A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, touches a heart, shapes the future.
—Anonymous
This picture is of my dear friend Joyce playing her role as headmistress of Hogwarts LA. She organized and led this popular vacation school for many summers. And she’s been Director of Religious Education at our local Unitarian church for the past 22 years. This will be her last year… she has just sent a letter to the congregation announcing her retirement next May. In the letter she says,
There are not many jobs where a person can come into the office and start the day by lighting a chalice, saying a little poem or prayer, and centering oneself on the sacred. I have been blessed to have stumbled unto this little piece of heaven on earth….
I can’t express enough my gratitude to this religious community. Thank you so much for allowing me to grow, learn and love in his sacred place.
I think she’s right about the supportive community, but she didn’t just stumble upon “this little piece of heaven on earth”… she did a lot to create it. While she was working she attained a BA in Religious Education and continued on to become a Credentialed Religious Educator. She also did a fantastic job creating the Religious Exploration program at the church, earning it an award for having the best RE program in the district.
I’m honored to be her friend.
Joyce’s letter has also inspired me to pay more attention to how I create my own sacred places. I’ve written several posts on “slipping into sacred space”, and after writing this post I’m becoming aware of how I can integrate the idea into more of my daily life. At the moment it’s taking the form of noticing when I get impatient or too goal-oriented and asking myself, “How can I make this moment sacred.” I’ll no doubt write more on the subject in a future post!
We’ve already discussed sacred space in comments to previous posts, but I’d love to hear more about how you integrate it into the rest of your life.
Thanks to Koen, David, bikehikebabe, Evelyn, Evan, Lance, rummuser, Lori and Ellen for commenting on last week’s post.
bikehikebabe doesn’t have a website, so I’ve given her a page here. Do any of you have a picture and/or information you’d be willing to share with the group? This site is about friendship and conversation.
This is something I’m ACTIVELY working on at the moment. My ability to nurture a “practice” is somewhat hampered by the fact that I spend significant time at my boyfriend’s every other week, then more time at my place the following. I’m trying, while at my place, to get up and immediately place myself in front of the window where the sun rises. I light a clarifying incense, four candles, and place a round glass (crystal?) in front of me. I force myself to fold my hands into a prayer shape — this remains awkward for me because I was brought up Unitarian and then had an orthodox conversion to Judaism –neither encourages the hands in that supplicating posture. But I no longer think of it as supplicating; I imagine it as a bodily connection to the divine. Anyhoo, after quiet meditation, I enter into communication with my spirit guides…..
I do believe regular practice is helpful to us. I find it very illuminating when I do it without fail.
Jodys last blog post..Big Black Holes
Hey…what an inspiring idea…to be asking “how do I make this moment sacred”. I’d be looking forward to your post on it!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Building The Businesses Of Our Dreams
To be spiritual is considered being religious. Religions are about earning an afterlife. I can’t believe there’s a God sitting on a cloud judging everybody. Religious people are happy. I’d like to be that but I can’t. I sometimes like to think there might be an afterlife but I’m not banking on it.
However I’m very moved by nature. Being outside is my sacred place. 🙂
This is a touching story and you are indeed blessed to have a role model like this for a friend.
Rituals imbibed from childhood play a vital part in many lives to achieve precisely this effect. Jody’s comment is a point of reference.
If we could develop the attitude that there is ‘only’ sacredness, this becomes easy to achieve.
rummusers last blog post..FeedBurner update.
Got this from a friend who read my comment:
I agree with the way you framed it. Religion is for people who can’t stand uncertainty. The religious adopt a comfortable, man-made philosophy and stick to it. Sadly, they stomp on people who have a different philosophy which is sad, since no one of us really knows who we are and why we are here. I’m with you, in that being out in nature is the one time I feel like I ALMOST “get it”. That feeling sure can evaporate quickly when you hear about what’s going on in the world. — Kerry
Jody,
Good for you! I’m interested that you started out as a Unitarian. Joyce is, too, of course, and I’m a friend of the local church. The services don’t resonate with me, but I’ve taught 5 years of Religious Exploration (Sunday school) there. I also helped with the Harry Potter vacation school for four years.
