Welcome to the web page of the Contra Costa Labyrinth

We are located at 260 Walnut Avenue, Walnut Creek, California 94598

(925) 933-0888

Mission

Our mission is to help people walk a spiritual path of meaning, healing and wholeness.

The Contra Costa Labyrinth Project was founded in November of 1998. The Labyrinth Project includes a permanent outdoor labyrinth, a portable canvas labyrinth, the Community Gardens, and a Healing and Meditation Garden.

Vision
The vision of the Contra Costa Labyrinth Project is to provide a labyrinth for use by the community. The labyrinth is an ancient, sacred tool comprised of a meandering path contained within and leading to the center of a circle. The design of the labyrinth is symbolic of an individual’s spiritual journey through life. While walking the path will provide a different experience for each person, many will find a sense of renewal, comfort and inner peace.

Contra Costa Labyrinth

Walnut Avenue United Methodist Church in Walnut Creek, CA

A permanent outdoor labyrinth, modeled after the Chartes Cathedral in France, was completed in the fall of 1999. Volunteers worked throughout the summer moving brick and crushed golden granite to create the paths of this eleven circuit labyrinth. The site is open 24 hours as a gift to the community.

History

The Contra Costa Labyrinth Project was founded in November of 1998 and is a community outreach resource of the Walnut Avenue United Methodist Church. The Labyrinth Project includes the permanent on-site labyrinth and a portable canvas labyrinth, the Art Whipp Community Gardens, and a Healing and Meditation Garden.

The Contra Costa Labyrinth Project exists to promote a sense of spiritual wholeness and emotional well-being within the community. The Labyrinth Project provides a fully inclusive, nonsectarian, contemplative environment where community members are welcome for mediation, prayer, and healing workshops. The Labyrinth Project hosts organizations and events that affirm the dignity, wholeness, and innate healing capacity of people and communities.

The Labyrinth Project is composed of three integrated physical components. The Labyrinth, which lies at the center of the property, is a replica of the ancient labyrinth found in the cathedral at Chartres, France to which many make pilgrimage each year. A labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions and in various forms throughout the world. It is a powerful meditative tool through which many people find deep healing and peace. In addition to the permanent labyrinth, there is a portable canvas labyrinth available for use by community groups off-site. The Community Gardens adjacent to the Labyrinth consist of 36 garden plots used by community members for cultivating flowers, vegetables, peace of mind, and important relationships. Finally, the Healing and Meditation Garden, the portion of the Project currently under construction, is a beautifully planned serene environment surrounding the Labyrinth.

In July of 2002 the Contra Costa Labyrinth Project received a grant from the California Endowment's September 11th Special Opportunities Fund, a one time endowment response to the events of September, to address the problem of racial and religious intolerance in California communities. This grant, combined with other funding, has allowed the Contra Costa Labyrinth Project to offer workshops on healing and wholeness, begin work on the Meditation Garden, establish this website and publish the quarterly newsletter informing people of upcoming events and resources covering topics related to grief, healing, tolerance, and hope.

Walking the Labyrinth

There is no right or wrong way to walk it. There are no rules, no owner's manual, no special training. All that is required is that you show up and begin the pattern. When the world demands so much of us, what a relief it is to come to the labyrinth and just be.

Events

The Contra Costa Labyrinth was built for the community. We invite you to use it for workshops, events, classes, or for your own personal use. You may know of groups or organizations that would enjoy walking the laybrinth. Tell them about us. When you want to use the labyrinth for a group event, contact us at (925) 933-0888, so we can make sure someone else isn't using it at the same time. We also have a portable, canvas labyrinth available for rent. If you can't bring your group to the labyrinth, you can bring the portable canvas one to your group for indoor use.

Moon Walks

Often, if weather is permitting, we hold Full Moon Walks. All walks begin at 9 pm and include live music. For more information call (925) 933-0888.

Other Links

The International Labyrinth Society is a great website for labyrinth enthusiats from all over the world. You will find information on creating your own labyrinth, events, and much more.

The Mercy Center in Burlingamea peaceful retreat center.

Grace Cathedral, located in San Francisco, sponsors lectures and holds labyrinth walks. You can find interesting articles at this site. Grace Cathedral has a permanent outdoor labyrinth, open year round to the public.