“Sacred Spaces” Natural Health Turn an area of your home into a sanctuary for rest, relaxation, and renewal. by Nora Isaacs When she moved into her new house two years ago, Deborah Sanitate, decided it was time for some serious self-reflection. So she filled her spare bedroom with pillows, candles, crystal hearts, terra-cotta angles, fresh flowers, and a meditation chair, and transformed the room into her own private sanctuary. She uses her sacred space to meditate, pray, visualize, write in her journal, listen to classical music, or just sit quietly. "Life is so stressful—even when it’s good—and to be able to come in here and close the door is such a gift," says Simi, a wellness consultant based in Simi Valley, California. Positive manifestations have come from time spent in her retreat in her life as a direct result of her time spent there. For example, she often sat and visualized a "very special dog" entering her life. One day, while in her space, she heard an inner voice tell her to go to the pound. Sure enough, a golden retriever just like she had had envisioned sat in the kennel—and she adopted in on her birthday.] "I feel like when I come in here, I can make magic happen," she says. Home Getaway A sacred space, whether it’s a room, a corner, or merely a special chair, provides a refuge from the rigors of daily life. It allows us to rejuvenate our depleted energy, slow down our busy minds, and remember our deepest priorities. Retreating to such a space—often filled with meaningful artifacts, favorite artwork, or spiritual objects—is more important than ever. "We are not living in simple times," says Denise Linn, Feng Shui expert and author of Sacred Space (Random House, 1995) and Space Clearing (Hay House, 2001). "Things are occurring around us that cause fear and stress, so it’s essential to have a place to allow ourselves to reflect and reconnect." Since most of us have stress in our lives, we all could use a place for restoration. And no matter what your circumstances, with a little creativity and planning, you too can find a place of refuge in hard times and good times alike. Tapping into Grace The longing for a sacred space is so basic that you might already have one. Do you place photos on the piano? Make shell arrangements behind the sink? By collecting meaningful objects in one spot, you are bringing the sacred—whether it’s family, nature, or your connection to god—into your everyday life. "The yearning for a space that is sacred is so embedded in our psyches," says Linn, "that we create subconscious spaces even if we aren’t aware that we are doing it." What draws us to creating these spaces? The most basic reason is that we crave balance. Working long hours and splitting our dwindling attention between work and family can lead to an accumulation of stress and anxiety. "When you have a sacred place, you are calmer," says Pat Sendejas, a wellness home consultant who writes a column on healthy environments for The Los Angeles Daily News’s Today magazine. And feeling calmer can only help you deal better deal with crises as they arise. "When your child tells you that they got a D, you might react differently," says Sendejas. "That goes very far with family." Giving yourself permission for downtime sends a clear message to your family that this is an important priority. Beyond engendering a sense of calm, a sacred space can help a person gain clarity, particularly when it comes to our sense of purpose in life. Why am I here? What difference am I making in the world? Setting time aside to reflect, meditate, or let thoughts arise can help to resolve questions that could go unanswered for a lifetime. "In our busy lives, there are so many distractions," says Beth Miller, PhD., therapist and author of The Woman’s Book of Resilience (Conari, 2005). "We tend to think that the answers will just come to us. If we set aside time to devote to self-inquiry, we are really telling ourselves that this is an important and worthy pursuit." A sacred space can also become a source of strength during difficult times. "When we get stressed or tense, a common human response is to avoid it, run, or distract ourselves," says Miller. "It sounds almost paradoxical, but if we are willing to endure the discomfort, we have a better chance to transform the opportunity." That’s where your sanctuary comes in: If you have a place where you feel at peace, it can calm you, give you strength and resiliency, and become the refuge you need to figure out how to deal with challenges. Sacred Space 101 To determine where your sacred space should be, follow advice from the experts: *Establish Your Space. Become very relaxed and imagine yourself walking through your house with a heightened ability to sense and feel, advises Denise Linn. Visualize different areas and ask yourself: "Is this the right place?" The spot should feel safe, comfortable, and peaceful. The feeling is one of "tapping into something ancient, a peace that originated before time, a state of