What is it?
What is a labyrinth?
After choosing the name labyrinth for this blog, I decided to do some searching into the meaning. Interestingly here's something I found:
The labyrinth is a pattern that is actually laid in the floor of most of these great cathedrals. It's 42 feet across, and it's one pattern-- a large circle that has one path that begins and leads all the way through it. So you're not going to miss any inch of the whole labyrinth. You just simply follow the paths. A lot of people confuse this. It's not a maze. It's actually designed to help you find your way. It's not designed for you to lose your way in it. The labyrinth is one path with eleven circuits, which means it goes around the center eleven times. This is the pattern in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. They are called pavement labyrinths. They are flat to the floor and inlaid in the floor.
Oftentimes people will interchange the word "labyrinth" and "maze," and this is really not correct. The words are confused in our language. A maze has cul-de-sacs, dead-ends, many entrances or exits, and so you're brought out into the outer world, kind of trying to find your way. It's often anxiety-producing. A labyrinth, because it has one path, is really a spiritual exercise--you simply trust the path. Then you realize how much is in the way of just trusting the path, even though your cognitive mind knows that it will take you to the center.
After choosing the name labyrinth for this blog, I decided to do some searching into the meaning. Interestingly here's something I found:
The labyrinth is a pattern that is actually laid in the floor of most of these great cathedrals. It's 42 feet across, and it's one pattern-- a large circle that has one path that begins and leads all the way through it. So you're not going to miss any inch of the whole labyrinth. You just simply follow the paths. A lot of people confuse this. It's not a maze. It's actually designed to help you find your way. It's not designed for you to lose your way in it. The labyrinth is one path with eleven circuits, which means it goes around the center eleven times. This is the pattern in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. They are called pavement labyrinths. They are flat to the floor and inlaid in the floor.
Oftentimes people will interchange the word "labyrinth" and "maze," and this is really not correct. The words are confused in our language. A maze has cul-de-sacs, dead-ends, many entrances or exits, and so you're brought out into the outer world, kind of trying to find your way. It's often anxiety-producing. A labyrinth, because it has one path, is really a spiritual exercise--you simply trust the path. Then you realize how much is in the way of just trusting the path, even though your cognitive mind knows that it will take you to the center.
posted by Michelle | 3:11 PM
6 Comments:
wow... so cool. i never really thought about the difference between a maze and labryrinth. the word maze itself just sounds anxiety-producing... while labryrinth has kind of a mysterious ring to it. i like it!
Michelle! I am so glad you created your own blog! You are so intuitive and I LOVE your take on everyday things.
I can't wait to hear your heart through your writing.
I loved this post, I feel like I am taking 11 paths all at the same time right now, I am thankful that they all head towoards the One who is the creative genious behind the labryrinth!
I miss you but am thankful for this blog-world connection.
Could you send us our mezuzah? We left it attached to our/your doorpost, it is really special to us.
There is a labryrinth at the hospital in the town where my folks live. It's there for people that are hurting physically or mentally to walk and talk to God. One of my dad's friends from childhood came down when he was so ill a few years ago and sat with me and shared the deep sense of peace she got from walking the labryrinth...she had even gone to Europe to walk them there...it was a beautiful moment in a very scary and turbulent time.
Thank you for reviving that memory...just thinking about it reminds me of what love looks like and brings me to a lovely place in my mind.
Love you!!
Wow, this so cool. I was just trying to come up with something a little different when I picked the name (has nothing to do with the fact that we had just watched Labyrinth).
Jacqui ~ I had read that labyrinths were used to help settle people, to gain clarity, bring peace, and search out God. Gave me chills to read your story!
Candace ~ your comment also mirrors what I had read about people on path of faith (because it didn't always look like what they expected) knowing there was only one way to God!
Check out this online labyrinth
Brian thanks for the addition, I haven't had a chance to download the labyrinth but the site is great! When I get more savvy at this blog thingy I'm gonna put a link to it!
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