I recently returned from backpacking with my family through out the Southwestern region of Thailand. As we explored different cities and villages there became a very clear, unchanging element: the presence of sacred in daily life. It still brings a smile to my face thinking about the elaborate alters and offerings in the local businesses from hotels and cafes to the office supply store.
Arriving home, still marinating from the experience, I began by defining sacred in a way that was more accessible to both students and myself. A sacred presence simply cultivates a deeper level of attention, waking us up from the numbness of our habits and the busyness of our routines. It serves as a consistent reminder to live more fully in the moment and recommit to the path of living a conscious life.
The practice of being attentive to the rhythm of the breath, favoring the silence that resides in between thoughts is for me, a powerful way to connect to the divine presence within. From this quiet space, the heart’s longing and soul’s potential can be heard. The creative expression of sacred space is a symbolic manifestion of the connection with my innermost self. A gesture toward that which I cherish and where I want to move forward in my life.
The above picture was taken at a Buddhist Temple in Krabi, Thailand with my 2 young daughters sitting beside me. As we sat together, gazing up at the stunning alter before us, the sacred space that the monks of the temple reside over, began to take hold. This was a place of refuge and solitude. The creation of sacred space is also a service, providing a source of support and inspiration for those around us. Ultimately, building a community whose thoughts and actions are in alignment with the sacred presence found within.