Kaile Judge - Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture - Post 1

 The Importance of Liminality

    In the rites of transition, the middle step is that of liminality, the in-between, not here nor there, but indeed somewhere. Liminality, or limen, doorway, maybe a hallway, not in a room but going to and fro, leaving one place and headed to another. This is quite possibly the most difficult and uncertain time, but also the most important and beautiful. There are many times of transition in life, of the in-between, and in those times, there is the unknown, where will you end up? How will you get there? Will it be better than where you are coming from? The in-between is not just where one asks many questions but also the place of growth, development, and deep understanding. Although this stage can be scary, in Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture, it says that "it cannot be dismissed as an undesirable movement." Especially as Americans, we see the constant desire for growth, development, and improvement. However, one cannot have these things without first being uncomfortable and growing during that of the unknown period; therefore, it is a sought after phase of life. Liminality in terms of pilgrimage is the phase of walking, not at your home or destination, but the going to one place. This is also the phase for pilgrims where they meet with God. They learn about themselves, and they can fully experience the uninterrupted presence of being wholly engulfed with nature. It could be argued that to the pilgrim, this in-between is the most important and impactful part of the journey, as it should be. Although reaching your destination is great and brings a feeling of accomplishment, it is in the doorway where one gains an appreciation for the world as it is, or as it should be, and a greater understanding of self and awareness of others.