seethrough

except for the point,

the still point,

there would be no dance,

and there is only the dance.

t.s. eliot

a gentle invitation

so we’ve got this corner in the garden where nothing will grow… which turns out to be a great opportunity to build a Labyrinth in my backyard! I’ve been fascinated with Labyrinths ever since I heard Richard Rohr speaking about them in one of his lectures. He suggested a few interesting ways in which the Labyrinth expresses Christ-following spirituality. He referred to the way that Labyrinths were situated outside or even inside churches in Europe as a “way” to move from the calculative mode of work and study into the contemplative space of worship and prayer.

love

A Labyrinth is not a Maze. The difference is easy to spot. A labyrinth only has one path that, if followed, will always lead to the centre. A Maze is fun, but it’s purpose is to perplex and challenge the calculative mind - it’s a challenge to see if you can find “the way”. The Labyrinth invites one to simply walk the path. There are many turns along the way, but ultimately the invitation is to walk without thinking too deeply. One can just walk - and your faithfulness will be rewarded. This is how the Labyrinth reflects the Grace of God and the Grace of the Journey (that is often referred to as “spiritual”). The Theology of Grace suggests that human effort does not ultimately get measured and then rewarded, but rather that it is God’s “effort” - or Love - that makes a Way.

hope

Another wonderful metaphor is reflected in some (not all) Labyrinths. For instance, the Lab in Chartres Cathedral is an 11 ring labyrinth. On the way to the centre a person will make 28 U-turns. The word for “repentance” in scripture means literally to “turn around”. And each of these turns is made at an intersection with the cross - either at the horizontal or the vertical intersection. Rohr suggests that this is symbolic of our ongoing and constant “conversions” or moments of repentance. As we encounter “the cross” - through the teaching of Jesus or moments of loss or pain - we are invited to repent, to turn and continue. And these turns are not failures because while it may seem like we are winding without purpose, the Labyrinth reminds us that every turn is a “progress” on the path. This is hope.

faith

another symbol which i like is the way one progresses through the labyrinth. as with most journeys of growth, there is an initial passion and energy. Like when we are first “converted”. It feels almost like we are close to heaven. You will notice on the Chartres Lab and also on the one I am building that initially the path moves quickly toward the centre. It feels as if one will arrive very quickly. But the reality of most significant journeys in life is that one will have to let go of quick-fix solutions and easy fast-track routes, in favour of the longer, enduring path that winds (frustratingly) away from the goal for some time before it turns again toward the centre and some kind of “resolution” or comfort - a point from which there is some measure of understanding of the path that has been walked. in this sense, the Labyrinth is a symbol of the invitation - the divine invitation of faith: faithfulness. or in my backyard terms - just keep walking.

i received an sms this evening:

it’s over 6.30. no more suffering.

after a month of brave holding on, Henry stopped breathing this evening. he was a courageous man and someone i would want to have beside me in any scary situation. he never looked flustered - like he didn’t know what to do next. if he didn’t know what to do, he certainly didn’t let on…

I remember when i nearly turned his 4×4 onto it’s side coming down a sand-dune in Namibia - he quickly stepped in to get us back on the track.

At times like this we are so tempted to want to say something to a grieving family, something that will ease their pain. but all the “be strong” - “he’s in a better place” - “it’s better this way” comments sound like a cheap radio echoing in a huge empty room.

when i took the phone this evening to speak with Marietjie (elaine’s mom) all i could say was i don’t know what to say

i don’t have anything to say to ease the pain. the pain of losing is not a wound that responds well to a treatment of words.

but i do have something to say! Thank you. Thank you for Henry. Thanks for knowing him as much as I did. Thanks for being invited into a fabulous family and being drawn into family times. Thanks for the learning to drive tractors and mow the fields. Thanks for a day of branding cattle! Thanks for a trip through the Namibian desert and for being treated like a man - for being spoken to like an adult.

there’s huge gap now…

have you noticed how powerful Silence can be. I’m still not sure if he/she is a friend or foe! Silence creates space and makes room for rest and re-creation. but Silence is also a sneaky accomplice to heinous crimes of the worst kind…

my life if full of words - and speaking. sometimes i think i’m paid to speak. and sometimes i think I’m jsut plain full of myself “and love the sound of my own voice”. either way, Silence is the best medicine. She allows me to retreat to a place of solitude where I am able to rest and be restored in the Values that I have confidence in. She is gracious and gentle - imagine, not having to say anything! What a relief when so much of my life is judged by what I say and how convincing I sound and how entertaining i am… etc…

but Silence has a dark side. I know of many people who are in unsafe relationships but feel trapped - fearful of the consequences of breaking the silence and speaking about what is happening.

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