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 A-maze-ing Prayer: The Labyrinth Offers Ancient Meditation For Today’s Hurried Souls. written by Dan Kimball

Commentary By Jane Whiting

Jane’s comments in brackets and bold

Coming in from the brilliant San Diego sunshine, my wife and I entered a darkened hall lit only by candles and a dimmed chandelier. The room was silent . [In the occult it’s mandatory to bring someone into an altered stated of conciousness by engaging every one of the senses: here we see vision altered, thus creating a mood shift.] As our eyes adjusted, we saw several people kneeled in prayer. The setting, spirit, and solemn stillness of the hall told us that we had found something meditative there, something spiritual. [already the senses are sensitized & open to the “spiritual” or supernatural realm ...]

Today’s evangelicals are accustomed to well-choreographed worship services with every minute carefully filled with music, video, and preaching. Postmodern generations are hungering for something more—an unhurried, mystery-filled, meditative experience that doesn’t have to fit into a preplanned time schedule. [“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things...” 2 Timothy 4:2-5 ] (BASIS FOR FAITH IN THE . . .Berit Kjos Christian Paradigm Feminist Paradigm1. The Bible 1. Imagination (or experience) 2. Spirit-given insights into truth 2. Experience (or imagination) 3. Experiences that affirm Scriptures 3. Preferred Bible verses that affirm the experience) The prayer labyrinth offers a feast to fill that hunger. Meeting God in the middle [: In the Occult ...the center is the Androgenous deity/both male & female ... it goes by different names ... depending on sect or tradition.] The labyrinth is a maze-like path [Contrived path or arrangement, it’s witchcraft term is actually known as PATHWORKING: i.e.. any of the archetypal guided journeys undertaken in innerplane travel.] similar to those designed into the floors of European cathedrals during the Middle Ages. [What is not mentioned is that it was also known as the dark ages for the common person did not have access to the Word of God thus there was no spiritual light or discernment ] Christians of that time would walk the labyrinth to aid their contemplative prayer and reflection. The labyrinths fell into disuse, and most were eventually forgotten or destroyed. [At the time of the Reformation as people began to have access to the Word of God and were able to be discerning of the spirits, the experiential, empirical, and occult practices fell into disuse or were abandoned as people became obedient to the mandates of Scripture.] At the National Pastors Conference in San Diego, however, we found the labyrinth was back and given an update. The path was formed by black lines on a 35-foot square piece of canvas laid on the floor. We each were given a CD player with headphones [Notice now the sensory factor of hearing is now engaged] to guide our journey through the eleven stations on the path. [In the occult, eleven represents the little horn or the eleventh horn in the book of Daniel for the Anti Christ, and in Gematria (Occult Power of Numbers) eleven stands for Judgement & Disorder. Satanists believe that a carefully planned event must be carried out according to the correct numbers, or it may not be successful.

They go to great lengths to make an event occur according to the correct numbers. As Magick Practitioner Winn Wescott explains, “... eleven is the essence of all that is sinful, harmful, and imperfect.” Eleven also is based on the Kabbalistic pattern KABBALA—traditional Jewish mysticism; chain of inter transmission of the secrets of esotercism (Hebrew) ] As we began the inward journey-toward the center of the canvas, a gentle female voice with a British accent [“notice the female voice which is automatically acclimating the participant to hearing the voice of the Divine Feminine/goddess in a spiritual context”] reads a portion of John 1. She told us not to rush through the labyrinth, but to slow down, breathe deeply, and fully focus on God. [In witchcraft this is known as “CONCENTRATION,” which is focusing the mind on one object or idea so that nothing else exists during the period of concentration.] At the first stop, we looked at a television screen covered with complex, moving electronic wave forms. [ This will alter the brain waves and open the mind, altering consciousness... where then VISUALIZATION takes place which is the process of forming clear mental images by using the imagination and memory. An important part of magical practices, and is a function of the Conscious Mind. Imagined pictures used to see the unseeable. ]

We were instructed to pray about and eliminate [Known in New Age & Occult as CLEARING which is to remove blocks or complexes in the unconscious or subconscious mind.] the noise within that interferes with God’s voice. [This is known as “Centering” in the occult. Defined as a physical, emotional, mental, psychic or spiritual region of the body or energy space e.g. a chakra. Another Occult example is known as the CENTER OF SILENCE - neutral space in absolute silence from which clarity of seeing can be manifested on all planes (Le Centre du Silence)]

We dropped small stones into water, each stone representing a worry we were giving over to God. Later we drew on paper symbols of our hurts, prayed about each of them, and put them in a trash can. {In the Occult this is known as physical points of contact or LINKING: tying together symbols and their power. ]

