Hello, friends!
What is sacred space? And how is sacred space created? We began our Wednesday night Advent workshop last week on Creating Sacred Space at Home reflecting on these questions. At the core of our conversation was that sacred spaces are physical places where we have experienced or glimpsed the divine. And that a sacred space is then created simply through our ability to recognize our experience in that place – or another way to word it, we do not create sacred space so much as we grow in our ability to be aware of the sacred that already exists around us, often becoming more intentional in how we engage those spaces.
Historically, for many different ancient cultures and traditions, spirituality was an integral part of everyday life where altars or shrines could be found at home, work, in public and private spaces, as well as in the temples. Yes, the temples were a place of particular importance but it was also recognized that it was not the only place a deity was encountered or experienced. Everyday events, big and small, were naturally weaved into their spiritual selves in public and in private.
This might sound familiar to our understanding of the spiritual life, but I think for so many of us it can be really difficult to integrate our spiritual selves into our everyday life. And the creation of the categories of the sacred and profane or mundane, particularly in Western culture, has not been helpful in maintaining this spiritual weaving that both the ancients and other traditions can make look effortless.
Today many of us are seeking out ways to better integrate our spiritual lives more fully with our everyday lives. And one way we can do that is through building home or work altars. In the sacred spaces of our home and work, intentionally building an altar with objects that are meaningful for you can help you tap into the sacred that already exists there, what’s really inside and shows it in a physical way. And it helps us connect to and recognize that the Spirit that lives within us is not separate from but an integral part of who we are, no matter where we are.
What is sacred space for you and how do you intentionally engage the divine in those spaces?
Be well,
Deacon Megan
