankful, not particularly to a certain god." The labyrinth caters to people with all different religious backgrounds, she added, because "you bring your own meaning."

While the fellowship is also home to an outdoor labyrinth, Mikell said having an indoor labyrinth is beneficial because "you can count on having the walks on a regular basis since you don't have to worry about the weather."

Every Thursday at 1:30 pm, Mikell facilitates an indoor labyrinth walk by providing the atmosphere for quiet meditation and describing ways to meditate at different points of the labyrinth. Participants walk to recorded music made especially for labyrinth walking and share their experiences in a closing circle. "I really enjoy facilitation," Mikell said. "It's peaceful for me. I enjoy all the people that come, and I enjoy sharing the benefits of the labyrinth walk, so it's been a part of my spiritual journey as well."

At the fellowship's Jan. 7 labyrinth walk, Stony Brook resident Carolyn Freud said she began participating in the walks several years ago because it offers a place for "wonderful walking meditation. … The more I walk, the easier it is to draw on that relaxation."

Lesley Conway, of Miller Place, who began attending the walks at UUF over a year ago, said she has walked outdoor labyrinths without facilitators for many years but was drawn to the Stony Brook fellowship for Mikell's facilitation. "Linda makes the difference," Conway said. "There's a lot of synergy when you walk with a group."

Lake Ronkonkoma resident Loretta Clemente said the labyrinth walks have "allowed me to finally find harmony and peace," adding, "I found my heart song. I answered problems and now I'm blessed to have [the labyrinth] in my head, so I don't necessarily have to be here" to meditate.

Kathy Mingin of Commack said walking the labyrinth also helps her find peace. "I find that it helps me cope throughout the week," Mingin said. "I love coming here."

Search The Site