Thursday, May 26, 2005

i hate labyrinths

Here are some tips on walking a labyrinth:

1. Focus by pausing at the entrance. Become centered. Give acknowledgment through a bow, nod, or other gesture and then enter.

2. Walk purposefully while observing the process. When you reach the center, stay there and focus several moments. Leave when it seems appropriate. Be attentive on the way out.

3. When leaving turn and face the entrance. Give an acknowledgement of ending, such as " 'cha" or "Right on" or even "Amen."

4. After walking the labyrinth reflect back on your experience.

5. Walk often.


I found this advice here, and to it I would only add:

6. Be crucified with Christ and washed in his precious blood, that you may be delivered from your sins, and live with him in his glory.

What do you think of the emperor's new clothes? What is your favorite substitute for being sanctified?

9 comments:

Andrew said...

May we all remember #6! Thanks for that glimpse of hope. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Well said, WB!

Amber said...

You have not learned much from our school retreats, you may have to come back next year.

Berkeley Seminary

Anonymous said...

How about something like,

With each step inward, repent and bewail your manifold sins and wickednesses, which you from time to time most greviously have committed. In the center, pray the confession and meditate on the cross. On the way out, with each step praise God for His mercy.

OR

With each step inward, read and meditate on a verse from Ps. 119, marvelling at the grace and power of the Word. In the center read from Timothy how all scripture is God-breathed, etc. On the way out, do the decalogue and Matthew's Sermon on the Mount.

OR

For an intercessory kick, with each step inward, lift up the name of a person or need; record them in order on a piece of paper. As you get closer to the center, you can lift up people and needs that are closer to yourself. In the center, stop for a few minutes to listen to God's voice about these needs; then thank Him for hearing our prayers. On the way out, re-trace your intercessory steps with praise and thanksgiving for what God is going to do in each person's life.


There are plenty of decent ways to use a labyrinth, I think, but they require decent theologies.

Anonymous said...

It's just like the Rosary. I've seen some pretty dumpy rosary directions, too, as well as some very good ones. Of course, there's less flexibility with the Rosary because of the standard Hail Mary's and Our Father's.

Anonymous said...

#6 is great! It is like a baseball diamond in the midst of soccer fields (sorry Adam).

fantley said...

labyrinth song

JARETH (david bowie):
I SAW MY BABY
CRYING HARD AS BABE COULD CRY
WHAT COULD I DO?
MY BABY'S LOVE HAD GONE
AND LEFT MY BABY BLUE
NOBODY KNEW
WHAT KIND OF MAGIC SPELL TO USE

GOBLIN CHORUS:
SLIME AND SNAILS
OR PUPPY DOG'S TAILS
THUNDER OR LIGHTNING

JARETH:
AND BABY SAID

TOBY THE BABY:
GA GA.

JARETH:
DANCE MAGIC DANCE
DANCE MAGIC DANCE
DANCE MAGIC DANCE
PUT THAT BABY SPELL ON ME

GOBLIN: EEEYOO!

JARETH:
JUMP MAGIC JUMP
JUMP MAGIC JUMP
JUMP MAGIC JUMP
PUT THAT MAGIC JUMP ON ME

GOBLINS:
SLAP THAT BABY
MAKE HIM FREE!

Anonymous said...

gotta try that one, Fantley.

lol

Anonymous said...

Ah, a reference to "Labrynth," the movie that taught us all what kind of insanity could spring forth when Jim Henson takes acid.