After thirty minutes we found ourselves at the labyrinth’s center, where, seated on cushions, we were offered the elements of Communion. [2 Cor 6:14,15,17-BE YE (that is you) NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELIEVERS: FOR WHAT FELLOWSHIP HATH RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH UNRIGHTEOUSNESS? AND WHAT COMMUNION HATH LIGHT WITH DARKNESS?…WHAT PART HATH HE THAT BELIEVETH WITH AN INFIDEL (an unbeliever)? WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE (that is you) SEPARATE, SAITH THE LORD.} The narrator read more Scripture and reminded us how near [if they find they need to be reminded how near Jesus is ...I question if they are even a born again believer...] Jesus Christ is to us [for as a believer in Jesus Christ you are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ said, Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the age, and would never leave us or forsake us. It shouldn’t even be an issue a believer would be mindful of let alone need to be reminded of] . There was a Bible if we desired to linger, reading and praying. The journey outward focused on how we can be used by God in other people’s lives. At one station we made impressions of our hands and feet in a box of sand, [This is common practice in New age & occult practices creating a physical point of contact, thus sensory perception is engaged.] reminding us that we leave impressions on the people we touch. My wife and I spent an hour in the labyrinth and found ourselves calmed and refreshed, our perspective uniquely restored We made our own prayer path after the convention—we knew we couldn’t keep this experience to ourselves. A few months later we featured a labyrinth as part of Graceland’s annual art event at Santa Cruz Bible Church. Graceland artists recreated the labyrinth with a kit we purchased (The Prayer Path, Group Publishing), transforming one of the church’s multipurpose rooms into a medieval prayer sanctuary. The team hung art on the walls, draped fabric, and lit candles [CANDLE MAGIC - burning candles of special colors, shapes and aromas to achieve magical ends is always practiced in witchcraft to create a sacred space} all around the room to create a visual sense of sacred space. [always in occult ritual a physical “Sacred Space” is created, in order to draw the demonic into a specific physical dimention and space.] According to witch Starfire Fox “There are also several standard items which would be used during the conjuration ... From the most heavenly of spirits to the monsters of the of the great abyss.” a Dagger, preferably exotic, an Alter, at least 3’x3' top on it, White Candles, at least 4, Incense, something pleasing, (Triangle of the Art, the Magic Circle—sacred space) a Quiet Place to do these rituals.” Defined as : A consecrated place for worship and the working of magick, created through will and intention; As an Occult Practice: Magic Circle: “a sacred and purified space in which rituals, magical work and ceremonies are conducted.” It sets a boundary for the collective and concentrated power and “acts as a doorway to the world of the gods.”

CHRISTIANS SHOULD NEVER CREATE SMALL SANCTUARIES around themselves in order to be enhanced, supported, energized, or made spiritually ‘abundant’ Jeremiah 10:2a, & 3a “LEARN not the way of the heathen, for the customs of the people are vain!” CHRIST JESUS enhances, supports, gives us strength and promises ABUNDANT LIFE. Believers in Christ Jesus need no impersonal FORCE to ‘create sacred spaces’, this is Shamanism, smacks of Catholicism not to mention & emphasize that it is blatant ancient witchcraft, an abomination and forbidden in LEV 19:20, DEUT 18:9-14, GAL 5:19-20! One need only to read JOHN 10:10 to see what Christ had to say about ABUNDANT LIFE. Also read Daniel 11:38 for Scripture on THE FORCE.} Over two nights we saw more than 100 people go through the labyrinth. It was a joy to see so many people on their knees communing with God through the experiential prayer elements. Meditative prayer like that we experienced in the labyrinth resonates with hearts of emerging generations. If we had the room, we would set up a permanent labyrinth to promote deeper prayer.[“ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things...” 2 Timothy 4:2-5”...in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons....” 1 Timothy 4:1] Until then, however, Graceland will continue to incorporate experiential prayer and encourage our people to stop, quiet themselves, and pray. Dan Kimball pastors Graceland, the ministry and worship services for the emerging culture at Santa Cruz Bible Church in Santa Cruz, California. Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Leadership Journal. “Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.” Proverbs 15:21 “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:6-9 “...know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Corinthians 3:1-5, 12-14 “Jesus said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.’” Matthew 24:4-5 “...concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-3 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12

Labyrinth & the Prevalence in Occult Practices— On a search engine—subject of Labyrinth & various occult individuals, groups & practices:

Labyrinth

& Wicca 2,150 sites

& Witchcraft 3,910 sites

& Satanism 530 sites

& Shamanism 1,620 sites

& Sorcery 3,970 sites

& Astrology 5,390 sites

& New Age 70,670 sites

& Roman Catholicism 1,890 sites

& Occult 5,480 sites

& Druids 4,900 sites

& Black Magick 2,230 sites

& White Magick 2,070 sites

& Secret Societies 2,470 sites

& Mind Control 35,340 sites

& Death 89,340 sites

& Divination 7,010 sites

& Demons 11,670 sites

& Anti Christ 1,450 sites

& One World Religion 24,670 sites

& Kundalini 1,310 sites

& Paganism 1,850 sites

& Buddhism 3,580 sites

& Serpent Power 6,260 sites

& Lucifer 3,010 sites

& The Illuminati 1,300 sites

& Charles Manson 2,220 sites

& Nostradamus 1,350 sites

& Adolf Hitler 1,500 sites

& New World Order 80,010 sites

& Numerology 5,150 sites

& Humanism 1,390 sites

& Visualization 2,830 sites

& Reincarnation 2,410 sites

& Dungeons & Dragons 5,410 sites What are your thought on this article?

UPDATE:  If you do a Google check today, you will find that these numbers have increased dramatically.  As an example, labyrinth and Wicca is now at 107,000 compared to the original 2150 sites.  This is no longer a small matter!  - Robert Wise Forgotten Word Ministries