The Labyrinth and its numerous possibilities

The labyrinth is a universal symbol of the so-called “path of life”. It is a very old symbol, already used for quite some time as a method to enlarge consciousness: a journey to discover oneself.

The labyrinth is an age-old geometric pattern that can be found all over the world, in nature, carved in rocks, painted on walls in famous buildings, designed in church floors, etc.

 Unfortunately the word “labyrinth” has been wrongly interpreted as being a maze and has been used as a maze, but originally the labyrinth was meant as a one-way path from its entrance to the centre and a one-way path from its centre to the exit (uni-cursal). A path where one could not get lost and one always arrives in the middle, albeit using roundabout ways.

The labyrinth consists of lines and dots that are fitted together with curves in such a way that a space of pathways is created, for instance like the example hereunder:

 

 

-          One can draw a labyrinth on paper and colour it

                    -        One can draw a labyrinth in the sand (on a beach) and walk it

                     -        One can make a labyrinth in the woods with stones and walk it

                -        One can make a labyrinth with clay and paint it afterwards.

               -        One can “finger walk” a labyrinth made for instance of clay

         -          One can make a labyrinth on canvas and walk it indoors

              -        One can draw labyrinths on ones computer in 2D and 3D--  

-          In 3D there is even the possibility to virtually walk it

 

There are basically two kinds of labyrinths, the seven path labyrinth and the eleven path labyrinth. Any other existing pattern is derived from these two basic patterns. Hereunder an example of a seven path labyrinth, made by a friend of mine, entrance to the right:

 

One example of an eleven path labyrinth is the famous one that lies in the Notre Dame Cathedral of Chartres in France, entrance to the left:                                                                                                                                                          

 My own example of a clay-made and painted 7 path labyrinth that you can “finger walk”, entrance to the left:

 And hereunder my own seven path labyrinth in nature, made of rocks, surrounded by trees, entrance to the left:

The labyrinth is also called a uni-cursal maze. But in fact, it is not a maze at all and being mentioned and used as such, it may give rise to a bit of confusion sometimes.

Compared to a maze, it differs a lot from it. The paths in a maze mostly lead one towards another exit at the end of it and they are built with dead ends in it, that force one more or less to make a choice. That means that, if one makes the “wrong” choice, ones path comes to a dead end and one will have to go back to choose another path.

In a labyrinth one cannot make “wrong” choices. One is certain that one walks to the middle without encountering dead ends. One cannot get lost.

One could say that the labyrinth is equal to ones life journey. We are all on our way. We all know we will arrive in the middle sooner or later and that we will have to face our responsibilities towards ourselves. We all know that no matter what problems may arise, we, ourselves, are in the end the only one that can provide a solution that can take us further.We all are the Way, each in ones own Labyrinth. So the saying: “Om mani padme hûm” , translated into English this means: “You know it”, may also be a kind of mantra when walking a labyrinth.

Another meaning of the labyrinth is the comparison to the female womb. But then in the sense of the expressive feminine, seen as the core where the seed is sprouting. This is what whole nature is about too, all kinds of seeds, sprouting, not only human seeds. One could say this in a symbolic way comparing it to a hen that is brooding on its eggs; when it sits on it long enough the chickens one by one come forward in a beautiful way.

And the labyrinth can also be compared to a Brain, the left and the right half of the brain.

In a seven path labyrinth, one walks the paths, curling to the right and curling to the left, sometimes close to the centre, sometimes far away from it, but always arriving in the centre. The entrance of a seven path labyrinth can be to the left or to the right. Starting the direction towards the left means: one starts the path of the left brain labyrinth. Starting the direction towards the right means: one starts the path of the right brain labyrinth:

                         

Although one already turns to the left and to the right when walking the paths, both in a left entrance and in a right entrance labyrinth, practicing both ways will more and more integrate the left and right brain, which results in having a much clearer body/mind in the middle.

Walking the labyrinth is a true walking meditation. One finds out very soon that walking the paths in this way eases the mind and makes it very bright. And that has the advantage of perceiving solutions to problems much better. One is able to let go, give it all back to Nature, and let Nature provide a new way of seeing things.

And here we discover another way in which the labyrinth has also been used: As a journey into the four seasons in Nature: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

For instance the 800 year old labyrinth in the Cathedral of Chartres is known to be used by people as a seasonal symbol. In the early Middle Ages churches were used as a kind of Market place, where people gathered, selling their products, exchanging the latest news, experiences, etc. etc. It is known that at Easter the Bishop would “dance” the labyrinth to announce that a new season cycle had started. It was a kind of reincarnation ceremony he performed, not only for the seasons in Nature, but also as a purifying ceremony for the people, so they could start afresh again too.

This was of course also related to Rome. In the Christian tradition there is a saying: “All roads lead to Rome”. For people who could not make this pilgrimage to Rome, the labyrinth was a symbolic way to do it. But it really meant: “All roads lead to One self”.

I have made a 3D virtual reality world as a four quadrant labyrinth, in the form of a rose, which contains a virtual photo album of 25 Life Gardens that tell the story of the four seasons in the lifetime of a human being. Hereunder the digital “rose” map:

There is some kind of “magical” force working in the labyrinth, but it is not possible to point the finger exactly to it. When one “undergoes” the labyrinth, one has a totally different experience when entering it, compared to the experience when coming out of it. Most of the time one comes out of it as a totally different person.

Every one who walks a labyrinth encounters a totally different experience. One can truly say that a labyrinth is ones own “sacred space”. The cross in the middle of the above picture contains my own “sacred space” with insights gained by experiences:

Often the intention or question with which one enters and walks the labyrinth will give a result or solution that leads one further on ones path, or lets one start totally afresh again.

One of my experiences with the labyrinth has been in that famous Cathedral of Chartres. And it had a wonderful impact on me. It opened up the gateway for me to discover the wide variety of my creativity.  I call it the third door, the door towards a total discovery of myself.

I made a 3D Virtual world of this experience as an everlasting memory: