I've been thinking quite a bit about egression (the act of leaving a labyrinth after reaching the center) in the wake of much serious conversation with fellow CLP member John K. I'm curious to know if anyone has any thoughts on the ethics of egression. The principal issue that I've been grappling with concerns whether it is more or less ethical to return to the perimeter via the same route that one initially navigated on his way to the center. After hours of reflection, I'm still unsure about which method (taking a decidedly new route or tracing one's steps back to the perimeter) is the more ethical and the better suited to a properly primordial navigatory experience.
I'd love to hear any thoughts people might have on this issue.
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6 comments:
Hi,
My labyrinthology professor said I could get extra credit if I post in this blog. I'm not flunking the class or anything but I could really use the points especially since I am thinking about minoring in labyrinthology. A lot of the requirements are the same as my major (management) and I would only need to take 2 more labyrinthology courses so I'm thinking why not.
About the topic of egression, I think it is a very central concept to the field of labyrinthology. This is because, though it is often forgotten, once you enter the labyrinth exiting is just as important if not more so. We as a society have a tendancy to think of reaching the center as the ultimate or the pinnacle of our achievement. But you cannot stay in the same place even though you have reached the center, you must exit the labyrinth and go searching for the next challenge. Otherwise, society fails to progress. To sum up, my opinion is that the field of egression is one that we must all take heed from.
LABYRINTHOLOGY!!!???
what the f is that? Are you for real?
The professor does not take attendance and like I said I only need two courses for a minor. I have to admit though the class is kind of kicking my ass and it is not especially intresting either. I've definately taken worse though.
Great post, Alex.
I have been pondering egression for some time now, and still have don't have a definitive answer to this question that continues to riddle labyrinthologists.
Part of me must acknowledge the innate human tendency to prioritize the center. After progress to the center, I have to admit that many navigators do not have the same labyrinth experience during the egress. Some describe the egress as an anticlimax. Others aver that telos of the labyrinth fundamentally changes during the egress.
Now, my many years of labyrinth study has equipped me with the discipline to experience the egress to fulfillment and enrichment. However, I arrived at this discipline with deliberate decentralization. (Remember our trek to the Pueblo Labyrinth System in New Mexico? Transformative.)
So, I answer your question with a question: Is there any evidence for an innate prioritization of egression?
John K.: Excellent and thought provoking post, as usual. After talking at length with both you and Philip Cunha about decentralization, egression, and the re-enchantment of labyrinths these past few days, I'm still hesitant to commit to a position.
On the one hand, to prioritize egression seems like a way in which we can effectively mitigate the effect of le culte du centre. That being said, as Smallencroft (and Cunha himself) point out, the allure of the center is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is irreducibly bound with the human condition.
As you well know, a labyrinthian's goal at all times should be to experience the labyrinth primordially. I'm unconvinced that we can navigate with an eye towards decentralization and still experience the labyrinth in this most vital way.
jon c:Good luck in your course. If you need any recommendations for secondary sources, etc., do let us know.
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