29 Nov 99

University Chapel pioneers Labyrinth for spiritual journeys

An unusual aid to meditation and prayer which has its origins in ancient legend and pilgrimages has been gifted to the chapel at the University of Dundee by a local businessman and philanthropist.

The Labyrinth Tapestry - a circular canvas carpet 36 feet in diameter and painted with a winding pathway - has been gifted by Andi Lothian of Insights Training & Development in Dundee.

The first of its kind in Scotland, the labyrinth will be laid on an occasional basis in the University Chapel where students, staff and visitors will be able to walk its pathway in the tradition of pilgrims from another age seeking the spiritual experience of a journey to Jerusalem.

Andi has been joined in this venture by University Chaplain Dr Fiona Douglas and head of the University Counselling Service Dr Nick Halpin, who explains: "Walking the labyrinth provides a focus for prayer and a unique meditational journey towards self discovery and heightened self awareness. By its very simplicity and design it encourages us to slow down and let go of our everyday concerns. Modern life - including University life - is full of stresses and deadlines. In the same way that our local Cathedral of St Andrews was a great centre of medieval pilgrimage, attracting over 30,000 pilgrims each year from the very furthest corners of Europe, we hope the introduction of the labyrinth will help people find a new way of getting in touch with a more spiritual aspect of themselves and that it might attract those who are not necessarily regularly involved with the chaplaincy."

The purple and white tapestry is a perfect replica of the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral which itself dates to some time between 1194 and 1220. It was one of seven such labyrinths created in the Middle Ages by the European Church where pilgrims who could not travel to Jerusalem could experience the spiritual essence of the journey. Today Chartres and a replica at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco have become foci for modern day "pilgrims". In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in the labyrinth. A hundred or more canvas replicas, like the one in Dundee, have been bought for centres throughout the world.

A booklet explaining the background to the labyrinth will be available from the chaplaincy

Said Dr Douglas: "The labyrinth rolls out to fit the chapel beautifully. We hope to use it with the public about once a month or so."/ends

Contact
Dr Nick Halpin 01382 344163
Dr Fiona Douglas 01382 344156