NationStates Jolt Archive

Apparently labyrinths, no matter what David Bowie would have you believe, are NOT mazes. Rather they are laid out low to the ground so you can see over the whole thing, and you walk through them for some spiritual purpose. I don't get it. Maybe you have experience doing these meditative walks, or have an idea why these things are popular?

If you'd like to find a labyrinth near you, check out Veriditas ( http://wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org/). If you want a quick picture of what they are supposed to look like, check out the ones near me ( http://www.ualberta.ca/~cbidwell/SITES/labindex.htm).

The whole thing, though ancient, strikes me as ridiculously 'new-agey'. Hmmm. Do I think people are incapable of true reverence and spirituality these days? Maybe. Bunch of stupid hippies...taking sacred traditions and objects (like dream-catchers) and turning them into kitsch.

They've become popular again due to the extinction of the Minotuar, duh!:)

Regardless of what this is saying, I will always prefer the spiritual experience of singing along to "Dance, Magic, Dance".

You remind me of the babe.

Regardless of what this is saying, I will always prefer the spiritual experience of singing along to "Dance, Magic, Dance".

You remind me of the babe.
The babe with the power?

God I love that movie!

Apparently labyrinths, no matter what David Bowie would have you believe, are NOT mazes. Rather they are laid out low to the ground so you can see over the whole thing, and you walk through them for some spiritual purpose. I don't get it. Maybe you have experience doing these meditative walks, or have an idea why these things are popular?

If you'd like to find a labyrinth near you, check out Veriditas ( http://wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org/). If you want a quick picture of what they are supposed to look like, check out the ones near me ( http://www.ualberta.ca/~cbidwell/SITES/labindex.htm).

The whole thing, though ancient, strikes me as ridiculously 'new-agey'. Hmmm. Do I think people are incapable of true reverence and spirituality these days? Maybe. Bunch of stupid hippies...taking sacred traditions and objects (like dream-catchers) and turning them into kitsch.

It's not just hippies. I'm sure there were Romans with interesting Greek and Etruscan kitsch, and their friends just hated them.

Christianity took lotsa stuff from previous religions and incorporated it.

Are labyrinths not just paths with hedges, but only one route...whereas mazes have loads of different routes, but only one that takes you to the point?

So labyrinths are just drunk corridors? Oh, ok.
Maybe they were really introduced as a method for ancient architects to use up their entire budget, to make sure they were allocated the same amount for the next castle?

So labyrinths are just drunk corridors? Oh, ok.
Maybe they were really introduced as a method for ancient architects to use up their entire budget, to make sure they were allocated the same amount for the next castle?
Kehehehehe. Stupidest practice ever...we just replaced all our (year old) workstations for that very reason.

Are labyrinths not just paths with hedges, but only one route...whereas mazes have loads of different routes, but only one that takes you to the point?
Hedges, rocks, beads on cloth...but what is the point? WHY!!??

Kehehehehe. Stupidest practice ever...we just replaced all our (year old) workstations for that very reason.
At least you now know it's an Ancient and Traditional Practice.

Incidentally... If you go chat up the IT chaps you might get a free, year-old PC if you ask nicely.

It's not just hippies. I'm sure there were Romans with interesting Greek and Etruscan kitsch, and their friends just hated them.

Christianity took lotsa stuff from previous religions and incorporated it.
Ripped it off you mean.

And I don't even mind that so much...it's these people who like to take a tradition with meaning from one place, and then turn it into fashion...and then do the same to another tradition. I mentioned dream-catchers...god I hate the way people buy these things, with no real understanding of the tradition behind it. They profane the sacred.

At least you now know it's an Ancient and Traditional Practice.

Incidentally... If you go chat up the IT chaps you might get a free, year-old PC if you ask nicely.
I got a couple of nice phones, a desk for my brother, a two year old monitor for my other brother, and a filing cabinet for my mom. Ha! My Christmas 'shopping' is done!

Alright, back to the topic...has anyone walked one of these labyrinths? And what the hell is walking a labrynth supposed to do for you? I'd just get annoyed, walk over the lines, and go get my chocolate treat.