grace," says Patricia Heller, a sacred space consultant and author of If You Hear The Message Three Times, Listen (Hampton Roads, 2004). *Consider Every Option. Some might find a peaceful feeling in a seldom-used room, the corner of the den, or an alcove in the hallway. For others, it means stepping outdoors. "When we need to remember how to connect in, what better way than through nature?" asks Heller *Pay Attention. Once you discover a general area, decide what it should look like. Do you want it close to the ground? Chest level? High up? Do you envision a Zen-like simplicity or a space filled with lots of objects? After you determine this, start decorating. "Pay attention to what you feel good about," recommends Linn, "What makes you feels completely comfortable." Fran Sorin, gardening expert and author of Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening (Warner, 2004) visualized her ideal space, and then went about creating it in her garden. It includes stones she’s collected over the years, antique Buddhas, plants, and a fountain. "It allows me to transcend everything around me and takes me to a higher place where I freely give thanks for being alive." *Find your Passion. The sound of trickling water from a fountain might be relaxing to Sorin, but it could annoy someone else. Consider what you are drawn to, whether it’s the ocean, mountains, shells, or seeds. Add objects that represent these things to your space—a painting, picture, or foliage, for example. Other items that could enhance a space might be an altar with candles and incense; homemade artwork; flowers and plants; or meaningful childhood mementos. Incorporate symbols that appear in your dreams, or images of people who have brought you wisdom or given good advice. *Go Minimal. Although objects are popular, they are not always necessary. Your space could reflect a minimalism that includes nothing but bare walls. Even without objects, you can still create a calm feeling; Sendejas recommends neutral colors rather than bright ones, and curved lines instead of square edges. *Initiate it. Once you’ve decorated your space, conduct a ceremony or say a simple blessing to initiate it. Your initiation might be repeating the words "May peace enter into this space," lighting a candle, sitting in mediation, and reciting your favorite prayer. Or, invite others to bring an object or offering. *Become a Regular. Once you’ve established your space, commit to spending time there each day or week. Sit, breathe deeply, and do whatever feels natural: Meditate, sing, repeat a mantra, or just close your eyes and reflect. You’ll feel calmer, more centered, and in touch with your intuitive side. And when you are ready to leave your space, you’ll be more prepared to take on whatever lies ahead. No Excuses Everyone deserves a place to unwind. Short on space? Put a lounge chair on the balcony, claim a corner of a bedroom, commandeer a closet, or crawl underneath a table and use the draping tablecloth for privacy. Invest in a Shoji screen, so you can separate off a part of a room. Full house? Clamp on some headphones and tune out the television or the demands of your family, if only for ten minutes. Or walk to a local park or garden with a handful of pebbles, create a mandala by placing the pebbles in the earth, and return there when you need to retreat. "People can create a sacred space with a group of dear friends, being out in nature, sitting in the trees, or having a beloved pet," says Miller. "It’s really broad. As long as it’s a place that you know brings you deep comfort and connection." Ultimately, sacred spaces are as unique as their inhabitants. Patricia Heller found this out after moving to a new house. Until she could unpack and find a quiet, out-of-the-way area for her sacred space, she started gathering meaningful objects in a built-in chest in the hallway. But as the days went on, she realized that this busy thoroughfare was the perfect place: "I see it more often than if it was in a corner stuck in some room," she says. Soon, she asked an artist friend to paint the space with faux arches, green rolling hills, and images of her friends. "Our sacred space is whatever makes us comfortable—why do we have to follow rules?" When it comes to sacred spaces, it seems, the only rule is to quiet down, listen to your inner voice and see where it leads you. Sacred Upkeep Even if everything else in the house has fallen behind, your sacred space should be a place of freshness and renewal. 1. Keep it clean. If you put flowers in your space, change the water, brush away dead leaves, and throw them away when they are dead. 2. Dust your space every few weeks. 3. Renew the intention of your sacred space with candles, incense, or a bowl with sand. 4. On certain days, like the first of the month, a new moon, or a solstice, say a blessing or a prayer. "It doesn’t need to take a lot of time, but it creates a sense of harmony and bliss," says Denise Lin, author of Sacred Spaces. close window