Crafting a tranquil meditation space is needed more than ever in our modern world. Whether natural wonders, temples, churches, mosques, or shrines, each holds a special significance. Spiritual journey sacred sites are places where people find peace and connection. Friends of sacred structures are needed to support sacred places.
A sacred space is a designated place for spiritual reflection or meditation. This divine location could be in nature or a constructed structure. The important thing is that it holds special meaning to you.
Creating and Building Sacred Spaces
Not everyone finds sanctuary within a structure. Many people find divine connection within nature. Sometimes, these places in nature are carefully planted and maintained gardens. However, many sacred places have not been untouched by the hand of man.
The location is often just as important as the structures built on them. Take, for example, the city of Jerusalem. Here, the Temple Mount is home to two major religions. They are in constant conflict over the domain of the site. Both religions place a high value on location. Crafting a tranquil meditation space is the purpose behind building sacred spaces.
“The first western gardens were those in the Mediterranean basin. There, in the desert areas stretching from North Africa to the valleys of the Euphrates, the so-called cradle of civilization, where plants were first grown for crops by settled communities, garden enclosures were also constructed. Gardens emphasized the contrast between two separate worlds: the outer one where nature remained awe-inspiringly in control and an inner artificially created sanctuary, a refuge for man and plants from the burning desert, where shade trees and cool canals refreshed the spirit and ensured growth.” — Penelope Hobhouse
Many people believe the only sacred places on Earth are those built by them. Nearly 4 billion people believe that some sites are more sacred than others. Being one of the friends of sacred structures is not a bad thing. There is nothing inherently wrong with building sacred spaces. We should refrain from destroying the sacredness of nature to do so.
The problem is that people do not see them as metaphors of the divine. They believe these sites have more divinity than others because of religious tradition. They create wars to maintain possession of these sites. That is how important these sites are to some.
“It was about finding the sacred within myself, my center, my peaceful core. We each have a sacred space within us, a part of us. This sacred space is a temple, a temple to our inner power, our intuition, and our connection with the divine. The Discovery of psychic powers, spells, and meditation are all things that lead us to the temple. They help us find the road within and walk our path to the inner temple.” — Christopher Penczak
The Friends of Sacred Structures
What does being a friend of a physical structure or place mean? It means acting responsibly and with respect when you visit unique places of archaeological and social interest. It means picking up trash and not disturbing or leaving signs of your visit.
Treating the things others have spent time and resources to respect these sites seems reasonable. However, if you watch tourists at any of the famous wonders of the modern world, you’ll see they do not respect these places. You’ll see them dropping trash and defacing carefully crafted monuments. It’s why many sites are roped off and blocked; we can’t trust people to respect the legacy of humankind.
“The Experience of Sacred Space makes possible the founding of the world. Where the sacred Manifests itself in space; the real unveils itself, the world comes into existence.” — Mircea Eliade
Humankind has made impressive temples, mosques, churches, synagogues, and other shrines. They serve various practical and spiritual purposes. They are physical expressions of sacredness that amplify our senses and open our minds. They are crafting a tranquil meditation space for the community.
Some of the most interesting sites are often built at specific geographical locations. The building of sacred spaces often corresponds to an energy network called ley lines.
We are still trying to determine the original purpose of some of these sites. There is great controversy about who built the Great Pyramids on the Giza Plateau. We may not know why they were built, but we “feel” their awesomeness.
Protect and Support Sacred Places
So why do we need these sacred structures and holy sites? What is our preoccupation with building sacred spaces for a focal point? Many think the obsession with religion disconnects us from the sacredness of nature. And so, we become disconnected from our true nature.
“The first gesture of an architect is to draw a perimeter; in other words, to separate the microclimate from the macro space outside. This in itself is a sacred act. Architecture in itself conveys this idea of limited space. It’s a limit between the finite and the infinite. From this point of view, all architecture is sacred.” — Mario Botta
People make pilgrimages to visit these sites. These sites are often the focal points of their belief systems. So, they need to support sacred places that represent the essence of their religions. Wars and conflicts exist today because people believe the location should be theirs alone.
Spiritual Journey Sacred Sites & Pligramages
In reality, the entire planet is a sacred living entity providing life.
We become blind to the fact that we are part of nature and the Earth. Many enlightened spiritual teachers direct us to find our connection with nature. The ancient texts are replete with stories of sages who ventured into the wilderness to meditate. That’s where Jesus and Buddha went to find enlightenment. They did not find it in a building but in nature.
“When one loses the deep intimate relationship with nature, then temples, mosques, and churches become important.” — Jiddu Krishnamurti
All the landscapes of nature are sacred. We should be friends of sacred structures called nature. We should protect and support sacred places of nature. We focus on building sacred spaces in an attempt to capture the essence of sacredness, but it’s just a substitute.
The Spiritual Journey, sacred sites, and spiritual exploration go hand-in-hand. It’s one reason we always try to hold meetings in retreat centers on or near a wilderness area. It makes it easier to connect with our sacredness of ourselves when we are in the sacred presence of nature. Learning many modes of seated and moving meditation is often easier outdoors. It is necessary for forest bathing and tree grounding techniques.
