If You Meditate Daily, Consider the Reasons to Create a Meditation Space
People use their homes in the rooms in their homes in different ways. For some people, the eating area is the dining area, the kitchen is the cooking area, and the lounge is the tv and socialising area. But some people prefer a large open-plan kitchen/dining socialising area. Some homes will also have a few ‘special’ rooms or spaces such as work, writing, reading, sewing, modelling, and painting area. An increasing number of people even like to create a meditation space in their homes.
A meditation space is now essential for many people who meditate on a daily basis. This could be a dedicated room for people who have the space, but for most people, the space is probably just a small area in the corner of a room. Often considered sacred, a meditation space is dedicated to calm, silence, and tranquillity. Spending just a few minutes, or an hour, of your time in a dedicated space helps one connect with their inner self.
Reasons To Create a Meditation Space
If there is anything life has taught us, it is that there will always be responsibilities surrounding us. Walking past your desk reminds you of bills to be paid while walking in the kitchen or past the fridge reminds you of shopping that needs to be done. However, stepping in, or spending some time in the meditation room reminds you to stay calm and practice calmness. It’s the only space you are allowed to forget about the unending responsibilities and stresses of life.
Although some of you may not believe in feng shui, you certainly do understand our surroundings can influence what we feel. A good example is a bedroom. If you use your bedroom for stressful and noisy activities during the day, you may find trying to sleep in the same room at night quite stressful. This is one of the reasons sleep experts recommend only using the bedroom for sleep and ensuring it is neat and calm to facilitate this. Simply put, a neat and peaceful bedroom enables/promotes feng shui only we don’t know it.
If you are working from home – again! – using your bedroom as your workspace should be avoided unless there is absolutely no other option.
Consider the steps to make a perfect space for you
1. Know What the Space Will Be Used For
The first step to creating a meditation space is to think about how the area will be used. Will the space be shared with others, will it be private, or do you wish to create a serene space to connect with your inner self and serenity? These are some of the questions to ask yourself before going forward with the project.
2. Find A Usable Space
As we have already said, a meditation space doesn’t necessarily have to be huge, especially if planning to use it alone. It thus could be a specific corner of a room, an empty closet, or even an area in the garden. This can be anywhere, depending on how you wish to use the space.
3. Decorate It
The meditation space needs to be free of distractions and calming at the same time. A minimalistic approach would thus be a wise idea when creating and decorating the space. Most people choose to use simple items such as scented candles, pillows, cushions, flowers, window shutters and some blankets/carpets to create a sense of comfort. Also, consider including beautiful items that hold a special place in your heart such as a sculpture.
You could also decorate the space with pieces that add meaning to life based on what you believe in, religion, or even nature itself. The main idea is to create a calming and peaceful environment.
4. Accessorise
While you don’t want the space to seem empty, it shouldn’t be overstuffed with items and decorations either. With this in mind, you can choose to accessorise with simple things such as a cushion, pillow, beads, singing bowl, etc. Most people will have a table decorated with a scarf or an alter in their meditation space as well.
The main idea is to create a focal point for your meditation space and something you can focus on when trying to calm down. A piece of art, candle, or statue can play this role pretty well.
A covered table with a jar of drinking water or candle almost always works for many people. The candle (lit) can and is the main focal point of the space, with water representing life and our inner being.
Aside from these accessories, practising exercises that help the body and mind relax, such as mindful listening or deep breathing exercises, can help one focus too. A portable fountain is another excellent accessory that will serve a significant purpose in meditation.
5. Make It Sacred
This doesn’t necessarily mean spiritual or religious, though you can still use it for that purpose as well. Sacred here means associating the space with peace and tranquillity, or something you hold dear.
Associate your meditation space with a stress-free life, quiet and peace, and where you’d go whenever looking to fight negative energy.
Make a habit of only using the space when in need of some quiet time, yoga, rest, or meditation.
Let everyone in the house know the space and everything in it is dear to you and that it should be respected. The kids or your partner, may perhaps join in and use the meditation space you have created once in a while when/if seeking peace, providing they understand the need to ensure the space is kept sacred. Informing and making everyone understand the purpose of the meditation space right from the very beginning will make it easier for them, and you, too.