It's the beginning of a new year, and for many the beginning of new journeys. Some may be in the realm of diet and nutrition, some may be in fitness and health, and some may be spiritual. This year I have decided to bring you along on a spiritual journey of finding a sacred space, creating that space, the many ways to use your space, and how to make a portable sacred space.... Today I lead you on a journey to help find your sacred space.
My own 'sacred space'
Yes, this is a journey. As a Christian, and United Methodist, I try to have a set time for prayer and study in my daily life. Whether it be something that is being facilitated at my place of worship, or a study that I have been working on through a book or website, I have found it to be a necessity to find a quiet place to do so. Although it is just my husband and I, I sometimes find my home to be too noisy and full of distractions. Some of you may have children, and they are noisy, and very distracting, and in need of supervision of they are small; which leads to another obstacle to study, lack of time. The home is full of noise... the TV, the computer, your phone... yes... all three produce distracting noise, whether it's having the TV on, the glare of the computer screen, or your phone constantly beeping with texts and notifications. Then there is time... we all have busy schedules. Some of us work either in the home or in our career field, sometimes both , some are retired and volunteering, or retired and caregiving. Some of us have kids with schedules that barely even let us catch our breath... soccer, ballet, baseball, art and music lessons, scouts.... You barely have time to change clothes and shower let alone have time for yourself and your spiritual practice. As a homemaker without children you'd think that I have no problem with time... for me it's the distractions of TV, my phone and a sometimes insane schedule of medical appointments to manage my chronic illness that leaves me wondering … where did my time go? When will I study? When will I pray? I have found that when you have a designated place to practice your spirituality that you are more likely to practice it consistently.
Yes. A designated place. A sacred space, for you. Your sacred space to pray, to study, to meditate, to find peace in the midst of your chaotic and noisy life. About a week ago I posted a list for you, if you haven't had a chance to read my blog until now, no worries, you can just go back and look... but now isn't the time. That is just a list of things that you might want to have to create your space, this is about finding it. A couple of years ago there was a movie called 'The War Room', when I first heard the title I thought it was something military, it wasn't, it was about prayer, Christian prayer and having a place to pray. Where does war come in? Many Christians refer to themselves as prayer warriors, and the concept of a 'war' room is a room where Christians wage war on evil. The main character in this movie discovered her 'war room' or sacred space, to be in an emptied out walk in closet. Over the past two years there have been articles popping up everywhere in Christian magazines and blogs about 'building a War room' due to the popularity of this movie with many Christians. Okay ladies... don't freak out, you don't have to get rid of your walk in closet in order to accommodate your spiritual practice... unless you choose to. Finding your sacred space is a journey you have to make on your own, I'm just here with suggestions and resources to help you do so.
Space.... as in a place to create your sacred space is something that varies with person to person. Some of us may be single and living in our own home or apartment, some may be married and doing the same. Some of us may be single parents, some not. Space is a commodity in every home... no matter what your living situation. One question, what do you want out of your sacred space? This will determine how big you need your space to be. If it is just to pray and study, you may not need a large space, if you are planning to practice movement or yoga in your sacred space, someplace a little larger may be what you need as to accommodate the room for yoga or movement along with an altar for prayer/study. Some of you empty nesters may be finding the joy of a new empty room to house your sacred space. Another option to consider is a 'she-shed'… although this is something that will have to be built physically outside your home and is a bit on the expensive side, it offers a realm of possibility for your sacred space. I am however, in this article, trying to guide you into finding financially viable and less damage on the carbon footprint for your sacred space. In other words, something already available in your house or apartment. In my search for my own sacred space, I was forced to clean out a corner of my bedroom that was piled high with my vast collection of hoodies. I won't even begin to try to clean out my closet... that's a whole other adventure altogether. This corner though, I saw as a great place for my space. So with the hoodies placed on a shelf I built, I proceeded to build my sacred space....
Now comes the important questions, what do you want to do in your sacred space? Meditate, pray, study the scripture of your spiritual practice, or just find a sanctuary of solitude from your everyday reality? This is key in where in your home you would like to build your space. For a great reading space, and also one for meditation, you might want to have enough room for some floor pillows on a nice soft rug, with low lighting, and a door to close for quietness.... this kind of space is nice and cushy and prone to induce a nice nap or two. If you plan to pray and study in the Christian tradition, as I have built my space for, a small desk or table and comfortable chair are key. Now don't go out and buy and expensive desk or table, unless that's what you want to do. Find a piece in your home that is not being used and re-purpose it. Paint the table or small desk, sew a new cushion for your chair.
Photo by DecoPeques.
Yes, that space looks amazing... I wish I had the room to do something like that, yet let's be realistic, we need to keep it simple. This is not something you need to be stressing out about, unless you completely then overthink this then shame on you... stop it... take a step back and know that you are doing this in an effort to initialize spiritual self care in your life. This journey, process of finding your space should not stress you out, but open up a creative dialogue. Right now I'm living in a small three bedroom condo, not very big even though it has three 'bedrooms' Those of you living in an apartment or loft I have been there as well, and trying to find 'sacred' space in living quarters is hard, but it can be done. De-cluttering is an easy way to discover your space.... as I have found by cleaning up my stack of hoodies. The treasure you find when de-cluttering won't be something physical... but space. Potential space. By learning to live simply, you not only remove the physical clutter that is clogging your spiritual life, but you are opening up free space to practice your spirituality. Stuff just distracts, stresses, and is downright uncomfortable sometimes.... so get rid of it, trash what can't be donated or re-purposed for good.
So are you now scanning the corners of your living space looking for your sacred space? Take a deep breath, know that it doesn't happen over night, also, there is no deadline... it's created by you, for you, and there is no 'sacred space police' forcing you to make a decision right now about what you will be doing and where you will be doing it. This is your journey, and no one can take it for you. Make a cup of tea and relax... Next week's installment of Sacred Spaces we will discuss what could go IN your sacred space, besides you......
Until January 12 take a look at Pinterest, use the search words sacred spaces and see the realm of possibilities. Know this, this is your space, your heart and soul, there are so many variations it will make your head spin. I know it did mine. Do not be overwhelmed. Also take a look at my list which I will post on Sunday. Pace yourself and have a great week.
Finding your sacred space is a journey....
(photo taking by me, the highway descending into Idaho)
-Kimberly Rae
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