5 November, 2013

This is going to be a tough one to sum up in words again. Chartres is a magical place for me that has been a part of this journey since I first started planning. I just left this morning, and already I am thinking about when can I return. My first visit was in 1998 to see the Cathedral. It is one of the best examples of the Gothic style in France, largely due to the speed of its construction – only 66 years. I’m not going to get into a history lesson or artistic analysis. Go read the Wiki article if you want to learn more. It’s well written and very informative. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartres_Cathedral

It was the Gothic architecture and medieval windows that brought me to Chartres fifteen years ago. I was very impressed, but it was my experience at the end of that day that brought me back. The ground the Cathedral lies on has been sacred since before the Romans came to Gaul. There is a labyrinth in the nave of the church that could be walked at the end of the day (now one must wait until Friday – I might go back, not sure yet). I thought at the time, “Sure why not?” The path is something like 243 meters long, and takes a while to follow. I was totally unprepared for the experience. When I reached the middle, I waited for it to be my turn to stand in the center of the circle. When I got there I was completely overwhelmed with emotion to the point of tears. It was a very powerful experience. At the time I was not living in pursuit of a spiritual life. Today I count that as one of my first experiences with the power of the numinous. This time, there was no such experience, but I believe that is due to having conscious contact on a daily basis with the divine in my life.

With that, I want to get out of this hotel room. The sun is shining now and again here in Paris, and there is much to do, starting with some coffee and lunch. So, here’s the pictures from the Cathedral in Chartres.