Spirituality and Relationships:
Spirituality and sacred space go hand and hand.
Where is yours?
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
Sacred Space is an essential place for all of us. We're busy, have little time to ourselves and yet we are always trying to do more. Perhaps women, sandwiched between the many roles, are unique in this need. This isn't to say that men don't have a need for sacred space. Of course they do. It's just that typically, men will take care of themselves as well as their other responsibilities. Women tend to take care of everyone else first and if there is any time, money or energy left, we take care of ourselves. This is about the equivalent of saying: women rarely have enough left for themselves.
Male or Female-you need a place and time specially devoted to your own welfare.
We all appreciate relationships:
Relationships with our friends
Relationships with our communities
Relationships with our families and now
Relationship with yourself
This relationship is just as important. Ritual and sacred space can help nurture this relationship.
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
What is a sacred space?
A sacred space is a space in which you feel most at peace and close to God. This is the space where you can just sigh and feel a total sense of relaxation right away.
Although you may feel closest to God with your family, sacred space refers to that place you can be alone. And by alone, I mean that you are not needed by anyone. You might have others around you, but you can be into yourself. It is the space you can spend by yourself, in peace. It might be a space in your home-a room or even a tiny space of your closet. It might be sitting creek-side or at the ocean. You can probably tell by looking at the photos on this site, that I love the ocean. However, I find sacred space in other areas.
Let's not forget about Rituals.
Rituals are activities that are meaningful to us. A combination of rituals and sacred space can be very powerful. Can you practice rituals without sacred space? Yes, but consider this: if you practice a ritual that brings you peace, you are probably in a sacred space.
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
Spirituality and Healing
Creating and celebrating your sacred space can reduce your stress. There are a tremendous number of stress related illnesses. Addressing your spiritual needs can promote healing.
Can stress really kill? Click here to learn more
Okay, how about some examples of Sacred Spaces you can create
Create a small altar somewhere in your home or work.
My little altar has a cross made in Mexico I purchased while visiting another city with my husband. It was a special week-end, and I have fond memories around that cross. I have a set of prayer beads that I like. I have a lavendar scented candle, which promotes relaxation. I have a photo of my son in his military uniform. This is my little space on a table in my study. I add things and take them away here and there. I sit on a pillow near the table. When I'm in that space, I turn off the phone and allow myself to have as much time as possible in quiet prayer or meditation. Even 5 or 10 minutes is enough to start out my day in the right place and/or recharge.
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
There is no where I feel closer to God than at the ocean. I no longer live near the ocean, but when I did, I spent most afternoons after work walking the beach with my dogs. This was heaven on earth to me. Now, I walk along the river or creek near my home. Sometimes I walk, sometimes I sit-it all depends on what I need for the day. You need to learn to listen to yourself and follow the guidance your body, mind and spirit will give you.
Waimanalo, Oahu, HI
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
Where do you feel at peace? This will help you decide where your sacred space might be. This sounds simple, but think about how many times you really took time out for yourself (even 5 minutes) to recharge. If you can't remember when you did, then perhaps it is time to get back to basics.
Do you like to be out in nature? There are many advantages to being in nature.
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
Can being in nature help promote health? Click here for 7 easy ways to connect with nature.
Hawaii Kai, Oahu, HI
That's me hiking in the clouds
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
I've described sacred space examples in your home and in nature. Another very sacred space for me is in churches. I tend to feel most at peace in the older churches. Perhaps it is the energy of the many people who have prayed there, but an older church or chapel is profoundly peaceful to me. I like the smell (even if kind of musty), the feel of the older wooden pews, the sound of the old organs, the echo of footsteps of others, and the light from the candles. I like the ritual of the services, and I'm very much a traditionalist in this way.
Find what suits you and where you feel most at peace. Finding peace is a matter of life and death.
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
Ready to learn more about spirituality? Click here.
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
Learning to Pay Attention
Most of us are pretty good at paying attention to our external environment. We know where we are, what is going on around us, what the people around us are saying and well, you've got the picture. In truth, many of us need to work on this, but let's go with the illusion that we're pretty good at this. This is one type of attention, and it is very important. External attention keeps you alive because you are aware of dangers. Being aware of what is going on around you can bring you joy-you really hear what people are saying and you enjoy your surroundings.
Let's talk about internal awareness. This is when we tune into our internal environment. Are you a good daydreamer?
Timing is everything. Daydreaming can be a very good thing, but not when you are driving or when you are supposed to be paying attention to the external world.
Try this:
Take some time-as much as you want to-5, 10, 15 or more minutes. Provide some peace and quiet-unplug the phone, turn off the TV, and so on. Get comfortable and give yourself a few minutes to focus only on your hopes, favorite place, or your dreams.
When you are done, you might want to write down some of what you visualized. You may have been a bit surprised at what came into your mind. When we allow it to happen, images pop into our hearts and minds that we don't expect. Just allow the process-don't have any pre-concieved ideas of where your imagination will go.
Really pay attention to yourself.
Did you go to your favorite place?
What did you see, feel, touch, smell, and hear?
Did you visualize your hopes and dreams?
What exactly does that look like? Really dive it and enjoy.
These are some of the first steps to mindfulness and meditation.
Prayer and Gratitude is another way to become more self-aware.
Spirituality and Relationships: Self-Discovery
There are a lot of little things we can do to enhance our spirituality. This is a road of spirituality and self discovery. Of course, addressing our spirituality is one part of a holistic health lifestyle. As humans we are holistic beings: body, mind, spirit and social beings. Don't sell yourself short. Take little steps daily and your body, mind and spirit will feel most at balance and you will perform at levels you never imagined. Optimal natural health is right around the corner!
Turn the corner to optimal natural health by clicking here.
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