PBL #1:
From what or where stems the sanctity of a space? Does it come from a component common to 3 identified types of sacred space: man-made, natural, and 'inner'?
Noted above, there are countless forms, figures, and shapes of sacred space, however all maintain a singular, central, metaphoric support beam- that is, all these sacred places are denoted as seperate from what surrounds them, both physically and conceptually. Namely, it is the meaning we have given these places that seperates them- physically, mentally or otherwise. It must be stated that meaning, percieved universally or otherwise, is essential for the creation/recreation of sacred space.
Thus, we are presented with the formless sacred space- one where we come to realize before us the meaning we have ascribed, and thus the reality we have created.
-implied meaning is enough to constitute sacred (sacredness of life, of the self)
There exist countless sacred places in the world, and they take countless shapes. From towering skyscrapers built 100 years ago, vaguely mountain-shaped piles of rubble taunting us with stories from ages passed, to the boundless blue of the open ocean and the quietude of darkened forest floors, sacred space is formless.
Through so many countless examples of sacred space, what can we possibly glean?
In the case of Russia's emminent Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, it is not only the sheer sclae and opulent grandeur that lend to its sanctity. Part of the spaces power is lent from the power of the Tsars who spent time (dwelling) ther- powerful and influential in their own right, it is not even there personal power that is lent to this space. It is the idea of power communicated through time via history, folklore and architectural grandeur coalesce into meaning.
But what of natural spaces? Look no further than the concept of 'sacred groves' and meld it with mythology, and we find that natural sacred sapces bridge the gap between imaginary or ethereal sacred space and its manifestation in reality. In this way, the physical forest becomes a metaphor for the myth, and the myth a simulacra of reality.
The far reaching fame of the Norse myth of Yggdrasil , a "world tree" on which all planes of existence hang on it's boughs is an apt example in this sense.
In the 8th century, a massive oak named Donar's Oak was felled by Christian missionaries (Vita Bonifatii auctore Willibald, 'Eoban', c753-754); so we know in antiquity that pagans revered trees, as we know we revere them in modernity, such as the named sequoias in California, or the sacred woods at the base of Mount Fiji. (Jacob)
One of the most intimate sacred spaces is the one that someone creates within their mind. This can be accomplished through an individuals thoughts, dreams, and by the act of meditation. (Jenna. F)
Dreams are a great gateway into someone’s subconscious, and most of the time can leave messages to the individual through imagery. Burmese Buddhists have a very strong relationship to dreams and the connection to the sacred space. Patton (2018) describes how portentous types of dreams often lead to the establishment of sacred sites. Patton (2018) addresses an example of a woman who worked as a fishmonger who had a portentous dream, this is what she saw “ a bearded man with long sideburns, like an Indian—as well as an old hermit—appeared and carried me off to hell. When I saw all the beings suffering in hell, I became very scared and asked [the two men] to bring me back home. They told me that if I continued to sell fish for a living that I would end up in hell after I died. Suddenly, a light atop a hill was calling out to me. When I followed it and arrived at the top of the hill, the pagodas and rest houses made me feel so peaceful.” (p. 5). Very soon after this dream, this woman left her job as a fishmonger. This portentous dream created a sacred site for this woman to change her future. Another type of dream that is important to note for sacred space is the “phantasmagorical” dream. This dream motivates many Burmese Buddhists to physically materialize their dream experiences into their reality, they often achieve this by creating religious structures (Patton, 2018, p.8). This is a great example on how sacred space can be shared between the mind and the man-made.
(Jenna. F)
Patton, P. T. (2018). Phantasmagorical Buddhism: Dreams and Imagination in the Creation of Burmese Sacred Space. Religions, 9(12), 414. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/9/12/414
The connection between sacred space and meditation is a very powerful one. Meditation does not need the individual to be in a sacred space to occur, it just needs the individual to create one themselves. With this in mind one could meditate successfully in spaces without religious or spiritual codification. This can happen because an individual can modify their network of beliefs, behaviours, and materials (Wigley, 2017, p.989). Materials that involve smell, lighting, sound, and topography can help construct the sacred space for the individual meditating (Wigley, 2017, p.989). This knowledge proves the fact that sacred space can be created solely by the mind through meditation.
(Jenna. F)
Wigley, E. (2017). Constructing subjective spiritual geographies in everyday mobilities: the practice of prayer and meditation in corporeal travel. Social & Cultural Geography, 19(8), 984-1005. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649365.2017.1328527
Holloway (2003) states that the body and bodily action are fundamental components in producing sacred space (p.1964). Holloway (2003) also states on half of Martin and Kryst's account, how the pilgrims experience place through embodied feeling of holiness and peace (p.1964). In conclusion showing that sacred space is something that can be sensed or felt. Holloway (2003) connects this idea of experiencing sacred space through the body to the New Age movement, which is described as a contemporary spiritual and religious movement (p.1965). Mainly accessed by use of meditation. This is another example on how individuals can access or create sacred space through meditation, the body, and thoughts.
(Jenna. F)
Holloway, J. (2003). Make-believe: spiritual practice, embodiment, and sacred space. Environment and Planning, 35(11), 1961-1974. https://journals-sagepub-com.libproxy.mtroyal.ca/doi/pdf/10.1068/a3586
Another type of space we take great dear to us is natural space. Such as ocean, mountains, and sacred forests. Many ways a natural space can define a meaning to us like the shape, its place, or what it is made from. Like the Greeks they believed mountains such as the biggest ones is where gods lived while watching over us. Or Poseidon who lived in the sea so fisher's always being careful not to anger him and not fish to much. Many people believe this so we can have a purpose but I think we have this rules attached to our believes is so we can save ourselves from what we can become. Nature is the most precious to us and that why many people go traveling around the world to be in the natural space. Cause each space brings us many different feelings to our mind. (Alexander)
Mythological Yggdrasil. Credit: Baxters Patent oil painting a la Oluf Olufssen Bagge's translation of the Prose Edda (1847)
Saint Boniface and Donar's Oak.
Source: alamystockphotos.com
The world is filled with a verity of space such as man made, natural and inner space. I think man made space is one of the biggest of ones cause that's that gives us many meaning and 24/7 we are surrounded by them. Churches, temples, even historical buildings give us much knowledge and meaning. Man made space is crucial for our survival and even now Covid-19 doesn't stop many from continue their practice of religion by going to a church/temple or making their own house to it because for many people man made space brings them back to be human. Same goes for temples, for many temples have meaning cause of the previous kings and queens who lived there like the Russian palace which is where some of the most powerful and ruthless lived there. Much power came from places that shaped countries, man made spaces which shows us what we a capable. (Alexander)
The Winter Palace, St. Petersburg.
Credit: saint-petersburg.com
The sanctity of space is ubiquitous. We can find sacred places in a myriad of spaces be they man-made, natural, a synthesis of the two, or otherwise. It is for this reason that the essential quality that makes a space sacred is the meaning we ascribe to that place. (Jacob)
A sacred place is believed to be a natural, man-made, or imaginary space that ideally has the potential to put an individual at ease. This place allows them to feel deeply connected to their inner selves and allows them to partake in activities that gives them the release that is needed. All sacred places mainly have one purpose in common, and that is to put one's mind at ease and to sometimes feel connected to a higher power.
