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What
is a Labyrinth?
At
its most basic level, the labyrinth is a path used for walking meditation.
They can be viewed as a metaphor for the journey to the centre of your deepest
self and back out into the world, with a broadened understanding of who you
are.
The pathway of the labyrinth is in full view, which allows a person to be quiet and focus internally. Walking the labyrinth is a right-brain task using intuition and creativity. The labyrinth’s unicursal path meanders one way in and the same way out. It is showing and is teaching us centredness. It is this that differentiates a labyrinth from a maze, which has many paths and dead ends leading to confusion.
A
Labyrinth or a Maze?
Unlike the labyrinth, the maze is a puzzle to be solved.
It is a left-brain task that requires logical, sequential, analytical activity
to find the correct path in and out. A labyrinth offers a holistic route,
as it imprints ‘a groove’ a ceremonial pathway designed according
to principles of sacred geometry and earth energy; the clockwise and anti
clockwise spins of the meanders map out a balance between left and right hemispheres
of the brain; as you walk back and forth...
History
The
labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in many cultures around the world. Labyrinths
have their roots in Greek ritual spiral dance over 4000 years ago. The Roman
empire spread the symbol of the labyrinth by way of coins, ceramics and mosaics.
Each culture they encountered developed their own myths and rituals around
the labyrinth. They were dug in turf, carved in stone and paved into temple
floors. From Africa, to Scandinavia, Ireland to Asia, Arctic Russia to Northern
America, several variations of the design emerged. In the middle ages the
great Gothic Cathedrals of France developed the most complicated formations
involving eleven circuits and incorporating complicated sacred geometry into
their intricate designs. Pilgrims would end their pilgrimage when they reached
the centre.
Labyrinth
Revival
The last 30 years has seen a huge revival of the labyrinth, as communities
reconnect to this ancient phenomenon, rediscovering their place in creating
sacred space and place for reflection and ritual in our busy lives.
Labyrinth Links
www.lessons4living.com/labyrinth
Artist's
Reflection
The boundaries
of art, ritual and spirituality collide in the experiential interaction of
the walking meditation. Meaning is not gained through observation, but through
participation. The ancient symbolism is profoundly non-passive as an art form.
The pattern draws people in, as if magnetised. Many report stories of personal
transformation and insight after walking them. It seems the labyrinth offers
a place for art to be truly embodied, felt and absorbed into the rich fabric
of the psyche, as they have done for thousands of years.
by Julia Peddie
Dip. Transpersonal Art Therapy