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The Value of Your Own Sacred Space
Paramhansa Yogananda, the great spiritual master from India who lived most of his life in America, made a simple yet amazingly deep statement: “Environment is stronger than willpower.” In today’s world it makes a lot of sense to keep this in mind.
Of course we all like to attest to the strength of our own will, but given a little thought, we have to admit that we’re all strongly influenced by the environment that surrounds us. Just think of your state of mind while shopping in hustle and bustle of a busy mall at Christmas time compared to your mental state while enjoying a quiet walk in the forest. Here’s a fun experiment that I often do myself: consciously note your level of mental stress and agitation when listening to news or talk radio and then compare it to your mental state when listening to a classical music station. The difference will astound you!
The influence of environment is unavoidable; depending on the nature of our surroundings it can take
our consciousness in either of two directions—positive or negative. Obviously we all need to function
in a variety of different environments, and by consciously creating a sacred space for ourselves, a
place of calmness and reflection, we can generate a permanent sense of peace and well-being that will
carry over to any situation we encounter.
Color and sound have a dramatic effect on our immediate environment. Have you ever wondered why so
many fast food restaurants are decorated with bright primary colors? Bold aggressive colors stimulate
the appetite and tend to increase mental and physical pace, so people order more and don’t linger over
their meals. If hot colors didn’t call to mind thoughts of speed and action, Ferraris would be painted
sky blue instead of blazing red.
Music too has a huge influence on our consciousness. Compare the feeling at a rock concert with that
of symphony, or the mood induced by music used for an aerobics class with that played at a yoga or
meditation session. It’s been said that the beat of disco music is just slightly faster than the
average human heartbeat, thus creating a sense of anticipation and stimulation.
Try to find a spot in your home environment to create a sacred space where you can read, write in a
journal, meditate, listen to music, or do yoga. It can be an entire room but doesn’t have to be. A
peaceful corner or a bright spot in front of a quiet window can become a special sanctuary. Surround
yourself with beauty in your sacred space. Attractive furnishings, beautiful art or wall hangings, and
simple, tasteful decorative touches will all add a sense of peace and beauty to this mini-
environment.
All objects carry a unique feeling or vibration. Things made by hand carry a special vibration because
of the consciousness that goes into creating them. When you have something that’s made by a person—
rather than a machine—there is really something special there, and you do feel it. The consciousness
with which a thing is made may often be more important than the thing itself. That’s why many sacred
objects are kept in a church or temple, and that’s why valued mementos and personal keepsakes all add a
positive note to the feeling of a special place.
Having an altar of some sort in your sacred space is a good idea. It’s important, not so much as a
religious statement but rather as a focal point for inspiration. Make your altar attractive and
magnetic but avoid any clutter that detracts from the overall feeling of peace and calmness. An altar
is a good place to keep objects that are sacred to you because they provide inspiration. A nice candle
and candleholder is a good option too because the flame draws the eye and acts as a focus for the
consciousness.
Soothing colors and calming music—but not so mellow as to put you to sleep—along with soft lighting and
beautiful accents will turn your sacred space into a place of refuge from the intensity of “the world”
as well as a place for meditation, inspiration, recharging the mind, and elevating the spirit.
The purpose of a sacred space is to create a feeling of peace which leads to a deep inner sense of
calmness. You might ask what’s the difference. Peace can at time be passive, the simple result of a
lack of stimulus, whereas calmness is a more dynamic quality that is carried with us in all situations.
It’s said that on the battlefield Napoleon would blot the ink on his written orders with the sand
kicked up by cannon shots falling around his tent! Now that’s real calmness.
The point, however, is that the calmness we manifest inwardly will serve us in all the battles of our
daily lives. Having a sacred space and spending quality time there will not only give you cherished
moments of peace but also lead to a deep inner calmness that will carry through to every aspect of your
life.
» For a great source of
uplifting books and music click here
» For information on meditation click Here
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