Labyrinths have been around for thousands of years in some form, and are found in cultures all over the world, making their origin and function wide open to interpretation. The labyrinth as we know it was apparently first used as a dance pattern by priests rather than an introspective spiritual journey for everyone.
Physically a labyrinth is a unicursal maze, a maze with only one path so there is a single journey, usually to a center, and the same path out. It can be made of anything that constitutes a path, from chalk lines on pavement to canvas layouts, ceramic tiles in floors, to brick or stone work, gravel, grass … That’s the easy part, like knowing how to set up a chessboard.
But builders of labyrinths have agendas, and those who walk them have expectations. Apparently a labyrinth can be almost anything one wants it to be; sources interpret it variously as a metaphor for life, a connection to geometry, astrology or numerology, myths, creation of the universe, various religions, psychological journeys, or just a pleasant peaceful stroll.
A simple kinda-spirally path shouldn’t normally have dozens of deep texts written about it. But it does. And unfortunately many of them describe pre-conceived or self-fulfilling interpretations, serving as detailed “guides” to instruct — which to me misses the point.
The only useful common theme in the multiple texts I’ve pursued seem to be (a) a journey to a center, a period of gradual removal from everyday stresses and concerns, a letting go; (b) the center itself, a place for centering oneself, to be receptive, a place for introspection and realization, and then (c) the journey back out to resume our relationships. Regardless of how religious or spiritual one is, that certainly can’t hurt.
The most commonly seen labyrinth pattern is modeled after the one built into the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. The purpose of such as these in many cathedrals is debated, but some say during the Middle Ages pilgrims were unable to visit the Holy Land because of the Crusades, so churches provided a substitute spiritual path. The MEEC labyrinth replicates Chartres. Another common form is a “tree of life,” with a trunk path leading in. This is appropriate for meditation since the tree of life has spiritual meanings in many myths, cultures and religions.
A labyrinth database lists 133 in Ohio. Notably in the Dayton area, in addition to the MEEC, are one at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Wilkinson Street (on rolled-out canvas, limited schedule), and one at Unity of Dayton on Chambersburg (grass, available anytime).
Spiritual journey? Introspective stroll? Peaceful walk? This is silly? Before venturing an opinion lets try at least one labyrinth. May I suggest the one at the MEEC? Learn more about it at meec@udayton.
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