Our Labyrinth
Labyrinths are similar to mazes, but with one significant difference. A labyrinth is much simpler to navigate than a maze. It has only one pathway that leads to its center. Labyrinths have evolved over the years from three-dimensional structural designs to flat with painted or inlaid art. Today, the function of labyrinths is evolving to a spiritual practice.
We are fortunate to enjoy three labyrinths in the Redding/Anderson area. One is located at the Sacred Heart Parish in Anderson. One is on the South side of the Sacramento River Park. The most recent addition is right here at the Center for Spiritual Living, Redding.
Download our labyrinth brochure.
The Center invites the public to walk the labyrinth at your leisure. Join the countless others through history who have found this contemplative walk an excellent tool for reflective healing, either for a loved one, themselves, or the planet. This is an opportunity to connect or reconnect with a navigational path that leads itself back to you.
People of all faiths are welcome at our Center and garden and to experience our labyrinth.
If you have any questions please contact our office at (530) 221-4849 or email lorie@cslredding.org.
Our Center is located at:
1905 Hartnell Avenue
Redding, CA 96002
Our labyrinth is listed on the World-Wide Labyrinth Locator website and can be accessed by clicking here.
FAQS:
Type: Medieval - Chatres replica
Size: 36 feet diameter
Material: Concrete
Schedule: Always open
Designer: Doug Hoerber
Builder: Jim Pernell and volunteers
Please enjoy this short history on labryinths:
New Labyrinth to be Dedicated in Redding
By Darcia Slape
As a child, I enjoyed maze-like puzzles that challenged me to find my way to the center of its sphere. I sometimes think this simple exercise was one of the foremost tools that helped me build the skills I needed to navigate through life. I’m thrilled to know there will soon be a new labyrinth right here in Redding where I can continue developing my life’s navigational skills.
Labyrinths are similar to mazes, but with one significant difference. Labyrinths are unicursal while mazes are considered multicursal. Simply put, mazes are often difficult to traverse because they have intricate passageways and blind alleys that lead to dead ends. So the navigator must backtrack, reverse his course and begin anew. The unicursal labyrinth is much simpler. It has only one pathway that leads to its center. Labyrinths have evolved over the years from three-dimensional structural designs to flat painted or inlaid art.
Labyrinth was the name given to these structures by the Greeks and Romans over 4,000 years ago. Its history is rich in Greek Mythology, and labyrinths are often found in European gardens and Christian Churches.
The most famous labyrinth is found in the myth “Theseus and the Minotaur.” This myth took place in a kingdom on an island we now know as Crete. The Minotaur was a half man and half bull locked monster caged in an underground Labyrinth on the island ruled by King Minos.
Every year, the king demanded that fourteen young people, seven boys and seven girls, be cast into his labyrinth and left to find their way out. Eventually they would all be eaten by the Minotaur. Theseus, who volunteered to be one of the fourteen, finally conquered and killed the monster. As he entered the labyrinth to face the monster, he trailed twine from the entrance so that he could find his way back out.
During the European Renaissance, labyrinths were erected in formal gardens bordered by high hedges that constituted its intricate passageways.
During the Middle Ages, European Churches painted labyrinths on their floors and walls to represent spiritual pilgrimage and repentance. Parishioners would make their way through the labyrinth on their knees as part of their spiritual duty.
Today, the function of labyrinths is evolving to an attitude of healing. For example, in early August, 2010, the City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana sponsored a free prayer/remembrance event for those affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They walked in silent contemplation at a City Park Labyrinth that was created in 2008.
We are fortunate to enjoy three labyrinths in the Redding/Anderson area. One is located at the Sacred Heart Parish in Anderson. One is on the South side of the Sacramento River Park. The most recent addition is located at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1905 Hartnell Avenue, Redding, CA.
The Center invites the public walk the labyrinth. You may want to join the countless others through history who have found this contemplative walk an excellent tool for reflective healing, whether it is for a loved one, yourself, the planet or the Gulf of Mexico. This is an opportunity to connect or reconnect with a navigational path that leads itself back to you
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