Elaina

By Byron McMillan, Peace Hill Colleague of Counsel

When I first moved to New Mexico, I “stumbled” upon the book, “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I’m certain Harriett Tubman had something to do with it. 

It opened up my mind to indigenous wisdom and ecological consciousness. It opened up my heart to the idea of Radical Belonging that Barbara Holmes crystallized within me. 

Here are five principles that began helping me move through the disharmony of my colonized mind into the  harmony of what the Navajo call Hozho, the Cherokee call Eloheh, the Jews call Shalom, and some indigenous peoples of Africa call Ubuntu: 

1. Reciprocity: Emphasizes the importance of giving back to the Earth and maintaining a balance between taking and giving, fostering a relationship of mutual respect and care.

2. Gratitude: Encourages a mindset of thankfulness for the gifts of the natural world, which can shift perspectives from exploitation to appreciation and stewardship.

3. Interconnectedness: Highlights the interconnected nature of all living beings, promoting a holistic view of the world that values all forms of life and their roles in the ecosystem.

4. Respect for Indigenous Knowledge: Advocates for valuing and integrating indigenous wisdom and practices, recognizing their deep understanding of sustainable living and ecological balance.

5. Living in Harmony with Nature: Encourages living in a way that is in harmony with the natural world, respecting its limits and cycles, and striving for sustainability in daily life.

As a colleague of Peace Hill at Avila, I am committed to integrating the often overlooked indigenous knowledge and practices of the Americas with the contemplative traditions rooted in Peace Hill’s ancestral heritage. 

By combining these principles, we aim to enhance Peace Hill’s mission of building a compassionate and just society. This involves fostering mindfulness, ecological awareness, and a holistic approach to social action and community organizing.

In these challenging times, with powerful forces threatening the soul of our nation, Peace Hill has emerged as a beacon of hope. I wholeheartedly support this mission and am dedicated to its success.

By Evelyn Craig, Chair

My life’s path has consistently invited me to minister across generations and now extends to ministry across denominations, where I am immersed in “ecumenical goodness.” Throughout my religious life, I have cherished the freedom that continually calls me to become the best version of myself.

I brought my years of college campus ministry with me when I came to NC and Duke Divinity School offered me the opportunity to lead groups of students in Spiritual Formation. As a current self-employed Spiritual Director, I continue to meet with those who graduated and are pastors.

Peace Hill was at first a place where I found familiar meditative silence among a variety of denominations. My work with Peace Hill started with an invitation to attend regular “Morning Silence” gatherings. This led to me saying “yes” to an advisory board, which developed into an opportunity to serve as Chair of Peace Hill at Avila.

We planted all of the goodness of Peace Hill at Avila Center for Community Leadership, where our community has continued to grow. In this chapter of my life, I recognize my need to be part of a larger community where my contribution is multiplied by working with others, and Peace Hill is an important part of that. 

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.