SACRED SPACE

SPACE Sacred

HOW TO CREATE THE IDEAL MEDITATION SPACE

BY ERINNE MAGEE

When trying to make meditation a regular routine, a dedicated space for quiet can be helpful. Creating one will not only help you feel better equipped to meditate but will also keep you consistent with your practice.

But it doesn’t have to be a sizable space. A nook or cranny that feels sacred to you is all that is needed.

In addition to the space itself, there are several accessories that help set the tone for an inviting practice. Setting up an altar of sorts is common when establishing your sitting area. Adding a touch of each of the four elements — earth, water, fire and air — offers a deeper connection to nature and self.

When it comes to the actual sitting, a comfortable cushion, mat or pillow will feel inviting. But the important thing to remember is to make meditation accessible for your comfort level. If you know you cannot sit on the floor no matter how fluffy the spot, a chair or other sitting mechanism works just fine.

Many find clarity during this quiet time, so having a notebook handy could be helpful. Closing out your practice by jotting down whatever comes your way can make your time feel complete.

After gathering the objects that make you feel excited for the mediation journey, it’s time to seek out the under-utilized places in your home to house your practice. Here are some favorites:

BEDROOM

Your bedroom is the place in your house where you relax, making your sleeping quarters an easy space for the zen zone. Your body already relates the bedroom with winding down. The biggest thing to consider here is if you’re sharing a bedroom, make sure your ideal meditation time and their sleep schedule don’t overlap, which will make it harder to commit to a regular practice.

CLOSET

Since you really only need enough space to sit down, an unused closet makes for a private place that is easy to keep clean due to the lack of foot traffic. Bringing in a small end table could make for the altar. Alternately, if you’re lucky enough to have a Harry Potter cupboard under the stairs, you probably already know the type of magic that can live here.

LIVING ROOM

Get creative with your living room. Is there a space between your couch and wall or a transition area between rooms? Even if you cannot leave your cushion and altar permanently in this spot, modifying the decor in the immediate area can help signal to you its use.

DINING ROOM

Dining rooms typically don’t contain much furniture and often have extra space. Like the living room, if your spiritual belongings cannot exist here all the time, perhaps a chest can house your mat, altar items and journal. Even adding a thick cushion of your choosing to a dining room chair and setting up your items on the table offers the opportunity to make meditation into a ceremony of sorts (packing and unpacking your items).

TAKING YOUR PRACTICE OUTDOORS If you like to directly connect with nature during your meditation, you can also assemble a peaceful meditation spot outdoors. Outdoor meditation is also a popular choice for those who cannot always find quiet indoors.

GARDEN OR BACKYARD

With warmer months ahead, garden planning is in full swing. Saving a plot of dirt or grass to use as a regular sitting area will provide the most grounding meditation experience since you will literally be skin to skin with the Earth. Of course you can bring your crystals, oracle cards, feathers and such outside with you or, you can establish a ritual of finding new items in nature to meditate with each time.

PORCH OR BALCONY

For those who want to be outside but aren’t quite ready to be one with the dirt, setting up a place where the sunlight hits your face and the birds are chirping nearby is a natural boost to your practice and mood. Having the sounds of the neighborhood can help beginners focus on something other than the pesky thoughts that keep trying to distract from your breathing.

Above all, there is no wrong place or wrong way to meditate. The only way you can meditate “wrong” is by not trying at all.