Dover Congregational United Church of Christ

Labyrinth

Walking the labyrinth can release patterned behavior, thoughts, and feelings of various sorts. It can "untorque” or unwind you. As you release old patterned energy, the alignment of your body may shift or straighten into a greater spiritual alignment. Some walk a labyrinth as a kind of moving meditation.

The labyrinth can be used as a metaphor for how you live your life. What can you learn about yourself as you walk it?

The Dover Labyrinth is located on the southside of the church.

All are invited to enjoy this meditative space.

What is a labyrinth?

Labyrinths are usually single pathways that lead to the center and then back out by retracing the same path. Unlike in mazes, one cannot become lost or trapped. A labyrinth provides a sacred space. It invites the walker to set aside their cares and concerns and open their minds and hearts. To quote the Labyrinth Society, “To walk the labyrinth is a pilgrimage, to discover something about ourselves. The destination is not important; the journey is.”

History

Labyrinths have been in existence for over 4,000 years. They have been used by many different religious traditions as a way to open the mind. Christians began using labyrinths in churches and cathedrals in the Middle Ages. The labyrinth on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France is amodel for many modern labyrinths. It consists of eleven concentric circles with a twelfth circle in thecenter. The rosette in the center where people stand, sit or kneel is made of six petals.

The labyrinth is a path for meditation and prayer. Symbolically, it echoes the turns and twists in life. The best way to learn about it is to walk it – with an open heart and an open mind – and experience it fully. There is no right or wrong way to walk the path. Relax and enjoy the experience.