Shoes
Last spring while in the food court, Lori invited me to watch a video on her computer about shoes. It might have been on Youtube. You’ve probably seen it. Shoes and more shoes. Probably rated R or more. Not good for youth groups. All this talk about labyrinths has made me think about that video and shoes.
Evolution from a guy's perspective
I have to admit, I think shoes are hilarious looking. When I open my closet, I see old shoes, and they are funny looking. My first favorite shoes were wing tips. These huge black anomalies with little holes all over gave my teenage body a connection with the earth. Almost like magnets. Then came earth shoes, which looked a lot like golf clubs on my feet. My toes were higher than my heel, so walking felt like being on a sandy beach without the sand. There was more leaning involved and the shoes allowed my toes to spread out. Birkenstocks were a big hit when I was going earthy. I wanted to be fashionable, so I tried Doc Martens. They looked good (reminded me of my wing tips) but they were so heavy they pulled my knees apart. I’m not kidding. Z-coils are my tribute to the health industry look. And now I have a green pair of Keens; light and airy. I hope they do well in the snow.
All these shoes, by the way, don’t count the fashion and mental statement of my running shoes, Since I took up running late in life (like 25), my first shoes were versions of track shoes. Tigers, I think. Then I quickly became a New Balance person, their being made in the US and all and they weren’t the most expensive kind. Also, I tried a pair of Nike’s and my calf froze up on me the third day. My legs must have gotten in a rut, physically. So I’ve given up trying other brands. Besides, I don’t run right now, maybe not any more.
And I’ve not even touched on women’s shoes, which range from “smart and sassy” to “sexy” to “sensible.” And there’s even more than that. I smile in my head when I look at shoes, especially the pointy ones with heals. I wonder, “what’s going on at the pointy tip where all that air is? What do those shoe prints look like in the snow? Why pink?” I know, I have too much time on my hands and besides, no one has accused me of having hyper fashion sense.
Sometime I’ll go on a rant about socks, but not right now.
All this walking and labyrinthing and shoes is of note because it’s a good a sacred thing to take them off when walking a labyrinth, or for that matter, any time you want a little sacred space.
Moses did this when he came over to watch the bush that didn’t burn, and it’s a cultural thing to take off your shoes when entering some homes. It’s also an anal thing for a relative of mine who has decided shoes on a white carpet are bad karma. Shoes bring in the dirt. (True enough, shoes can bring dirt, but in general, I think white carpet can be bad karma—but I digress).
When we walk the labyrinth indoors, we are invited to take off our shoes. Originally, like white carpet, I thought it was all about dirt. But I have a second take on that now. Removing shoes may be an act of creating sacred space. It might parallel using holy water on entering a sanctuary, or kneeling, or deep breathing for meditation. Certainly, the act of shoe removal for a brief walk is an intentional act to show respect for and invite the holy. And it’s organically stimulating, from a tactile point of view.
So when you want a little sacred time, just take off your shoes. It will help you in your walk on holy ground.
--f
Exodus 3
1Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. 3Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” 4When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Friday, October 5
Thursday, October 4
Today might be the day #2—hanging out results
Today might be the day #2—hanging out results
I noticed a big difference between Wednesday People and Tuesday People. Wednesday people had not seen the labyrinth yet and were confounded by the “round thing”. “T” helped me set up. He was kind, even if bemused. Then he walked it. When he returned for his afternoon walk he was avoiding all sense of quiet decorum, since he was now on familiar terms with it. He was boisterous. A friend of his, draped in earrings and ball cap, danced backwards for a while, thinking this labyrinth thing could be just a hoax, and he didn’t want to be made a fool of. After few dozen steps, though, he was calmer. Another turn or two brought him to full-fledged focus on his path. He was amazed.
Amy came by, wondering about this thing on the floor. She’d heard about it, but was a detached observer. After some conversation, she took off her shoes and entered the holly ground. She reported her experience: “I was skeptical at first, but I tried it anyway. Almost as soon as I started everything else was gone. I focused on the path and there were absolutely no thoughts in my mind. Once I had reached the middle, all I felt was relief, and happiness. It was an amazing experience and I would recommend it to everyone. Hey, there is nothing to lose and so much to gain!”
A faculty member was less timid as he entered the sacred space. But he was glad he’d walked. Something was on his mind.
Lori walked and invited passersby to join in. She’s gifted that way. Several took her up on the invitation.
A Tuesday person happened by and questioned me, “Hey, when are you bringing this thing back on Tuesday?” as if it was Tuesday’s turf.
The labyrinth doesn’t belong to Tuesday or Wednesday. It’s just different class schedules. And the impression is that more people are on campus Tuesday/Thursday days. The labyrinth doesn’t belong to a culture—it’s a part of many cultures. It’s a way of meditating while walking. It can help focus and offer relaxation at the same time, and it still transcends cultures—even the Tuesday culture and the Wednesday one. Who knows how this works? Who can explain it?
