Liminality - Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture (Adam Stillabower)

 

    Following the theme of my previous blogs, I want to focus on the significance of each of the readings. One important thing that Dr. Redick ensured that we understood was the meaning of liminality. It refers to the point in time where you’re in between phases, transitioning as you will. This is particularly relevant to things that I have been experiencing as a Senior here at CNU. I am at the tipping point between college and the rest of my life and career. The choices and things that I am pursuing now do not exclusively pertain to one phase of life or the other, but instead, relate to both simultaneously. In the reading, Turner talks about how people in the history of Christian culture applied this concept to the passing into the next life, an act that separated the individual from those living on this plane of existence. This, interpreted as significantly harsher than my own application, would be a complete change for those passing through this liminal state. While much was and is speculated about life after this one, people will need to experience and adapt to the changing environment that happens after one shuffle off their mortal coil.

    Turner mentions that there was an interpretation of an “inversion of societal rules” which alludes to the complete cultural and structural shock that comes with this afterlife, as asserted by the Christians. It is important to connect this back with the topic of the class, pilgrimages. Once we return to the wilderness and begin a trek pursuing a sacred place or state of being, we are effectively entering a liminal phase. We are neither in the place, physically, spiritually, or emotionally, that we were before taking that first step, nor who we will be once we reach that final destination. It is during this phase that we commune with nature and learn the ropes of our new environment to start the next phase of life.