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Sacred Space

© Karen Jenista

Two days after Christmas, my wedding anniversary arrives. This year we treated ourselves to time away from home. A cracked valve seat stretched one day into three, involved two nights at a hotel, six extra meals, and cost us repairs, car rental, and a missed doctor appointment. By the time we returned and I cleaned up after eight children, three cats and a fish, I was ready for a real break. I headed for the office, my sacred space.

Everyone needs a sacred space–a place to regain center, find calm, renew spirit and energy. It doesn’t have to be an entire room. My first personal space was half a desk. Then I graduated to a whole desk. In the next house, I had two spaces–a corner of the bedroom and the master bath. Your sacred space doesn’t even have to be permanent. If your square footage is at a premium, find a container you like–a wooden chest, a basket, a hat box–and keep your sacred furnishings in it. When you’re ready for personal time, take out your box and arrange your altar in a place where you feel comfortable–a sunny kitchen table, a tray on your bed, a lamp table next to your overstuffed chair.

Whatever your circumstances allow, choose and furnish your space with care. Keep in mind that comfort and pleasure are essential to the environment you create. The easiest way I’ve found to establish the mood is to let my senses guide me. The five senses are natural conduits to the spirit.

Sight. Sight encompasses light, color, words, images, and physical objects. Which relaxes you more–bright sunshine or subdued lighting? How about color? What’s your favorite? Or maybe you’d like to choose color by philosophy. In feng shui, different colors attract different forms of good fortune. The Chakra system holds that colors promote various emotions and qualities. Words, images, and objects provide inspiration, encouragement, and comfort. Display pictures, photos, or posters that you associate with these qualities. Hang a framed quote. Maybe a book of daily devotions works for you. Do you have a collection that is emotionally special? What about awards? Perhaps you have totems that represent your goals. Maybe plants trigger serenity in you. Select visuals that suit the purpose of your space.

Sound. Sound can either infuse us with a particular emotional state or block out unwanted noise and, therefore, unwanted states of mind. Music energizes, calms, stirs romance, induces joy. You can listen to it, play it, sing it. Books on tape and inspirational, instructional, and self-

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