I wonder what shifts would occur, if we all committed to making sacred spaces wherever we go. What would happen if we held sacred the rooms we share, the earth we walk upon and the places we sit?

My guess:
We may accidentally be more loving.
We may see more clearly.
We may just be a little more true.

What is a Sacred Space?

American mythologist, writer and lecturer, Joseph Campbell, wrote of sacred space: where you can find yourself over and over again. Woven into this definition is the freedom of individual choice and expression. A place where I can find myself may be very different from where you can find yourself.

Here is what sacred space means to me: a place where I can let my guard down, fall deeply in love with the world and soak in the mystery of wisdom.

What does a sacred space mean to you? Dancing with that question will help you to create the perfect sacred space for you (and your group, your project).

Where are Sacred Spaces?

Your sacred space may be the studio where you dance or paint, maybe it’s the meditation cushion in the corner, perhaps it’s the yoga mat where you arrive to unfold every Wednesday night. Perhaps your office and your boardroom is a sacred space waiting to be revealed.

The truth is sacred space is possible everywhere. Any seat, stage, garden or dirt road can be sacred, if you let it.

Why Sacred Space?

Emerson wrote, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” On the path of wildness, or radical truth, we need as many ways to come home to ourselves as we can, because society is constantly trying to pull us away from our own truth.

When you create your sacred space, your work and your art and your contribution can unfold from a place of truth because in your sacred space, you are free to be yourself.

In my work leading circles, teaching Workshops, One-on-One Sessions and Classes, the first most important component of what I do is the creation of the Sacred Space. If I can manage to create a Sacred Space, the truth is unlocked and everything else falls right into place.

How to Create Sacred Space?

There are no strict rules about it how to make a sacred space. In fact, we don’t really make a space sacred. We simply create the conditions that allow a space to reveal its sacredness to us.

Because many of you are teachers of some kind, healers, artists and seekers, I thought it may be useful to share how I go about creating a space where people can unfold.

Many of you are current and future Wild Woman Circle Leaders. I hope this helps you create a space where people can be themselves.

As with everything, savor in what resonates and dismiss the rest.

#1~Be Radically Accepting of what is.
Know that this is all quite perfect. There’s a leak in the ceiling? Perfect. Two people showed for your class? Perfect. You forgot your notes? PERFECT. Einstein wrote: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” I choose option B. When you drop your illusions of control, suddenly the space that you are creating is full of possibilities and mystery. Invite it in. Assume everything is perfect and it will be.

#2~Leave your judgment at the door.
There is nothing more poisonous to a space than judgment. When I was 19, my teacher, Fay Simpson, introduced me to the idea of Sacred Space. In her work in the theater, “Non-Judgmental Mind” is essential to creating. I remember in class, when someone was presenting, she made sure those of us in the audience had uncrossed our arms and that we were all open, and actively seeking a connection to what was being performed. This was a very different experience than what many of us had been doing: sitting back, arms crossed, waiting to be impressed.

You can use this idea on non-judgment as a personal shift: As in, you do not judge. This inner shift can be felt, consciously or unconsciously, by others in the room. And/Or you can introduce the idea in the space, “We are stepping out of judgment, leaving behind the need to compare, etc.” Which leads me to the next item…

#3~Come from the heart.
Near the beginning of every WILD Woman Circle, each circle leader says something like this: Allow the mind-that which perceives and makes sense of things-to drop into the heart center. Feel that the mind is infused with the energy of the heart. In this way, we can listen and speak and understand from a place of compassion and love.” This can create a simple yet dramatic shift in the perception of the group.

#4~Remember: Sacred Space is, like everything else, Co-Created.  
When working with 2 or more people, the acknowledgement of each individual’s contribution to the collective space works wonders. If I show up to a class or a meeting and the leader tells me: You are here for a reason, your presence is changing this space we are in together, how you are showing up matters. Then suddenly, I am empowered and responsible to show up fully. The collective understanding of Co-Creating makes for some potent space and work because everyone is asked to be present and awake-in every way.

#5~Arrive early to set the tone.
Ask yourself: How do I want people to feel when they walk in? Then, show up early and create that. How you do this is totally up to you. You could walk in and say a prayer. You could arrange the chairs and get your notes ready. You could play music, light a candle, burn sage. You could dance or sing. You could simply sit in meditation. The atoms in the room change when you enter the space-how you move about in the space can seriously transform the feel of the room. Use your powers of intention and presence for good here.

There are 6 more items on this list. I will be diving into those in the coming WILD Woman Circle Leader Training. Registration for that opens is open. There are 25 spots for 25 amazing wo(men). We start on April 28th. You can get a preview of what’s to come here.

For your integration & action:

Truth: What does sacred space mean to you? What does it allow for?
Dare: Create a sacred space this week. Enjoy it alone or with others.

With mighty love,
Chris

P.s~If you have been thinking of becoming a WILD Woman Circle Leader, your moment is coming. Get a deeper look into the Training here.

Join us for an hour-long New Moon Meditation Adventure on December 2nd!

Online, from anywhere.

Using a dynamic meditation journey, we will tune into the New Moon, to your own Inner Guidance, synced up with wild-hearted women from around the world. This offering will include music, storytelling, meditation, journaling prompts & intention-setting.

Can’t make it live? No worries. All participants will receive a copy of the recording with 24 hours of the session.

Claim Your Seat!

We have Wild Woman Project-trained Circle facilitators is 26 countries, and 44 out of the 50 United States.

Find a Circle Near You.