The "Man in the Maze" is a visual representation of the Tohono O'odham Nation's belief in life, death and life after death. It is said to represent a person's journey through life, depicting the story of each human being traveling through life as if journeying through a maze, taking many turns, while growing stronger and wiser, but always approaching death, as represented by the dark center. The twists and turns are also significant of life's cycles and eternal motion, and also of the choices we are confronted with everyday.
The person standing at the top of the maze depicts our life at birth. By beginning at the top and traversing the path before us, we journey through the maze, encountering numerous turns and sudden changes. As our journey through the maze of life continues, we acquire knowledge, inner strength and deeper understanding. Nearing the end of the maze, we can retreat into a small corner before reaching the dark center of death and eternal life. Here we can repent, cleanse and reflect upon all of the wisdom and truth we have gained. Finally, pure and in harmony with the world, we accept death, and eternal life is granted.
I am in the maze...
Somewhere in the middle, I hope...
Where are you?
I have a silver and gold Hopi overlay ring created by the noted native American artist, Jason Takala. I wore it for more than 30 years I recently lost it and felt incomplete without it. Recently, my wife found it in an unexpected place that had been searched before. It suddenly reappeared in plain sight. It is said that miracles occur when God chooses to be anonymous. We both wept in gratitude. Truly one of the twists and turns of the maze.
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