Labyrinth anyone?

[Redheadedstepchild]

One of the local UMCs has a labyrinth. I actually walked it when I was looking for a church home. I admit, I was skeptical at first but it ended up being a very interesting experience.

Just wondering if anyone else has done this, or what you all think about it.

Here's a link to the one I walked. It has some good info on what it's all about: http://www.lexumcsc.com/labyrinth.htm

[Speculative]

They just built one in a park near me. I walked it one day with my family. I don't know if the one I walked was really good for any kind of spiritual benefit because it's outside and cars are driving by and people are walking by and distracting us.

The one in that church looks like it might be more useful.

God Bless :)

[GraceSeeker]

I've done a few of these in different places. Some people seem to be really blessed by them, so more power to them. I actually find the process of following the labyrinth distracting and I was never able to fully quiet myself down on the inside. I do better sitting quietly underneath a tree watching ducks swim in a park pond. Obviously there is no magic in any setting but we each need to find that particular setting which assists on own individual spiritual self to grow, for some that is the labyrinth.

[StacieA]

Wow, I have never heard of this before!

[cristianna]

Our church would routinely spend hours making one out of duct tape on the carpeting. It was grueling, so I never actually used it.

Personally, I find the bubble bath to work best for me. ^_^

[Redheadedstepchild]

Well, when I went I wasn't in the best frame of mind. But, it was one of those things that I knew if I didn't go do it then I never would. So I went anyway. I hard a difficult time getting my mind quiet too...I think I was almost in the center by the time I was able to focus. There was 1 other person there and I found that I was centering on him for a bit- but in a weird kind of way that one detail ended up bringing about something meaningful. It wasn't the epiphany I was hoping for, but God spoke to me. It was very subtle.

I would do it again.

[cristianna]

God will use whatever and whoever He needs to bring a a point across to us individually, and often how it's done is far from what we expect... wouldn't you say Red?

I really would love to do one, but there are no local places here that have one. (Note to self: when speaking about "our church" reference current or old).

My garden works well for me too. We're out in the middle of nowhere, so it's very quiet and peaceful. And then dh wonders why it takes me all day to weed the beds. :thumbsup:

[Redheadedstepchild]

God will use whatever and whoever He needs to bring a a point across to us individually, and often how it's done is far from what we expect... wouldn't you say Red?

Yep, that was and is usually my experience . . .which teaches me to be more relaxed and receptive.

I really would love to do one, but there are no local places here that have one. (Note to self: when speaking about "our church" reference current or old).

My garden works well for me too. We're out in the middle of nowhere, so it's very quiet and peaceful. And then dh wonders why it takes me all day to weed the beds. :thumbsup:

I've found that the pool works for me, which is surprising with all the noise and splashing. But then again, God is everywhere that I am so maybe it's not so surprising.

[Redheadedstepchild]

Bump :)

It's been a year since I walked the labyrinth, which is also the amount of time I've officially been back in church. I have grown sooo much (and been through sooo much) since then. And yet, I still struggle with many of the same things. The business of life always seems to get in the way of that personal relationship with God that I'm searching for. I think I will try to go walk the labyrinth again tomorrow or Friday. I just want to spend some time alone in God's presence, focused on him. KWIM? I know I don't have to walk a labyrinth to do that, or even leave my home for that matter (though with the kids...yeah, maybe I do). So, I'll let y'all know how it goes.

[Strong in Him]

There is an on-line labyrinth, called Lost in Wonder, on the UK Methodist website - www.methodist.org.uk/ (http://www.methodist.org.uk/).
It's pretty cool and I found it a moving experience.

[mont974x4]

It's based on pagan methods. The church we attend had one in November. When we heard they were doing it we decided to explore the meaning and background of them.

Prayer is a simple, yet profoundly powerful thing. We don't need any maze to walk, we just need to take the time to talk to, and listen to, Him.


The hair on my neck raises and I get the feeling of something both mystical and new age involved. Educate yourself, pray, and be fully convinced yourself.

some links with info to get you started:
http://www.labyrinthina.com/path.htm

http://www.sacredwalk.com/

[seashale76]

I agree with Mont. When my nephew turned 13, my husband and I were invited to his birthday thing at the local Presbyterian Seminary. They have a labyrinth on the seminary grounds and his youth minister and youth group had set up candles all through the labyrinth (it was at dusk). We all had been expected to write letters to him, which they placed in a scrapbook in the center of the labyrinth. We were instructed to be silent, hold candles, and stand all around the circular labyrinth while his parents escorted him to the center. After which, he was expected to read his parents' letter and then make his way back out alone.

