What is sacred space?
You may at first think of a physical space such as a grand cathedral oozing with the presence of God or the delight of gazing upward amidst stately Redwoods.
The awareness of sacred space may arise when watching meteors race across the sky or pausing to breathe in the colors of an amazing sunrise or sunset. God is quite the artist!
Sometimes my prayer chair next to my home altar creates a sacred space for me.
My word for 2020 is sacred space. Ok, that is two words, but I think both of needed. At least longed for deep within my spirit.
Sacred Space
Holy ground is all around when we see the sacred in both our physical and spiritual geographies.
This year I want to intentionally practice noticing and honoring the sacred everywhere:
- In my ordinary flat territory (boring? bleak?) of northwest Ohio. Listen to the land where God has planted each of us for this season of life.
- In the space between others and myself as we share life, stories, struggles, joy. Be fully present, beholding God within the person right in front of me.
- Discerning, surveying and explore my own soul landscape with God as my guide and teacher.
- Pay attention to the presence of God in worship, in music, in nature and hear his messages of love, grace, and forgiveness.
- Be awake to experience grace in every place and to express these moments in writing, voice, and deepening discernment of God.
I will periodically share on this blog my journey this year into sacred space and look forward to hearing your reactions and insights about holy ground all around.
May we all know grace in every place.
What sacred spaces surround your soul? What is your word of the year if you have one? Let’s share.
What I am currently reading: I am rereading Timothy Gallagher’s book The Examen Prayer – Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today. This writing reminded me about the sacred transition time into deeper prayer (I rush into my time of God way too quickly). He writes, “Transition: I become aware of the love with which God looks upon me.” Wow-what a slowing, loving way to enter God’s presence.
What I am listening to: Listen to the Renovare podcast episode #175 and the interview with Carolyn Arends and the contemplative community. Even as an introvert, I experienced a deep longing for this type of fellowship with other contemplatives
I have enjoyed Sacred Space.
I am a Contemplative Evangelizers’ Catholic Priest, from Nairobi Kenya.Your theme and style follow our style of 1. Feeling the Presence of God
2. Scripture Reading
3. Re-reading
4. Meditation
5. Contemplation
6 . Consolation
7. Resolution.
May God bless your ministry Jean
This is interesting. Thanks for connecting!
When I was younger I only thought of church as sacred space, but now I try to create that space in my prayer time and during my time spent in the Bible!
I have chosen “Commit” as my word this year because I need to let Christ lead me and trust Him. I find I have no difficulty in starting off on the right path but I let life lead me astray, but I know God has a plan if I listen and let Him lead!
Currently reading Core 52 and Taste for Truth
I think I was raised with that point of view too tho I do remember experiencing God at camp in nature. Love your word of the year – it oozes with blessing!
What a beautiful choice for your “word” of the year. I find the older I am the more aware I become of sacred spaces. The moments of the day have “sacred spaces” that I have let pass when I was younger. Teresa (my daughter) has a picture each day of an extraordinary moment in an ordinary day. I have become more aware of her thoughts from her posts. I know this will also be true as you post about your sacred space moments.
My word for this year is “create”. So much to do (create) and so little time. Ha My mind is full, but one of the first things I intend to create is the finished product of my latest writing. Hope to finish that this year.
Enjoy all your posts.
Love to you Clella
ooo I love the word create and it was on my short list for this year. I am into reading more and more about the creativity process too. fascinating to read. Thanks Clella for all your kind words
I knew you would come up with such a beautiful word, Jean. I so much love “sacred space.” I’m excited about it not only for you, but for us who will also benefit from your walk through it. My one word is Linger and it’s already proving both rewarding and challenging.
Adding that podcast episode to my queue right now!
I do love the Renovare podcast. I always learn something. Linger is a rich word that I am sure will breathe much wisdom into your heart.
Like you, Jean, I have two words for the year: Submit and Trust. And yes, there are sacred spaces, sacred moments, all around us when we slow down and learn to appreciate it all with child-like wonder.
Blessings!
Glad I am not the only one with two words. Both of yours are powerful and takes courage to do too. Blessings on your weekend
I’m so glad you posted that list of five categories where we might find holy ground. I’m going to slip a copy into my Celebration of Small Things journal. I’ll see it there every day, and let it be my guide for more intentionality in experiencing holy ground. My thought is to focus on one category per day until all five become internalized. I can see such a practice impacting my spiritual health and my relationship with God, probably my relationships with others too. Thank you so much, Jean, for sharing with us about sacred space. I’ll look forward to the future posts about your journey!
well, I did write a reply to your comment but it never posted. And it is MY blog. LOL. probably just forgot to hit enter or something odd like that. Maybe today’s sacred space is between my own ears. HA
You are right focusing on one thing each day is powerful and a good reminder!!
I love the notion of recognizing and honoring the sacred space everywhere! There are a couple of places in the world where I have felt unusually touched by Spirit — “thin place” perhaps. These include Stonehenge and Muir Woods. But I believe those everyday places are sacred too, and made so by our intention and God’s presence.
Somehow, I had stopped getting notices about your posts — have just re-subscribed and look forward to them.
I just felt the holy ground all around inviting me to pay attention and come near. Will see how it unfolds this year. Have you seen Stonehedge? /there is a chance we may next October. I know the Island of Iona is that type of thin place. Thanks for resubscribing!