"Where's your church?"
"We're standing in it."
"But this is a bookstore and it's Friday."
"Yes, but you might also choose to see it as a cathedral of the human spirit -- a storehouse consecrated to the full spectrum of human experience. Just about every idea we've ever had is in here somewhere. A place containing great thinking is a sacred space."
- Forrest Church
I'm re-posting a well known quote by Joseph Campbell as a reminder......
"You must have a room, or a certain hour or so a day, where you don't know what was in the newspapers that morning, you don't know who your friends are, you don't know what you owe anybody, you don't know what anybody owe's to you. This is a place of creative incubation. At first you may find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, something eventually will happen."
"Our life has become so economic and practical in its orientation that, as you get older, the claims of the moment upon you are so great, you hardly know where the hell you are, or what it is you intended. You are always doing something that is required of you. Where is your bliss station? You have to try to find it. Get a phonograph and put on the music that you really love, even if it's corny music that nobody else respects." - Joseph Campbell
Elizabeth Gilbert created what she calls her "Sky-brary" in the attic of her home. This is where she wrote her latest novel The Signature of All Things . It's so important to find your own sacred space ..... or think tank ... sky-brary.... or bliss station.
"Your sacred space is where you can find yourself over and over again." - Joseph Campbell
"By bringing a soulful consciousness to gardening, sacred space can be created outdoors." - S.Kelley Harrell, Nature's Gifts Anthology
I search for quiet spaces in nature to sit and gather my thoughts.
"Many of the tribal peoples of the world recognize that there are four places in nature where you can find deep peace and remember who you really are. One is in the deep woods; one is in the desert; one in the mountains and one near the ocean." - Angeles Arrien, The second half of life.
Defining your sacred space by Tod Henry
5 Tips for Creating Sacred Space by Debbie Woodbury
Honouring Sacred Space by David Jones
Nature's Solace
Wide Open Spaces
what a thoughtful post with lots of good links and a good way for me to begin the new year as well, thanks ever so much for all the effort you put into this post.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Linda. I needed to do this post as a reminder to myself.
DeleteI'm ready to move into any of these.....I seriously love denning into my work spaces, especially the outdoor ones, but this winter has made me think more about making an indoor den as well. Thanks for these reminders of how important it is. Will keep you posted. Ax
ReplyDeleteAnnie I have the outdoor work space but in the punishing summer heat we've been experiencing I really need an indoor workshop. In the mean time I use my little "studio" as a think tank until the weather cools.
DeleteWhat a post this is. Each one of these thoughts and pictures are very beautiful and touching. Joseph Campbell's words have so much resonance. The older I get, it seems to me that my sacred spaces become more and more important.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post Robyn.
So many of Joseph Cambell's quotes resonate with me. Elizabeth's sky-brary got my heart racing. Ohhhh I would love a big space like that!
DeleteA wonderful collection of quotes and pictures! I really needed those words from J Campbell, it's easy to get lost, and very good to be reminded sometimes, to find those sacred places, inside as well as outside.
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for some time now, but haven't commented before. Just wanted to thank you for a lot of inspiration, this place of yours is a bliss to visit!
You've made my day, thank you Mona. I get so much enjoyment out of sharing the things that inspire me. Blogging is the next best thing to having an art buddy to chat with, face to face.
DeleteOh yes we all need that sacred space. Love the images and quotes.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the post Kathryn
DeleteIn a cathedral of tall ancient trees hung with sheets of dripping dark green moss I once ventured. The space was large, but contained. My intent had been to gather from nature to make baskets. The nurse logs were covered in deep mosses and giving rise to the next generation of trees. The sounds of the flowing river were muffled. Everywhere I stepped was holy. I finally sat down and paid homage to what was there. I left with my gathering basket empty, but my heart was full.
ReplyDeleteSighhhhhh ..... I was right there in the forest with you Leslie.
DeleteBeautiful post. It would be great to have the money to create a big wonderful space, but failing that nature and just a chair in a room does it for me, the trick is to make the world fall away. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI think we can always find a sacred spot to sit and contemplate. It's finding the time that's a little more difficult, but it really is important to make the time, isn't it Annie?!