This entire thing made me very uncomfortable. Neither my husband nor myself would hold a candle and stand in the circle. It reminded me of various pagan rituals you see re-enacted on t.v.

[Redheadedstepchild]

Lots of things we do are derived from Pagan practices. I'm not a pagan. To me it's just another way of centering myself in prayer and meditation.

Though, I will say that the above ceremony sounds pretty creepy.

[mont974x4]

I'm all for doing what is necessary to avoid distractions. Sometimes I have to shut myself in my room, sometimes the shower is the only sane place/time, and I enjoy prayer/fellowship/worship when I am out camping with family and extended family.


The ceremony shared by seeshale is pretty typical of what I have seen and read of most prayer labyrinths.


Of course, in my earlier post I did urge people to study and decide for themself.

[Redheadedstepchild]

Sure.

There was no ceremony when I went last year. Just me (and some other guy) walking around. I enjoyed the solitude.

[mont974x4]

Sure.

There was no ceremony when I went last year. Just me (and some other guy) walking around. I enjoyed the solitude.
Cool. I'm glad you were blessed.

[Strong in Him]

It's based on pagan methods.

Why does that matter - seriously? December 25th was a pagan festival; Christians took it over. Some say that Easter has pagan origins because the name is like the name of some other god. The days of the week are all named after Roman gods or emperors. I can't see how having a pagan origin means that something cannot be allowed/celebrated/used in the worship of God. We are worshipping him, no one else.

Prayer is a simple, yet profoundly powerful thing. We don't need any maze to walk, we just need to take the time to talk to, and listen to, Him.

No we don't. We don't need to look at a picture, listen to music, light a candle or walk in the countryside to worship and talk to him either; but some of us find that this helps to relax and focus on him, so where's the problem? Physically throwing stones into a pool of water as you let go of sin, or anything else that's holding you back; reading about someone whom God loves very much, opening a box to find out what sort of person that is, and finding yourself looking into a mirror; physically breaking bread to remember the bread of life broken for us - can all be very powerful. I certainly found it so, and if such an experience brings a person closer to God and teaches them a little more about prayer, or their relationship with him, then it can only be good.

[ActingDude17]

Whenever I go with my dad (a United Methodist Minister) to our conference's assembly, I walk their labyrinth.

To me, at least, it's really enlightening.

[Sphinx777]

Interesting...

http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_Labyrinth.html


:angel:

[Redheadedstepchild]

Taken from the above link:

What Are Some of the Concerns Regarding the Labyrinth?

The concerns fall into three categories:



The labyrinth has no biblical prototype or pattern as a way to approach God.
The labyrinth as used today is often advocated as a way to have a spiritual experience with God. However, we are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5.7), - and not by seeking experiences.
God is not obligated to provide spiritual experiences simply because we initiate or expect them. We are reconciled with God through faith in Christ, and through our daily walk in Bible reading, prayer, and worship, our relationship with Him grows.

Yes, it's true that no one walked a labyrinth in the Bible. OK. But they did pray and meditate. I don't believe that walking circular paths somehow negates my prayers. I also don't believe that doing so means that I am not seeking a relationship with God through Christ. I'll admit that on first glance the labyrinth is a novelty and may attract people who are looking for an "experience" for that reason. However, I think most people regard it as just another way to pray, meditate, and worship. God speaks to me on his time, not mine. But spending time with him increases the likelyhood that I'll actually hear him when he does speak to me.
If it's not for you, cool.

[Sphinx777]

I am glad that you have found a useful tool to help in your spiritual growth. Please, forgive me my previous post.

God Bless


:angel:

[Redheadedstepchild]

I am glad that you have found a useful tool to help in your spiritual growth. Please, forgive me my previous post.

God Bless


:angel:

No worries. :)

[Redheadedstepchild]

So I walked the Labyrinth on Friday. It was good. I honestly could have walked it twice. Sometimes I think I need that structure, away from home, when I spend time with God. Otherwise my mind wanders. So based on that alone it was good.
At the entrance there was a large wooden cross with a purple drape and a crown of thorns. The path took me right up to the cross several times before turning away, which made me think of all the times and ways I turn my back on God. But the more I walked the more I thought of myself turning to God and leaving behind some of those things I've been holding on to. The other thing I noticed while looking at the cross is what a symbol of love it is. As I looked at it I began thinking of Christ with his arms outstretched, not nailed down but open waiting to embrace me.
As I write this it occurs to me that these thoughts were already below the surface. I guess they probably would have come about anyway, eventually, but it's interesting how walking brought them out.

[Sphinx777]

I am glad that you have found a useful tool to help in your spiritual growth. Please, forgive me my previous post.

God Bless


:angel:

[cristianna]

Awesome Red, very awesome!