Liz Simpson - The Magic of Labyrinths - Following Your Path, Finding Your Center

Following your Path, Finding your Center

As a wise woman once remarked to me, the labyrinth is not about “me,” it’s about “us.” The same is true of books. I could not have written this one without the generosity of spirit I received from so many inspiring individuals. Their support and the openness with which they shared their personal stories and wisdom have helped make the writing of this book an especially joyous experience for me. I would therefore like to extend my special thanks to:

Kim Anderson

Neil Anderson

Jim Buchanan

Dr. Alex Champion

Joan Champion

Kathy Doore

Robert Ferré

Lea Goode-Harris

Nicholas Halpin

Joyce Leake

Prof. Paula Lemmon

Sig Lonegren

Rae Ann Kumelos Mahon

Marge McCarthy

Julie Mitchell

Joseph Rafalo

Taylor Ray

Jeff Saward

Dr. Lynne A. Texter

Calvin Vanderhoof

Dale Vanderhoof

I would like to dedicate this book to my husband, Douglas Barnes. There is a saying I’m fond of: “A mind once stretched by a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.” No one has ever stretched me as much as you, Doug, for which I am ever grateful.

A walking meditation, a spiritual tool,a means of coming to one’s spiritual center.

Viewed from exterior angles, a device that appears complicated and bewildering but, once experienced, is found to be a single pathway (“unicursal”) that winds inextricably towards its center and requires you simply to take the same route out.

delirium, delusion, disappointment.

A network of interconnecting passages designed for trickery and deception. A complex puzzle that, without guidance, is difficult or impossible to navigate to a successful conclusion.

Title Page The Magic of LABYRINTHS Liz Simpson Following your Path, Finding your Center

Acknowledgements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Acknowledgements Labyrinth Maze Introduction 1. The History of the Labyrinth 2. Labyrinthine Patterns 3. Emerging from the Maze Mind 4. The Relevance of Ritual 5. Living Labyrinths 6. Changing the World, One Person at a Time Resources Index About the Author Copyright About the Publisher As a wise woman once remarked to me, the labyrinth is not about “me,” it’s about “us.” The same is true of books. I could not have written this one without the generosity of spirit I received from so many inspiring individuals. Their support and the openness with which they shared their personal stories and wisdom have helped make the writing of this book an especially joyous experience for me. I would therefore like to extend my special thanks to: Kim Anderson Neil Anderson Jim Buchanan Dr. Alex Champion Joan Champion Kathy Doore Robert Ferré Lea Goode-Harris Nicholas Halpin Joyce Leake Prof. Paula Lemmon Sig Lonegren Rae Ann Kumelos Mahon Marge McCarthy Julie Mitchell Joseph Rafalo Taylor Ray Jeff Saward Dr. Lynne A. Texter Calvin Vanderhoof Dale Vanderhoof I would like to dedicate this book to my husband, Douglas Barnes. There is a saying I’m fond of: “A mind once stretched by a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.” No one has ever stretched me as much as you, Doug, for which I am ever grateful.

Labyrinth Labyrinth Labyrinth Maze Introduction 1. The History of the Labyrinth 2. Labyrinthine Patterns 3. Emerging from the Maze Mind 4. The Relevance of Ritual 5. Living Labyrinths 6. Changing the World, One Person at a Time Resources Index About the Author Copyright About the Publisher A walking meditation, a spiritual tool,a means of coming to one’s spiritual center. Viewed from exterior angles, a device that appears complicated and bewildering but, once experienced, is found to be a single pathway (“unicursal”) that winds inextricably towards its center and requires you simply to take the same route out.

Maze Maze Maze Introduction 1. The History of the Labyrinth 2. Labyrinthine Patterns 3. Emerging from the Maze Mind 4. The Relevance of Ritual 5. Living Labyrinths 6. Changing the World, One Person at a Time Resources Index About the Author Copyright About the Publisher delirium, delusion, disappointment. A network of interconnecting passages designed for trickery and deception. A complex puzzle that, without guidance, is difficult or impossible to navigate to a successful conclusion.

Introduction

1. The History of the Labyrinth

2. Labyrinthine Patterns

3. Emerging from the Maze Mind

4. The Relevance of Ritual

5. Living Labyrinths

6. Changing the World, One Person at a Time

Resources

Index

About the Author

Copyright

About the Publisher

Instead of searching for what you do not have, Find out what it is you have never lost.

SRI NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ (1897-1981), FROM “I AM THAT”

What is a labyrinth? How does it differ from a maze? And why are so many people across the world today embracing a symbol that is thousands of years old? It is these, and other questions, that this book aims to address – but as a guidebook, rather than a set of rigid rules that have to be followed. Because what is so exciting about labyrinths is that they lend themselves to individual interpretation. There is no single labyrinth pattern, nor is there a right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. Each experience is unique and, if welcomed, can offer valuable insights about how to navigate life and address its challenges.

The beauty of the labyrinth motif is that its appeal is so multi-faceted. As a metaphor for life’s journey, the labyrinth prompts us to think about the way we choose to travel that path – whether we savor each moment, secure in the belief that while life’s problems will continue to challenge us, we have the inner resources and confidence to solve them. Or whether we act like distracted onlookers – always wondering why someone else seems to have the better deal. Consciously walking the labyrinth can cause you to reflect on whether life is something that just happens to you, or is an experience that you choose to truly engage with. The labyrinth symbol can help you re-appraise your goals in life – to stop looking for a “quick fix” by latching onto this guru or that and to accept full responsibility for your own spiritual enlightenment. After embracing the labyrinth as a metaphor for journeying into our deeper, hidden, authentic selves, many have been inspired to recognize that the source of contentment and wisdom lies within. Since walking the labyrinth – consciously and with respect – has prompted others to ask themselves questions like these, then it is likely to do the same for you. The labyrinth is not just a philosophical tool but lends itself to many practical applications. Here are a few of the ways in which labyrinth symbolism can be integrated into your life: