Timeless Labyrinth Projects CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW Above are photos of David Blonski's first permanent labyrinth project on his 20-Acre Music Retreat in Garden Valley, CA. The above labyrinth is a modified version of a 7-circuit classical form that can be found throughout the world and dates back more than 3,000 years. Early examples dating back this far can still be found throughout Europe. I use this labyrinth as a walking meditation and I often do Tai Chi in the center before making the journey back out. The path is bordered with stone and the center circle is done in white quartz... all the stone came from my property. The fist image is from the first year of construction and the 2nd one was taken 2 years later with gravel path and flower garden. I hope to eventually build at 3 different styles of labyrinths on this piece of land Music can help create a wonderful atmosphere for walking a labyrinth... CLICK HERE to check out David's collection of Peaceful Music appropriate for Labyrinth Walks

THE ABODE OF PEACE RETREAT CENTER LABYRINTH This 123 foot diameter variation of a Chartres Labyrinth is created with about 153 tons of serpentine stone and boulders. We've been told that this could be the largest Chartres labyrinth in the world that is constructed in this manner. There was 4 inches of snow on this pasture the week before we laid out the pattern and in the spring the grass will grow as high as 6 feet so it will be very interesting to see how this labyrinth will look during the different seasons. I started this project on February 12, 2008. The photo here was taken on April 12, 2008 when we finished placing all the stones. Check back in to see our progress with this labyrinth. Click on image for a larger view.

SEE THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS FOR THE ABODE OF PEACE LABYRINTH The video clip to the left shows our progress up to March 25, 2008. The featured music is from my Land of the Midnight Sun CD recorded with Jon Allasia. I'll update this later with additional images of the completed labyrinth.

EXCITING NEWS! David is now working as a installation artist for Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC Below you will find photos of projects that David has worked on in the last year installing permanent concrete labyrinths that replicate a design that was created in the 1400's at the Chartres Cathedral in France. This design is perhaps the most well known and commonly requested of the many styles that are available. Some designs date back more than 3,000 years and some are modern innovations or modifications of older designs. Click here to learn more about these projects
PAINTING LINES IN LAFAYETTE, CA	DAVID FROM ABOVE IN ANTIOCH, CA	LAS VEGAS FROM ABOVE
CUTTING LINES IN MURRAY, UTAH	APPLYING THE SEALER IN MEMPHIS, TN	coming soon Kearney, Nebraska

The DidgeFest World Peace Labyrinth This 62 foot diameter 7-circuit Labyrinth was made from 400 feet of 2 inch mooring rope found at a marine surplus store plus some additional climbing rope and was constructed at the Joshua Tree Didgeridoo Festival in October of 2002, 2003 & 2004 by David Blonski.

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR ANOTHER LARGER VIEW

Classical Seven-Circuit Labyrinth above and below shows that you enter a labyrinth through the mouth and then walk on the path or circuit. The walls keep you on the path. The goal is in the center of the labyrinth. When you reach it, you have gone half the distance – after some time in contemplation at the center you now need to turn around and walk back out.

Interested in a Virtual Labyrinth Walk? for a Shockwave media file (188K)

What is a Labyrinth?
A labyrinth is a single path or unicursal tool often used for personal, psychological and/or spiritual transformation. The symbol is often thought to represent the many paths we walk on and roles that we take on in our life's journey. Labyrinths are thought to enhance right brain activity (great for creativity) and have been in use for thousands of years. There are many types of labyrinths in the world and many new forms are being currently developed. The labyrinth designs above are some of the earliest know forms.

Why Walk the labyrinth?
Many feel that by walking a labyrinth they gain mental and spiritual centering to help calm and transform their state of being. It is not a maze so you cannot get lost and their is no right or wrong way to walk it, just do it in your own way for whatever purpose you desire. The labyrinth transcends all religions and dogmas and represents your own personal path. You will find that walking to the center of a labyrinth is very therapeutic. Walkers find that it can lower stress and boost creativity. Others claim that it is a place to find answers to prayers and to gain insight into their lives. Be sure to spend some time in the center while meditating and listening to the voice within. When you are finished simply retrace your steps to walk back out of the labyrinth and go in peace.

Where did it come from?
from the writings of Jeff Saward... http://www.labyrinthos.net/aboutus.htm
"The origins of the labyrinth symbol and the mythologies widely used around the world to explain it are complex and difficult to trace. This lengthy history has however left us a fascinating selection of examples of the labyrinth symbols to study. The earliest are over 3000 years old and employ the same design, a series of concentric lines carefully connected (to create a continuous pathway). This symbol and its family of derivatives occurs in different cultures and different points of time and in places as diverse as Brazil, Arizona, Iceland, Arctic Norway and Russia, Crete, Egypt, India and Sumatra. They have persisted to the late 20th century; indeed they are currently undergoing an important series of developments, on a truly global scale, which will ensure the popularity of the labyrinth well into the 21st Century". ..... (From the introduction of "Ancient Labyrinths of the World" by Jeff Saward)

"Some 3400 years ago, an unknown scribe employed at Knossos, site of the fabled labyrinth and prison for the unfortunate Minotaur, recorded on a clay tablet the offering of a pitcher of honey to "Potnia of the Labyrinth." The first evidence for the use of Labyrinthos - the original Greek word we now know as Labyrinth. .... .... .... Today, there is a renaissance of interest in the labyrinth as a spiritual tool amongst many diverse communities around the world. It is resurfacing as a powerful symbol in both fine art and the public consciousness. Archaeologists, historians, ethnologists and antiquarians are finding, analyzing and publishing more information about their origins, distribution, purpose and construction. Puzzle mazes, themselves direct decedents from these ancient labyrinth designs, are also experiencing a remarkable revival in popularity and their creators have made many advances and innovations in their design." .... ( from the opening page of www.labyrinthos.net )

What's the difference between a Labyrinth and a Maze?
A maze offers many choices and false leads along the way... they are left-brain puzzles. A labyrinth has a single path that you follow to the goal and then return back again and it is commonly used as a contemplative tool. You cannot get lost.

To Learn More... visit Jeff and Kimberly Saward's Labyrinthos site at... http://www.labyrinthos.net

To Learn more about the world-wide Labyrinth Community visit... http://www.labyrinthsociety.com

Live in Northern California and want a Garden Labyrinth built? contact David at [labyrinths@timelessproductions.com]

Interested in having a concrete labyrinth built... Visit Robert Ferre's site at www.labyrinth-enterprises.com