Su Casa :: At home in the Southwest

Let’s face it: in a world where millions lack the barest necessities of shelter, we in the industrialized West are incredibly fortunate even to be thinking about sacred space. What a blessing! It is an opportunity that invites us to create something truly transcendent.

Sacred space is a relatively new item on the American wish list, but anyone who has traveled to distant parts of the globe knows that household shrines are everywhere. Here in the Southwest the fireplace mantle and nichos are traditional places on which to display images of saints, light candles, and offer devotion.

Placement is the critical first step in creating sacred space. Meditation and prayer are about quieting the mind and looking inside, so the ideal location is a quiet one, removed from the bustle of daily activity. But since meditation is also about developing constant mindfulness, it’s good to have the room accessible so that just walking by reminds you to look within. You certainly don’t have to build a new room to meditate. A rarely used bedroom might be perfect. Even a corner of a bedroom or study would work just fine for most of us.

Of course, the size and shape of the space must support the particular activity your spiritual practice requires. Meditation or prayer requires little more than a cushion or chair while yoga or t’ai chi needs a larger area. Devotional practices are commonly oriented in a linear fashion towards an altar or shrine while meditation and chanting may best be practiced in a circle. I find circular spaces to be the most successful, particularly for people interested in universal or natural forms and indigenous traditions.