My desk is a sacred space. I have the chair set on the lowest setting, leaving the armrests about two inches below the pull-out table part of the desk, a setting which centers me and allows me to recline without the fear of falling backward. I have a picture of myself on my first day of preschool wearing a red, oversized gap sweatshirt and a blue L.L. Bean backpack. My lips are parted, and I was not doubt asking my mother a question. Little Peter reminds me to stay idealistic and curious, even when I feel jaded. Also, my desk aura is not complete without the dull hum and fluorescent glow of my laptop. Everything about this space is mine and it feels like home, regardless of whether it is covered incense ash or as tidy as I am compulsive.
The most left-brain aspect of my desk space is definitely the chair; its height and central location are both quantified values which I arrived at by experimenting and linear thought. My laptop is kind of the meeting ground for the left and right brain. One hand, my computer is full folders which follow linear paths of categorizing my files, and my dash is located on the left side of the screen so the eye moves left to right, when opening applications, much like reading (western texts). On the other hand, I drag random images and music onto my desktop and then sometimes just click through it looking for something that gives me an “all-at-once” sense of happiness. But, I would say that Little Peter is probably the most right -brained part of my desk. It almost doesn’t feel like I was ever him, but rather he is a sub-four foot amalgamation of everything good in me, and I can’t explain why but I definitely feel it.
My sacred space is much more similar those of my classmates than to the sacred spaces of the people/cultures we have studied in class. Firstly, my sacred space is, as far as I know, unique to me, which contrasts the sacred spaces of indigenous people. For example, the Aborigines would likely consider their burial grounds a sacred space and this is very much a communal space. Also, my space differs from the Aborigines or the San of Africa we studied because it is indoors. Sacred places where aboriginal shaman tell stories and interact with natural cycles take place outdoor, not in an isolated indoor space. However, my space is similar in that I have a lot of very right brain experience here, such as moments of spirituality or appreciation of music, much like the peoples we have explored in class.
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You did a great job incorporating the right vs. left brain with your sacred space, and also indigenous groups that we have studied in class. The thing that I admire most about your blog post is, of course, the picture of little Peter. Your are ADORABLE! It seems you have a good balance of right brain and left brain when it comes to your sacred space. I think it's awesome that your sacred space gives you emotional feelings, but also comfort in your organization and logic, like the Peter I know from school. I very much enjoyed reading your blog post!
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that your sacred space is something that has traveled with you since childhood. Having lived in the same house since childhood I can relate to familiarity growing into a strong attachment that you realize has become a sacred place. Seeing the same thing for so long, you become accustomed to all the nuances-- which for me is the most special. I like how you incorporated left and right brain "qualities" into your sacred space. To me, your sacred space sounds a lot like an embodiment of the Peter I know. You are logical and extremely focused but exhibit flashes of childishness (like when you eat your cookies at lunch in a delightful manner). Good connections to the text, great post to read!
ReplyDeleteThe right vs left brain comparison in this is very good. I like the comparisons that you made between the two. This is a very good point to make about a sacred space that travels with you throughout the years This is a very good post.
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