The local church was adamantly focused on secular humanism for years…most of the members bristled at any talk of God, prayer, the divine, etc. They chose the minister for his intellectual sermons.
They did have some rituals…lighting the chalice in the beginning and extinguishing it at the end of each service, having a period of quiet or meditation, striking a gong to start the meditation, and having everyone hold hands at the end and sing, “Go now in peace. Go now in peace. May the spirit of love surround you, everywhere, everywhere, you may go.”
With new members and a new minister, that’s changing. The minister insists on using traditional religious terms and talks about how those terms can be reinterpreted. (I’ve never gone to one of his sermons, but I talk to Joyce and I digitized his sermons from tapes for about six months…until they bought a digital recorder.)
Joyce is a humanist and doesn’t believe in a god or an afterlife, but has quietly been tuning into the sacred for years.
Evelyn,
Will do! It’s a nice, quick reminder of what’s really important.
bikehikebabe,
I’ve known religious people who believed in a vengeful god. They were more guilt-ridden and worried than happy. I’ve read about those studies that say people who go to church tend to be happier. That might be true statistically, but I’d like to know a lot more details.
I also know people who believe in a god and don’t go to church. Many of them are like you…connecting with nature feeds their soul a lot more than sitting in church. The main thing is to figure out what works for us as individuals, I think.
rummuser,
I agree with you about trying to develop the attitude that there is “only” sacredness. That’s what my new question (“How can I make this moment sacred?”) is about. How does this concept work for you when you’re angered by terrorists killing innocent people? That’s an extreme test and worth looking at deeply.
Kerry, via bikehikebabe,
I don’t believe “Religion is for people who can’t stand uncertainty.” That’s way too simplistic. You might want to read C. S. Lewis’ Surprised by Joy, about his re-conversion to Christianity at the age of 33. He came back to Christianity, “kicking and screaming” as he put it. As far as I can tell he never stomped on anyone who disagreed with him.
Last week was especially busy, but I took time for a trip to Letchworth Park. It has a deep, meandering river gorge that makes it way over three beautiful waterfalls. I took my friend along because I hoped she would experience it as I have many times – a place apart and a sanctuary that draws me close to God. The middle falls thunders over a precipice. I’m reminded that God speaks as the voice of many waters – the kind of water that quenches a dry thirsty land. My friend found what I did and also experienced a spiritual sanctuary.
Robyn McMasters last blog post..Envy Curtails Productivity
C.S. Lewis is just ONE person who never stomped on anyone who disagreed with him & came back to Christianity.
( I think) Generally speaking religion is for people who don’t like uncertainty. K. has to be simplistic. She’s not writing an essay.
Believe what you believe & works for you. 🙂
Robyn,
Thanks. Your comment reminds me of a local walk along a stream with waterfalls. We probably don’t have as much water as you do, but the sound of the flowing water is always soothing.
bikehikebabe,
Yes, C. S. Lewis was just one specific example. You might be right in general about religion and uncertainty. The cases that are more complex tend to get my attention. They pique my curiosity. 🙂
I’m new to your site and find the concept of a sacred space to be extremely intriguing. I’ve longed for a “cave” in our home where the space is mine and I can lock the world away and write. Well, with five children that’s not been exactly a reality. The boys are soon moving downstairs and then I will finally get a bedroom for my space. However, I’ve discovered that it’s not the physical space at all that’s important. It’s having a few minutes alone, regardless of the location, to be with myself and my thoughts and to reconnect spiritually. Funny how “the perfect physical place” for spiritual space is really more of a myth – at least is has been for me. My spiritual space can be anywhere as long as I can have a few minutes to myself and I’m willing to quiet my mind and search for it. Thanks for your insights.
