The Labyrinth of Life

The Greek mythical figure Daedalus was a master craftsman and brilliant architect. While his name may not be familiar, you’ve likely heard of one of his inventions, the labyrinth, used to imprison the ferociously terrifying Minotaur.

This half-man, half-bull creature devoured humans for sustenance - thus the need for a confining structure to protect the town’s inhabitants. Daedalus developed this deviously elaborate construction, making it virtually impossible to escape. Daedalus himself could barely exit the labyrinth after he built it.

While the citizens felt somewhat protected, their underlying fear never fully subsided until the hero, Theseus, was able to slay the Minotaur and navigate out of the labyrinth.

In a sense, the world, and what we call reality, exist within an inverted labyrinth. Made not to surround a terrorizing demon but rather to keep one out. By fabricating such a formidable structure to house life and the phenomenology of form, we provide ourselves the semblance of safety.

And this barbaric monster for whom we tremble in fright? The perfect peace of heaven, otherwise known as the non-dualistic concept of oneness.

Our labyrinth of life so deliberately complex, making escape effectively unattainable. All for the purpose of protecting the dualistic sense of self, an identity of me. While safely ensconced within a so-called realm of reason, the self reigns supreme. Without conscious awareness that the only hope of true freedom and unqualified joy lies in finding a way out.

Theseus knew there was no hope of mastering the labyrinth, sensing there must be another way to transcend its diabolical twists and turns. For that he turned to a skein of linen, which he unraveled as he went deeper into the maze. Following his triumph over the Minotaur, Theseus merely backtracked his way to freedom.

Non-dualistic philosophies such as A Course in Miracles offer just such a navigable thread, teaching us the nature of reality and the way to unconditional peace.

While truth is simple, it must still be taught to those who have already lost their way in endless mazes of complexity. [The world] is the great illusion. In its wake comes the inevitable belief that, to be safe, one must control the unknown. (P-2.V.1)

No monstrous annihilation awaits our glorious egress, only the enveloping arms of incomparable love. We need only choose the simple thread of release over iron bars of intentional confinement.

Join me in Thursday’s class where we’ll explore our self-made labyrinth of life, and practices for rising above its painfully inescapable paths. I look forward to seeing you then.