Interesting Article From The La Times

[Graciela]

I would caution against presuming that one knows the intentions of a group building or using a labyrinth. We do not know the hearts of others or what prayer draws them to God's heart. For one it may be the rosary, while for another it may be silent meditation. I cannot remember whether it was St Teresa of Avila or not, but the sainted teacher of prayer basically said "pray as you can, not as you can't".

The attitude that labyrinths should not be used because some folks have used them in pagan ways, or b/c they have a ancient pagan history seems to me like policing other peoples' prayer lives because of a suspicion of "new age" practices. Why would medieval churches and monstaeries have them if not because the faithful recognized them as beautiful, and maybe helpful for paryer/pilgrimage?

As for the comment that having only "some sources" from the historical record about how pabyrinths were used in cathedrals and abbeys, the catholic tradition is replete with hagiography and devotional practices that have only few sources. The sources on the brown scapular are "historically" suspect as Carmelites with knowledge of the available historical documents will tell you. That doesn't mean we need to be suspicious of it. I wear it myself and treasure the practice because of the tradition associated with it.

Some folks simiilarly treasure praying while walking a labyrinth and I suggest that we not judge their practice. That is for their priest or spiritual director and ultimately God, who knows the depths of their hearts.
Graciela

Edited June 29, 2011 by Graciela

[carmenchristi]

I read the first 4 paragraphs... that was enough for me. Bless her in her work. I don't know how well the author of the article represents her thoughts, but from the first 4 paragraphs, I disagree.

[BarbTherese]

Catholic Culture site is a reliable source of information for Catholics. According to Catholic Culture, the labyrinth probably does not have a Christian history and I think we need know this, while the labyrinth may well be able to be given meanings in accord with our Faith, we need know it has a third age type origin in our day. I really think to promote the use of a labyrinth even for sound reasons is not a positive move. Users may become exposed to non Catholic thought and teaching without realizing it. Many, quite a lot of "many" ordinary Catholics are not well educated in the Faith sadly, at least this is my limited personal experience to date in my own limited environment in South Australia. But one person led astray is too many, far too many. I am only quoting extracts from the Catholic Culture article which is not lengthy and is informative:

[quote]
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=3440
The mother of the modern labyrinth movement is Lauren Artress, canon of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. In her public speaking, she is sometimes vague about the theological implications of the labyrinth, which she calls a "big spiritual open house." Artress, who is also a psychotherapist, speaks more often in the lingo of Jungian psychotherapy than of traditional Christian practice. For her, the labyrinth is for the "transformation of human personality in progress" that can accomplish a "shift in consciousness as we seek spiritual maturity as a species."
. . .Since then, cathedral officials seem to have become more open towards the labyrinth movement. Artress has conducted two programs there. Last year, the cathedral devoted a month to examination of the labyrinth, and hundreds of labyrinth walkers were invited to walk the path by candlelight. The rector at Chartres has become an honorary canon at Grace Cathedral, with Chartres reciprocating with an honorific title for Artress's superior, Dean Alan Jones of Grace Cathedral.

. . .At least initially, officials at Chartres Cathedral seemed to understand about the labyrinth movement what many US churches apparently do not. The emphasis of the labyrinth's proponents is upon the mystical powers of the inner self, not on the transcendent God of traditional Christianity.

. . .But [u]Christians who walk the labyrinth should know there is little if any proof in church history that labyrinth walking has been a spiritual tool for Christians[/u]. Mo[b]re important, they should know that its current popularizers see the labyrinth's spiritually amorphous path more as a partial replacement for the transcendent God of Christianity than as a tool to bring followers closer to him[/b]. [/quote]

Edited June 30, 2011 by BarbaraTherese

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Graciela' timestamp='1309387807' post='2260484']
I would caution against presuming that one knows the intentions of a group building or using a labyrinth. We do not know the hearts of others or what prayer draws them to God's heart. For one it may be the rosary, while for another it may be silent meditation. I cannot remember whether it was St Teresa of Avila or not, but the sainted teacher of prayer basically said "pray as you can, not as you can't".

The attitude that labyrinths should not be used because some folks have used them in pagan ways, or b/c they have a ancient pagan history seems to me like policing other peoples' prayer lives because of a suspicion of "new age" practices. Why would medieval churches and monstaeries have them if not because the faithful recognized them as beautiful, and maybe helpful for paryer/pilgrimage?

As for the comment that having only "some sources" from the historical record about how pabyrinths were used in cathedrals and abbeys, the catholic tradition is replete with hagiography and devotional practices that have only few sources. The sources on the brown scapular are "historically" suspect as Carmelites with knowledge of the available historical documents will tell you. That doesn't mean we need to be suspicious of it. I wear it myself and treasure the practice because of the tradition associated with it.

Some folks simiilarly treasure praying while walking a labyrinth and I suggest that we not judge their practice. That is for their priest or spiritual director and ultimately God, who knows the depths of their hearts.
Graciela
[/quote]

That is why I like the freedom we have to choose these things. We are not bound to accept all of them, especially things for which we are skeptical about. I still don't know how much I believe in the Brown Scapular and the Sabbatine privilege. It sounds a bit hokey and superstitious to me. But that doesn't mean that it is a bad thing. There are several different gifts in the Church. While one may choose meditative prayer, the other may choose the Rosary or Adoration.

