Creating a Sacred Space for Health,
Healing and Hope Through the
ages, sacred space has adopted many
forms. Stonehenge with its ancient
rituals, the miracles of Lourdes,
the Holy Land and Mecca, the Great
Pyramids, Native American burial
grounds, and the exotic temples of
Tibet all represent transformational
healing grounds. Each provides a
place of introspection where
participants can renew and refresh
themselves. Today, you might think
of your church or synagogue as your
only accessible sacred space. But -
you'd be wrong. One of your most
defining sacred spaces is most
likely where you are reading this
article right now.your home or your
office.
Begin to think of
where you spend your time as your
personal sanctuary, and you will be
well on your way to incorporating
the concept into your daily life.
Combine the "real" world of what you
see, feel, touch and smell with the
emotional world of what you trust,
love, fear, and what makes your
spirits soar. Let your imagination
mull over these two realms to
determine how you should go about
creating an environment that
nurtures, comforts and heals you.
Truly sacred space will massage the
senses with a celebration of life
and love as it provides refuge and
an opportunity for regeneration. The
components that come into play are
as varied as the people
incorporating them. Among the most
universal elements are color, art,
beloved objects, music, aromatics,
and lighting.
It may prove
difficult to transform your entire
house or office into sacred space,
but it is quite possible to create
select areas. Every room can
incorporate this philosophy, even
your kitchen and bath. All of the
ideas suggested here would likely be
far too much to incorporate in one
home, but view this article as an
idea laboratory, then pick and chose
areas appropriate to adapt for your
own home or office. Other helpful
resources on your quest for sacred
space would be Denise Linn's books
Sacred Space and Altars: Bringing
Sacred Shrines into Your Everyday
Life.
Color
Changing color can dramatically
impact an area's personality, and
endless variations await your
selection. Nature can provide the
inspiration. From studies on the
psychology of colors, grayish-beige
walls represent intelligence,
technology, security and
tranquility. Green symbolizes
healing, growth, renewal, freshness
and hope. Green also reigns as a
color of good luck: just think of
the color of a 4-leaf clover - or
for that matter, money! Blue from
the sky joins the interplay of color
and add spirituality, relaxation,
peace and dependability to the
setting. Your color needs quite
possibly may differ. You may require
the joy and optimism of yellow, the
energy and warmth of red, or the
purity and innocence of white. Feel
free to color your walls outside of
these guidelines. None of these are
hard-fast rules. Select your colors
based on what brings the best
emotional response for you rather
than from some self-anointed guru.
Depending upon which reference guide
you choose, you can find many
contradictory interpretations on
color psychology and symbolism.
However, when it comes to a basic
understanding of how to incorporate
the colors you have selected, Donald
Kaufman and Taffy Dahl's book Color:
Natural Palettes for Painted Rooms
offers powerful ideas.
Art
The addition of art helps define
your main vision. Just like color,
art should be selected and
positioned to fit the needs of its
viewer. Another point to keep in
mind is that art need not be
expensive in order to enhance your
sacred space. A drawing by your
child may be more precious to you
and more appropriate for your space
than a museum-quality canvas.
Music/Sound
A small
babbling fountain can enable your
imagination to magically transport
you to the top of a mountain, or
close to a healing spring. For a
sense of peace and contentment,
consider the classical compositions
of Bach or Chopin. Any number of New
Age recordings can enhance your
space with a generic, yet calming,
presence. Perhaps, a recording of
the ocean's roar or the patter of
raindrops would better define your
area of tranquility. In addition to
the sounds of nature and music, you
may want to add the resonance of
chimes and bells for a more ethereal
and almost mystical ambience.
Beloved Objects
Any
item that you cherish, regardless of
its worldly value, should find its
honored place in your sacred space.
A small "Circle of Friends" statue,
a special shell from the beach,
flowers or plants for life, candles
for inner illumination, and
photographs all can make important
additions. Your relationship to the
object determines whether or not it
makes it into your special space.
Whenever possible, consider using
treasured objects in non-traditional
ways. Use a teapot as a pencil
holder; put bubble bath in a crystal
decanter or fill a silver vessel
with jellybeans. A touch of the
unexpected can enliven the spirits!
Quite possibly, you may develop and
enjoy more than one type of sacred
space. After all, objects selected
to enhance your private bath space
would in all likelihood not be
appropriate for your living room
haven or for that special section in
your office.
Yes. An office
is a most appropriate site for
sacred space. Chances are you will
be there as much if not more than
you are at home. For example, in my
office, I've incorporated sacred
space in my bookshelf that works in
harmony with the reference materials
I rely upon. Depending upon which
shelf I choose to gaze, sandcastles,
whimsical fish and treasured shells
will transport me momentarily to the
beach, or if I become discouraged,
seeing awards and examples of
successfully completed projects will
remind me of past accomplishments
while gifts from friends represent
hope and love. In the midst of this
eclectic menagerie, I incorporated a
touch of Feng Shui. According to
Lillian Too's Easy-to-use Feng Shui,
ensuring luck simply requires
placing a crimson bird facing the
South. Granted in my case, it was a
pink flamingo - but that reflects my
tastes. And your own personal tastes
and sense of style (or lack there of
upon occasion) are what really
matter when it comes time to create
your own sanctuary.
Decor
Think of your sacred space as
your own personal nest. Choose
furnishings that refresh the spirit
and calm the mind. Ideally, this
special area should reflect your
ideal of a perfect area for
contemplation. Sensuous, luxurious
fabrics with comfy cushions. Soft
pillows. Comforting throws to
cuddle. Diffused lighting. Now is
not the time to break out the Danish
modern. Zen austerity and simplicity
has its place - but for most folks,
it probably won't be here.
Rituals
Once the physical set-up of your
sacred space has been accomplished,
you may want to incorporate a few
rituals that will help signify a
break with the everyday routine.
Light a scented candle. Practice
aromatherapy by placing an essential
oil in a diffuser. For an atmosphere
of relaxation, rely on lavender or
sandalwood. If you need energizing,
orange or lemongrass will help
invigorate you. Sip a cup of
steaming green tea. Perhaps, do this
simple relaxation exercise that
involves taking deep, slow breaths:
inhale peace, blow out worry.
Now that you've become aware of
sacred space in everyday
environments, remember there are no
rules. Your sacred space is just
that, yours. Only you can decide
what does and does not belong.
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