Unwinding the Labyrinth<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
A Christian walk …away from God
 
As mystical practices, like "walking the labyrinth," continue to wind themselves into the church I am reminded of the movie "Luther." This was a very well done film depicting the life of Martin Luther and the beginning of the Reformation. There is a scene in the movie where Christians are lining up to kneel and pray as they climb a flight of stairs. They are told that as they climb each stair on their knees it diminishes the time their loved ones spend in purgatory. A privilege they had to pay for. Luther begins to see the fruitlessness of this type of practice after reading the gospel.  He discovers that none of these works-based exercises have any worth. It would seem that all Protestants would be able to recognize a fruitless works-based practice when they see it also. Of course, the key in Luther's realization was reading the gospel --  practice that is sadly lacking amongst today's Christians. Sadder still is that churches are actually promoting this foolishness.
 
The labyrinth is an ancient practice that pre-dates Christianity. It is not a maze but a unicursal path that winds in towards the center of the circle and then winds its way out. The belief is that as you walk this path towards the center you will come closer to God. It is essentially contemplative prayer while walking. Another non-scriptural practice.
 
According to Wikipedia, the labyrinth was an elaborate structure constructed for King Minos (a legendary king of Crete, son of Zeus and Europa) and designed by the legendary artificer Daedalus to hold the Minotaur, a creature that was half man and half bull, who was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus. Theseus was aided by Ariadne, who provided him with a fateful thread to wind his way back again, a clue to the single path of the labyrinth.
 
Dr. Lauren Artress, author of Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool who serves as a Canon at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Grace Cathedral Church, states that "Labyrinths are currently being used world-wide as a way to quiet the mind, find balance, and encourage meditation, insight and celebration. They are open to all people as a non-denominational, cross-cultural tool of well-being."
 
 
On Artress' website, the introduction to the practice reads:
 
There are many ways to pray. And each world religion – whether it be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu – has slightly different variations. However, there is a common core that unites these traditions: The mind has to quiet, the heart hopefully opens and we can listen to and respond from the deepest inner most part of ourselves that knows Wisdom.
 
It is believed that this pagan practice entered the church during the Middle Ages. There were many Christians who wished to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem but did not wish to risk their lives during the long dangerous journey during the Crusades. Walking the labyrinth was used as a substitute.
 
I decided to make the pilgrimage to a labyrinth myself. I searched the web and was surprised to find local labyrinth locations. Who knew I could find God at Como Park in St. Paul? 
 
Just my luck there was already a long line of pilgrims ahead of me when I arrived. This might take longer than I thought. I wondered if God would validate my parking ticket.
 
There were two women standing in line ahead of me. I asked why there were so many people here. She explained it was a church sponsored event and they all came together on the bus.  She then asked if I needed instruction and handed me a leaflet. It described the steps this way:
 
Purgation (Releasing) ~ A releasing, a letting go of the details of your life. This is the act of shedding thoughts and distractions. A time to open the heart and quiet the mind.
 
Illumination (Receiving) ~ When you reach the center, stay there as long as you like. It is a place of meditation and prayer. Receive what is there for you to receive.
 
Union (Returning) ~ As you leave, following the same path out of the center as you came in, you enter the third stage, which is joining God, your Higher Power, or the healing forces at work in the world. Each time you walk the labyrinth you become more empowered to find and do the work you feel your soul reaching for.
 
As I stepped toward the labyrinth, a shocking event occurred. A young kid on a skateboard rolled through the middle of the labyrinth, right through God's presence! The pilgrims were stunned. With their mouths agape they all visibly shuddered as the young man seemed totally unaware of the blasphemy he had just committed. One pilgrim shouted, "You can't skate here!" The young man shrugged and skated away. It was bad enough that he failed to follow the unicursal path but he didn't even remove his sandals when he rolled through holy ground. After the pilgrims got over their shock and awe they quietly began their long path towards the Lord.
 
As much as I tried to resist my brain from functioning, logical discerning thoughts kept on coming to me. As I waited in line, I thought, if God is at the center of circle why I can't I just skip the long winding road and simply walk to the center where God awaits? Would there be hell to pay if I skipped over the lines? Would God abandon me in my quest to be close to Him? Hmmm, well He is a forgiving God.
 
I turned and started walking towards the center of the labyrinth ignoring the unicursal path steps, which supposedly bring me closer and closer to Him. A few of the pilgrims began to wake from their altered state of consciousness as I stepped in front of them. One whispered, not wanting to wake the others, "You can't do that." I turned and smiled and said "It's okay I read Hebrews." The man looked confused.
 
I reached the middle of the circle nearly out of breath from my 30-foot walk and shouted "I am with God right now!" Now all the pilgrims were awake and looked irritated. One said angrily, "If you're not going to take this seriously than please don't ruin it for the rest of us." I shouted with a smile, "Be free! Skip the labyrinth! Read <?xml:namespace prefix = st2 ns = "schemas-libronix-net/bible-reference" />Hebrews 1:3 and you will discover that you are already close to God!" One turned to another and said, "Read Hebrew? I barely passed high school Spanish."
 
It was at that point two of God's servants hustled me off the labyrinth and asked me to leave. There went my chance to get my parking ticket validated.
 
Okay, so it didn't actually happen that way, but a little dramatic parody makes an enjoyable read don't you think? My point is that I am amazed how many Christians are involved in this ignorance. The thought that walking around in a circle will get one closer to God is preposterous. As with all contemplative spirituality it is a demonstration of a failure of faith. We are already close through Christ's finished work on the cross. We do not need to borrow yet another pagan practice to feel closer to our great High Priest.
 
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:14-16
 
If you are engaged in this practice I can only surmise that while you may have a sincere wish to have a closer relationship with the Lord you lack clear biblical instruction to know how. A Bible study on the book of Hebrews would benefit greatly.
 
If you are a church pastor that promotes this practice or has one installed in your church then I would say you should do one of two things: either throw a rug over it and apologize to your congregation or resign. If you lack the fundamentals of understanding, the means of grace by which your flock can truly draw closer to Him, then you are not qualified to pastor anyone.
 
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28