Creating a Sacred Space in Your Home

One of the simplest (and most satisfying) ways to begin renewing your spiritual life is to create a sacred space – a personal place for meditation, prayer, and contemplation.

In ancient times people found sacred space, noticing that certain mountain peaks or caves seemed to hold magical, holy properties.

The Greeks developed the concept of "sacred groves" – peaceful, sometimes secret places where they asked their gods for advice.

With modern life moving more rapidly than ever before, a sacred space offers a "pause," a place to enjoy moments of solitude, contemplate what is working and what is not, and reconnect with our self and the Divine.

With time and space in short supply, where and how do you begin to create a sacred space? Let's start at home. Here are a few helpful ideas for creating an indoor sanctuary:

• 1. Work with what you've got! Choose a spare bedroom, a revamped pantry area, a corner space, etc. for your sacred space.
• 2. Clear the space of clutter and stagnant energies by smudging with smoke from a burning sage wand.
• 3. Consider your personal comforts and each of your senses in choosing the suggested furniture and decor to fill this space.

For comfort: floor cushions, a gentle swaying rocker, or perhaps a stuffed chaise to stretch out on

For sound: a water fountain, wind chimes, CDs and CD player

For smell: scented candles, incense, essential oils

For sight: photos of loved ones, artwork, teddy bears, a bowl of freshly cut flowers

For touch: crystals, river stones, seashells, and prayer beads Tips:

• 1. Once your space is ready, honor it by making your presence there often.
• 2. Set boundaries by deciding whom else, if anyone, is allowed in your sacred space.
• 3. Your sacred space honors your wish to live mindfully and serves the most intimate communication you have with your soul and with the Divine. When you are in your special place, honor it. Don't answer the telephone or get up to do something that you suddenly remembered needs doing.

If you carefully prepare and then honor your sacred space with frequent visits, you will soon find yourself drawn to this place more and more as you seek the solace and restfulness it provides.

You don't have to limit your sacred space to your home. With long, often intense workdays, a sacred space at work offers a short pause, a way to create harmony and balance as you manage the expectations and responsibilities of work with your inner needs for spiritual growth and personal expression.

Workplace sacred spaces need not be elaborate to be effective. Here are a few helpful ideas for enriching where you spend most of your time away from home:

• 1. Put a water fountain in your workspace. The sound of water speaks for itself. Water cleanses the emotions and stills the mind. You and your coworkers don't even have to be aware of it for it to have a positive effect. No space for a fountain – try a sound machine where you can select ocean waves, mountain stream or spring rain as "white noise."
• 2. Add a plant or small aquarium to lift the energy in your office. Natural objects, such as a row of seashells or river stones on your desk, will serve as a reminder of the natural world even if you are in an air-conditioned skyscraper. Simple elements like a single fragrant flower in a bowl of water, a candle on your desk, a photo of a special time spent with family or friends, and inspirational quotes can help you grasp and merge with the present moment, while at the same time providing energy and focus during a frenetic day or a work-related crisis.

In our fast-paced, insecure world, your sacred space is a holistic place of calm. By carving out just a space of tranquility at home and work, you can uplift your spirit and create harmony in your life.

By Lynn Burgess