I said religious people don’t like uncertainty. I’m not religious & I don’t like uncertainty either. I don’t think anyone wants that.
B. Wilde,
I’m with you…I’ve known for years I need some time alone for reflection/reconnection to myself. If I don’t plan for it during the day, my mind/body takes it in the middle of the night. I can’t be fully present for someone else if I haven’t taken that connection time.
I visited your website and enjoyed your latest post. I’ll be back to read more.
bikehikebabe,
I think most of us need a certain amount of stability. For me it has to be a strong inner core based on my values. The first item in the Traits of Stress-Hardy, Resilient People starts with
For me that doesn’t have to come from organized religion.
I’m deeply religious and I love uncertainty. Uncertainty is the bedrock of faith – if I was certain about things, why would I need faith?
Uncertainly allows me to be playful, creative, to make beauty, to go out in fear and awe, and to return in wonder.
I would agree though, that certainty causes pain, bloodshed and heartache.
Sara at OnSimplicity has a great post on this – it’s called “The Simple Truth? You’re Complicated”.
David | beplayfuls last blog post..The A-Z of Playfulness
When you are trying to live up to the knowledge, I use that word deliberately, rather than belief, that there is only sacredness, such questions inevitably leads one to precisely the kind of thoughts that you have expressed. The answer is simple. The inevitable law of cause and effect. Whether you look at scientifically, spiritually or even religiously, the law is what works. Often, we may not be able to identify the ultimate cause or its inevitable ultimate effect, but there is no other logical answer to this question. In the Eastern traditions, this is called Karma, a much misused word but one that enables one to explain and perhaps even understand, many of life’s mysteries.
I would also add that, this does not mean that one becomes hardened to such realities. On the contrary, a deep compassion arises, to try and do everything possible to minimize the negative impacts of whatever has been the cause. If we can at some point break the cycle of cause and effect, further new negative causes do not take place and to that extent, we have reduced suffering.
rummusers last blog post..FeedBurner update.
Jean, I really love this idea of creating sacred space in our lives. For me, morning bike rides have become sacred space. The quiet, the solitude, the nature around me. On days when I’m able to do this, it just really starts my day off right. It gives me an extra bounce in my step. I feel “connected” to our God above, and to those I hold dear here on earth. Thank you for the reminder that we can create our own sacred spaces…
Lances last blog post..Winds of Change
David says”Uncertainly allows me to be playful, creative, to make beauty, to go out in fear and awe, and to return in wonder.”
I like that. I who said nobody likes uncertainty!
Lance says “For me, morning bike rides have become sacred space. The quiet, the solitude, the nature around me.”
I like that too. I learned a lot from all these comments.
David,
I think the word “Uncertainty” has different connotations for different people. An atheist might say a religious person’s faith is a kind of certainty. It means even if we don’t understand God’s will (assuming the person is a monotheist), we can trust that God is doing the right thing.
In Life As a Shared Adventure I talk about the need for a certain amount of challenge in our lives for us to feel fully alive. For me challenge means some uncertainty. One of the Traits of Stress-Hardy, Resilient People is
And I agree, creativity implies uncertainty. That’s what Howard Gardener meant when he said
rummuser,
I agree, that compassion and understanding are crucial in breaking the cycle of violence. I appreciate your posts on terrorism. Because of you, and Salman, I’m regularly reading Indian Muslim’s Blog in addition to your own. Because of blogging events a half a world away are touching my heart.
Lance,
Your post reminds me of the time I was helping to nurse my mother as she died of lung cancer. I was able to take a walk every afternoon, and that connection with nature was a great comfort. On the other hand, that whole time was sacred. I loved my mother deeply, and I was grateful to be there for her. I’m especially thinking of that time now because one of my husband’s sisters recently died of MS and his brother has just (last Friday) been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Even though I’m not a theist, I do feel the need to pray in times like this.
bikehikebabe,
I think in terms of the optimizing stress/challenge graph…we all have different tolerances for uncertainty. Too much can stress us out, too little can bore us to death…in some cases literally…too little stress/challenge is as bad for our health as too much.
