Meditation Room: Create Your Zen

Creating a sacred space for meditation can be a powerful way to nourish your spirit and connect with your inner self. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and disconnected, setting aside a dedicated space for reflection and spiritual practice can be transformative. This space can be anywhere you feel a sense of tranquility, whether it's a quiet corner in your home, a spot in your garden, or even a special place outdoors.

When creating your sacred space, it's important to consider what sacred means to you. This could be a place for prayer, meditation, or simply a private sanctuary to escape the chaos of daily life. Your space should reflect your unique tastes, sounds, smells, and personal objects that inspire and energize you. From crystals and statues to plants and photographs, the possibilities are endless.

Remember, your sacred space is an expression of your inner self, so take the time to make it special. Whether you choose to include religious symbols, natural elements, or simply a comfortable cushion and blanket, the key is to create an environment that helps you reconnect with your true self and brings a sense of peace and presence to your life.

Choose a location: Indoors or outdoors?

When creating a sacred space for meditation, you can choose a location that is either indoors or outdoors. Both options offer unique benefits and can enhance your meditation practice.

Outdoors

Taking your meditation practice outdoors allows you to connect with nature and soak in the surrounding environment. You can choose a quiet spot in a garden, a park, or even your own backyard. The fresh air, birdsong, and sounds of nature can create a peaceful and calming atmosphere for your meditation.

Being outdoors also provides the opportunity to connect with the earth, a practice known as grounding, which is believed to offer benefits for both physical and mental health. If you decide to meditate outdoors, ensure that you have the necessary items, such as a meditation mat, cushion, and proper clothing or protection from the elements.

Indoors

Creating an indoor sacred space for meditation offers a more controlled and private environment. You can choose a quiet room or a dedicated corner of your home that is free from distractions. A spare room, a corner of your bedroom or living room, or even a spot at the top of the stairs can be transformed into a meditation haven.

When creating an indoor sacred space, consider the lighting, colours, and decorations that inspire and calm you. You can also incorporate items such as cushions, rugs, statues, incense, and other objects that hold personal meaning for you.

Whether you choose an indoor or outdoor location for your sacred meditation space, the key is to find a place that allows you to feel comfortable, connected, and inspired to focus on your meditation practice.

Define 'sacred': What does 'sacred' mean to you?

Sacred is a highly personal concept, and it can mean different things to different people. For some, it may be a spiritual or religious concept, while for others, it may be more about creating a space that is set apart from the mundane and devoted to a specific purpose, such as meditation or reflection.

When creating a sacred space for meditation, it is essential to start by defining what "sacred" means to you. This definition will guide the choices you make in setting up your space. For example, if you associate sacredness with a particular religion or spiritual tradition, you might include specific symbols, statues, or sacred texts from that tradition in your space. On the other hand, if you view sacredness as a way to connect with your inner self and find peace from daily stress, you might choose decorations and objects that evoke feelings of calm and tranquility.

Your sacred space should be a reflection of your values, beliefs, and interests. It should be a place where you can retreat from the busyness of life and reconnect with yourself and your purpose. When deciding what to include in your sacred space, consider the following:

• What objects or decorations are meaningful to you?
• What colours, textures, and scents do you find calming or inspiring?
• What helps you feel relaxed, centred, and at peace?
• Are there any particular senses (e.g., smell, sound, sight) you want to engage in your sacred space?
• What is the purpose of your sacred space? For example, is it for meditation, prayer, quiet reflection, or something else?

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating a sacred space. The most important thing is that the space resonates with you and supports your intentions for it. Whether you choose to include religious or spiritual elements, objects from nature, personal mementos, or simply a comfortable cushion and blanket, make sure that each item in your sacred space holds significance for you and aligns with your definition of "sacred."

Decide on purpose: What do you want from your space?

Deciding on the purpose of your sacred space is a crucial step in creating a meaningful and effective area for meditation. Sacred spaces can be used for a variety of reasons, so it is important to be clear about your intentions.

Do you want to create a private sanctuary for meditation and prayer, or simply a place for quiet reflection? This is an important distinction to make, as it will influence the energy and atmosphere of the space. If your purpose is prayer and meditation, you may want to include religious or spiritual items, such as a statue or sculpture of symbolic significance. You may also want to incorporate a focal point, such as an altar, to enhance your spiritual practice.