DeleteRobyn, YES! I am pretty good at finding that time :-), I started early, when I was six I found a small stream behind our house that I would go and sit by for hours, thinking back now a six year old would never be allowed to go off like that.
DeleteSigh. I hope real books and bookstores never go away.
ReplyDeleteThat thought occurred to me too Stevie. It will be a very sad day if that ever happens.
Deleteyou are a genius of what's needed at each post! some wonderful quotes and spaces. Off to explore. thanks as always, Robyn for your thoughtful, heartfelt posts so full of richness.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carole. After the Christmas frenzy I think we all need a sacred place to gather oneself.
DeleteYES! That sacred space is so important. Mine is a corner of my studio where I go to read, to pray, to write, to be still and listen. There's where I refuel after a hard day and where I go to empty my mind of my troubles before tackling new work. This is a wonderful post, Robyn. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteEven taking the time out to journal is a good way to lose oneself. Before I became a full time artist many years ago the best way to find that sacred space was to journal under a tree during my lunch break.
DeleteDe mousse, de pierre, de bois. Grand ou petit. Dedans, dehors. Tout est bon qui aide à nous ouvrir à nous-même. Au meilleur de nous.
ReplyDeleteNous portons en nous nos espaces de musique et de silence. Nos lieux de ressourcements, de réflexions.
Notre espace sacré peut toujours être là où nous posons les pieds.
Mais comme vous avez raison, Robin! Certains lieux le reflète mieux, plus profondément.
À nous de le créer.
Moss, stone, wood.... indeed, the stress just peels away when I'm out in the wilderness ......walking through a forest or next to a stream or the ocean.
DeletePeeking into another artists studio is heaven. A treat. I've had several, all different sizes. Seeing these and the quotes from the artists reminds me if you make it special, it is. Thank you Robyn for reminding me.
ReplyDeletePJ, there's a way to make any small space sacred, even if it's just placing a book next to a comfy chair.... near a window.
DeleteEvery corner of my studio feels sacred (although it is literally raining INSIDE it this morning) because I longed for one for so many years. But failing that, my 'portable studio' will do - sketchbook, pencils & my iPad full of inspiring images :)
ReplyDeleteThinking about it, our whole world is sacred, we just don't treat it as such...Thanks for the reminder, Robyn.
Cherry, it starts with ourselves doesn't it? When we feel sacred within ourselves we take better care of our environment.
DeleteI just wish to sit all day in that chair in the bookstore with all those books to choose from.
ReplyDeleteOohhhh I do too!
DeleteJust what one needs to see/read on a dark gloomy winter's day.
ReplyDeleteGathering inspiration for the post certainly brightened up my day too.
Deletesigh - your posts speak to a deep truth that lies within all of us.
ReplyDeletexxoo
We tend to forget how simple it is.
DeleteSuch inspirational spaces. The sky-brary is fabulous and the art on the forest floor is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThe sky-brary really appealed to me too.
Deletevery inspirational, yes we must all have our sacred spaces... thanks for the links...
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post with an important reminder about carving out a sacred space or hour. I know I am there when I am lost in making art!
ReplyDeleteThanks Seth. There's nothing better than being engrossed in one's art.
DeleteAlways a pleasure to see what you have gathered together.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I always have the most fun gathering the inspiration I need at a particular time. Sacred space is exactly what i need after the Christmas rush.
ReplyDeleteyou have created a beautiful sacred space here in the net of light Robyn!
ReplyDeleteA good way to start the new year :-)
DeleteI concur with Mo
ReplyDeletethank you for this sinking into sacred space
a timely gift for a new year
... a sinking into sacred space..... perfect
DeleteI love, "But this is a bookstore, and its Friday." Everywhere we are is sacred.
ReplyDeleteIts strange though, to create a place, with intention, the vibrations there are almost self-willed into the creative pattern of our own souls.
Also, the beauty of that "space" then prepares us to go inward, to lose the sense of place to work... looking up so many times to see a stunning light moving on water, or sunset, birds, etc... I then think what am I doing, the world is so stunning. Its a strange paradox, a stitching of in and out, surprising ourselves stretching ourselves.
