Do anything long enough and you’ll produce a labyrinth. I started this blog back in 2009 with the idea of perhaps continuing in the biblical studies/ancient Near East (actually west Asia) studies, where I began. I always knew this would be a place to talk about books and movies and sometimes current events. Often it would address American religion because, well, it’s so bizarre. Over the years the blog has ranged pretty widely. My interests are fairly diverse and I tend to get obsessed with a subject for some time and then move on. I suspect that’s one reason followers are few. People want the same thing—should I dedicate the site to horror films, religion, or social justice? The weather? Instead, it’s what catches my interest at the moment. Thus the labyrinth.
On the rare occasion when someone actually comments on an older post this blog (there was a healthy chain about the Highgate Vampire some years back), I often have to ask myself, “Did I write about that?” “What did I say about it?” The human mind is a labyrinth. And life is too short to ever stop learning. Even if it means that few will be interested in what you’re doing. The few who’ve known me a long time and read this blog (I know who you are), might be surprised at the horror themes that have become pronounced. These were, however, part of my childhood. When I tried to get away from them, they pursued me. Monsters are like that, of course. They like to hide in labyrinths.
But labyrinths are contemplative spaces. Contemporary spirituality has rediscovered labyrinths. You walk them in intentional thought. In the moment. We might be able to forget for some time that the original labyrinth was built to house the minotaur. And without Ariadne Theseus would’ve never survived. When he left her on Naxos his actions spoke louder, much louder than his fight with the monster. Labyrinths make you forget where you are. One saved Danny Torrance. And perhaps one might save your soul. Those who make enough chairs, or write enough books, or design enough skyscrapers leave labyrinths behind. Manhattan may be a grid, but it’s a labyrinth nevertheless. It seems to be a part of every story. The thing about labyrinths is that they have no one goal. There is no single answer to this mystery. When you begin making one you may not even realize it. Until you stop to contemplate it.
