Where Is Your Sanctuary?

We all need a calm, safe and quiet place where we can go to relax, unwind and recharge our batteries. A place where we can retreat from the world and just ‘be’. Our very own sanctuary that provides inspiration, renewal and refreshment.

My home is very much my sanctuary, particularly my meditation and therapy rooms. Whenever I am away, even for a day, I look forward to coming home and spending time there. It’s the place where I feel completely at ease. Now that I work from home I have the pleasure of being there most of the time.

A sanctuary can be a physical place such as a special area of your garden, a favourite bench overlooking a lake, a room in your house, or even a section of a room. Or, it can be an imaginary place, one that only exists in your mind’s eye. This might be a mountaintop, a cliff overlooking the sea, a forest or a beautiful garden. Whichever it is, it has to be somewhere that brings you a deep sense of peace and stillness.

All of us daydream at least some of the time, so it is easy for you to use this natural ability to create a magical retreat in your mind. There are many guided meditations available to help you do this. You can simply close your eyes, immerse yourself in your visualisation, breathe in the peace and stillness, and rest.

Or, you can create a special haven in your home. A space where you can go to meditate, to write, to read, to create or simply to chill out.

There are no hard and fast rules on what this space should be like. It has to work for you.

But here are a few ideas.

• Decide on a quiet, clean, uncluttered space that is not a thoroughfare. If you are fortunate to have an attic or a spare room, then that would be ideal. However you don’t have to set aside an entire room; it could be just one corner.

• Ensure there is somewhere comfortable for you to sit. Either a favourite chair or, if you prefer sitting on the floor, then comfortable cushions.

• Place a few things in this area that help you to relax and provide a focus for your mind. It is important that you find things that are meaningful to you; things that inspire and uplift you. Items commonly found in meditation/relaxation spaces are scented candles, flowers, pictures, statues, spiritual symbols, affirmations, crystals, rocks, or inspiring quotes. There is no right or wrong way to do this. We are all unique and each of us will find meaning in an infinite array of objects. The important thing is to find what works for you.

• It is useful to keep a shawl or a blanket in your special space. It is common to feel cold when your body starts to unwind and relax.

• It also helps to have a notebook and pen to hand. As you relax your body and your mind, your thoughts will quieten down and you will begin to connect with the deeper, creative, more intuitive parts of your being. This is the place within us all that is the source of inspiration. (If these sparks of inspiration are not recorded immediately they can disappear quickly and be difficult to recall.)

Make this space as comfortable, pleasant and welcoming as you possibly can.

Every time you retreat to this special place you will leave an energy imprint. This is particularly true if you use this space for meditation or prayer. Powerful, higher frequency energy will start to accumulate there and this place can soon become a source of peacefulness and reflective quietness that both beckons you to return and soothes you once you are there.

The more time you spend in this space, the more calm, balanced and connected you will feel.

So, do you have a quiet space where you can recharge your batteries? If not, I hope I have inspired you to create one!