Alright, back to the topic...has anyone walked one of these labyrinths? And what the hell is walking a labrynth supposed to do for you? I'd just get annoyed, walk over the lines, and go get my chocolate treat.

I'd imagine that that's part of the point. Being able to see your destination, but enjoying the journey as well. not practical in any sense, but rarely do "practical" and "spiritual" mingle.

I'd imagine that that's part of the point. Being able to see your destination, but enjoying the journey as well. not practical in any sense, but rarely do "practical" and "spiritual" mingle.
Is this to convince city-dwellers that they have more space than they truly have or something:confused:

Is this to convince city-dwellers that they have more space than they truly have or something:confused:

I have no clue. I can offer whatever explanation comes to mind, but I won't say that "deep' is ever used in a sentence with my name unless followed immediately by "dish pizza".

Ripped it off you mean.

And I don't even mind that so much...it's these people who like to take a tradition with meaning from one place, and then turn it into fashion...and then do the same to another tradition. I mentioned dream-catchers...god I hate the way people buy these things, with no real understanding of the tradition behind it. They profane the sacred.

I don't know if it's really all that ripped off. Most of the Labyrinths in your website seemed to be affiliated with christian churches, and since walking labyrinths is a medieval christian practice, it's more of a revival than a rip off.

Apparently labyrinths, no matter what David Bowie would have you believe, are NOT mazes. Rather they are laid out low to the ground so you can see over the whole thing, and you walk through them for some spiritual purpose. I don't get it. Maybe you have experience doing these meditative walks, or have an idea why these things are popular?

If you'd like to find a labyrinth near you, check out Veriditas ( http://wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org/). If you want a quick picture of what they are supposed to look like, check out the ones near me ( http://www.ualberta.ca/~cbidwell/SITES/labindex.htm).

The whole thing, though ancient, strikes me as ridiculously 'new-agey'. Hmmm. Do I think people are incapable of true reverence and spirituality these days? Maybe. Bunch of stupid hippies...taking sacred traditions and objects (like dream-catchers) and turning them into kitsch.


This gets the Keruvalia Award for Obscure Soapbox Rant of the Year.

This gets the Keruvalia Award for Obscure Soapbox Rant of the Year.
I'm holding you to this...you better not give it out to anyone else...and did this year begin in January of 2004? Or are you running on an academic year? Just so I know to cry foul if you hand it out again within the year...

I don't know if it's really all that ripped off. Most of the Labyrinths in your website seemed to be affiliated with christian churches, and since walking labyrinths is a medieval christian practice, it's more of a revival than a rip off.
About half of the labyrnths I've checked out on the main site are built in churches...the other half are secular based. So, let's say the churchy ones are still valid, harking back to an old tradition...what the heck are the other people doing it for?

About half of the labyrnths I've checked out on the main site are built in churches...the other half are secular based. So, let's say the churchy ones are still valid, harking back to an old tradition...what the heck are the other people doing it for?

Weird kicks, cult followings and of course, the women.

I'm holding you to this...you better not give it out to anyone else...and did this year begin in January of 2004? Or are you running on an academic year? Just so I know to cry foul if you hand it out again within the year...

Begins in January. :) Your award is safe.

Ripped it off you mean.

'Cover version'

Hate kitsch? Philistine.

Hate kitsch? Philistine.
Pinguid trollop.

They've become popular again due to the extinction of the Minotuar, duh!:)


HA! :p

About half of the labyrnths I've checked out on the main site are built in churches...the other half are secular based. So, let's say the churchy ones are still valid, harking back to an old tradition...what the heck are the other people doing it for?

Err....

They don't have cable?

It's probably just another fad, like buddhism a few years ago.

Pinguid trollop.

Hehe, I'd say something like 'oo burn!' or 'damn, pwned', but knowing Fass he'll just come up with something still more crushing.

Pinguid trollop.

Torpid libertine-wannabe.

Oh no you DIDN'T!

Torpid libertine.
Well...actually...that does kind of suit me. Especially right now. Too tired to be truly dissolute or free-thinking:) Though I prefer to be a torpid latitudinarian.

I proffer an accismus to future name-calling.

