The labyrinth as a symbol of life : a journey with God and chronic pain

dc.contributor.authorEls, Lishje
dc.date.accessioned2017-09-11T08:20:34Z
dc.date.available2017-09-11T08:20:34Z
dc.date.issued2017-06-23
dc.descriptionDr Lishje Els is participating in the research project, ‘Gender Studies and Practical Theology Theory Formation’, directed by Prof. Dr Yolanda Dreyer, Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis article is written in the style and method of an autoethnography that focuses on the author’s spiritual journey with God while living with chronic pain. The labyrinth is used as a metaphor and spiritual tool to describe this journey. The author’s personal experience with religion and spirituality is described as well as the choice of moving from thinking about God being ‘out there’, far away and looking upon God’s creation (supernatural theism) to discovering God within – God ‘right here’ (panentheism). The affects and effects of living with chronic pain are discussed in reference to the process of walking the circuits of a labyrinth. The role of different people who played a part in this journey is highlighted. This way of writing corresponds with a narrative way of living which concentrates on deconstruction of dominant discourses and looking for outcomes that may lead to hope and transformation. The difference between rainbow hope and reasonable hope is explained and the consequence of choosing reasonable hope is discussed. Transformation of the person through the journey becomes apparent in the article.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentPractical Theologyen_ZA
dc.description.librarianam2017en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.hts.org.zaen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationEls, L., 2017, ‘The labyrinth as a symbol of life: A journey with God and chronic pain’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 73(4), 4582. https://DOI. org/ 10.4102/hts.v73i4.4582.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0259-9422 (print)
dc.identifier.issn2072-8050 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.4102/hts.v73i4.4582
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/62206
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherAOSIS Open Journalsen_ZA
dc.rights© 2017. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.en_ZA
dc.subjectGoden_ZA
dc.subjectChronic painen_ZA
dc.subjectLabyrinthen_ZA
dc.subjectContemplativeen_ZA
dc.subjectSpiritual journeyen_ZA
dc.subjectNarrative livingen_ZA
dc.subjectNarrative writingen_ZA
dc.subjectPanetheismen_ZA
dc.subjectReligionen_ZA
dc.subjectDiscourseen_ZA
dc.subjectAuto ethnographyen_ZA
dc.subject.otherTheology articles SDG-03
dc.subject.otherSDG-03: Good health and well-being
dc.subject.otherTheology articles SDG-05
dc.subject.otherSDG-05: Gender equality
dc.subject.otherTheology articles SDG-10
dc.subject.otherSDG-10: Reduced inequalities
dc.subject.otherTheology articles SDG-16
dc.subject.otherSDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
dc.titleThe labyrinth as a symbol of life : a journey with God and chronic painen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA

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