Thank you all for the great conversation! That’s what this blog is about.
David,
Thanks for suggesting The Simple Truth? You’re Complicated. I agree with it. 🙂
I just found your blog via your comment at the On Simplicity blog. We both landed on the same Emerson quote (one of my faves) so I HAD to check out your blog.
I included a link there to a trailer for a new vid coming out of an independent house here in Seattle. Figured you might enjoy that, too…
http://www.totaleclips.com/player/LivingTemplesPlayer.aspx
Anyway, just subscribed to your RSS. Looking forward to reading more from you!
L
Sacred places, sacred moments — for me, these must be accompanied first and foremost by gratitude.
SpaceAgeSage – Loris last blog post..Fall’s memories, melancholy, and magic
Louise,
🙂 Thanks for coming by and for the link to the trailer. I appreciate your commenting. I went back and found your comment quoting Emerson: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” I’m sorry I missed it the first time. I would have noted that you had already said it.
Lori,
I agree that gratitude is a big part of it. I was running an errand with my husband this afternoon and was almost overwhelmed by appreciation…it was just so good to be alive and doing simple things with him.
For me it is more about time than space. Mostly time spent journalling.
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Evan,
I know what you mean, when I’m in that mode I lose track of time. What I’m experimenting with is expanding that state to more areas/moments of my life. I’m an experimenter at heart.
My sacred spaces are very small, because my life is pretty crowded. Three things come to mind immediately:
– the ritual of making tea in the kitchen at work. It’s not a full Japanese tea ceremony (of course!) but it’s a break in my day where I can be thankful for the little things.
– writing in a gratitude journal before bed. Just three things, as often as I can.
– lighting a candle when I get home from work.
I guess all of mine are about gratitude too.
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Wow….You are all amazing here… I am new here. I am in love with all of you in an instant. So here goes… I love rummuser’s attitude of: There is only sacred moments. Its simple…as long as you let go…. and stay open to recieving. Openess…Keep the awareness of there is only sacred moments. MMMMmmm.
As for comments of the terrorists that were prayer comes in…
as for the raise in conscousness of those who are not yet radiating from life as sacred existence.
You see I feel many people are misinformed about what religion means… really means… they get all caught up with a a view point and don’t really get the truth. The simple truth an action of its’ teachings… Love of God…and an adhearance to union on a personal level with God. A unique experience with your Spiritual Creation. People want to reform Love of God how absurd is that. They feel its confining… yet is absolutely the opposite of that. As it is seperating air from the earth for you who are awe and love nature… as I do. It is as natural as what you experience out on sunny walk or ride in nature, absorbing the beauty of your sacred existence. Words as we all know sometimes do injustice to expression of that…AWE…
I watch and read “the new trend spiritual talks and walks”
usually they start of with this is not a religion. I usually laugh at that….what they teach is the exactly what religion is…
Because people have these blocks… some negative occurance, some fear, some real learning to do…about God’s Presence in their lives.
God is Simple…
Truth is simple….
And we often complicate that…Us
Mostly by misunderstanding… ignorance…
Embracing God in your life does lead to JOY….
And that precious line.. There are only sacred moments.
Spirit is about life honoring practices…RELIGION!
Truth is certainty! It is part of the timeless quality here.
kazari,
Good for you! It’s when our lives are crowded that little rituals are so important. For me the “little things” in life are the most important. Thanks so much for coming by.
Diane,
I agree with you and rummuser, every moment is sacred. That’s the point, most of us lose touch with that fact at times. Maybe a better way of phrasing my question would be “How can I connect with the sacredness of this moment?” Thank you both. 🙂
Jean, Thanks! I think it was fine…but I know what you mean.
For me I think its funny how people seem to view sacredness as something they can set outside a door…. like it isn’t present already. It’s in the noticing it. Everywhere you are. In Every moment!
Kazan, That’s beautiful!