As I hear the lapping of the warm water against rocks at my feet, feel the sun on my back, and look out at the mountains and trees surrounding me, I instantly relax. When my best friend's family bought a cabin on Island Pond in Stoddard, I was excited but then didn't think much of it. After my first visit I knew it would become a special place to me, and now I realize that it is my sacred space. I find a peace of mind there that I can't anywhere else. I am able to reflect more on myself when I am alone but even when there are people around me, the atmosphere still clears my mind and I can endless comfort. Like the Aborigines, my sacred space is in nature, but it has no religious connotation for me. Although I am not the most outdoorsy person in the world, it is almost impossible for me to not be happy when I am outside and in nature. I find that water calms and comforts me better than a blanket, and the beautiful landscape around me helps me reflect. No matter the weather, my mood, or any circumstance I can always find myself sitting on my favorite rock looking out across the lake.
Unlike the Aborigines and other prehistoric cultures we have learned about who all had a common sacred space where they would connect with the Gods, I do not associate my sacred space with a God or any religious aspects. I was brought up in a house that was not religious and I do not have any strong feelings or connections with a religion which is probably why I do not find a sacred state of mind thinking of one. However, my space could be shared with another person like the prehistoric groups. For all I know ten other people could sit on my favorite rock and find their sacred space within. I do not gather with others and perform rituals but that does not mean someone else does not share my sacred place with me.
I am a moderately right brained person so I think my sacred space has a lot of right brain aspects to it. The logistics of water being calming is more left brained but I think I am able to find such peace at this place because of my personal memories. The memories that come to me when I am this state of mind are not all from the lake. The mindset that comes over me when I'm in my sacred space allows me to look back at so memories, and even the horrible ones do not seem as bad when I am there. Because I have found harmony in my mind I am able to look back and reflect, and hopefully learn from the mistakes and challenges I've gone through.
I really enjoyed reading your prompt on sacred space. I adored how you were able to describe not only your sacred space, but why you feel as though it is sacred to your audience. I also like the part where you explained how other, more religious people could also use your rock as their sacred space. Sometimes you lose yourself in your own space and never realize that your sacred space could also be anyone else's. You really explained how being there helps you reflect and relax upon the everyday struggles that we all go through. I really enjoyed reading your post. You did an outstanding job
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. I think you did a great job painting a picture to show how much this space means to you. I also enjoyed how you said that anyone could share the sacred space with you and it would still be just as sacred. It shows that the memories and what the space means to you is what makes it sacred. You connected the texts from class really well also. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this post and i think you did a great job setting the scene of what your space is and what it means to you. I as well think that many people can share a sacred space but not the same exact one i don't think. Good post.
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