Sanctifying Space
The longer you meditate, the more important it becomes to have a designated space where you meditate regularly.
Why?
Your frequent meditations will energize a space and draw you to sit there more often.
Really, I’m not kidding. The Space will draw you. The funny thing is it may draw others in as well!
Years ago, I had a repairman in my house who walked by my meditation room and just stood there, staring in. He said he could feel some good energy in that room. Well, what he really said was, “It feels very peaceful in here.”
When you step into a very old church, temple, or mosque, the same thing happens.
I remember the first time I walked into places like Chartres Cathedral in France, or Notre Dame in Paris, or Westminster Abbey in London, or the Western Wall in Jerusalem, or the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I could literally FEEL the centuries of prayer said in those places as an electric current coursing through my body. It was unlike anything I had ever felt previously. And even though the Hagia Sophia is currently a museum, it is one of the most ancient religious structures in existence and it still elicits an incredible sense of awe.
When I traveled to Jerusalem I did so with two people who were not religious and yet one of them was profoundly moved to tears at the Western Wall. How could one not be moved by all that place signifies for so many? It is indeed an ancient place that has absorbed literally thousands of years of prayers. I know many of you know what I am talking about.
Places have energy that is often very ancient, and that energy can be both positive and negative – think of places like Stonehenge, or Sedona, or sites of historical events or monuments, or even battlefields. You can often sense what happened in those places. Last fall I visited the Flight 93 National Memorial site, and I can’t even begin to describe how somber and reverent the people there were. And the silence. You could hear a pin drop.
I will admit most of us cannot afford the luxury of a meditation room. For many years, I had a corner in my bedroom with a couple of icons that served as my meditation space for my very rudimentary practice. I just knew I had to designate a particular spot for it.
Many years later, I was blessed to move into a home where I could dedicate a room for just this purpose of meditating. I created an area within that room with a sitting cushion, icons, a few objects, and some candles.
In time, I turned one of the closets into an alcove and my sacred objects quickly multiplied. I created this alcove because I like to face East during my meditations as Jews, Christians and Muslims do.
I meditated in this space for over two decades, and occasionally have invited others into my sacred space. I’ve created a temple of sorts that feels like a cocoon or a second skin to me. It is soothing and nurturing. It is sacred space.
Over the years I acquired a significant collection of objects from many religious traditions that were meaningful from my travels. But in recent years I have simplified my space and packed away many of those things. Less is definitely more to me these days.
Because this room is so infused with meditation and prayer, many who visit here notice something about the room immediately. I already noted the contractor who while doing some work in my house, would gravitate towards this room. He would just stand in the doorway and say things like – “I like it in here. It’s very relaxing!”
It is important that you do your meditations regularly in the same place. You will notice a difference over time in yourself, but most especially in how the space feels.
Over the last few years, my meditation practice has spilled out of this room. There is another, more central spot in my home that chose me. So be prepared for things to change. After all, the only constant in life is change!
If you travel, be flexible in your practice, but no less committed. Just adapt to the circumstances you find yourself in.
If you like, keep your suitcase packed with a small battery-operated votive candle, and maybe a book or a small icon that will invite you to meditate.
These days, I carry an extensive spiritual library on my iPhone and iPad that I can easily access when I travel. Remember that you can practice anywhere. If you can breathe in and out – you can meditate!
Reflection/Journal Questions:
Have you figured out a spot that works for your regular practice?
What objects do you have, or would you like to have for this spot?
NEXT
The longer you meditate, the more important it becomes to have a designated space where you meditate regularly.
Why?
Your frequent meditations will energize a space and draw you to sit there more often.
Really, I’m not kidding. The Space will draw you. The funny thing is it may draw others in as well!
Years ago, I had a repairman in my house who walked by my meditation room and just stood there, staring in. He said he could feel some good energy in that room. Well, what he really said was, “It feels very peaceful in here.”
When you step into a very old church, temple, or mosque, the same thing happens.
I remember the first time I walked into places like Chartres Cathedral in France, or Notre Dame in Paris, or Westminster Abbey in London, or the Western Wall in Jerusalem, or the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I could literally FEEL the centuries of prayer said in those places as an electric current coursing through my body. It was unlike anything I had ever felt previously. And even though the Hagia Sophia is currently a museum, it is one of the most ancient religious structures in existence and it still elicits an incredible sense of awe.
When I traveled to Jerusalem I did so with two people who were not religious and yet one of them was profoundly moved to tears at the Western Wall. How could one not be moved by all that place signifies for so many? It is indeed an ancient place that has absorbed literally thousands of years of prayers. I know many of you know what I am talking about.
Places have energy that is often very ancient, and that energy can be both positive and negative – think of places like Stonehenge, or Sedona, or sites of historical events or monuments, or even battlefields. You can often sense what happened in those places. Last fall I visited the Flight 93 National Memorial site, and I can’t even begin to describe how somber and reverent the people there were. And the silence. You could hear a pin drop.
I will admit most of us cannot afford the luxury of a meditation room. For many years, I had a corner in my bedroom with a couple of icons that served as my meditation space for my very rudimentary practice. I just knew I had to designate a particular spot for it.
Many years later, I was blessed to move into a home where I could dedicate a room for just this purpose of meditating. I created an area within that room with a sitting cushion, icons, a few objects, and some candles.
In time, I turned one of the closets into an alcove and my sacred objects quickly multiplied. I created this alcove because I like to face East during my meditations as Jews, Christians and Muslims do.
I meditated in this space for over two decades, and occasionally have invited others into my sacred space. I’ve created a temple of sorts that feels like a cocoon or a second skin to me. It is soothing and nurturing. It is sacred space.
Over the years I acquired a significant collection of objects from many religious traditions that were meaningful from my travels. But in recent years I have simplified my space and packed away many of those things. Less is definitely more to me these days.
Because this room is so infused with meditation and prayer, many who visit here notice something about the room immediately. I already noted the contractor who while doing some work in my house, would gravitate towards this room. He would just stand in the doorway and say things like – “I like it in here. It’s very relaxing!”
It is important that you do your meditations regularly in the same place. You will notice a difference over time in yourself, but most especially in how the space feels.
Over the last few years, my meditation practice has spilled out of this room. There is another, more central spot in my home that chose me. So be prepared for things to change. After all, the only constant in life is change!
If you travel, be flexible in your practice, but no less committed. Just adapt to the circumstances you find yourself in.
If you like, keep your suitcase packed with a small battery-operated votive candle, and maybe a book or a small icon that will invite you to meditate.
These days, I carry an extensive spiritual library on my iPhone and iPad that I can easily access when I travel. Remember that you can practice anywhere. If you can breathe in and out – you can meditate!
Reflection/Journal Questions:
Have you figured out a spot that works for your regular practice?
What objects do you have, or would you like to have for this spot?
NEXT