Creating Sacred Space for Optimal Creation

A crucial component of writing from your soul is having the sacred space in which to do it. You can't just whip up something powerful, compelling, and from the heart in the five minutes between the conference call with Client A and the weekly meeting with your VA.

When you're in sacred space, it's much easier for the message and the words to come through (or the new project design or painting or whatever). It's as if you become a conduit for the words from your soul. Sacred space allows that. Franticness, stress, busily checking off to-do's... none of that is conducive to sacred space.

What is sacred space? First off, sacred space is different for each person. AND you have to consider internal sacred space and exte
al sacred space. Here are some elements to examine when creating your own sacred space.

Internal Elements of Sacred Space:

Cut off negative self-talk: Your inner critic gremlin is a roadblock to the creative process. He's standing there blockading what so wants to come through. Do what you need in order to shut him up... tell him to go to Detroit (as long as you don't live in Detroit) or say, "Thank you for sharing. I think I'll go in a different direction." "Piss off" seems to work, too.

Become quiet: You need to clear space in your head, and that means getting rid of the mind chatter. ("I have to empty the dishwasher." "When am I going to fold those four loads of laundry?" "I have to remember to call my client.") Write the mind chatter down until you clear space.

Go deep to determine your message and purpose of what you're creating: This may mean sitting there and letting it come to you. You may not dive right into your journal or sketchbook or laptop. You may - and probably do - need some time to just sit and let the message come.

Ready yourself to listen to your intuitive wise self: If you let it, your wise self has something to say. It could be that nudge to go create that new kit, or the promotional email with the strong, vulnerable message you really want to send...

Exte
al Elements of Sacred Space:

Bring in quiet (can you sense a theme?): This can be a literal quiet (no sound at all) or a diminishing of the din (tell the kids to play or argue somewhere else, turn off the phone, turn off the T.V.).

Beauty (if that's your thing; it certainly is for me): Surround yourself with things that make you happy and centered and grounded... certain colors, candles, incense, statues, artwork, cards, messages from loved ones, a vase of flowers, crystal - whatever works for you.

Functional: Have all the tools you need at hand for your particular project. If you're writing your current short story on cats, you should probably have any notes you've already created at your side. If you need to do some research, have your computer or tablet at hand.

Implements you love that bring you joy: Do you like to mind map and you love a certain type of marker? Use those. Do you love the feel of how a pen glides across the page? Have a box at the ready.

Surroundings: Where are you creating? I can't do much creating in my office. I tend to go outside on the terrace where I can see my view of the mountains, or sit in my favorite red chair that is situated perfectly feng-shui-like in the living room. Pay attention to your immediate as well as extended environment.

So when it comes time for you to create because you have your next big thing or a cool project you're ready to dive into, look at how you're set up for sacred space, both internally and exte
ally.

Create the sacred space... then create.