CREATING YOUR SPIRITUAL HAVEN

In ancient Egypt the preparation for prayer was very thorough, Apparently, they had a separate room which was sprayed with scent - not incense, but a scent very much like almond blossoms - presumably from older varieties . Before prayers, they bathed and put on white raiments - the spiritual. All over the ancient world, people put a special place aside for that which dominated their lives. So there is nothing new in creating a spiritual haven and indeed, all over the world today people still do it.

Even the poorest Indian home has a space where images of Shiva and Krishna, or one of the other many faces of the deity, watch over the whole household; in front of which there is a small shrine for burning incense and saying prayers. A few Catholic homes are complete without a picture of Jesus or the Virgin Mary; in front of which eyes will be closed, hands put together, and prayers said; While all over Asia , countless images of Budda adorn quite, and fragrant, prayer corners. At any moment in time, literally millions of people all over the world will be in the midst of deep prayer in their own homes.

We create a spiritual haven to have a special place to focus on the spiritual, and to contact the higher realms. It's a place we will come back to time and time again, perhaps for different reasons. We may go there to seek peace, focus our minds, clear our thoughts, or just be. And it is there we can open our heart's to the love in the universe that waits to receive us. Aim to create a peaceful, restful place where the mind, body ad soul can concentrate on themselves for once, and be whole. It will be a place where you can draw the angelic beings close, and make your connection to the Universe and God.

Most of us do have the luxury of having a whole room to spare, but we can usually find a corner somewhere. That may be in the living room, bedroom, study or even the hall. Where is less important than what's in it, especially love. It is love in a house or place that makes it a sublime space to be in. The most exquisitely decorated palace is not beautiful if no love is generated there. The vibration of love, clear of negativity, carries prayer to its destination. It is the atmosphere of love that makes the haven spiritual.

If you never created a prayer space before, start by cleaning the area - and whole room - thoroughly. If it is a family room, do it when nobody is around. Clean everything, even inside wardrobes and cupboards, and have every ornament sparkle. While you do this, focus your mind on the divine, and imagine beautiful coloured lights, all the colours in white light, streaming into the room. If you like, play your favourite uplifting music. Not something that is 'beautiful' but just happens to be about unrequited love, and fills your eyes with tears and makes you sad. Play something that lifts up your spirits and fills you with optimism and joy. 

If you wish, the cleansing can be done with salt which has long been used as a spiritual purifier. First, open the windows and say a small prayer. The put the salt aroubd the room before you vacuum, using a little in all the corners, including those in wall cupboards, starting away from the window and moving towards it. This dispels any uncomfortable 'feelings' that may have adhered to the fabric of the room.

When your sacred haven area is clean, think of what you will put in it. Start with a small table;if you don't have one use a solid box. Cover it perhaps with a beautiful clean cloth, then arrange on it some favourite or precious things. What these objects are is an entirely personal matter. They might include a gift from a friend, or a drawing by a child which makes love rise in your heart.

Many people put a beautiful or sacred picture at the back, standing up on a table or attached to a wall. A plant brings life to the scene and will respond to the love you give in your prayers. Flowers are gifts which brighten our lives, and are a joy to focus on as we contemplate the beauty of creation. Put them in your best vase, and change the water regularly to keep them happy.

Everyone has their own favourite flower; for some it's the tall white lily, for others the tiny white daisy that dots our lawns. In each bloom we can see the spirit of the flower, helping to create the atmosphere of peace. add anything else that means something spiritually to you. That may be a crystal, a stone, or a bunch of herbs. It may be a few small treasures gathered over the years.

Candles are often lit in spiritual places, perhaps because they represent the spirit within us and signify change and transformation. We can focus on that light, and see the aura glow. Many cultures speak of a purple flame, the flame within. Finally, put your diffuser on the table, adding a tiny amount of salt to the water in the bowl.

Now sit back for a moment a feel the peace you have created. Light the candle - representing fire and spirit - which will symbolically burn your words and send them to Heaven; and light the candle under the diffuser - representing light and soul - which will release the fragrance molecules and send them to their source.

Then drop between 3-10 drops of essential oil into the bowl of the diffuser. Sit quietly just looking and sensing the peace and restfulness, then ask for blessings on your spiritual haven. The most important thing about 'maintenance' is to keep negative energies away. Try to avoid having arguments in this area, or keeping the phone near by. As every person you have contact with influences you to a certain extent, and leaves something of their spiritual frequency in your subconscious mind, so a place is subtly changed by the people who come into contact with it, especially you.

Reference: The Fragrant Heavens : Valerie A Worwood