JOURNEYING AS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: THE SHAMAN, THE HERO, THE PILGRIM, AND THE LABYRINTH WALKER

Abstract

Abstract In this article the author looks at the image of journey and its archeform, quest, and finds two spiritual concepts: that of movement to the center followed by a return, and the concomitant understanding that all that has arisen and reached maturity must return to renew itself. Four journeys, the shamanic journey of soul, the hero's journey of spirit, the pilgrimage of community, and the allegorical journey of the labyrinth, are viewed from this persepctive. These journeys are formulated into a context of myth, ritual, symbol, and story which places them at the heart of religious education as bearers of religious tradition and meaning.