Enter the Labyrinth, 3

by Let Us Reason

Many have various ways to explain the Labyrinth. Artress may not be pouring her own interpretation into this as we find the Labyrinth was used in ancient pagan cultures. In Dr. Lauren Artress' book about the labyrinth, "Walking a Sacred Path," she states, "The web of creation has been thrown out of balance."

So they see it as a pathway to gain connection with the Earth Mother, uniting with all her creatures and absorbing the energies that help bring balance. Despite these New Age concepts being used, it may not be so far from the truth of how it was originally used.

"The labyrinth awaits our discovery, for it will guide us through the troubles of our lives to the grand, mysterious patterns that shape the web of Creation. It will lead us toward the Source and eventually guide us home" (Lauren Artress author of Walking a Sacred Path).

"The space and the experience of walking it become powerful and help one feel a greater sense of Oneness. It is a tool for people of all beliefs to come together for a common spiritual experience." From the new age outlook: We are told these are sacred places. There is power incorporated in the design.

The Labyrinth, "Is truly a tool for transformation, a crucible for change, a blueprint for the sacred meeting of the psyche and the soul, a field of light, a cosmic dance, it is a center for empowering ritual" (Lauren Artress).

It becomes apparent that although this is taking place inside some churches, it really is a non-Christian practice. Many New Agers claim they are not into religion, but practice spirituality. With these type of descriptions, one may wonder what does this have to do with Christianity? The answer is NOTHING.

They attribute huge responsibility to the creation of man. "Perhaps the labyrinth will continue to be the great bridge between people - crossing the abyss that we create with our own prejudices and fears. And perhaps one day the labyrinth will bring us all back to the place of our original innocence" (Grace Cathedral).

In Biblical terms original innocence would mean prior to Adam and Eve's sin. With all these wonderful statements one would think they found some secret way to solve almost all of mankind's problems.

"For many, the labyrinth has become a Grail, meaning that it meets people where they are and gives them what they need for spiritual transformation. My passion for this work has always been to birth the creativity in all people" (Lauren Artress).

Prior to the year 2000 Artress' goal was to have 1,500 labyrinths established in time for the new millennium and is hoping to have people walking simultaneously on them at the millennial turn with the intention of bringing peace and healing to the planet (Reporter News, 1999).

If we are to believe all these claims of healing and transformation maybe we could get terrorists to walk through it, this may bring them an attitude adjustment. If everyone could walk a Labyrinth New Agers would no longer have to visualize world peace. Unfortunately we cannot just walk for peace to take place.

Artress states in the Zions Herald interview, "And then it gets called 'New Age.'" I look at the definition of "New Age" with great interest because they couldn't be further wrong. It's just their ignorance. If you're going to say anything, better say "Middle Age." The labyrinth was put in Chartres Cathedral in 1201!"

Unfortunately she seems to equate new age with something modern and not ancient, as we have already seen, the labyrinth is ancient and used by other religions besides being adopted into some churches in the middle ages.