Wholeness Healing Center

Creating/Finding a Sanctuary

Often we feel ourselves at odds with the world, needing a quiet spot to collapse in the midst of all of the chaos. This is the time to slink away to our sanctuary. Creating a sanctuary does not have to be expensive, time-consuming, or energy draining. In fact, it can be a joy to create and can actually re-energize you!
I think creating a sanctuary requires a couple things: a place and an imagination. And it helps if you can create a place so similar to the place you go “in your head” to step back from the world.

First, find a place that can be “all yours”, a room in your house, a spot in your garden, a nook in your office. Then add the things that help you to “escape” and calm from the day’s stressors: candles, chimes, flowers, music, water, a calming picture, whatever helps you regain your sense of peace. Add comfortable seating, as you will want to really STOP all that you are doing to find some time just to “be” with you. Add a table to hold a book, a sketchpad, an inspirational note card, a cup of tea, or whatever items you draw upon to reflect and relax. And then “create” the scene of your mind, with posters, paintings, paint, curtains, blankets, whatever helps you to achieve your getaway.

Not all sanctuaries have to be created. Not far from where I live is an awesome flower park featuring a labyrinth. Spending time there, even on a cold winter day, can take me away from all the chaos of daily living. Or your can create a garden; I have a Native American prayer garden in my yard, in the shape of a circle, with a cottonwood tree (tree of life) planted in the middle. Flowers representing the four directions of the world are planted, with the addition of small hedge bushes. Pretty simple but a place I can retreat to for a few minutes at a time. A person can take time to walk a favorite path in the woods, hike through the hills, or even sit on a hillside and watch the sun set. Connecting with nature is an excellent way to let the world’s calm take over and reclaim your center and balance.
A sanctuary is a way to take care of YOU, a place to go that gives you a feeling of reclaiming your calm, your peace, of reconnecting with your soul. Your heart exists in your sanctuary; make it easy to access.

Tags: creating a sanctuary, your own quiet space, your own quiet spot