Great Escape: The Labyrinth at St. Ignatius Jesuit Retreat House

Relative Port Washington newcomer and mother of two, Macha Einbender, is quickly learning the ins and outs of town. Einbender is a spiritual practitioner, and her trade helps her coach people through blocks and to rediscover themselves.

Einbender grew up in Great Neck, attended college in France and moved her young family to Port Washington.  About Port Washington she says, “no matter what the season, in Port you always feel like you are on vacation.” This is largely because being surrounded by water is inspirational, relaxing and joyful. Water inherently is the element of our emotions and being surrounded by water practically guarantees that the emotions run deep.

When you’ve reached the emotional hilt, Einbender suggests taking a break from daily life. This she sees as a necessary part of life. You can sit by the dock on any of Port Washington’s bays or treat yourself to a mini-retreat. I did just that with Einbender. She introduced me to one of my new Great Escapes, exploring the Saint Ignatius Jesuit Retreat House and its sprawling grounds.

It is a gorgeous setting and you absolutely feel like you are on a respite when you pull off Searingtown Road, pass the iron gates, head up its driveway and are greeted by open armed statue of Jesus Christ, welcoming all visitors. The driveway leads to an awe inspiring 87-room medieval style castle-like mansion, which was once just a summer home to the wealthy couple Nicholas and Genevieve Brady. Back in 1920, it was the fourth largest residential home in the United States. Here, you know you are somewhere special.

Inisfada (as is its official Celtic name meaning “Long Island”), according to the website, is open to all and its mission is to “offer a spiritual home – a sacred and welcoming environment where people of all faiths and cultures can deepen their relationship with God, so that they may be renewed and be women and men for others.”

Spend a day exploring the mansion. Check out the retreat houses many programs. And admire the architecture, statutes, enjoying an extended moment of silence in the chapel. Or, take a spiritual stroll among the 33 rolling acres of gorgeous land, towering trees, walking trails, gardens, streams and pond.

Einbender can be found here multiple times in any given week, by herself, with clients and even with her kids. I’ve been to the Labyrinth with her on beautiful sunny days, snowy days and even during a huge bright full moon. 

In the side yard, you’ll be beckoned by Inisfada’s Labyrinth.

Many confuse a labyrinth with a maze. The main difference is a labyrinth is one winding pathway that leads you to its center and then back out the parallel to where you entered while a maze may have many dead ends.

The Labyrinth Society describes a labyrinth as “a single path or unicursal tool for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation.” Another resource, Lessons for Living says this: “At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey to the center of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who you are.” 

Einbender led me through the process of entering the labyrinth at Inisfada. Before taking your first step, close your eyes and set an intention, or ask a question to which you seek an answer. Then place one foot in front of the other and work your way through the path. With each step you are probing deeper. At the center you reach the core of the issue and leave the Labyrinth on the path to awakening.

Einbender can take any negative energy of the day on a walk through the gorgeous grounds, trails and through the Labyrinth, and leave it there. Children take to the Labyrinth as well. As I was getting all deep and sacred, Einbender’s daughter piped up and waddled her way right to the center with the hugest smile on her face. Kids don’t have as many issues to work through.

The Labyrinth is a place for renewal and spiritual escape that is just minutes from Port Washington.

St. Ignatius Jesuit Retreat House

251 Searingtown Road
Manhasset, NY 11030
Phone: (516) 621-8300
Fax: (516) 621-7201
Email: INISFADA@INISFADA.NET
Website:WWW.INISFADA.NET