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THE CHARTRES LABYRINTH (about the Chartres) The Evolution of the Labyrinth into A Spiritual Healing Tool Victoria Stone, M.P.H., Allied A.S.I.D. The labyrinth is an ancient circular mandala pattern found in cultures throughout the world. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path that leads to a center and out again. The oldest labyrinth pattern was discovered on stone tablets in Greece and traced back to 1200 BC. The labyrinth is associated with the ancient Greek myth of the Minotaur, a beast that was half man and half bull, imprisoned at the center of a labyrinth by King Minos of Crete.The labyrinth is a pattern whose meaning is expressed on both conscious and unconscious levels. Its shape, the circle, is a universal symbol of wholeness and unity. Its meandering path is a metaphor for the path of life. According to the psychologist Carl Jung, the labyrinth pattern is an archetypal image of the psyche. Walking the labyrinth path leads each of us to our own center. The labyrinth's use as a spiritual tool dates back to the 13th century when it was placed in the floors of gothic cathedrals in Europe. Christian pilgrims walked it as a symbolic pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This is where the roots of the labyrinth as a walking meditation are found. The most famous labyrinth in Europe is in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. ----------- Labyrinths are sacred patterns, ancient mystical tools, found in many cultures that can help us to prepare for transformation and succeed in conscious shifting of our awareness. Labyrinths inspire confidence, each design has only one path based on the circle, the universal symbol for wholeness and unity, once started on the path the explorer need but continue and the twists and turns will lead to the center. |
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The Labyrinths on the grounds of The Blessed Foundation |
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The photo above was captured by Sarah Toman. It was taken shortly after the completion of the Chartres in 1999. |
HOW THE CHARTRES LABYRINTH CAME TO BE ON WHAT ARE NOW THE GROUNDS OF THE RETREAT CENTER OF THE BLESSED FOUNDATION Many have asked John and I how we came to construct the Chartres Labyrinth on the property that John and I have lived on for more than 30 years. Below are excerpts from an article published August 14, 1999 in The Akron Beacon Journal and written by Jim Carney, columnist. *Note:Paranthetical items in the article have been added as updates. .Dee Curci first learned about the concept of the labyrinth as part of the Sacred Space women's spirituality group in Cleveland several years ago. She encountered another one four years ago when she walked a canvas labyrinth on Kelley's Island on Lake Erie. Two years later, in August 1997, both she and her husband walked a labyrinth at a religious conference in Connecticut. Later that month on Dee's 50th birthday, the couple had a powerful moment together over breakfast. "Why don't we build a labyrinth here?" John said to his wife of 32 years. So in September 1997, Dee and John began working on their project, finding the perfect spot on the east end of their property -- she said it was as if the land was waiting for the labyrinth to be constructed. The couple hand-dug the labyrinth over the next several weeks,..... PLEASE OPEN THE PDF FILE BELOW TO CONTINUE READING THE STORY. |
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| To arrive at this labyrinth, one follows the path down from the parking area that leads to the River Styx, crossing the river via a covered bridge, where one might choose to sit and listen as the river rambles across the rocks, before continuing the journey where the path leads up to the Chartres. Along the way, you might get a glimpse of a deer, and for sure you will be blest by the sights and sounds of a myriad of birds and the dashing of squirrels. Each season presents It's own garment of colors and textures. There will be wild roses, berries and flowers along the river bank and hidden in the woods. |
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Below is a photo of the Labyrinth of the Heart that was created in 2004. |
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The inspiration for the creation of the Labyrinth of the Heart™
I was inspired, after years of processing in the journey of the Chartres Labyrinth, to give a retreat entitled “Enter the Labyrinth of the Heart”. How, I wondered, could I help others to envision that we were all walking in the labyrinth of God's heart? What would that feel like? Where would I be in this journey within God's heart?
Shortly after, John and I were at Gethsemane, the Trappist Monastery in Kentucky. As we were walking the path of the monks into the woods, we came upon a large statue of Mary. I happened to glance down at the foot of the statue and observed, in tiny pebbles, .... (Please open the PDF below to read the rest of the story.) |
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The Labyrinth of the Heart - Grace Outpoured |
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The LABYRINTH OF THE HEART™ SYMBOLIC JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF TRANSFORMATION THE JOURNEY OF DESCENT 1. The Heart of Sorrow/Pain/Suffering 2. The Heart of Emptiness 3. The Heart of Wisdom CENTER The place of Radical Grace & Transformation THE JOURNEY OF RESURRECTION/RESTORATION
(3PATHS RETURNING FROM THE CENTER) 1. The Heart of Forgiveness
2. The Heart of Mercy
3. The Heart of Compassion |
TO READ THE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLISM OF THE LABYRINTH OF THE HEART™ PLEASE OPEN THE PDF FILE ON THE RIGHT |
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION FOR THE SYMBOLISM OF THE LABYRINTH OF THE HEART |
| Finger Labyrinths |
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| Finger labyrinths are another opportunity to participate in meditation, discernment and prayer. Sitting quietly in silence or with a background of meditative music or recorded meditation, one can enter the sacred space within and allow the stillness to penetrate into the heart of holy wisdom. In Kairos retreat house there are several types of finger labyrinths for use along with informative reading material. Some of the small metal engraved labyrinths use a stylus to move along the path. There is a Sand Labyrinth that is reversible with the grooves of the Chartres Labyrinth on one side and Seven Circuit Labyrinth on the other. The Sand Labyrinth allows for an experience of trust. When it is completely covered in sand, except for the entrance, the only guide is the grooves of the labyrinth, hidden beneath the sand, that lead to the center. This is one of my favorite labyrinths to use when I have a concern upon my heart and am unable to see the outcome. To stay on the path, one must go slowly; allowing the path to reveal itself. The parting sand is all that encourages one to continue to move forward, trusting the process that will lead to inner truth and connection to the Holy One within. The two beautifully carved finger labyrinths pictured below were gifts to the Foundation from Lori Yost. They were carved by Mike Welham, who is a colleague of Lori’s. For a few years Lori and I have been working on the idea of a Butterfly Labyrinth. Lori was inspired with the design of a three circuit butterfly labyrinth© through the work of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross as she defined the five stages of grief and transformation. We are hopeful that Lori’s vision of the butterfly labyrinth will be another labyrinth that can be walked here. |
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Virtual Labyrinths There is yet another option to walk a labyrinth through the internet. The Labyrinth Society is one of the places that you can visit and walk a labyrinth virtually, using your mouse. Perhaps in the midst of a busy day, you may choose to use your break to stop, breathe and walk. Click here to go for a virtual walk. May all you comings and goings be abundantly blest as you walk within the labyrinth of the Cosmic Heart.
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