Since the labyrinth has not been in use for approximately 350 years, most people do not realize the difference between a labyrinth and a maze.

Labyrinths are unicursal, circular with one well-defined path that leads to the center, then back out again. There are no tricks, no dead ends, no cul-de-sacs, and no intersecting paths.

A maze on the other hand can be any shape and offers a choice of paths, some with many entrances and exits. A maze offers many tricks, dead ends, cul-de-sacs, and riddles to be solved. Mazes force us to make choices. Logic is challenged.

The labyrinth does not engage the thinking part of our minds. Rather, the symbolic mind comes forth. We have but one choice. ...To enter a labyrinth is to choose to walk a spiritual path,... according to Dr. Lauren Artress in her book Walking A Sacred Path: Rediscovering The Labyrinth As A Spiritual Tool (1995). Another authority on labyrinths, Robert Ferre', founded Labyrinth Enterprises in October, 1995, to meet the increasing demand for technical and instructional information pertaining to labyrinths. It was originally called the St. Louis Labyrinth Project. The use of the word "project" implies an association with Veriditas: The Worldwide Labyrinth Project. Founded at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco by the Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress, Veriditas has been a pioneer in promoting the labyrinth as a spiritual tool. Through the years, Robert Ferré, director of Labyrinth Enterprises, has worked closely with Veriditas, including making the Chartres-style canvas labyrinths which they offer for sale. He has also written several books on labyrinths. Including: Church Labyrinths (1995), held many lectures and has assisted in the completion of 900 full size labyrinths.

Find out the difference between a circular design labyrinth walk and a maze path. Authors such as Dr. Lauren Artress and Robert Ferre specialize in book about walking sacred spiral labyrinths. The circuit pattern of the center circle is a spiritual pathway to meditate.