The online meditation class was ending. The teacher told us to gently flutter our eyes open and focus on an item or area in the room that we appreciated. I looked over at the small black table beside me. It once belonged to my late cousin Charles, who was dear to me, and had slowly evolved into an altar grouped with objects of beauty and special meaning.
The grouping started with a ceramic statue of a woman, seated and meditating, a cherished gift from my mother. I then added a beautiful candle. Joining these over time: a tiny cairn, a stack of stones that for me represented balance, direction and intention; a small Himalayan salt candle; meditation prayer beads; crystals; a natural fragrance diffuser; and a bundle of sage. To the side of this table, I now keep a basket with everything I need to enhance or complement my meditation or restorative exercise experience, from a lavender mask to essential oils.
Creating the altar made me feel good. For one, it is in a cleared area where I now place my yoga mat and meditation cushion, and therefore celebrates the accomplishment of making a nice, clutter-free space for myself for growth and physical wellness. Studies have shown that clutter in the home can trigger stress hormones. And now, all I have to do is look at the items on the table and I feel a sense of ease and calm. It signals me to slow down, be still and feel emotionally nourished. The area also seems to have a unique vibe.
“Always express gratitude when entering and leaving your space.”
Mindfulness educator/yoga instructor Linda Lopes feels me on this. She has a corner in her living room where she created an altar. It’s where she meditates, teaches yoga and sits to read. “I swear it feels different than other areas in my apartment,” she says.
That a place or a space can take on a certain energy might not be scientifically proven, but a space that helps you unwind and destress can have health benefits. Studies have shown that stress has a role in chronic disease and things that help relax us, such as prayer, meditation or yoga, may also help us reduce stress thereby reducing cortisol levels and upping the feel good hormone oxytocin. This supports our overall well-being by increasing clarity, focus and improving sleep, among other things.
I use the term sacred space, but the area/room can be called a meditation space, relaxation room or mini-sanctuary depending on its purpose. It doesn’t have to be spiritual or religious. It can be a place for self-care. It can be for prayer, meditation, reflection, journaling, special rituals, setting intentions, reading, relaxation or unwinding at the end of the day. For me a sacred space is a place to go when I need healing, inspiration or peace and to help me journey to a serene destination within myself.
“I started creating altar spaces in my home about eight years ago,” says Lopes. “However, this is the first time that I have created a sacred space where I designate a spot in my home that is for my meditation, yoga practice, journaling, reading, and/or a space to sit and think. I created this space this past June. A dear friend of mine, who I consider my mentor and spiritual teacher, taught me how to clear and create a sacred space.”