Unity Church of the Hills in Northwest Austin opened a labyrinth in June, fulfilling a 15-year dream to provide a place of spiritual centering and meditation for the community. A labyrinth, unlike a maze, follows a specific path to the center of a circle. Labyrinths date back more than 5,000 years, said Belinda Lightheart, officer manager at Unity Church, located at 9905 Anderson Mill Road. The Austin area has about 20 labyrinths of different styles, including one at Seton Northwest Hospital, according to www.labyrinthlocator.com. Unity Church hired a designer from San Antonio to scope out a location on the church’s campus and create the 11 circuit chartres design for the labyrinth. More than 75 volunteers assisted with the construction, said Bob Withrow, assistant to the senior minister. The church dedicated the labyrinth June 14. Labyrinth walking is used as a way to quiet one’s mind and center and balance one’s life, Lightheart said. Black gravel marks the path for people to follow to the center, and it takes about half an hour to walk in and back out of the labyrinth. Lightheart said benefits of a labyrinth walk include finding direction, clarity and joy. “It’s a moving meditation,” she said. The center of the labyrinth features one of Unity Church’s 200 trees as well as three stone benches representing the trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Withrow said. Labyrinths traditionally served as a way for people to fulfill their obligation of visiting the Holy Land, he said. The labyrinth also has a connection to Mother Earth, Lightheart said. A line of light-colored stone marking the path runs due east in a summer solstice. Other stones—which resemble tick marks on a clock face—appear on the outermost circle of the labyrinth. Lightheart said these are called lunations and represent lunar cycles. Unity Hills also hosts walks during a full moon. “There’s a connection of energy when it’s in a full moon,” she said. “It’s a tradition that’s been going on for some time.” The next full moon, which will also be a Blue Moon, is July 31, and the church will host a walk at 8 p.m. starting with an introduction and prayer. The walk will commence at sunset. The labyrinth is open to the community daily for use, and groups may contact the church to schedule a walk and learn more about its history. For more information call 512-335-4449 or visit www.unityhills.org.