July 2, 2018
Guests Find Inner Harmony on Labyrinth Path
Whether you are seeking inner meditative peace, or just a nice walk, following the path of a meditation labyrinth may be for you. The Buckhorn Inn “Rachael’s Labyrinth” is named for Innkeeper Rachael Young. The path is constructed of local fieldstone and is encircled with native wildflowers and plants. Our labyrinth is of the medieval style.
Guest Amanda Writesman took this beautiful photo of the Buckhorn Inn labyrinth.
Path for All Faiths
Labyrinths were in use long before recorded history. They all feature a single path that leads into the center of a space and then back out. Most cultures have a type of labyrinth. They have been associated with mini-pilgrimages and walked to reinforce protection, to bring good fortune, or to overcome difficulty. Today’s labyrinths offer the opportunity for meditation and slight concentration. Every journey is a personal one–everyone gets something different from the walk. The world-wide labyrinth locator http://www.labyrinthlocator.com lists 4,977 labyrinths in 80 countries, including the one at Buckhorn Inn in Gatlinburg, Tennessee! The Smithsonian Magazine highlights six labyrinths which have been heralded for their beauty and history.
The Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France dates back to the year 1205. According to the magazine, scholars believe that the path symbolizes “the human journey from sin to redemption”.
When you walk through the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, China, you are walking through a structure built in 1709. The path is housed in a garden called the Garden of Perfection and Light. The 864-acre property was intended to be a private garden for Chinese emperors, but was destroyed by the British and French forces in the 1860s. The remaining ancient landscaping is like nothing anywhere else.
Dunure Castle in Scotland was a 13th century stronghold. The stone labyrinth is on the beach near a park and offers walkers a wonderful view of both the sea and the castle’s remains.
Lands End, San Francisco was built by artist Eduardo Aguilera in 2004. The labyrinth is located on a rocky outcropping overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. The path is tucked away from view.
Do you enjoy walking labyrinths? Please share your pictures and stories. We would like to feature them in a future blog post.
May 30, 2017
Labyrinth at Buckhorn Inn One of Largest in U.S.
The Buckhorn Inn’s Rachael’s Labyrinth, at 60 feet in diameter, is one of the largest meditation labyrinths in the United States. It is built of local fieldstone, and is a unique feature of the Buckhorn Inn grounds. Peoples all over the world have been creating these structures since the Neolithic period. They are marked by a symmetry that is visually pleasing and contain surprisingly long paths in a small amount of physical space. They provide timeless beauty and an intriguing way for individuals to interact with the setting. Some estimates claim that as many as 10,000 labyrinths may have been constructed all over the world in the last 25 years. Today the terms “labyrinth” and “maze” often are confused. A maze is complex, has many branches and dead-ends, and offers walkers various points of decision. A labyrinth, on the other hand, is unambiguous with one route that always leads to the center. As such, it is the perfect place to leave stress behind and renew one’s spirit in the tranquility of nature. The Buckhorn Inn guests have often described it as a quiet haven and a respite from stress. For more information on Rachael’s Labyrinth, please visit our website . https://www.buckhorninn.com/grounds/rachel’slabyrinth
Rachael’s Labyrinth at the Buckhorn Inn
How to do a simple walking meditation in a labyrinth
- 1. Stand at the entrance. Center yourself with a few deep breaths.
- 2. Begin to walk, concentrating on the sensations of the placement of your feet and the rhythm of your breath. If you are stressed, you may find that walking at a slow pace will help to quiet your mind. As outside thoughts enter your mind, acknowledge them, then bring your mind back to the present sensations of walking. 3.Upon reaching the center, pause for a moment of quiet reflection. 4. Walk out, appreciating the sense of calm.
Your journey through the labyrinth begins with your first step.
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