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Labyrinth explanation:
- The labyrinth is viewed as a metaphor for life’s journey.
- It offers lessons as we walk the path.
- Walking the labyrinth assists us to address challenges, meditate, pray, and find peace and serenity.
A labyrinth is a pattern marked on the ground or floor that is walked as an aid to reflection and meditation. While not specifically Christian in origin or in contemporary use, it has ancient roots as a tool for developing Christian spirituality.
Basically by the Middle Ages it was dangerous for pilgrims to travel to Jerusalem, and seven European cathedrals were built and designated as destinations for pilgrims. Entering a cathedral’s labyrinth marked the end of a difficult journey and the promise of entry into the ‘Celestial City’.
In Chartres, pilgrims who were going to be baptised the next day walked the labyrinth on their knees. The current worldwide revival of interest in the labyrinth as a tool for spiritual formation was sparked by the very recent re-discovery of the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth in France.
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A labyrinth has only one path and is not a maze. You cannot get lost in a labyrinth. The journey generally consists of three parts - the journey in, being at the centre, and the journey out. (Mark Pierson. Fractals)
This particular Labyrinth is based on the design used in St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Its layout was determined by the pillars in the church structure. This created distinct areas within which the art installations and activities are located. Space to unwind and think - in particular about our relationships with ourselves, one another, our planet and God.
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