Metaphysics of Business, Part 7: The Importance of Sacred Space

I've recently been the Biznik hostess of an event exploring a most sacred place: visiting Earth Sanctuary on Whidbey Island, Washington gave 11 of us an opportunity to get away from our computers and offices and into a place out of time. We walked a labyrinth; we meditated in stone circles and dolmens, we heard bird song and frog croaks; we left feeling renewed and ready to face our purposeful work. Today I'm back in my office, appreciating the space and focus it provides. As much as it is my office it is also my personal sacred space. I have items of value to me and me alone: sacred objects, candles, rocks, feathers, drums. The pictures have meanings and mood to them, even the rug on my floor feels special because it was given to me by my now-passed mother-in- law. All in all, the objects create a place that I call my office sanctuary. I know we are all business people here; yet we are also independent, idea-filled entrepreneurs, and that suggests a different lifestyle than the business-as-usual cubicle kingdom. Whether your business does have cubicles or if you work at home from your converted laundry room or from behind the counter of your store front, consider creating a sacred space somewhere in your office, even if it’s on the corner of a desk. The reasons for doing so are as rich and varied as each entrepreneur, but consider a few: 1. Sacred space provides a focus point. When I am feeling distracted from work, a special object or picture often draws me back to task. 2. Sacred objects and pictures can create an affirmative atmosphere, a place where all things are possible. Light a candle, and your space becomes a temple. Gaze at a picture for inspiration. I even have a comfy chair I sit in to go for journeys of the imagination and mind. As I say, all things are possible in sacred space. 3. Personal touches to your space affirms who is in charge and who is taking care of business. 4. Sacred space declares to the universe: "I am here! See me! Hear my wishes!" Story: Years ago, I was giving counsel to and painting an aura picture for a young mom of four. Busy in her life, to say she was overstretched was putting it mildly. On my part, besides offering some stress reduction tips, I offered this: “I feel it’s important to create an altar somewhere in the house that is strictly for your use. Maybe a counter top, or a bit of your dresser, but put a candle there, and a few other objects sacred to you, and tell the kids that this is mom’s altar, and they are to respect it. If they want their own they can have one too.” She went home feeling renewed and grateful. I did not hear from her for quite some time, and when I did it was via an excited phone call: “Elke, I just had to tell you,  my house burnt down to the ground last week!” Offering up my sympathy, she  interrupted: “That’s not why I called you though. I need to tell you something: when I last left your office, I immediately went home and put together a personal altar on an old steel desk top in the garage. Candles, a crystal I like, a little statue and your aura watercolor to inspire me. I went to my altar when I needed to say a little prayer for me or the kids or for strength or whatever.” "Well, when the house burnt down, the fire was so hot that everything was destroyed, and I mean everything. There was nothing but ashes to pick through a few days later. I went to where my garage used to be and kicked around the rubble when my foot struck a hunk of metal: the melted  metal altar desk! I picked up the metal, and could not believe my eyes: There were two candles, un-melted, the little statue, and an un-hurt crystal.” I murmured “That’s amazing!”  “But wait, there’s more,” she could hardly contain her excitement. “Your water color painting of my soul was there, unframed, and absolutely untouched except for one thing: Your message to me at the bottom of the painting where you signed it was completely erased. Other than that, no water or fire damage anywhere!” The portrait was a testament to her true self, and the opportunity was clear: time to write a new message to herself. Her sacred space survived. And so would she. Personal case study:  In September, I had given myself ‘til December to pour my energies into the “fight” to keep my 23 year old business alive, and then I was going to re-assess, with resume at the ready for a “real” job at Starbucks or anywhere that might be hiring. “After all” thought I, “Who is going to want to use my services in this tough economy?” When December came,  it was time for that re-assessment. My resume was neatly typed and filed in the “to go” box, but there it sat because something happened on my way to closing up shop: The re-commitment to my “capital W” Work. My first step was to re-invigorate my office and bring it to life again. For a couple of years, due to all sorts of circumstances, I had not really occupied the place except for infrequent counseling appointments. I wasn't even writing there, which I consider my true vocation. When all was said and done, the place was about as lifeless as a tomb. With suggestions and cheering on from friends and colleagues, I went to work, investing in a few sticks of  new furniture, cleaning out cobwebs and dust animals (more than just dust-bunnies). I gave away all things no longer useful to me, rearranged everything, and most importantly, created a sacred space I can create in. When I had finished with the last placement of the last sacred object, the phone rang three times in a row and I had to use the “call waiting “ feature on my business phone for the first time in years. Now, it’s not just about big bucks flooding my bank account--although  that is beginning to happen—it’s more about sustaining my purpose, and therefore sustaining a business I love. Whatever bucks do come in, I consider sacred bucks.  Plus I love being in my office, and it shows…other people love being there too. Sacred space acknowledges who we are and what we are about. It is a space that can take us out of time and space, and open up possibilities we haven’t even dreamed of yet. And in our business lives, it is a declaration of both independence and connection to the whole world. 2009-06-12T03:32:41Z

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metaphysics-of-business-part-7-the-importance-of-sacred-space

2009-06-14T04:19:05Z

2009-06-14T04:19:16Z

Creating a sacred space in your business office attracts wealth and health, sustains a viable business, and feeds your soul.

Metaphysics of Business, Part 7: The Importance of Sacred Space

2009-06-14T23:27:22Z