(Seven Articles as of Sept. 2004)
Supporting Your Sense of Soul
Many of us are practicing a form of madness, that of denying our soul the delight and nourishment available from our five senses within our own home. We spend our day overwhelmed by the visual stimulation of TV, video games, computers, shopping malls, and superstores, and dulled by the uniformly lit offices we work in.
Our homes have all too often become an extension of the work place rather than a genius loci ~ spirit of place. Any reference made here to spirit, heart, or soul, refers to that intangible ingredient of the human aspect that craves serenity, introspection and a greater understanding of the self and the universe.
Whether we live in a shack, an apartment, or an estate, our home is not just a place for physical shelter and refreshment, but a place for inner renewal and personal inspiration. When a home environment ignores the senses, one cannot feel positive and fulfilled, and if left in this state the soul becomes like an arid desert ~ dry, barren, brittle and sorrowful.
For the soul to be filled, looking good is not enough. A 'designed' home, one that tells the visitor who the designer was and not who lives there, is not one you'll truly yearn to come home to. Your soul needs reminders of who you are, where you have come from, what your passion is and what you dream about. It wants a home to smell, feel, sound, and, yes, even taste sensual. Smells of air-freshener, disinfectant and air conditioning cannot compare to a home with fresh air, healthy food, flowers, herbs, music and even pets.
Many strive for, but never succeed in creating their "dream" home, since such a home implies limitations and a finished perfection. While you are still living, you are still unlimited and changing. Your home is a place that ought to develop and change as you do, becoming an abode to dream in, not about.
In her book, The Sensual Home, Ilse Crawford stated "Home is our emotional heartland ~ a place to restore our balance". What does your home need to become that place of balance, renewal, and inspiration? What is your home saying about you? How does it smell and how do you want it to smell? How do you want to feel upon entering? Do you need a private space for reflection and mediation or to pursue an interest? Have you invited the outside in and created spaces for you outside? Are there diverse textures and color? How does it sound? What are your senses longing for?
To experience a dramatic shift, ask yourself those questions and then incorporate the answers into the design and flow of your home and garden. When you listen to and trust your senses, when you let them off their leash and create a rich feast for the spirit, not only will your home become the sacred space it is, but you will have a space that inspires and supports your soul. ####
Sacred Spaces for Transformation
Some people believe that divine inspiration is tied to church or is at the very least, a religious experience. The truth is that a sacred space for reflection and divine inspiration is available to anyone who has a roof over their head. For that matter, some of the most spiritual and inspirational places are actually located outside, in the midst of the miracle of nature herself.
Your entire home is a sanctuary from the outside world, well I guess the TV is invasive, and the telephone sales calls, and the kids selling magazines. OK, home is ideally a place to replenish and revitalize; yet sometimes it simply creates more stress. All the more important for you to have a space where you can curl up, feel protected from the outside world and invite quiet reflection.
Do you need an entire room? Some say yes, and have even converted closets to create their space, but all you really need is a corner of a room or garden. So, what is physically important within this sacred space? 1) A key quality is quiet or stillness, not the elimination of sound, but the elimination of annoying and intrusive sound. A place where the TV, the garbage disposal, the kids music and especially the telephone will not disturb you. 2) Soft lighting is ideal. Indoors at night this could be a candle, during the day light filtering thru a sheer curtain will create a soft, dream like quality. 3) A comfortable chair, day bed or floor pillow is a must, but you must also stay awake. 4) Soft or muted colors are better than intense colors, but it doesn't matter as long as you really love the color.
In addition to the above minimum you can enhance your space by any of the following: 1) Add soothing music indoors or the sounds of nature in the garden, can help to take your mind off your concerns and allow it to float upon the gentle sounds like a soft breeze. 2) A pleasing scent, such as flowers in, or from the garden, a scented candle, potpourri or aromatherapy oils. The choice is endless and it will help to connect us to the place within for needed inspiration. 3) Textures that feel good to the touch, such as silks, brushed cottons or velvets. Outdoors the texture may be the light thru the leaves, the grass under our toes (barefoot is the best), or the warmth of a wooden chair.
Taking time for yourself (and providing the same for your children or partner) is primary to maintain your emotional health. Studies are numerous on the importance of stress reduction and how the qualities of our emotions affect our health. Stressed emotions lower our immune system and illness can get a foothold. Taking quiet time for contemplation not only boosts the immune system; it feeds the soul and allows dreams to come forward, no longer crowded out by the demands of the everyday world. Creating a corner sanctuary is a start to lowering stress and connecting to self.
Healing the entire home is ideal and is an ongoing challenge. Electrical appliances, digital alarm clocks, TV, video games, cell phones, computers, household cleaning agents and plain old pollen all add to the stress in our life. Their negative effect can and should be minimized. This will require an inventory of potential stresses and personal assessment as to the necessity of each. Follow this with elimination and reduced usage wherever possible. Steps to counter or reduce the effects of remaining household stress can be employed and you will be well on the way to transforming your entire home into a sacred space that support all who abide there. Making this assessment and changes can be easy and fun with the help of a friend or mentor. Be brave and ask for assistance.
Your home is a mirror reflecting your life. If you don't like an aspect of your life, but don't know how to transform it, look at your home and begin there. As the energy shifts within the home, you will feel a shift within yourself. When you take time to be with yourself in your sacred space, be it a corner, an entire room, or a spot in the garden, you will begin to feel your spirit lift and transformational answers will come. # # #