I have to agree with Santa Cruz's statement though that we don't know what the labyrinth at Chartres was used for. There is much speculation, but no actual proof that it was used in Catholicism. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree on its use, especially in religious life.

[Santa Cruz]

[quote name='Graciela' timestamp='1309387807' post='2260484']
I would caution against presuming that one knows the intentions of a group building or using a labyrinth. We do not know the hearts of others or what prayer draws them to God's heart. For one it may be the rosary, while for another it may be silent meditation. I cannot remember whether it was St Teresa of Avila or not, but the sainted teacher of prayer basically said "pray as you can, not as you can't".

The attitude that labyrinths should not be used because some folks have used them in pagan ways, or b/c they have a ancient pagan history seems to me like policing other peoples' prayer lives because of a suspicion of "new age" practices. Why would medieval churches and monstaeries have them if not because the faithful recognized them as beautiful, and maybe helpful for paryer/pilgrimage?

As for the comment that having only "some sources" from the historical record about how pabyrinths were used in cathedrals and abbeys, the catholic tradition is replete with hagiography and devotional practices that have only few sources. The sources on the brown scapular are "historically" suspect as Carmelites with knowledge of the available historical documents will tell you. That doesn't mean we need to be suspicious of it. I wear it myself and treasure the practice because of the tradition associated with it.

Some folks simiilarly treasure praying while walking a labyrinth and I suggest that we not judge their practice. That is for their priest or spiritual director and ultimately God, who knows the depths of their hearts.
Graciela
[/quote]

Graciela,

I do not think anyone here has made any presumptions about the intent of groups using labyrinths. Neither is anyone judging persons individual use of labyrinths. The concern is that new age spirituality (prayers, meditations) is being combined with Catholicism in Religious life. You simply cannot pray to a goddess or worship the energies of the world and also worship our God, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. No one is saying that an individual walking a labyrinth is doing that. The concern is with the written prayer guides, the teachings combining new age spirituality with Catholicism which are used to walk the labyrinth.

Please allow me to give you an example. Pasted below is both a link and an introduction to a labyrinth walk at a Catholic Church. I am not judging the persons walking the labyrinth and what is in their heart. I do however think that the written material is vague not leading persons in Catholic prayer. It encourages an emptying and then opening and listening for "anything". I do not see anywhere that the person is encouraged to call upon our Triune God. To open oneself to all the forces of the world to anything that is out there is dangerous. It is important to be discerning in prayer, focused, intentional and also to be sure that you are surrendering yourself to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Personally, I would not follow this structured format in prayer because I would be opening myself up to receiving messages from all sorts of energies, spirits, principalities, demons...

[url="http://www.stmaryhc.org/spirituality/labyrinth.php"]Labyrinth Walk at a Catholic Church[/url]

[b][quote ]As you enter the Labyrinth,[/b] you begin the first of three stages of your walk — [b]Purgation[/b]. This is a time for releasing, letting go of the details of your life, the cares and concerns that keep you distracted and stressed.

[b]As you reach the center,[/b] you are open to the stage of [b]Illumination[/b]. Stay in the Center as long as you like. Continue to do what feels natural. Sit, kneel, stand, meditate, face several directions. Read something you have brought with you on this journey. Stay in the center for as long as you wish. It is a place for clarity and insight. Receive what is there for you.

[b]As you prepare to leave the Labyrinth,[/b] take time for gratitude and for integrating this experience into your life. This part of the walk is the path of [b]Union[/b], joining God, bringing back to the world a renewed vision or a refreshed spirit. Each time you walk the Labyrinth, you may become more empowered to find and do the work God as given you. Spend some time outside the Labyrinth in reflection and meditation before you leave.

With the challenges and concerns of our busy lives, the Labyrinth offers a way to journey in faith, to find stillness and rest. Labyrinths can be found in churches, parks, retreat centers, hospitals, schools, homes and prisons. One architect notes that the Labyrinth is a "sure path in the changing and uncertain world." The Labyrinth at St. Mary is made possible through the generous donation of a parish family. Their research about this sacred path convinced them that this would be a valuable contribution to our spiritual journey.

You are invited to walk the Labyrinth alone or with a group, at the beginning or end of your day, on your lunch break, as the sun sets, by starlight and moonlight, in all seasons. [b][/quote][/b]

Getting back to the original topic of Religious life. I am glad that the Church called for a Visitation of convents in the United States and I am glad that there was a look into the prayer, work and leisure of some Communities. I am friendly with the Community who was called upon to facilitate the Visitation (Apostles of the Sacred Heart) and they are not at all the policing type. Rather, they look to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and from there they are compelled to carry out their works of mercy.

Christ's peace Graciela!


[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1309399940' post='2260592']
I guess we will just have to agree to disagree on its use, especially in religious life.
[/quote]

I agree