What is a sanctuary to you?
“Sanctuary : a refuge or safety from pursuit, persecution, or other danger.”
I’m writing this blog in an old churchyard in Cornwall. As the seasons turn and we look towards winter I am reminded that for me, churchyards represent both the transience of individual life and the greater permanency of buildings and communities as a whole. Generations have passed through this place, some bereaved, some walking their dogs, but the signs on the gates remind us that this is a sacred place, to be held in high regard with total respect.
Sacred Places
In this place all I can hear are birds. It started me thinking about sacred places and the power of silence. For many years churches have been a place of sanctuary but this is a concept now reserved for beauty parlours and not for daily wellbeing. Isn’t it interesting that a reserve for birds is also called a bird sanctuary? I often wonder if this is because the birds are safe there or because their presence there makes us safe.
Do we need places of sanctuary in our daily lives?
I would suggest that we do. Relief from the pursuit by social media to look into our life and influence it, to refuge from daily worries and dangers. Sanctuary is about safety and unwinding. We experience life through our senses including the sixth sense of intuition or knowing. These are the parts us which can get worn down by daily life and through which we can heal ourselves in our sanctuary.
Creating a place of sanctuary
Maybe you find sanctuary in a place, maybe you find it in a ritual. Here are 6 ways to put the tranquility of the season back into your life and connect with your true human self:
- Sight: Picture a calm scene, what is it for you? Do you live in chaos? Or is there space around where you are sitting right now? What colours give you a sense of calmness? Do you have a lot of these colours in your life? Try wearing a scarf of your sanctuary colour or colours, change your decor, find a picture which encompasses your tranquility and focus on that whilst you breathe.
- Sound: Some people like silence and for others it’s the sounds of nature. Maybe it’s a certain music or bustling people. Re-create that sound in your space. Play it when you come in from work and unwind. Give yourself the gift of 15 minutes to wallow in it.
- Touch: If you are a kinaesthetic person the textures in life are what gives you life. What textures or textiles do you love, wool? Silk? Water? Linen? How can you bring a daily dose of that into your life? Is it a new covering for your favourite chair? Different sheets for your bed? There is also the sense of warmth and cool. What makes you feel held? Is it being by an open fire or candle? Is it the touch of another? Plan your space to include this aspect in your sanctuary time.
- Taste: Try a mindful eating exercise. Eat or drink something you love, slowly and meaningfully. Chew it. Taste it. Feel satiated and supported by every mouthful.
- Smell: What does your winter sanctuary smell of? Incense? Candles? Woodsmoke? Perfume? Fresh air? Salty water? Cooking? How can you bring more of this into your day?
- Intuition: The sixth sense may be the most important of all. Some sources of calmness, tranquility and wellbeing cannot be explained, they can only be experienced. Groups of people, or a certain person may invoke this in you. Certain pass times or settings. This is as unique as you are so embrace it and indulge yourself.
Bringing it all together
At the turning of the wheel, think about your places of sanctuary. Where can you go or what can you create to be calm and accepted? Where does time stand still and where do you have space to breathe? Whether it is a ritual or a place, see the bigger aspect and the impact to your life of creating your sanctuary. How many of these aspects can you immerse yourself in at one time? Maybe you want to form a gathering of like minded people or take some time alone?
I love churchyards for their calmness but also for the reminder to get on with life! When we emerge into the Spring next year who do you want to be? Take this time to ponder, plan, rejuvenate and re imagine your life.
~Blessed be.
If you liked this article you may like our previous blog What is mindfulness and how can it help?
and the article by Nicky Marshall Colour Me Happy: Three ways to Create a happier life
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