Synopses & Reviews
A groundbreaking look at the phenomenon of the labyrinth, connecting this ancient symbol to modern scientific principles. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#8226; Illustrated with labyrinths from around the world and throughout history. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#8226; Demonstrates how the labyrinth differs from a maze and how it is a tool for interpreting ancient myths and religious beliefs. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#8226; Draws parallels between the labyrinth and quantum physics, showing how through the secrets of the labyrinth we can unlock the mystery of life itself. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The powerful symbol of the labyrinth exists in countless cultures spanning the globe from Africa and ancient Greece to India, China, and pre-Colombian North and South America. For centuries they have been used for religious rituals, meditation, and spiritual and physical healing. In the labyrinth humanity finds a model of the quintessential sacred space that depicts the most profound levels of consciousness. Its center is regarded in many cultures as a door between two worlds, thus providing individuals with the ideal place for self questioning and meditation.and#160; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In a comprehensive exploration of this time-honored symbol, Patrick Conty shows how the geometrical construction of the ancient labyrinth corresponds exactly with today's modern geometry, illustrating that recent developments in math and physics parallel the science of ancient civilizations. By looking at the way the two systems complement each other, Conty draws new conclusions about the ancient world and how that world can benefit us right now. Conty explores not only physical labyrinths but also reveals how the same transcendent principles are at work in Celtic knot work; the designs of ancient Chinese cauldrons; the tattoos and tracings of primitive art; the textiles of Africa, Peru, and Central America; and the geometric patterns in Islamic art.
Review
"This book invites readers to explore the ultimate patterns of the universe."
Review
"Not only the most recent book to discuss this intriguing subject, but among its most clear and penetrating examinations."
Review
"Patrick Conty's fascinating study brings us face to face with the enigma of unity and reminds us that its most archaic expression--the labyrinth--begins and ends in ourselves."
Review
"Not only the most recent book to discuss this intriguing subject, but among its most clear and penetrating examinations."
Review
"This book invites readers to explore the ultimate patterns of the universe."
Review
"Patrick Conty's fascinating study brings us face to face with the enigma of unity and reminds us that its most archaic expression--the labyrinth--begins and ends in ourselves." < b=""> David Appelbaum <> , editor, < i=""> Parabola <>
Synopsis
A groundbreaking look at the phenomenon of the labyrinth, connecting this ancient symbol to modern scientific principles.
- Illustrated with labyrinths from around the world and throughout history.
- Demonstrates how the labyrinth differs from a maze and how it is a tool for interpreting ancient myths and religious beliefs.
- Draws parallels between the labyrinth and quantum physics, showing how through the secrets of the labyrinth we can unlock the mystery of life itself.
The powerful symbol of the labyrinth exists in countless cultures spanning the globe from Africa and ancient Greece to India, China, and pre-Colombian North and South America. For centuries they have been used for religious rituals, meditation, and spiritual and physical healing. In the labyrinth humanity finds a model of the quintessential sacred space that depicts the most profound levels of consciousness. Its center is regarded in many cultures as a door between two worlds, thus providing individuals with the ideal place for self questioning and meditation.
In a comprehensive exploration of this time-honored symbol, Patrick Conty shows how the geometrical construction of the ancient labyrinth corresponds exactly with today's modern geometry, illustrating that recent developments in math and physics parallel the science of ancient civilizations. By looking at the way the two systems complement each other, Conty draws new conclusions about the ancient world and how that world can benefit us right now. Conty explores not only physical labyrinths but also reveals how the same transcendent principles are at work in Celtic knot work; the designs of ancient Chinese cauldrons; the tattoos and tracings of primitive art; the textiles of Africa, Peru, and Central America; and the geometric patterns in Islamic art.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 286-288) and index.
About the Author
Patrick Conty is a painter who has been researching labyrinths for more than 30 years. After 25 years in America, he now lives in the south of France.
Table of Contents
andlt;Bandgt;Prefaceandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part 1: The Enigmaandnbsp;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;1. The Gandouml;tland Labyrinthandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;2. The Enigmaandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;3. The Labyrinth Is Not a Mazeandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;4. The Trace of the Ritualandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;5. The Equation and Its Solutionandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;6. The Bound Universe and the Eternal Returnandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;7. The Woven Myth andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part 2: The Solutionandnbsp;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;8. The Malekula Ritual and the Story of Aneasandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;9. The Living and the Deadandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;10. A Puzzle of Mythsandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;11. The Malekula andlt;Iandgt;Nahalsandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Iandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;12. The Temple as a Knotandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;13. About Knotsandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;14. The Origin of Language in Dogon Mythandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;15. The Hidden Language of Nature andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part 3: The Geometry of the Labyrinthandnbsp;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;16. The Ball of Thread and Ariadne's Techniqueandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;17. The Geometric Crossingandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;18. Timeandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;19. Axis and Centerandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;20. The Hopi Labyrinths andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part 4: The Mazeandnbsp;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;21. The Concept of the Mazeandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;22. Why a Four-Dimensional Knot?andnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;23. The Equivalence of Samsara and Nirvanaandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;24. Different Aspects of Realityandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;25. The Cordandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;26. Labyrinths within Labyrinths andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part 5: Images of the Labyrinthandnbsp;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;27. The Image, the Whole, and the Changing Aspectandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;28. Gestaltandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;29. The Tennis Ball and the Path of the Grandmotherandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;30. The Book of Durrow: the Reversalandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;31. The Labyrinth in Paintingandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;32. Aandnbsp; Labyrinthandnbsp;Practice andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;33. Structuralism and Contemplationandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;34. Now What? andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part 6: Myth and Meaningandnbsp;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;35. Meaning and the Mythic Pathandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;36. The Crossing of Codes Evokes Spaceandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;37. Physics, Anthropology and the Continuous Wholeandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;38. Circumambulation and Revelationandnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;39. Cretan Seals and the Art of the Whole.andnbsp; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Notesandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Bibliographyandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Indexandlt;/Bandgt;