Sacred Spaces
At
first you might find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred space
and use it, eventually something will happen. Your sacred space is where you
can find yourself over and over again. ~ Joseph Campbell (March 24, 2018 right after my session with Don Juan, a shaman from Peru.)
In shamanism, you learn to create sacred spaces;
sacred spaces within yourself and within your environment. A sacred space is always
a part of you, and it can be around you as well; anywhere can be turned into
sacred space. Altars are one way of creating sacred spaces. I have many altars
around my home, and I would bet that you do too, even if you don’t realize it.
I would claim that every home has altars. A family mantle with pictures on it
is an altar. Displaying special items in a beautiful way creates an altar. Altars
are something humans have fashioned for thousands of years, or more. When
I was a Mormon my altars would have pictures of temples, church leaders,
statues of Jesus, and spiritual quotes on them. I didn’t consider them to be
altars at that time in my life; but, I realize that is what they were. Nowadays
some of my sacred spaces, and altars, in my home are for specific ceremonies, while others are for pure joy and beauty. They all make my heart
sing. Creating sacred spaces in our homes, even if it is just a small corner of
a room, or the top of a book shelf, where we can connect to the sacred space within us through mediation,
journeying, singing, chanting, or dancing is a responsibility one has if they
are to walk a mystical, spiritual path.
Yogi
Guru Master Minood said, “Within the chaos that life throws at us, within the turmoil that our
mind makes us experience, within the chatter that surrounds us there is a
space, a sacred space, where all answers are residing, where happiness and joy
abounds. That space is within you! Find out about that space. It is our
duty!” And, Brené Brown said
it this way, “The soul is the sacred space
where my head and heart meet; where God lives.” This is the most important
sacred space to create, a sacred space to just be with yourself, where you can
connect to your Sacred Light in silence, or in sound. Here you will get your
answers, your guidance, and your inspiration for your life.When
you take a shamanic journey, often you will start at a sacred place in nature
that is special and significant for you. It may be a real place that you have
been to before, or it may be a place that you haven’t physically been present at;
but, this place is dear to your heart. The important thing is this place holds meaning
for you, you feel at peace in this sacred spot, and you can picture it in your
mind clearly.
Twice
a year, while growing up, my parents and I traveled to Moab, UT for spring
break and fall break. During the spring, the Jeep safari is held, in which my
father loved to participate. We always had a Jeep, or 4X4 vehicle. My father
was an expert at getting that Jeep to go just about anywhere over and under the
red rocks of southern UT. I loved being in that bouncy jeep as my dad drove us on
steep, rough, red dirt roads, through narrow spaces between huge rocks, on snake
like winding switch backs, and on the edges of sheer cliffs. This was the high
light of my life, going ‘Jeeping’, hiking, camping, and exploring on the gorgeous
red rocks of southern UT. My heart still skips a beat when I see those majestic
mountains made of red and white sandstone!
Ever since I learned to journey my sacred starting point has always been the same. I start my journeys at Delicate Arch, in Arches National Park, UT. Delicate
Arch is my all time favorite hike, favorite arch, and my absolute favorite
place on earth, with Hawaii a very close second. My heart is full of gratitude
and appreciation when I am in that spot of nature, and I can go there instantly
at any moment through the mind. This is why I always start my journeys from
this sacred space at Delicate Arch. Richard
came home for his pre-deployment leave during our spring break of March 2016.
We were fortunate that they happened to coincide. We took our family to Moab,
UT to celebrate Easter, spring break, and Richard’s return. It had been twenty
one years since I had set foot on those precious red rocks in Southern Utah, which I had roamed and
ascended in my youth. Being there with almost all of my family was priceless.
(Michael, Sahara, and Emmalee were not able to come with us this time.)
P. M. Harrison said, “Success isn’t about reaching the right
destination. It is about walking the right road.” There is a Native America
spiritual metaphor about ‘Walking the Red Road’. For me, this ‘Red Road’ is my ‘right
road’ to begin the journey for this last half of my life. What ‘Walking the Red
Road’ means to me is, knowing that every person and everything created by the
Great Mystery has a purpose and mission to fulfill, knowing everyone has
something inside them to pass on to those who will listen with an open heart
and open mind. To ‘Walk the Red Road’, to me, is to know I will one day cross over
to the spirit world once again, and I will not be afraid to face that new expedition.
To ‘Walk the Red Road’ means to live a balanced, and harmonious life; and that, I honor
the Natural, Spiritual Laws of both worlds, the Physical and the Spiritual. ‘Walking
the Red Road’ is a commitment within my heart to the sacred path I journey upon.
‘Walking the Red Road’ is an active thing; it is the living of life, not just a
saying to hang on my wall. I am traveling this ‘red road’ to experience an
undeviating relationship with my Creator. That’s what ‘Walking the Red Road’
means to me. I
love this metaphor because I grew up ‘jeeping’ on the dusty ‘Red Roads’ of
Southern Utah. ‘Walking the Red Road’ is a passion that calls out to my heart. Somewhere in my distant memory, I know these ancient
ways are my ways too. This is why I find myself being drawn by a deep seeded
urge to return to Nature, my Pachamama, and my true Spirit. It is a longing so
powerful that I don’t question it any more, or fight it. I only live it!
Edgar Cayce, when speaking about these
Native American traditions said, “By
awakening the Native American teachings, you come to the realization that the
Earth is not something simply that you build upon and walk upon and drive upon
and take for granted. It is a living entity. It has consciousness.” That is
what I have come to understand as well, Pachamama is alive in more ways than I
will ever be able to understand or appreciate, but I am trying; learning how to
love and care for ‘Her’ on my own sacred piece of ‘Her soil’ is one of my
missions. I still remember what it felt like to have ‘Her’ heart beat dance with
mine, while on my vision quest. I know we are intimately connected. Sacred
Spaces are so important to me now. Creating sacred space to pray, meditate,
connect with my Spirit and my Soul, to enjoy Nature, and to find my balance is
crucial to my growth, my expansion, and my sanity. Jaeda DeWalt said, “The calm within the storm is where peace lives and
breathes. It is not within perfect circumstances or a charmed life... it is not
conditional. Peace is a sacred space within; it is the temple of our
internal landscape. We are free to visit it, whenever we seek sanctuary.
Underneath the chaos of everyday living, peace is patiently awaiting our
discovery... go within.” My hope is that you too will enjoy creating
sacred spaces within your heart and within your home. Create sacred spaces to
welcome in your dreams, to converse with the God of your understanding, and to generously
appreciate your beautifully divine Life as you walk down your own sacred road.
Where ever it leads you next.
Namaste!
(copy and paste links)
My website:
www.sacredlights.net
My YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpZXFp40f4k40LYshzXyl2Q?view_as=subscriber
This was really good. Thank you!
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