If your intention is to create a space for quiet reflection, you may want to focus on creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. This could involve using soft furnishings, such as blankets, pillows, and rugs, to create a sense of comfort and relaxation. You might also want to incorporate items that engage your senses, such as scented candles or essential oils, calming music, and visually pleasing artwork or photographs.

Another purpose of your sacred space could be to find serenity and peace while at home. If this is the case, consider the location of your space carefully. Choose an area that is free from distractions and, if possible, separate from the areas of your home that you associate with work or other activities. This will help you to establish a clear boundary between your sacred space and the rest of your home, allowing you to more easily transition into a state of calm and relaxation.

You may also want to use your sacred space to deepen your connection with your essential nature or higher self. In this case, it is important to choose items that resonate with your spirit and inspire you. Crystals, relics, and other sacred objects can be powerful tools to support your spiritual journey and enhance your meditation practice.

Remember, the purpose of your sacred space is deeply personal and can evolve over time. Trust your intuition and allow your space to grow and change as you do.

Select items: What items will you include?

When selecting items to include in your sacred space, it is important to choose things that are meaningful to you. Here are some ideas for items you may want to consider:

• Mementos: Personal items that hold a special significance for you. This could be anything from a bracelet made by your child to a handkerchief passed down from your great-grandfather.
• Talismans: Symbols of peace and safety, such as statues or figurines of deities or divine beings. These can include popular figures such as the elephant-headed Ganesha, Saraswati, Hanuman, or Quan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of compassion.
• Visual art: This could be your own artwork, pieces created by friends, or postcards of famous works.
• Photographs: Display pictures of loved ones and special places that bring you joy and a sense of connection.
• Stones and shells: Collect stones and shells from special places that hold memories and energies.
• Colour, light, and texture: Incorporate your favourite colours, soft fabrics, carpets, mirrors, and lighting to create a calming atmosphere.
• Plants and flowers: Bring in elements of nature with plants, flowers, and other living things.
• Musical instruments and music: Include your favourite calming music or ambient sounds to create a peaceful atmosphere.
• Personal divination tools: Consider adding tools such as the I Ching, Tarot cards, or Runes if you use them for divination or spiritual practice.
• Sacred texts or words of wisdom: Place spiritual or religious texts that resonate with you, such as the Bible, A Course in Miracles, The Bhagavad Gita, or The Yoga Sutras.
• Crystals: Choose crystals that resonate with your spirit and energy. Light blue gemstones like Blue Calcite or Angelite can induce a sense of calm and connection to the infinite possibilities of the universe.
• Incense or essential oils: Use scents like sandalwood or palo santo to create a soothing and meditative atmosphere.
• Singing bowls or bells: Incorporate sound into your sacred space with instruments like singing bowls or bells, which can help disrupt meandering thoughts and bring you into the present moment.
• Statues or figurines: Select statues or figurines that hold spiritual significance for you, such as a Buddha statue or other religious icons.
• Books: Include books that nourish your soul and inspire you, such as spiritual texts or works of art.
• Comfort items: Surround yourself with soft cushions, pillows, blankets, and rugs to create a comfortable and inviting space.

Make it sacred: How will you make it special?

Creating a sacred space is about listening to your intuition and what feels right for you. It is a space that is personal and unique to you, and it can be anywhere you like, from a corner in your room to a spot in your garden.

You can make your space sacred by choosing objects that are meaningful to you and inspire you. These objects could be anything from crystals, relics, and statues to books, rugs, cushions, and flowers. You can also use all five senses to make your space special:

• Sight and touch: Choose objects that are aesthetically pleasing and have a nice texture, such as rugs, cushions, crystals, or statues.
• Smell: Use incense, essential oils, or scented candles to create a calming atmosphere.
• Sound: Play tranquil music or use a singing bowl to create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere.
• Taste: The Hindu tradition offers prasad in the form of sweets or fruit, which can be incorporated as a sacred object.

In addition to the objects and sensory experiences, you can also use lighting and colours to make your space special. For example, you can use natural lighting or soft, warm lighting to create a calming atmosphere. You can also choose colours that you find soothing or inspiring.

Another way to make your space sacred is to set an intention for it. This could be done through a ritual, such as lighting a candle at the beginning of your practice to signify your connection to a higher source or your transition to a meditative state.

Finally, you can make your space sacred by keeping it simple and uncluttered. A cluttered space may reflect a hectic and overloaded mind, so try to keep your sacred space organised and free from distractions.

Frequently asked questions