Because of my Greek family heritage, I've always been fascinated with the Cretan labyrinth, a classical seven-circuit labyrinth dating back more than 4000 years ago. Learn more.
In the Middle Ages, there was a period of rebirth of the labyrinth that brought a new more complex design than the Cretan seven-circuit. One of the oldest remaining labyrinths in the world that came during this time of renewed interest is at the Chartres Cathedral near Paris. Built around 1200, it is one of the ancient eleven-circuit designs, divided into four quadrants. See it and learn more about its history.
The historic labyrinth became meaningful to me, because I saw its close connection to the journey of life itself. A favorite chapter in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, is entitled Labyrinths of Meaning. It is there that I introduce how a labyrinth is like life:
"A labyrinth is not a maze. It is not a puzzle to be solved but a path of meaning to be experienced. Its path is circular and convoluted but it has no dead ends. When we walk the path, we go around short curves and long curves; sometimes we are out on the edge, sometimes we circle around the center. We are never really lost, but we can never quite see where we are going. Along the path we sometimes move forward with ease and confidence; sometimes we creep ahead cautiously; sometimes we find the need to stop and reflect; and sometimes we even feel the urge to retreat.
In so many ways, the labyrinth is like life. The center is there but our path takes us through countless twists and turns. Sometimes we are at the heart of our life experiences, sometimes we are at a playful turn, sometimes we share our path with others, sometimes we don't. No matter what, we are still on the labyrinth. It holds all our experiences in life and in work."
The labyrinth is also a metaphor for what is sacred in our lives. Through its twists and turns, its ancient spaciousness holds everything we experience---our minds and emotions, our physical beings and our spirits, our losses and our gains, our successes and our failures, our joys and our sorrows. When we walk the path inward, we carry our burdens with us. When we meditate or pray in the center, we ask for grace, forgiveness, and understanding. When we walk the path outward, we are lighter, more joyful and ready yet again to take on life's challenges. As my teacher and mentor, Viktor Frank said...
"I wish to stress that the true meaning of life is to be discovered in the world rather than within man or his own psyche, as though it were a closed system."
Where has the labyrinth of life taken you?
What moments of meaning mark your path?
These are meaning-full questions to ask yourself. Have I piqued your interest? If so, I invite you to learn more about discovering deeper meaning on your personal journey in my book---and of course, I welcome hearing from you.
All the best,
Alex
Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.
author, Prisoners of Our Thoughts
founder, Center for Meaning
Santa Fe, NM USA www.themeaningdifference.com
Visit me at my "virtual office at the Global Dialogue Center www.globaldialoguecenter.com/alexpattakos
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