Jesus is like that, available to all cultures—at least on a good day.
Matthew 9:
2: And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” 7And he stood up and went to his home. 8When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
I noticed a big difference between Wednesday People and Tuesday People. Wednesday people had not seen the labyrinth yet and were confounded by the “round thing”. “T” helped me set up. He was kind, even if bemused. Then he walked it. When he returned for his afternoon walk he was avoiding all sense of quiet decorum, since he was now on familiar terms with it. He was boisterous. A friend of his, draped in earrings and ball cap, danced backwards for a while, thinking this labyrinth thing could be just a hoax, and he didn’t want to be made a fool of. After few dozen steps, though, he was calmer. Another turn or two brought him to full-fledged focus on his path. He was amazed.
Amy came by, wondering about this thing on the floor. She’d heard about it, but was a detached observer. After some conversation, she took off her shoes and entered the holly ground. She reported her experience: “I was skeptical at first, but I tried it anyway. Almost as soon as I started everything else was gone. I focused on the path and there were absolutely no thoughts in my mind. Once I had reached the middle, all I felt was relief, and happiness. It was an amazing experience and I would recommend it to everyone. Hey, there is nothing to lose and so much to gain!”
A faculty member was less timid as he entered the sacred space. But he was glad he’d walked. Something was on his mind.
Lori walked and invited passersby to join in. She’s gifted that way. Several took her up on the invitation.
A Tuesday person happened by and questioned me, “Hey, when are you bringing this thing back on Tuesday?” as if it was Tuesday’s turf.
The labyrinth doesn’t belong to Tuesday or Wednesday. It’s just different class schedules. And the impression is that more people are on campus Tuesday/Thursday days. The labyrinth doesn’t belong to a culture—it’s a part of many cultures. It’s a way of meditating while walking. It can help focus and offer relaxation at the same time, and it still transcends cultures—even the Tuesday culture and the Wednesday one. Who knows how this works? Who can explain it?
Jesus is like that, available to all cultures—at least on a good day.
Matthew 9:
2: And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” 7And he stood up and went to his home. 8When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
Wednesday, October 3
Today might be the day #1—hanging out
Today might be the day #1—hanging out
There’s a joy in hanging out together . The brush of being together against the hard surface of our daily reality can make any difficulty wither . This slight friction can also make joy the norm. I plan to see it again today.
The labyrinth is scheduled to be set up in the fireplace lounge in MBSC by mid-morning and will be a walking meditation until late afternoon. On these fine days experimenters come out of the walls to see what this big round thing on the floor is. They want to know why it is here and what it is for. Once walking, they are intrigued. Like thirsty searchers, they want to fill up at the pump of newness. Some wander around and look on. Others hurry by caught up in their busy self-importantness. “I’d do it but I’m late.” Some are really in a rush and are borderline being late. Others, though, have a look that displays this sentiment: “I’m always self-absorbed and I’m always late, and I don’t have time for this rubbish.” It reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge on his way to the office to harp on poor Bob Cratchet. He says something like: “Humbug! I don’t have time for nonsense.”
That’s OK. Jesus is only here to offer some balance to those who are ready. Today might not be Scrooge’s day. But someday will. Today might be your day to be ready, and it might be by walking the labyrinth.
It might be by walking a labyrinth, or it might be by hanging out and watching, brushing God’s hope against your reality. And if that happens, who knows where that spark might find a home?
Luke 2:
8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people
There’s a joy in hanging out together . The brush of being together against the hard surface of our daily reality can make any difficulty wither . This slight friction can also make joy the norm. I plan to see it again today.
The labyrinth is scheduled to be set up in the fireplace lounge in MBSC by mid-morning and will be a walking meditation until late afternoon. On these fine days experimenters come out of the walls to see what this big round thing on the floor is. They want to know why it is here and what it is for. Once walking, they are intrigued. Like thirsty searchers, they want to fill up at the pump of newness. Some wander around and look on. Others hurry by caught up in their busy self-importantness. “I’d do it but I’m late.” Some are really in a rush and are borderline being late. Others, though, have a look that displays this sentiment: “I’m always self-absorbed and I’m always late, and I don’t have time for this rubbish.” It reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge on his way to the office to harp on poor Bob Cratchet. He says something like: “Humbug! I don’t have time for nonsense.”
That’s OK. Jesus is only here to offer some balance to those who are ready. Today might not be Scrooge’s day. But someday will. Today might be your day to be ready, and it might be by walking the labyrinth.
It might be by walking a labyrinth, or it might be by hanging out and watching, brushing God’s hope against your reality. And if that happens, who knows where that spark might find a home?
Luke 2:
8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people
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