Labyrinths Ancient Paths of Wisdom and Peace

by Virginia Westbury

A maze, a prison, a sacred precinct, a place of peace...for thousands of years the human mind has puzzled over the enigma of the labyrinth. At first glance, it strikes us as one of the stranger products of human imagining-a winding path leading through a series of seemingly endless twists and turns, into a center and out again. Where does it come from? What is its purpose? Today, the labyrinth's spiritual connotations are absorbing much of our attention in the West. In the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia it is being walked mainly for meditation and a sense of inner peace. This fascinating and beautifully illustrated book explores the history, the mysteries, and the locations of these "paths of peace." It provides first-hand accounts of walkers' experiences and shows why the labyrinth appears to have become a kind of "universal spiritual tool" once again. Virginia Westbury, journalist and award-winning documentary maker, has written the first global account of the modern labyrinth movement, complete with a guide to where the world's finest models can be found. She also provides a comprehensive account of labyrinth history and an intriguing look at the modern phenomenon of interest in the labyrinth.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2003

Reviews

[Scottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book with many photos of various labyrinths, all over the world. A great resource for labyrinth lovers.

[nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I won't lie though, I mostly skim-read once we caught up to the modern day - I am much more fascinated by their use in history and what they meant to people during different time periods. Clearly a well researched book, and a topic the author is passionate about.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wide variety of labyrinths photographed.

[Be Storie · Rating 4 out of 5]

very very cool. Helped me to write my essay on the Labyrinth of the Minotaur- the pictures are great :)

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of David Bowie's "Labyrinth" will be disappointed to learn that the film takes place in a maze and not in a true labyrinth. The history of labyrinths is traced from their murky beginnings in the Bronze Age to their reemergence in the 20th Century, and the photography accompanying each section is amazing.