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"Take
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Cecil Andrews, 29 Edengrove Park, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AZ, Northern Ireland Telephone/Fax 028 9756 5511. E-MAIL - takeheed@aol.com WEBSITE - http://www.takeheed.net Quick Links - Home - Assorted Articles - Audio/Video - Ministry Newsletters - Words of Wisdom |
‘The Labyrinth Experience’
in
When Pastor Gary Gilley was our guest here in March
2006 to address a number of issues, including what has come to be known as ‘The
Emerging Church’; he highlighted how in many instances churches and
fellowships are now ‘supplementing’ or in some cases virtually ‘replacing’ the
reading and preaching of the Word of God with more visual, sensory-based
experiences designed to somehow induce an almost mystical ‘experience’ of
‘God’.
In recent times a couple of Methodist Churches in
Having spoken to one very sincere Christian lady who
is known personally to me and who went through this ‘experience’ she stated
that she found it, as a ‘primer for prayer’, to be a stimulating experience.
She felt too that those presenting the ‘experience’ genuinely wanted to somehow
attract people who might otherwise not darken the door of a church. In these
days of falling church attendances I can fully
understand their motivation.
The question is – is this the right ‘way’ to
address this problem? A very helpful ‘warning’ ministry is called ‘Let Us
Reason’ and I want now to quote extracts from one of the articles on
their website that was written by their Director, Mike Oppenheimer. I have also
supplied the website link should you wish to read the entire article.
Extracts
from article by Mike Oppenheimer on
http://www.letusreason.org/Nam30.htm
Walking the labyrinth has become a
popular spiritual exercise across the country and around the world. I first
read of it in Leadership Magazine, a Christian publication and became a bit
concerned - since looking into it further I’m definitely concerned.
Labyrinths are said to been used
for over 3000-3500 years (depending who you ask), accurate dating has been
difficult. We are told by those who promote their use that Labyrinths are
ancient and have been a part of the sacred landscape through human history.
Those who use the labyrinth describe them as a pattern with power and a
purpose. They are called “divine imprints,” that symbolize an archetype of
wholeness. The Labyrinth is said to encourage healing, clarity, and
peacefulness. There are claims of profound experiences as they affect the
people who use them by connecting them with the deepest part of themselves.
Labyrinths can often have a particular “specialty” in healing, improving ones
health or alleviating symptoms of certain diseases.
From the Catholic Encyclopedia -- Labyrinth is a complicated arrangement of
paths and passages; or a place, usually subterraneous, full of windings,
corridors, rooms, etc., so intricately arranged as to render the getting out of
it a very difficult matter…
Early Christians took a vow to
visit the
we
find that the origin of Labyrinths are from pre-Christian days. This is what we need to pay attention to - what were
they used for before the Roman Catholic Church adopted them for their
contemplation and pilgrimage substitute to the Holy land. Labyrinths predate Christianity by over 1,000 years…And
the purpose of this article is make Christians aware
that Labyrinths are not in any shape or form a Christian practice.
“The
labyrinth has its origins in ancient pagan rituals, most famously at
A labyrinth is unicursal - this
means there is one open, unobstructed path the walker follows into the centre
and back out again. A labyrinth has only one path leading to the centre and
back out again with no dead-ends…We are told that the labyrinth is a tool
useful to people of all religions or no religion…R. White writes, “Walking the labyrinth supposedly promotes spiritual awakening
and deeper inner knowledge. Followers testify to arousal of feelings (good and
bad), renewed creativity, brain re-mapping and energy production. Labyrinths
have taken their place next to sacred circle dances and sweet-grass ceremonies
taught as rediscovered ancient practices to enhance spiritual growth”(White,
R. Aug. 15, 2000. Walking the Labyrinth: New Age Fad or Traditional Technique? http://www.christianweek.org)…
What are Labyrinths used
for; the explanations come from those using it. The Rev.
Sarah Bentley of New Life Institute, a centre for counselling, education and
spiritual growth related to the Austin-area United Methodist churches, said she
introduces labyrinths to people as a form of meditation. They are training the participant in a walking meditation.
Meditation is the process of
quieting the mind, various methods can be used to bring a consciousness change
so that you still your mind, and you become uncontrolled conscious. Meditation is a spiritual practice of many eastern religions.
We are told that by clearing a space within the mind, and allowing yourself to
experience whatever emotions or thoughts surface during your walk you come out
with a labyrinth experience. Your questions can be answered…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 types of descriptions, one may wonder what does this
have to do with Christianity? The answer is -Nothing…
One of the major initiators in
reviving the labyrinth in our time is Rev. Lauren Artress…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?…
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 Bible tells us not to participate in…
What does
the God of the Bible have to say?
Can one seek or come to
know God by a Labyrinth walk? It may be the latest
fashion in spirituality touted as a spiritual tool of meditation and prayer but
is it for a Christian? We are told in Colossians
2: 8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty
deceit, according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the
world, and not according to Christ.” Some are trying to justify this as a
Christian tradition. In fact it couldn’t be, not just because it is not found in
the Bible, but because it goes against everything the Bible and Christianity
teaches for one to practice true spirituality. Walking through the Labyrinth is not a rediscovery of a lost form of
Christian spirituality but pagan spirituality. Though it may be reformed
and repackaged to our modern times, we can be assured it has nothing to do with
Jesus who gave man the true spiritual way of life.
I don’t think one can
Christianise this practice, nor justify its use.
Especially with what we have already discovered how it is being used. Is it pleasing to God that we walk labyrinths when He has
told us not to take up pagan practices?…
Walking meditation and
stopping to quiet oneself is not promoting prayer.
Not all that is claimed to be spiritual, is good or from God. We are told
as Christians to test the Spirits. Do we now need
experiential prayer elements? Did Jesus look for a Labyrinth to teach
people to pray? What happened to going into our rooms
to pray quietly (Matthew 6:6)?…
[Lauren] Artress
does not withhold her rejection of the straight and narrow way found
within Christianity. She explains the labyrinth is more forgiving and leads its
followers forward in a flawless path. God’s word states you cannot walk the
wide road and claim to follow Christ who says HIS way is the narrow road and
has nothing to do with a Labyrinth. In Matthew
The very reason people end up
using labyrinths and other such methods to find their spirituality is because
they are not holding and promoting the word of God, which is all one needs to
be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Though it is currently
fashionable for “Christians” to participate in walking Labyrinths along with
other religions, it is a clear sign the Word of God is not being upheld but is
being replaced with subjective feelings, through New Age spirituality…
This
cannot have any spiritual benefit for a Christian, but one can possibly have a
relaxing time as they enjoy the walk…There is no basis
for those who practice Biblical Christianity to embrace the labyrinth as an
acceptable tool for meditation and prayer? It is inherently New Age, let them
have it.
The
use of ‘’The Labyrinth Experience’ may have seemed to those both
promoting and hosting it to be a good ‘way’ to kindle some interest in
spirituality and prayer. In the light of Mike Oppenheimer’s report, the words
of Proverbs
Near
the end of his life, Joshua gave this advice to God’s people – “Now
therefore, fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in truth” – how
were they to do that – Joshua continued “and put away the gods which your
fathers served on the other side of the river and in Egypt, and serve ye the
Lord” [Joshua 24:14].
I
would recommend this advice to anyone who today is contemplating either holding
or having ‘The Labyrinth Experience’.
Cecil Andrews ‘Take Heed’
Ministries