Happy Wonderful New Year to you and yours as well. Blessings up and down your spines.
I'm feeling the blessing .... up and down my spine :-). Thanks M. Sometimes all it takes is finding quiet time to appreciate the beauty around us. A quiet space to work in ..... a comfy chair near the window, watching the birds and monkeys in the garden.
DeleteBlessings to you.
Love that library in Paris! But for me that sacred space where I let everything go, happens to be the river trail where the dogs and I walk each day. Thank you for sharing such inspirational and uplifting thoughts and photos as always dear Robyn!
ReplyDeleteHeather I would enjoy walking the river trail with the dogs too. It's not safe enough to do that here but sitting in the garden with the dogs makes up for it.
Deleteyes to sacred spaces…i never actually surfaced the thought about what they are until i saw an exhibition: teenagers in their rooms. but, like most of us, i have mine.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I was always creating hidey holes in the bushes or platforms in trees. Even then I needed my sacred space.
DeleteI just got it. Why you are Art Propelled. You ignite a spark in me every time I visit and then I am off to the races …….in my brain, thinking about art for the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteI have been to that bookshop in Paris. I purchased a book which is full of drawings of the Paris rooftops, that I adore.
Did you know Elizabeth Gilbert lives in an old church? She lives about an hour from me.
Now to go sit in my sacred place. Thank you Robyn.
You've been to the bookstore?!! I'm so glad you popped in to tell me. My imagination is galloping now. Elizabeth Gilbert is such an inspiration. Did you follow the link? I really enjoyed the interview. Thank you Karen .... knowing that ArtPropelled ignites a spark in you, ignites a spark in me.
DeleteSo much inspiration here Robyn… may you find sacredness in every step and wherever it is you choose to rest.
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura. I know that you find sacredness in your life and whenever I read your blog I can feel it.
DeleteR - such a thoughtful post. Sorry for tardiness in commenting. One of the things that motivates some of my work is supporting people in the creation of sacred or quiet places-spaces. I think it is so important to have a space that when you stand in it you feel home. still, safe. It doesn't need to be grand - as you indicate a few sticks, feather, stones, leaves - simple things can create sacredness. Sorry for the ramble. Thanks. B
ReplyDeleteBarry, I enjoy your "rambles" though I see them as conversations. That's one of the highlights of blogging. Your shrines and word bowls would make any space feel sacred. I imagine people who spend a lot of time away from home, working, running workshops etc would enjoy having your portable shrines with them.
DeleteWell clearly I'm not alone in feeling how special this post was! It just encourages us all to slow down, be still and recognise that we need these places, that they fill us up and feed us. It can be hard to slow and to stop - but this is the perfect reminder and the timing is perfect also! I hope you enjoy the time in your sacred space also Robyn.
ReplyDeleteFiona, I was really feeling the need for sacred space after Christmas. It doesn't take much to find it if one makes the effort to carve out a space in one's day.
DeleteMy favorite place where I enjoy peace are of course near the ocean. The mountains and the forests are not to be despised, I have yet to discover the desert.
ReplyDeleteThe ocean, the beaches, especially in wild places where there are fewer people .... perfect peace.
ReplyDeleteI love to go into my studio... filled with my art books, my collections, my space to work on collages and paintings... and look out at my view of the water and sky and mountains. I also love that stack of rocks and I now have a new idea for my own garden.. another sanctuary for me.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I can see that rock stack in your garden. I always enjoy your photos and blog posts about your garden.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, I think this is my favorite post of yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful to have my own space full of creative energy that makes me feel like I'm really being me. As soon as I step into the room it's magical--I see my art, meditation, and writing spaces, all the little odds and ends that inspire me, and an ever changing view of woods, wildlife and water. Heaven!
Can't wait to check out all the links :) Thank you.
This post felt good to me too. Every year after the Christmas rush I feel the need to find sacred space .... to cocoon and just space out. Your room sounds magical... and with a view !
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the post :-)