Holy Outrageous: Tangible Signs of Hope and Inspiration
Life, throughout the ages, has metaphorically been viewed as a pilgrimage. The labyrinth mirrors this inner journey over and over again. We step onto the labyrinth’s singular path and begin the walk. We experience Purgation (shedding, letting go) so when we come to the center we are open to
Illumination, guidance and inspiration of the Spirit. We leave the center and follow the path to the rim once more. This part of the walk symbolizes Union. We are returning to our lives to integrate what we have experienced through walking the labyrinth as living breathing prayer.
In her book, Praying the Labyrinth, Jill Geoffrion refers to the archetypal symbol as, “A beautiful spiritual tool–a pattern, an emblem, a walkway…” She shares in her introduction, “As I walked the labyrinth I felt deeply connected to a creative God whose energies resonated in my mind, my whole body, my emotions, and my memory.”
Several years ago, I led a pilgrimage to Chartres Cathedral. The ancient stone labyrinth on the floor just inside the entrance to the great medieval church felt strangely familiar. I walked the path and contemplated the footsteps of countless pilgrims over the centuries who had circumnavigated the pathway before me. Each stone was imbued with prayer and for a time I was lifted into another realm, the realm of kindred spirits and ancestral spiritual presence.
I imagined the medieval world… another era when representations of the Sacred were visible everywhere. Icons were nailed to trees and coquille shells were left along the pilgrim roads throughout Europe so pilgrims would know the way. Entire towns, like Chartres, were engaged in myriad occupations and creative endeavors to build the glorious cathedrals throughout Europe, many still exist today. Stained glass windows depicting Biblical stories, the stars and planets, nature, and the saints and angels were crafted by nameless artisans. No signatures, no egos involved. All that mattered was that these creations glorified God and became true visual depictions of faith-filled stories and inspiration for a predominately illiterate population.
As I write this, questions emerge…
How are we, as Sacred Life-Artisans, pilgrims on life’s journey, and spiritual seekers, being invited by the Holy to create sacred beauty to inspire our lives and the lives of those around us?”
We live in a world driven by technology, machines, and rapid fire information.
Where do “bump into” imagery, music, and creative signposts to inspire spiritual engagement within our day to day lives?
I have felt a deep personal call for some time to become a co-creator of a Creative and Spiritual Renaissance. Just as the Renaissance that began in Italy in the 14th century signaled how people were aching for beauty, new forms of creative expression, music, theater, poetry, and dance…. perhaps we are soulfully seeking new forms of worship, sacred art, and a surge of the Holy into our techno-based lives. Can we imagine how such a movement could bring solace to others during this season of chaos and challenge?
Here’s a very simple way to begin to spread hope, inspiration, and beauty wherever you may be.
Visual Prayer Tags
Order a box of 2” x 4” shipping tags. Tear some beautiful images from magazines… whatever speaks to you of the Sacred and represents peace, harmony, nature, serenity or other message you wish to convey. Glue an image to each tag. On the back of the tag write a favorite inspirational quote or a prayer something like….
“May you find this visual prayer and be blessed today. May your heart feel hope and peace in this moment. Amen. From a kindred-pilgrim on life’s journey.”
Now the fun part… Put your visual prayer tags into a bag or your purse and carry them with you. Prayerfully leave them in random places and trust they will be discovered by those who are in need of prayer and encouragement. Leave them in public restrooms, or beside the tip for a server after lunch, on the bus seat, or in the seat-back pocket on a plane … you get the idea.
Visual prayer tags are only one small idea to begin a movement to spread hope and inspiration. If you’re longing for what I have mentioned here. Let’s nurture ways to serve as conduits of hope as we create reminders that the Sacred lives and breathes in each of us.