Heart Connection

Sacred Space, Sacred Pace

The transition to a new year is always interesting. One day it’s 2024 and the next, it’s not. Transitions are those points in life that bring us to the liminal space between “no longer” and “not yet”. This can be an uncomfortable place. Things are changing, but they are not noticeably different. Something is coming, but it’s not clear what. My first thought is “Can we move this along because I have a lot of things to do”. Then, from somewhere deep inside, I am aware that’s the wrong approach.

This in-between space is not meant to be waited out, endured, or dealt with. It is not an inconvenience, but rather, a sacred space, meant to be approached at a sacred pace. This is where the magic of true change happens. But what are sacred space and sacred pace? Sacred refers to something highly valuable; worthy of deep care attention, reverence, and awe.

Caterpillars enter the cocoon and wait. Seeds require a certain amount of time in the ground before they sprout. Stillness is part of the process. Knowing when to exert effort and when to rest, to prepare for what is coming is an important skill. All of nature demonstrates it. Sacred space and sacred pace are vital to the process of Soul care.

In our culture, we often forget the wisdom of moving with the rhythms of life. We’re told: “work hard; keep your eyes on the prize; set your intention; manifest your destiny”. We’re taught rewards come from “doing”. But, the “doing” is only part of the equation. All doing needs to be balanced with periods of resting. In South America, there is an indigenous tribe in which one of the roles of the Elders is to tell the younger ones when to stop hunting and gathering and clearing land for building. The Elders are the ones who determine how much “enough” is. They are the ones who declare when it is time to pull back and conserve energy so it is available for the next round of “doing”. They are the ones who understand the importance of placing limits on the “doing”. They are the ones who understand the benefit of attuning to the ebb and flow of life, of adopting a sacred pace.

Since ancient times, we have marked things we value by placing a space around them. We’ve all seen cars parked far away from other cars, sometimes on a diagonal across two spaces; expensive jewelry is stored in a safe or jewelry box; celebrities and leaders have bodyguards. Are you modeling how you value your Soul self and your time by allowing yourself to pause and honor your sacred space and pace? If not, maybe it’s time to start.

At The Center for Conscious Care, we help you manage the changes in your life by teaching tools so you can align with your soul’s sacred pace and sacred space. If you don’t others surely won’t.