Sacred Space, Sacred Activity

 copyright 2011, Lori Steed.  Carla's Labyrinth near Seattle, Washington

"To have a sacred place is an absolute necessity for anybody today. You must have a room or a certain hour of the day or so, where you do not know who your friends are, you don't know what you owe anybody or what they owe you. This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be...This is the place of creative incubation. At first, you may find nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, take advantage of it, something will happen."

                                            --Joseph Campbell

I played soccer for years and discovered that when I was at practice or playing in a game, my focus was in the moment for an extended period of time.  Every other thing going on in my life in the past and in the (potential) future did not exist while I was on the field.  It became very evident how important this regular practice was when I had to go without it at various times in my life.  The activity also provided the physical release of tension and allowed that healthy thing we call exercise in my life, and it was never a chore.  I never had to drag myself out to a practice or a game.  It was always something I looked forward to and planned around in my week.


I have also traveled quite a bit and discovered that when I would drive on a road trip or fly, either one, my thoughts would wander about and I would very frequently come up with ideas, solutions, or inspiration.  I learned to carry paper or a laptop on the plane so that I was ready to write down whatever came to me, and I had to buy a digital audio recorder for driving so that I could capture my thoughts in that way.


In terms of the type of sacred space I think Joseph Campbell is talking about, I know that I discovered how much I wanted and needed that once I had a family.  I realized that it was sort of built in when I grew up.  My siblings were older and out of the house.  I had my own room.  We had a yard that was pleasant to be in.  There was always a place in the house or outside where I could go for that needed sacred space.


Since I had it, I didn't realize I needed to protect, create, or initiate it once I got married and began to live with someone else.  After having children, the lack of a regular sacred space practice created more difficulty for me.  I am grateful I found the soccer and travel times to provide some outlet, and I think a conscious design of sacred space in my life at that time would have been a tremendous benefit for not only me, but my husband and my children.  It's not a selfish thing to set aside time to do this.  It's for the good of all involved!

copyright 2011, Lori Steed

What do you have in your life that gives you sacred space and sanctuary?  Is yours solitary or around others?  Are you still or active?  Is yours indoors or outdoors?  Is it a combination and variety of things and places or one constant  place with a rigid routine?  The only thing that matters is that it works for you.


If you're feeling overwhelmed, if your mind feels cluttered, or if you're feeling anxious, take a look at when, where, and how you're practicing sacred space.  It's essential for well-being and balance.