by Let Us Reason
Most trace the modern resurgence of labyrinths to Lauren Artress. If she is the authority on it, and brought it to the church, then we should listen carefully to what she is saying to see if it is a true spiritual practice.
Lauren was aware of labyrinths as a child. In her visit to Chartres in 1991 she talked to Jean Huston and worked with her and went through a labyrinth. Then she went home and said, "Wow, something important happened there." I remember walking around the room yelling, "What is it?" And then the idea came through - put the labyrinth in the cathedral" (Zions Herald interview with Lauren Artress). In 1996 Artress created Veriditas, a non-profit dedicated to introducing people to the healing, meditative powers of the labyrinth.
Artress says that "You walk to the center of the labyrinth and there, at the center, you meet the Divine" (Lauren Artress, "Q and A with Lauren," Veriditas, Vol. 1, no. 2, Summer 1996, p. 18). She explains that: "The labyrinth is a large, complex spiral circle which is an ancient symbol for the Divine Mother, the God within, the Goddess, the Holy in all of creation," she wrote. "For many of us the feminine aspect of the Divine has been painfully absent from our lives, our spirituality, and our Western culture" (Rev. Lauren Artress).
The Bible has nothing to say about a feminine aspect to the divine mother, a Goddess, so this shows this cannot be related to Christianity but paganism.
She describes her discovery of the labyrinth as one of the "most astonishing events of my life." For her, the labyrinth is a "spiritual tool meant to awaken us to the deep rhythm that unites us to ourselves and to the Light that calls from within." Veriditas promotes walking through the labyrinth as a way of discovery, to find healing, self-knowledge and continuing to weave the Universal Web of Creation."
An important fact to know is that geomancy and other occult arts are often incorporated in the building of labyrinths. Charles Gilchrist, a labyrinth promoter, states it has a direct connection to "Sacred Geometry," a powerful potential as an oracle. And there are other "oracle systems" that are related to Sacred Geometry, Astrology, Numerology, I Ching, Rune Stones, and the Tarot.
"Veriditas is the non-profit organization that has grown up around the labyrinths at Grace Cathedral. They are dedicated to teaching people the history, use, and potential of this spiritual tool. Veriditas Project founder Lauren Artress promotes the labyrinth as a way to connect with the divine feminine, the god within" (Penn, September 1999 The New Age movement in the Episcopal Church).
In Leadership Magazine, a Christian publication, it was written, "Graceland artists recreated the Labyrinth with a kit we purchased" ([the Prayer Path Group Publishing, $79.99] reference in Leadership Magazine p. 38, 2002). Dan Kimball, who wrote the article, further writes, "It was joy to see so many people on their knees communing with God through the experiential prayer elements."
In this article the author mentions how they found themselves at the center of the Labyrinth where they sat on cushions and were given communion elements as the narrator read scripture telling them how near Jesus is. How unfortunate that they thought that by doing this it made the experience a Christian one. (Dan Kimball pastors Graceland, a postmodern worship service at Santa Cruz Bible church in Santa Cruz, California).
The Reverend Alan Jones, Dean of Grace Cathedral states, "The Grace Cathedral Labyrinth Project is committed to addressing the spiritual hunger of our times." Lauren Artress still travels with the original canvas labyrinth she designed in 1991 to workshops and conferences around the globe to share the message of this ancient tool of healing and transformation.
Lauren Artress and others at Veriditas are hoping it will become a more common aspect of society in the 21st century, through the use of spiritual tools like the Labyrinth. "Body, nature, and a sense of place - the Theater of Enlightenment is rich with these three elements, which experts say are essential to global transformation in the 21st century" (quote from Theater of Enlightenment by Colleen O'Connor).
Clearly this is a New Age observance with practices for global transformation, which has a long history of being the goal of the New Age movement.
March 11, 2002, The World-Wide Labyrinth Project featured three people:
Chartres, France - In 1999 The Reverend Canon Lauren Artress established "Let Us Walk With Mary," a unique enlightening program for pilgrims seeking spiritual growth.
China Galland - Long-time student of Buddhism and Christianity, teacher, and author of "The Bond Between Women: A Journey to Fierce Compassion," "Tara and the Black Madonna," and "Women in the Wilderness."
The Very Rev. Alan Jones - Dean of Grace Cathedral, San Francisco and author of "The Soul's Journey: Exploring the Three Passages of Spiritual Life with Dante as a Guide," "Exploring Spiritual Direction," and "Passion for Pilgrimage."
Chartres Cathedral is the only cathedral built fully for Mary. When the Rev. Lauren Artress reopened the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral, she emphasized that it would be in the name of Mary. Promoting the Divine feminine, as found in "Walking a Sacred Path."
Dr. Artress states, "The labyrinth provides a sacred space where the inner and outer world can commune, where the thinking mind and the imaginative heart flow together...a space to listen to our inner voice of wisdom." She goes on to speak of the experience of walking the labyrinth in the following manner: "Walking the labyrinth is a spiritual discipline that invites us to trust the path, to surrender to the many turns our lives take, and to walk through the confusion, the fear, the anger, the grief that we cannot avoid experiencing as we live our earthly lives. The labyrinth is a place where we can open ourselves to the Holy Spirit. We can ask for guidance and pray for ourselves and our loved ones."
Certainly one is able to do this without a Labyrinth, the early church did not depend on this vehicle to help them with their spirituality. Jesus already instructed us how to be open to his leading and his answers so why do we need to use this other religious device? Religious syncretism is probably the most dangerous we can involve ourselves in because we can put a label on something and call it something it essentially is not. These are two different religions, spiritual systems. Starhawk, a practicing witch and head of a coven, celebrated New Year 2000 by walking the Labyrinth on her San Francisco area ranch.
Psychotherapist Dr. Lauren Artress says, "To walk a sacred path is to discover our inner sacred space: that core of feeling that is waiting to have life breathed back into it through symbols, archetypal forms like the labyrinth, rituals, stories, and myths." This has nothing to do with practicing Christianity and everything to do with other spiritual practices that the Bible tells us not to participate in.
In the article, Mystical Paths for Contemplation 5/18/2002, Artress recently talked about the popularity of this practice as she prepared to conduct workshops and tours of labyrinths in Europe:
FaithLinks: What kind of Christian is typically attracted to labyrinth spirituality?
Artress: The labyrinth attracts people from all walks of life. Many Christians come to it when they are in a dry period spiritually and feel like their daily prayer life is not working for them. They may also come on the eve of surgery, bad news about a sick friend, or the loss of a job. The labyrinth is a path of prayer for everyone. To those who feel they don't know how to pray, I simply say "write a letter to God." It is especially attractive to the seekers who long for a personal relationship with the Divine. These folks have done their homework by studying other traditions as well (Source website, however, this particular interview is no longer available online).
I have got a better idea, read God's letters to you, all 66 of them found in the Bible for your spiritual renewal.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Getting to Know Jesus: Acts 24
24:1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
24:2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
24:3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
24:4 Notwitstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
24:6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
24:8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
24:9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
24:10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
24:11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
24:12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
24:13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
24:17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
24:18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
24:19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
24:20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
24:21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
24:22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
24:23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
24:2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
24:3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
24:4 Notwitstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
24:6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
24:8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
24:9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
24:10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
24:11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
24:12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
24:13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
24:17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
24:18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
24:19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
24:20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
24:21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
24:22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
24:23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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.
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.
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