A connection through nature, not human-made structures, makes more sense. Human-made structures are a substitute for the beauty of nature. We are part of nature. Thus, we are also a part of its sacredness. When we feel connected with nature, we become grounded and at peace. When we are at peace, we act from our hearts rather than our Egos.
Again, there’s nothing wrong with being a friend of sacred spaces. They represent a legacy of humankind’s expression of ingenuity and purpose. We should preserve them for future generations.
Crafting a Tranquil Meditation Space
One of the main functions of spiritual journey sacred sites is meditation. A space for spiritual reflection helps us to focus inward. This space can be a room in your home, a corner of your garden, a place in nature, or an ancient religious site with special meaning. The key is to create an environment that nurtures your soul and allows you to tap into your inner peace.
Crafting a tranquil meditation space doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a little creativity and some simple tips, you can transform a space into a peaceful sanctuary where you can unwind and clear your mind.
How to Design Your Sacred Space
1. Choose a location. Start by choosing a location that feels right. It could be a quiet corner of your home, a cozy nook in your backyard, or even a spot in a nearby park. Many people have pilgrimages to visit religious sites. The important thing is to select a place where you feel comfortable and at peace.
Some centers are built to facilitate meditation. They are environments constructed to shield noise and interruptions. Plus, being around others who are meditating helps you reach a meditative state.
2. Create a focal point. Once you have chosen a location, think about what will serve as the focal point of your sacred space. Your focal point could be a piece of artwork or a spiritual symbol that holds significance for you.
3. Add elements of nature. Bring elements of nature into your sacred space to create a sense of grounding and connection. In public spaces, ensure your elements are small enough not to distract others.
4. Personalize your space. Add personal touches that reflect your unique identity and spirituality. Photographs, meaningful quotes, or objects holding special memories personalize the experience. Even pictures on your mobile device can help us focus on loved ones.
5. Clear the energy. Before you start using your sacred space, take the time to clear the energy in the area. You can do this by smudging the space with sage or palo santo, ringing a bell, or simply setting an intention for the space to be peaceful and harmonious. Again, in public spaces, this can be more difficult. Many of the famous sites are often crowded, sometimes even noisy.
The benefits of a Sacred Space
— Create a sense of peace and calmness
— A place for self-reflection and introspection
— Meditation sanctuary for spiritual connection
— Self-refection space for inspiration and creativity
— An element of my self-care
Creating and building your sacred space is a practical way to cultivate peace, harmony, and connection. You can find refuge in stress and chaos by designing a space that nourishes your soul and spirit. These spaces cultivate a sense of peace and serenity that will carry you through life’s ups and downs.
The Spiritual Journey, Sacred Sites, and Spiritual Gifts
Everyone has sacred spiritual gifts. These gifts sleep within, waiting for us to access and awaken them. Whether these gifts are part of our DNA, spiritual, or other states does not matter. When you are awake, you can see all creation is sacred. Some traditions call this Eureka to experience Oneness.
There are other ways to connect with our essence. We can use several spiritual technologies to build sacred spaces within our souls.
“Solitude can become your most meaningful companion. Solitude can assist you in being a more giving person in your spiritual partnerships. Rather than regard your partner’s need for time alone as a threat, see it as a time of renewal you celebrate. Make every effort to help each other have that space. Treat that space as sacred.” — Wayne Dyer
The next time you visit a human-made sacred space, ask yourself, what do I feel? Why is this place important to me? Is it a symbol of my religion? Is it a substitute? How does this space relate to your inner sanctuary?
“Sacredness starts in the heart. Building sacred spaces is a way for us to reconnect with the sacredness of nature. Some places cry out to our hearts for us to connect. They want us to recognize their sanctity and holiness. But sacredness does not exist without the awareness of the observer to bestow reverence.” ― Guru Tua
We place the tools for exploring the sacred space of the mind into four main groups.
— Analytical Tools
— Meditation
— Awareness Tools and Techniques
— Natural Healing Modalities
In Conclusion
Ask yourself, what are my sacred spaces? Why am I drawn to certain places? What spaces do I find calming and peaceful? Do I find a connection in nature? Is crafting a tranquil meditation space an option? Perhaps now is the time to investigate and see if the substitute for sacredness is holding you back.
Do you feel called to support sacred places and architectural wonders of the ancient world? Being friends of sacred structures does not mean you ascribe to the religious traditions that adopt them as monikers. You can still feel the need to preserve them because of their architectural heritage. Crafting a tranquil meditation space of your own is also a way to capture the sanctity of ancient sites.
“My mind is the only sanctuary that has not been stolen from me. Men have tried to breach it before, but I’ve learned to defend it vigorously, for I am only safe with my innermost thoughts.” — Christopher Paolini
Building sacred spaces starts with creating your sanctuary. The best ones are those you can take with you everywhere, like the sanctuary of meditation.