I hate Labyrinths. They are counterfeit, nonsensical substitutions for real devotion. They are basically idols that facilitate at best nothing, and at worst self worship.
This has got to be one of the stupidest things I've ever seen. It is brought to you, naturally, by Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Before you click on it, guess what it is. If you guessed "a state of the art online finger meditation tool" then you guessed correctly. Now go look at it and feel the pathos of aging hippies trying desperately and failing to invent something meaningful out of nothing.
Meet the priestess in charge of this codswallop. Sometimes I'd like to lock such people in a room with someone who takes his religion seriously, and see what happens.
AN ADDENDUM -- lest you be afraid of him, the man in the link, who "takes his religion seriously" is not a wizard, but rather (as Charles W. has pointed out in the comments) a Schemamonk from the Valaam Russian Orthodox Monastery. Schemamonks, from what I can tell, are like the Navy SEALS of Eastern monasticism.
This has got to be one of the stupidest things I've ever seen. It is brought to you, naturally, by Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Before you click on it, guess what it is. If you guessed "a state of the art online finger meditation tool" then you guessed correctly. Now go look at it and feel the pathos of aging hippies trying desperately and failing to invent something meaningful out of nothing.
Meet the priestess in charge of this codswallop. Sometimes I'd like to lock such people in a room with someone who takes his religion seriously, and see what happens.
AN ADDENDUM -- lest you be afraid of him, the man in the link, who "takes his religion seriously" is not a wizard, but rather (as Charles W. has pointed out in the comments) a Schemamonk from the Valaam Russian Orthodox Monastery. Schemamonks, from what I can tell, are like the Navy SEALS of Eastern monasticism.
12 comments:
(Egads! I sent the first sans puctuation!)
You didn't mention the crappy new-agey-Irish-flute music.
I dunno, Fr. WB - moving the little mickey-mouse hand around the labrynth was kinda fun for, like, 4 seconds. Maybe they could remarket this as one of those online games you play when you're bored at the office.
And where'd you dig up that picture of the monk? That's great!
I've never understood labyrinths. I've always felt that the "goal" accomplished by using a labyrinth could be better accomplished by going for a walk in a park; with greater vistas and more enjoyment. (Plus, with a rugged walk, there's always a hiker's high. Sweet!)
But back in my PCUSA days, as a member of my überliberal presbytery's spirituality committee, I walked a labyrinth during a conference. I figured; hey, why not? So, I walked the labyrinth, praying the Pater throughout, but I felt like a crazy man muttering and walking around in circles. This was probably due to the fact that I was a crazy man muttering, walking around in circles.
Although I don't think the labyrinth is an evil thing in itself, I think it's a rather silly thing--which could be used for the hippy dippy nonsense we've come to expect from those in ECUSA (milk and rasin cake eucharists, celebration of divorce, pet masses, liturgical kites, etc.).
I suppose someone could use a labyrinth for genuinely decent spiritual things...but I don't think most Rosary-prayin' Real Ultimate Anglo-Catholics would need such a thing.
-j
Perish the thought of those two in the same room! My money would be on the monk!!
MMBX, you once told me you liked labyrinths, didn't you? I've never tried it myself...probably get lost. But I thought you liked 'em. I remember it because I was so sure it would make you dizzy. BTW..Happy Birthday
Love, DDX
Yes, I did walk one once and got a bit dizzy. It was a nice form of meditating on prayer or scripture, sort of like the rosary, I guess. But, I'm an aging hippie, what do I know?! I really like the finger one, like Fr. T. It was really fun until I lost track. It needed more buzzers and bells, I think! Seriously, I can see a spiritual message in it. I know a lot more people have made it something whacky, but it is a good example of the spiritual walk. Just when you think you're arriving in the center, you wind up back on the outside, etc., etc. BTW, I like to think the problem with that girl is not that she's an aging hippie, but that she's a psychologist. =)
Thank you for the birthday greeting right here in blog-land!
The picture is from a monk of the great schema on the Holy Island of Valaam.
http://www.valaam.ru/en/photos/lightval/?page=1
Be sure to check out all the wonderful pictures and chants. May God Bless the renewal of Nothern Athos since her desolation at the hands of the Stalinist opressors.
The picture is from a monk of the great schema on the Holy Island of Valaam.
http://www.valaam.ru/en/photos/lightval/?page=1
Be sure to check out all the wonderful pictures and chants. May God Bless the renewal of Nothern Athos since her desolation at the hands of the Stalinist opressors.
The picture is from a monk of the great schema on the Holy Island of Valaam.
www.valaam.ru/en/photos/lightval/
Be sure to check out all the wonderful pictures and chants. May God Bless the renewal of Nothern Athos since her desolation at the hands of the Stalinist opressors.
The picture is from a monk of the great schema on the Holy Island of Valaam.
http://www.valaam.ru/en/photos/lightval/?page=1
Be sure to check out all the wonderful pictures and chants. May God Bless the renewal of Nothern Athos since her desolation at the hands of the Stalinist opressors.
Thanks, I needed a laugh today.
Mrs. Falstaff
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