The Labyrinth
Installed in 1999
Our labyrinth, a classic seven-circuit Cretan labyrinth, is a type of labyrinth design that has been used for thousands of years. It consists of a single, winding path that leads from the entrance to the center and then back out again. The path is divided into seven concentric circles or circuits, with a series of turns that gradually lead the walker toward the center.
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The importance of the classic seven-circuit Cretan labyrinth to Unitarian Universalists lies in its symbolic and meditative qualities. Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religious movement encompassing a wide range of beliefs and practices, and the labyrinth serves as a tool for spiritual exploration and reflection.
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The labyrinth is often seen as a metaphor for life's journey. Walking the labyrinth can be a contemplative practice, allowing individuals to quiet their minds, find inner peace, and connect with their spiritual selves. It offers a physical and symbolic path for reflection, self-discovery, and personal transformation.
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Unitarian Universalists, like many others, appreciate the labyrinth's non-dogmatic nature. It can be used by people of different faiths or no particular faith, as a tool for introspection and spiritual exploration. It provides a space for individual interpretation and expression, allowing each person to find their own meaning and connection.
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The Cretan labyrinth, specifically with its seven circuits, holds significance in various spiritual and cultural contexts. Seven is often associated with completion, wholeness, and cycles in many traditions. In the Unitarian Universalist context, the seven circuits may symbolize different aspects of one's journey or stages of personal growth, further deepening the reflective experience.
The classic seven-circuit Cretan labyrinth holds importance for Unitarian Universalists as a tool for spiritual exploration, reflection, and personal transformation. It provides a non-dogmatic space for individuals to connect with their inner selves, find peace, and deepen their understanding of life's journey.