Edit: I just noticed you changed it to wannabe. Oh, it's ON! No more sororal bantering! You renitent heterosexual!

Well...actually...that does kind of suit me. Especially right now. Too tired to be truly dissolute or free-thinking:) Though I prefer to be a torpid latitudinarian.

I proffer an accismus to future name-calling.

To which I can but acquiesce, as you are quite the nubile, recreant poltroon.

Edit: I just noticed you changed it to wannabe. Oh, it's ON! No more sororal bantering! You renitent heterosexual!

Aper.

Aper.
Augean Swede!

Augean Swede!

Superciliously so, forsooth.

Apparently labyrinths, no matter what David Bowie would have you believe, are NOT mazes. Rather they are laid out low to the ground so you can see over the whole thing, and you walk through them for some spiritual purpose. I don't get it. Maybe you have experience doing these meditative walks, or have an idea why these things are popular?

If you'd like to find a labyrinth near you, check out Veriditas ( http://wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org/). If you want a quick picture of what they are supposed to look like, check out the ones near me ( http://www.ualberta.ca/~cbidwell/SITES/labindex.htm).

The whole thing, though ancient, strikes me as ridiculously 'new-agey'. Hmmm. Do I think people are incapable of true reverence and spirituality these days? Maybe. Bunch of stupid hippies...taking sacred traditions and objects (like dream-catchers) and turning them into kitsch.
By itself, the labyrinth is just maze-like twists and turns that guide you to the centre (where you encounter the monster, but that's another story). But in a spiritual context (to the spiritual seeker) it becomes a journey that is a metaphor, as well as a re-enactment, of an enlightenment or a myth. Each turn of the maze is like turning the pages of book; winding through the maze is a passage through (the subconsious mind, the heart and soul, life, the afterlife, whathaveyou) something meaningful to only that person. It's not unusal to find labryinths with images on the walls along the way, telling mythic stories. Of course, if you're not seeking anything, then it's 'just a maze'.
http://www.online.pacifica.edu/pgl/stories/storyReader$904

No idea why they are popular today, though; not many seekers today. Just as a curiosity, I guess.

No idea about the 'new-ageiness'.

About half of the labyrnths I've checked out on the main site are built in churches...the other half are secular based. So, let's say the churchy ones are still valid, harking back to an old tradition...what the heck are the other people doing it for?
Labryinths date back to 6000-3000 BC. Somehow I don't think the Church has a primary claim on them. ;)

Labryinths date back to 6000-3000 BC. Somehow I don't think the Church has a primary claim on them. ;)
Yes, but I very much doubt the people that first built labyrinths, for whatever purpose, thousands of years ago, have still retained an unbroken tradition for their use. The Church is probably the oldest remaining 'authority' on their older uses. Not original...just older.

Someone tried to explain it to me in college but once I found out that they didn't build a real maze and I could see the whole thing I thought it was too much like playing with a really big child's placemate from Denny's or something, and wearing the Burger King's crown ironically had lost it's shine, so...

Someone tried to explain it to me in college but once I found out that they didn't build a real maze and I could see the whole thing I thought it was too much like playing with a really big child's placemate from Denny's or something, and wearing the Burger King's crown ironically had lost it's shine, so...
Well yeah! I was so excited because there are all these labyrinths close to me...but then I saw what they actually were, and was disappointed. I'd choose mazes over that, any day!

Well yeah! I was so excited because there are all these labyrinths close to me...but then I saw what they actually were, and was disappointed. I'd choose mazes over that, any day!


hahaha, I know what you mean. When I was a kid, I was "lured" on a trip to some stupid cathederal with the promise of a labyrinth.

Imagine my dissapointment when I found out it was just a badly tiled floor pattern.

The original labyrinth was the Greek term for the Palace of Knossos. If you've ever seen the ground-floor plan, you'll understand why - it looks very like a maze, even though much of it is dead-straight corridors. The Minotaur was meant to have lived in the maze beneath Knossos.

The word labyrinth comes from the labrys, the double-axe that is believed to have been a Minoan religious symbol. The association with the minotaur comes from another Minoan religious symbol, the bulls horns.