Need a little calm in your life? Visit a labyrinth for walking meditation and personal reflection. Labyrinths are a single patterned path, often circular, leading to the labyrinth’s center or heart. While a labyrinth looks like a maze, there are no dead ends and no wrong turns. It’s a single purposeful path, and there is no getting lost in a labyrinth. The ancient symbol of a labyrinth relates to wholeness, and is a great place for walking mediation and reflection.
How to use a labyrinth
There aren’t any specific rules to using a labyrinth – you can wander with a blank mind, or you can reflect upon a specific question or problem hoping for clarity. The suggested process for reflection and walking mediation recommends the following;
- Before entering, consider a question, prayer, or image to keep in your mind as you enter the labyrinth and start walking
- Start walking and follow the path, allowing your mind to focus on the specific thought or to let it all go (if that’s your aim)
- When you reach the center, sit or stand with your eyes closed.
- Turn around and head back out the way you came
World Labyrinth Day is always celebrated on the first Saturday in May.
Join thousands of people worldwide by ‘Walking as One at 1’ in the afternoon.
You can walk a labyrinth anytime. Seek one out for the purpose of contemplation, or take a few minutes to wander whenever you come upon one. Find labyrinths in Columbus and Central Ohio in our list below. These labyrinths are open daily during public hours, except where indicated. If you are bringing a group, please contact the facility before you plan your trip. Additionally, some labyrinths are located in or around churches. Please respect times of worship and return after services or church events to enjoy.
There are occasional community labyrinth walks throughout the year. Be sure to check out calendar following the list to see any upcoming walks.
St. Albans Episcopal Church, 333 S. Drexel Ave. Bexley, Ohio 43209.
Located in front of the church.
Shepherd’s Corner, 987 N. Waggoner Road, Blacklick, Ohio 43004.
This is private property as an ecological ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, so please call for availability, or plan to attend one of the public events listed on the website. Typically the labyrinth is open April-November, Wednesday though Friday (again, call 614-866-4302). There are community labyrinth walks on a regular basis, as well as Maple Syrup tours, a plant sale, 5K, and Shepherd’s Fest. Please see website or calendar below.
Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum, 2001 Fyffe Court, Columbus, Ohio 43210.
The Lois B. Small and Gladys B. Hamilton Labyrinth Garden is situated in the Lane Avenue Gardens. The labyrinth is encircled by a beautiful white garden (in season) to minimize distraction and enhance mediation. You can walk the labyrinth anytime, and they typically hold a Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk during December.
First Community Church, 3777 Dublin Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43221
The outdoor labyrinth at North Campus is open to the public, and there is an indoor labyrinth built into the floor of the new sanctuary.
Columbus Montessori Education Center, 979 James Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43227
As part of our commitment to the community, our outdoor learning spaces are open to the community when the school day ends.
Ohio Wesleyan University, 59 S. Sandusky St., Delaware, Ohio 43015
Located on campus between Merrick Hall and the Delaware Run. Open 24 hours.
Denison University Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, The Open House, 204 N. Mulberry St., Granville, Ohio 43023
Free and open to the public from dawn to dusk
Gardens at Gantz Farm, 2255 Home Road, Grove City, Ohio 43123
Gantz Park is open from dawn until dusk
All Saints Episcopal Church, 5101 Johnstown Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054
Inniswood Metro Garden, 940 Hempstead Rd, Westerville, Ohio 43081
Open during park hours, 7am until dusk. The rectangular labyrinth is located in the Sisters’ Garden
Public events at Labyrinths
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Saturday, May 2, 2020
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