According to research published by Psychology Today, an appreciation of the sacred and a search for meaning beyond ourselves can promote strengthened relationships with others, positive emotions, and a sense of purpose in life. Whatever your spiritual beliefs (or non-beliefs) may be, it can be calming to have a special spot in your home reserved for quiet introspection and reflection.
You might designate an entire room, or maybe a cozy nook in the corner of your bedroom would be perfect. Whatever space you choose, let it be a place where you can rest, re-connect with what is meaningful in your life, and be inspired to pursue your passions.
1. Find a physical place (large or small, inside or out) that encourages a peaceful and quiet unplugging from your day. You could use a special seat, sofa, rug, or a small corner of a quiet room. Once you pick an actual place, it will encourage you to sit down and take a much-needed moment to yourself.
2. Give yourself a comfortable place to sit. Throw down a couple of fluffy floor pillows, select an inviting chair, or even better — use a pillow to soothe your weary head while laying down on a favorite rug to rest your body.
3. Personalize your space. Add photos, books with favorite words of wisdom, candles, plants, music, or anything else that makes you feel relaxed, relieved, and content. Pick a name for the space that is personal, too. It could be called a sacred space, but it might be an unplug station, a bliss banquette, or a Leave Me Alone I'm Re-charging Nook.
4. Add a journal to record your questions, musings, or inspirations from the day. Keeping a journal allows for the self-expression that a sacred space tends to cultivate, and can also be a great way to remember your past reveries. If writing is not your thing, consider listening to music or any sound that might encourage you to relax (a fountain, wind chimes, etc.)
Taking the time to create a designated unplugging station — a respite from the deluge of texts, emails and other electronic bleeps and incessant stimuli in our lives — can be a wise gift to yourself: a reminder to take a little bit of time each day to unlplug, to tune out, and to turn in.
(Image: Soy candle from Etsy seller Luminology)
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I guess serenity is not in my nature -- I fidget, I need to be busy, I can be reading a book and stop mid sentence to go do something else... This whole "sacred space" concept is alien and uncomfortable to me. It would feel like wasting time. But I can ALSO hunker down and read one book beginning to end without leaving my comfy chair -- so dedicating a space to the idea is not necessary and won't happen. I am kind of fascinated by people who make special time for things like yoga or meditation, though -- a little envious.
There's a big Hindu tradition around creating a sacred space in the home - usually with some idols, incense, comfortable seating, and religious books.
So, it's very interesting if there's been some research that supports some part of this. Could you please share a link to the research referred to in Psychology Today?
I love this idea and have been wondering how to create a sacred space in a small house with two very mobile kids under the age of 4 (i.e., how to keep it from being destroyed on a daily basis). Hanging stuff on the walls (photos, images, words, etc.) is a great idea, since anything left on a surface (candles, beads, frames, flowers, etc.) would sooo not last in this house. Thanks!
When I had kids, especially when they were toddlers, my sacred space was sitting in a Barnes and Noble chair choosing from a 2 ft high pile of books and sipping a latte. Kids and husband left at HOME!
Now that I'm a single empty nester, my apt has more than one sacred space. One in my bedroom near a lovely wingback reading chair that has a back massager covered with fluffy sheepskin for me to decompress. And one in my living room. Almost the whole living room! I have a glorious late 1800 oak Wells Fargo desk full of cubbies once used for old mail slots, now full of paints and paintbrushes. An everchanging vignette is on top for inspiration, and there's always a canvas in progress. I light a candle, burn some incense, put an appropriate personal station on Pandora, open the shades on my giant former storefront window and CREATE! The days I dont' do this...look out!
all great suggestions (in the post and the comments above mine). thank you.
and from the description, i would love to see a house call or home tour of SISTERVASHTI's place! please and thanks.
kathy
I just wanted to say thank you for respecting those of us who are non-believers. Even those of us who don't believe need a place to rest and quiet our minds. That space might not be sacred, in the traditional sense, but it's certainly important.
A good friend of mine talks about a prayer corner, a place in your home that's part of your everyday routine, where you can place reminders to pray. For her, as a mom of 4 kids, she spends a lot of time in the kitchen, so she puts little notes on the kitchen window, with passages of scripture and reminders to pray for the people in her life. Whenever she's washing the dishes or cleaning vegetables, she has visual cues to guide her spiritual life. I know it's not necessarily the same as a separate space set aside for meditation, but I love the idea of choosing a well-traveled place in your home and placing reminders to set aside even 30 seconds, in the middle of a mindless task, to take a breath and find peace (and, if you are a religious person, to find a connection to God). It makes the idea of prayer and meditation far less daunting for someone who maybe has trouble sitting still, or who has kids that would interrupt meditation or knock over pretty candles and icons. :-)
I don't have the room for a dedicated space, but I do have a mat I keep rolled under the bed that I use expressly for meditation in the morning. Portable sacred space?
I have at my home. Have created some nooks nd corners where I just sit nd think,,,so that ideas can flow,,,
I'm very fortunate to have a spouse of the same faith as I am. He already had a dedicated prayer space, and he made room for me in it as well - including my own musalah (prayer rug). It's really comforting to know that it's always ready, and sometimes already occupied. :)
I'm Wiccan and we just moved into a new house with 2 bedrooms. I'm excited to use the other bedroom as my sacred space room/office. I can't wait to set it up :)
as a single person, i think my entire home gets to be my sacred space. every corner feels good and comforting to me. since i live alone, i have been able to design it exactly as i wish. my home---all of it---is my refuge from the world.
I have a meditation altar made on a simple shelf in my bedroom. It contains crystals, candles and a Tibetan prayer bowl. I ring the bowl and it instantly puts me in a meditative state. Very good for necessary time-outs or starting the day off in a positive state.