The Center for Action and Contemplation has released a new issue of Oneing (Vol. 8 No. 1) and the theme is “Liminal Space.” It is an anthology that includes fifteen different essays in addition to an Introduction by Richard Rohr.
The collection as a whole marks yet another effort to relate and adapt the phenomenon of liminality to the purposes of the publication. The attempt is partially successful.
Most of the contributions are from persons affiliated in some way with the Center for Action and Contemplation, if not the program itself then persons known to them. They are remarkable, devoted, and articulate authors. I admire the collective faith and commitments in evidence. I found many of the essays inspirational.
One would not be surprised to discover that one of the deepest reflections on liminality is from Fr. Rohr himself, winding its way from initiation rites toward one of his favorite themes, non-duality. He is one fluent with liminality, its core concepts and language. He sets the stage for what is to follow.
There are others who are similarly fluent with liminality. One is Tom Gunning, who merges intellectual familiarity with broad experience of practice in a deep understanding of liminality.
Others are less familiar with liminality as a field of dedicated research or practice, but have taken up the challenge of applying it to their existing work or experience. Theirs are the voices that touch lightly on liminality, or use it in a cursory way, as a way to talk about what they do already. They could have penned the same essay with or without reference to liminality. At best, they worked to apply the model and admirably so. But others barely touched on it.
In this volume, a reader will find authors borrowing liminality to bring clarity to social analysis, spiritual direction, theological reflection, and spiritual memoir.
Though I was often moved by the story telling and reflection contained in these essays, I did not learn much more about liminality. This is mostly due, I must conclude, to the inclusion of very fine people and writers who were only modestly acquainted with liminal studies. That is common in our time, as liminality has been popularized in such a way that it is often understood lightly and even more lightly applied.
Still, overall, I am a better person for having read this collection. I am not more enlightened as regards liminality, but my perspective has been enriched yet again. I leave you with some memorable quotes, worth the price of admission.
From the heart-warming account of created rites of passage for sons by Felicia Murrell in Transition: “Liminality is the space where we experience both affirmation and denial, but remain uncertain about how to reconcile the two. It is the place of mystery that we embrace or embark upon after letting go of attachments, validations, securities, illusions, prejudices, and the desire for revenge …” (34)
And from Brandan J. Robertson in his On the Threshold of Tomorrow as he passes on mystical verse from the Druids during the season of Samhain: “This is a time that is not a time; in a place that is not a place; on a day that is not a day; between the worlds, and beyond.”
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