Elaina

We welcome Elaina Eakle as our part-time communications and event coordinator, the first staff member of Peace Hill at Avila! She will be directing online communications including newsletters, program announcements, and social media, as well as coordinating Peace Hill events at Avila and in the Durham community. Originally from Southeast Ohio, Elaina is a PhD Candidate in Communication at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she studies organizational communication with a focus on activist organizing and coalition-building. In addition to her organizing work and studies, Elaina also teaches undergraduate communication courses. She enjoys hiking, writing, and spending time with her two cats.

“I am incredibly excited to join Peace Hill at Avila. Contemplative and restorative practices are vital resources in our current moment, as organizers and community members face ever-increasing stakes and demands. Peace Hill’s mission is an essential component of broader social justice goals and I’m grateful to be part of this work as the organization grows.”

You can contact Elaina at elaina@peacehillavila.org.

This summer we also welcomed new board members: April Allison, Lois Deloatch, and Racquel Gill.

Did you know the labyrinth at Avila is maintained and sponsored by Peace Hill at Avila?

The labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in many cultures around the world. Labyrinth designs were found on pottery, tablets and tiles dating as far back as 4000 years. Many patterns are based on spirals from nature. In Native American culture it is called the Medicine Wheel. The Celts described it as the Never-Ending Circle. It is also called the Kabala in mystical Judaism.

One feature all labyrinths share is they have one path which winds in a circuitous way to the center.  Differently from a maze, a labyrinth provides a meditative pattern. Walking toward the center of the labyrinth is symbolic of accessing our own center of quiet. Walking the pattern outwardly denotes carrying our renewed selves back out into the world.

Walking a labyrinth is a personal practice and everyone does it for their own reasons.  While there are no set rules on how to do it, here are suggested guidelines to help you make the most of your labyrinth experience.   

Prior to the walk, sit or stand for a bit in the stillness.  If you go with a specific question or issue, put it out there and take a breath before entering the labyrinth.  As you enter, let your mind clear.  Focus on breathing as you move along the path.  Set a comfortable pace.

If other people are walking the labyrinth when you are, keep quiet and pass with care.  Respect the quest of other walkers as you expect them to do for you.

When you reach the center, stay for at least a moment, preferably longer, to allow answers, comfort, inspiration, prayer, or thoughts to enter your mind. 

Begin the reverse path when you are ready.

As you walk your return, take in the goodness of the ground beneath your feet, the air, the surroundings, and your thoughts. After you exit, take some time to reflect on your experience.

If you’d like to get involved, you can volunteer to help maintain the labyrinth. To learn more, please contact us.