What is Sacred Space?
I look at Sacred Space in a
couple of ways. One way that was taught to me when I was young is that place you
go inside yourself, when you are in a meditative state. Like when you are on a
vision quest, or are experiencing a sweat lodge. In that place you can receive
insights, and the wonders of life can be revealed. The other way I think of
scared Space is, a physical place where we can get in touch with that which is
larger than us. It is the second place I want to talk about because that is the
area that most people want to learn how to make in their home or on their
property.
A Sacred space can be a place that is known to be sacred, or it can be a place
you make sacred. They can be outdoors or in your home. One thing they all do is
help us to focus our spiritual sight, by releasing that spiritual energy inside
each of us so we can touch the divine. Throughout the history of mankind altars
and shrines have been made. Sometimes they are made to be elaborate and
sometimes they are kept simple, it is up to the individual that is creating the
sacred space. Building an altar or shrine is a step toward awareness.
The
very act of creating an altar makes us spiritually receptive to the sacredness
it represents. It requires intent on your part to collect a grouping of objects
that have a spiritual meaningfulness to you and/or your family. Then arrange
them in such a way as to have meaning in, or touch your heart.
Take your time to feel what areas in your home or property make you feel
comfortable and more in touch with yourself and others. It can be in your garden
or when you are doing something that makes you mindful. My wife likes to be
mindful when she washes dishes. So why not have an area on a window ledge above
the sink, to help create the quiet focus needed for her to be mindful. We have
many areas in and around our house where we can feel the energy of spirit. We
have tried to develop this atmosphere throughout the home in which we dwell.
In our library we have pictures of angels, statues of Tara, Bodhisattvas and
Kwan Yin, stones and a snakeskin that were collected on trips and retreats,
Mandalas, and scarves that were blessed. In one area there are just feminine
goddesses. We use the library to gather energy and knowledge needed to live
happy lives. The items have been collected over many years. It is a place in our
home where you can sit and meditate or quietly read or study.
In my office I have my personal Altar with a picture of HH the Dali Lama and a
picture St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Padre Pio gave me the blessing of hope when I
was fighting cancer. We were on a retreat with the Dali Lama for three days
where we learned the ways of the bodhisattva and took our vows. In the altar is
a statue of the Buddha surrounded by my collection of crystal and stone balls. I
hang my prayer beads on the altar shelf when I am not wearing them. When I am
meditating I will energize and activate the altar by lighting candles and
incense to help create a relaxing, spiritual space.
We have a healing altar in the house with a Medicine Buddha, Candles incense and
an urn for ashes. We put the names of people we know or hear about that need
prayers on that altar, because they are suffering from an Illness or may be near
death. If they pass over to the other side, then we burn the paper with their
name in the urn, and burn sandalwood to help their soul on its way. We burn
sandalwood on a regular basis to represent our prayers for those people.
We are in the process of creating a garden sanctuary in the back. For a place to
experience natures wonder and connection with Spirit through air, earth, water,
and fire as well as the four directions.
So you see altars and Sacred Space can have many intention and goals. It can be
public, private, have a general purpose, or of a single focus. Create them for
your needs and comfort. Build them to help you focus and clarify your thoughts
and intentions, use them to gather up your life force and strengthen your
spirituality. They can represent peacefulness, calm, strength, energy,
direction, or meaning. What ever you see as your need in this life can be a
focus for your Sacred Space. It becomes clear that making an altar is not
decorating.
Begin simply by placing a cloth on a shelf or table. The cloth can be one of
significance or of a specific color that has meaning to you. Everything about
the space is ultimately personal. Though there are philosophies and systems of
thought for guidance (Feng Shui or the Native American medicine wheel, for
example). There are symbols such as the cross for Christianity or for the
Egyptians, the ankh sign represented life. There is no right or wrong, if you
want a Tibetan altar, they have specific guidelines. Your Sacred Space can be
eclectic with deities and goddesses from many cultures along with personal
objects.
Personal Altars and Sacred Space are not churches, temples, or ashrams, the
latter are places that are refuge set apart from the pressures and pleasures of
daily life. Domestic altars are deliberately set into the everyday, as a way of
infusing the ordinary with the sacred. Native American culture believed there
was no distinction between the sacred and the day to day life. They believed
there were supernatural forces and spirit interconnected and in harmony with all
life. They say it is our responsibility to work with and stay in balance with
the universe, the supernatural, and spiritual forces at all times.
But it can also just BE. It has its own energy to sanctify your entire home. As
you pass by your altar every day, you will be blessed by that radiating energy.
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