Creating sacred spaces
Recently I was driving and had the radio tuned to the local National Public Radio program. I listened to a woman talking about the relationship we humans create or allow with spaces. The speaker was suggesting that during the pandemic many individual have developed a closer and more intimate relationship with the spaces in which they live and work. Later in the program there was a conversation with Siamak Harriri, the Toronto Architect who designed the Bahai Temple in Chili. I was not able to identify the NPR program but I did find the Ted Talk by Sikamak Hariri entitled “How Do You Create a Sacred Space?”. Mr. Hariri is a member of the Bihari faith. Mr. Hariri said that the temple design had to embody beauty, sensuousness, and atmosphere. He also said it had to be a circular room with 9 entrances - 9 paths. Nine symbolizes completeness and perfection. Bihari temples are open to people of all religions. They believe “Throughout history, God has sent to humanity a series of divine Educators - known as manifestations of God - whose teaching have provided the basis for the advancement of civilization. These Manifestations have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Mosses, Buddha. Jesus and Muhammad. Baha’u’llah, the latest of these Messengers, explained that the religions of the world come from the same source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God. Baha’ois believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the future of society and of the nature and purpose of life.” (Bahai. Com). They further believe “If the learned and worldly-wise man of this age were to allow mankind to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, every understanding heart would apprehend the meaning of true liberty and discover the secret of undisturbed peace and absolute composure.”
This is an introduction to the invitation of the temple to all who enter it. I was reminded of the Jewish marriage ceremony and the chuppah or canopy which is a private space for the couple but also open on all sides and symbolizes being open to family and friends.
In the home of the Jewish family and the temple created by members of the Bahai community there is a relationship with the space. Home is not just a place to feed one’s body or perform rituals. The space says: “Welcome.” It says: “I will nurture you while you nurture me.” It says: “I will bring forth your radiance.”
When I set up my home and office my goal is for it to be a space which says: “Welcome. You are safe here. You can be you here. You are loved here.” Whether a space is my home and office for an hour, a week or many years, the goal is to create a sacred space - a place where it is safe to heal and grow. When I am traveling I stop before I arrive at a temporary home/office and purchase fresh flowers which will be placed in the center of the room in which I will welcome those who come to continue their healing journey. Whether someone arrives in the flesh or via zoom or even the phone the goal is for them to know this is a sacred space.
Many spiritual teachers or other healers emphasize that it is important for one to be present if one is to continue their healing spiritual journey. Whether working outside, in an office, a restaurant, in one’s kitchen or in the space of those who are considered homeless, it must be claimed as sacred. The goal becomes for all who enter to be absorbed into this sacredness.
Hate, jealously, judgments, self-centeredness, and an absence of an awareness of being in a relationships will break the bond of sacredness.
My friend Dorothy was intentional about bringing a temple of sacredness with her even as she was walking one night to the college parking lot after she finished teaching for the day. When a troubled soul approached her to steal her purse, he was absorbed into her sacred space which, even in his challenged state, made mistreating her impossible.
Many Native Americans with whom I spent time appreciated the sacredness of all of creation. Their goal was to add to and not subtract from the sacredness of all that is and all that is in the process of becoming. Thus, even the tools such as fishhooks were carved and painted since they too became part of the sacred space.
When we fail to create or honor space as sacred nothing within that space is sacred. When nothing is sacred it can be easily mistreated. When we enter a space to work, shop or perform some other task if we think of it as just there to serve our needs there will be no mutual nurturing of each other. This creates discord or negative energy. When we enter a space with the assumption that it is sacred, we will treat it and all in it as sacred while we incidentally perform a task.
Perhaps we could all commit to being more intentional about making every space we enter sacred.
Written July 13, 2013
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Recently I was driving and had the radio tuned to the local National Public Radio program. I listened to a woman talking about the relationship we humans create or allow with spaces. The speaker was suggesting that during the pandemic many individual have developed a closer and more intimate relationship with the spaces in which they live and work. Later in the program there was a conversation with Siamak Harriri, the Toronto Architect who designed the Bahai Temple in Chili. I was not able to identify the NPR program but I did find the Ted Talk by Sikamak Hariri entitled “How Do You Create a Sacred Space?”. Mr. Hariri is a member of the Bihari faith. Mr. Hariri said that the temple design had to embody beauty, sensuousness, and atmosphere. He also said it had to be a circular room with 9 entrances - 9 paths. Nine symbolizes completeness and perfection. Bihari temples are open to people of all religions. They believe “Throughout history, God has sent to humanity a series of divine Educators - known as manifestations of God - whose teaching have provided the basis for the advancement of civilization. These Manifestations have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Mosses, Buddha. Jesus and Muhammad. Baha’u’llah, the latest of these Messengers, explained that the religions of the world come from the same source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God. Baha’ois believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the future of society and of the nature and purpose of life.” (Bahai. Com). They further believe “If the learned and worldly-wise man of this age were to allow mankind to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, every understanding heart would apprehend the meaning of true liberty and discover the secret of undisturbed peace and absolute composure.”
This is an introduction to the invitation of the temple to all who enter it. I was reminded of the Jewish marriage ceremony and the chuppah or canopy which is a private space for the couple but also open on all sides and symbolizes being open to family and friends.
In the home of the Jewish family and the temple created by members of the Bahai community there is a relationship with the space. Home is not just a place to feed one’s body or perform rituals. The space says: “Welcome.” It says: “I will nurture you while you nurture me.” It says: “I will bring forth your radiance.”
When I set up my home and office my goal is for it to be a space which says: “Welcome. You are safe here. You can be you here. You are loved here.” Whether a space is my home and office for an hour, a week or many years, the goal is to create a sacred space - a place where it is safe to heal and grow. When I am traveling I stop before I arrive at a temporary home/office and purchase fresh flowers which will be placed in the center of the room in which I will welcome those who come to continue their healing journey. Whether someone arrives in the flesh or via zoom or even the phone the goal is for them to know this is a sacred space.
Many spiritual teachers or other healers emphasize that it is important for one to be present if one is to continue their healing spiritual journey. Whether working outside, in an office, a restaurant, in one’s kitchen or in the space of those who are considered homeless, it must be claimed as sacred. The goal becomes for all who enter to be absorbed into this sacredness.
Hate, jealously, judgments, self-centeredness, and an absence of an awareness of being in a relationships will break the bond of sacredness.
My friend Dorothy was intentional about bringing a temple of sacredness with her even as she was walking one night to the college parking lot after she finished teaching for the day. When a troubled soul approached her to steal her purse, he was absorbed into her sacred space which, even in his challenged state, made mistreating her impossible.
Many Native Americans with whom I spent time appreciated the sacredness of all of creation. Their goal was to add to and not subtract from the sacredness of all that is and all that is in the process of becoming. Thus, even the tools such as fishhooks were carved and painted since they too became part of the sacred space.
When we fail to create or honor space as sacred nothing within that space is sacred. When nothing is sacred it can be easily mistreated. When we enter a space to work, shop or perform some other task if we think of it as just there to serve our needs there will be no mutual nurturing of each other. This creates discord or negative energy. When we enter a space with the assumption that it is sacred, we will treat it and all in it as sacred while we incidentally perform a task.
Perhaps we could all commit to being more intentional about making every space we enter sacred.
Written July 13, 2013
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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