Let’s talk about creating Sacred Space. Not “sacred” in an esoteric or religious sense, but Sacred in the tangible sense of transforming our everyday/mundane world into a safe, intimate, and magical environment in which we act, interact, and communicate with intention, awareness, and joy.
When we create Sacred Space – in our home, workspace, wherever – we manifest the conditions for closeness, honesty, and respect. We free ourselves to feel safe and trust each other; to move beyond resistances, fears, wounding, or other difficulties that may be in the way of a deeper connection.
If we practice the art of creating Sacred Space as a regular part of our everyday lives, we introduce a powerful and transformative ritual for opening to the ecstatic potential of any interaction – discussing relationship issues, beginning a difficult conversation, doing business, honoring each other, making love… whatever!
Tips for Creating Sacred Space with a Partner
Set aside an hour or two and commit to spending that time together co-creating Sacred Space. Essentially, your intention is to manifest a special environment that will awaken and stimulate your senses, that reflects your desires for a meaningful experience, and inspires you to want to be in that space.
As you create your Sacred Space, do everything slowly, consciously, and with attention to detail. Be creative, playful, and allow for spontaneity. Choose objects, decorations, music, and other items that have special meaning and/or symbolize connection, relationship, intimacy, friendship, love, etc. Consider all the senses when designing your sacred space – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. For example, we love using candles, flowers, fragrances, spiritual symbols and statues, sensual fabrics, fruit, chocolate, and other sensory delights.
Once you have created your Sacred Space, it’s important to focus your attention and intention on the time you will spend together (i.e., no interruptions, turn off your phones, etc.). Here are some ideas for facilitating this intention:
1) Talk about any unwanted qualities you don’t want to be part of this time (e.g., judgment, impatience, defensiveness, etc.). Take turns naming these negative energies, ritually casting them out of your space.
2) Talk about and name desirable qualities that you want to bring into this time (e.g., understanding, compassion, humor, etc.). Take turns invoking these positive energies into your space.
3) When you’re both ready, enter your space together and sit facing each other. Take your time appreciating and honoring each other. Notice how it feels when you are doing the honoring, and being honored.
4) Share your intentions for what you want to transpire during this time together. Name any fears or resistances that you may be feeling. And be sure to talk about what you need to make this time work for you, any boundaries or agreements you’d like to create. When your partner is sharing, listen without interruption, with an open mind and grateful heart.
As you sit together in Sacred Space, visualize that you have created a timeless, magical space in which you can now go wherever you want, and do or say whatever you desire. You are free and safe to become transparent with each other – to acknowledge each other, what you feel, how you think and, perhaps most important, how you can become more deeply available to each other.
By Marilynne Chophel