"Love" by Justin T. Neiman Westbrook
What comes to mind when you think about love? We could work on defining it, but let’s take a different approach.
Below are two activities designed to help you explore the theme of love.
Below are two activities designed to help you explore the theme of love.
Love Stories
What are some of your favorite fictional stories about love?
What are some of your favorite stories about love from your own life?
What are some of your favorite biblical love stories?
- Notice that the question refers to stories about love, not about stories about romantic love or being in love.
- The question includes such love stories, but is broader than just those stories.
- Take a moment to spend some time with these favorite stories.
- I encourage you to re-read the story or some favorite passages, re-watch the movie or some favorite scenes, listen to the song/soundtrack, re-read the poem, etc.
- I encourage you to re-read the story or some favorite passages, re-watch the movie or some favorite scenes, listen to the song/soundtrack, re-read the poem, etc.
- Journal
- What do these stories say about love?
- What is it about these love stories that you appreciate?
- How have these love stories impacted your life?
- How have these love stories impacted your understanding and experience of love?
- How realistic are these love stories in your experience?
- How has love in your life been similar to how it is portrayed in these stories? How has it differed?
- If you have experienced similar love in your life, how have those times in your life been for you?
- Are there any aspects of these stories’ depictions of love that seem problematic or inaccurate to you?
- What do these stories say about love?
What are some of your favorite stories about love from your own life?
- Again, notice that the question is broader than solely romantic love.
- Take some time to sit with these stories.
- I encourage you to talk with someone about these stories (maybe they were involved in the story or maybe not), look at pictures connected to these stories, listen to music related to these stories, or visit a location related to these stories.
- I encourage you to talk with someone about these stories (maybe they were involved in the story or maybe not), look at pictures connected to these stories, listen to music related to these stories, or visit a location related to these stories.
- Journal
- What do these stories say about love?
- What is it about these love stories that you appreciate?
- How have these love stories impacted your life?
- How have these love stories impacted your understanding and experience of love?>
- How do these stories compare and contrast with the fictional stories you explored above?
- Are there any aspects of these stories’ depictions of love that seem problematic to you?
- What do these stories say about love?
What are some of your favorite biblical love stories?
- Again, notice that the question is broader than solely romantic love.
- Take some time to sit with these stories.
- I encourage you to re-read these stories, watch cinematic versions of them, or listen to a sermon about them.
- I encourage you to re-read these stories, watch cinematic versions of them, or listen to a sermon about them.
- Journal
- What do these stories say about love?
- What is it about these love stories that you appreciate?
- How have these love stories impacted your life?
- How have these love stories impacted your understanding and experience of love?
- How do these stories compare and contrast with the fictional and personal stories you explored above?
- Are there any aspects of these stories’ depictions of love that seem problematic to you?
- What do these stories say about love?
Labyrinth Activity
Christians have used labyrinths for centuries as a way of praying, meditating, listening, and communing with God.
Fans of Greek mythology might find their minds wandering to minotaurs, but the labyrinths we will be using are not mazes and do not hold physical dangers within.
Here is one way to use a labyrinth focused on our theme of love.
Fans of Greek mythology might find their minds wandering to minotaurs, but the labyrinths we will be using are not mazes and do not hold physical dangers within.
- If you have access to a full-size labyrinth near you that you can walk or roll on, feel free to use that. If not, use one (or more) of these printable finger labyrinths (or search for one online).
- Labyrinths typically have a path that leads to the middle, so walking (with legs, wheelchair, or fingers) the labyrinth involves entering it, following the path to the middle, spending time in the middle, and then exiting the labyrinth via the same path you took to get to the middle.
- There are many ways you can use a labyrinth and engage in the process, so feel free to experiment with it!
Here is one way to use a labyrinth focused on our theme of love.
- Enter the labyrinth (with your legs, wheelchair, or finger).
- As you follow the path toward the middle, reflect on your past experiences of love, your ideas about love, perhaps even the various stories of love that you explored in the journaling exercises.
- You could pray about these using words or silence. You could meditate on these. You could listen to what God might say to you about these. You could hum or sing. You could move in a variety of patterns and styles.
- Be open to whatever might allow you to commune with God best during this time, and feel free to use multiple techniques to see what works best.
- You could pray about these using words or silence. You could meditate on these. You could listen to what God might say to you about these. You could hum or sing. You could move in a variety of patterns and styles.
- When you reach the middle of the labyrinth, stop and take time to rest. Reflect on your present circumstances of love.
- Again, you could pray, meditate, listen, and more.
- Because you are not moving, you might also be able to engage in certain activities that you were not able to when following the path, such as journaling, drawing, painting, or other things that work better when you are still.
- Again, be open to whatever might allow you to commune with God best during this time, and feel free to use multiple techniques to see what works best.
- Again, you could pray, meditate, listen, and more.
- When you feel ready, leave the middle of the labyrinth and follow the path to the exit (which is the same as the entrance).
- While you follow the path out, reflect on what the future might hold for you in terms of love. This might be something that you have received during your time in the labyrinth. This might be changes you want to make. This might be hopes and dreams that you have.
- Again, you could pray, meditate, listen, and more.
- Again, be open to whatever might allow you to commune with God best during this time, and feel free to use multiple techniques to see what works best.
- Again, you could pray, meditate, listen, and more.
- When you reach the exit, literally and/or metaphorically, leave behind what you need to get rid of and carry forward what you need to keep.
- When you are finished with the labyrinth, give yourself some time to reflect on the process. If possible, try not to return to your regular routine right away.
In keeping with Eden Spiritual Care's mission of making spiritual formation opportunities widely accessible, classes and other learning opportunities are funded entirely by generous donor contributions! The technology required for each learning opportunity, plus a small stipend for the facilitator, is fully funded by previous participants and other donors. Please consider Sharing the Light by donating whatever amount you can for a future opportunity for others! And if you're unable to donate anything, we understand! We're delighted to have you!
About the Facilitator
Justin T. Neiman Westbrook, PhD
Eden Spiritual Care board member
Justin is a Teaching Psychologist at the Internal Medicine Clinic at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon, who helps people with a range of mental health issues, as well as with issues in daily living, including spiritual concerns and self-care.
Eden Spiritual Care board member
Justin is a Teaching Psychologist at the Internal Medicine Clinic at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon, who helps people with a range of mental health issues, as well as with issues in daily living, including spiritual concerns and self-care.
