Sacred moments can happen anytime, any place.
When most people think of the sacred, they think of church or another type of religious institution—but the sacred isn’t contained by the four walls of a church or temple. Sacred moments can’t be scripted or scheduled. Sometimes they occur in church, but sometimes they don’t. More often, they occur when least expected. In fact, sacred moments will often catch us by surprise during the most mundane tasks—driving, washing dishes, or weeding the garden.
Sacred moments can happen anywhere at any time—if we’re paying attention. The key is to pay attention and wake up to the sacred in every day.
Think Outside the Box
If you want to tap into a spiritual presence but don’t often find yourself in church, all you have to do is start thinking outside the box—or outside the church, if you will. It’s an opportunity to redefine what constitutes a sacred or spiritual experience for you. For some people, witnessing the sunrise from the beach evokes an overwhelming sense of Divine connection; for others, the smell of bread baking in their grandmother’s kitchen might trigger a sense of the sacred.
But what is it about those moments that leave us feeling connected to something larger than ourselves? Typically, it’s because these things trigger something in our heart center—they feel powerful, even if we’re at a loss for words to describe why. Sacred moments can be fleeting, but overwhelming. They are the moments that take our breath away, move us to tears, or simply trigger an overwhelming sense of joy or gratitude. As quickly as the moment comes, it passes—but we’re left with a feeling of connection to something larger than ourselves. That is sacred.
Finding the Sacred
You don’t really find the sacred, it finds you. Rather than looking for it or expecting it, you have to simply create space for it in your life—and then allow it, experience it, and notice it. That’s the beauty of it. You don’t have to follow a set of rules or dogma; you don’t have to practice rituals; you don’t have to attend church—you simply have to open your heart to the sacred that is happening all around you all the time.
Noticing the Sacred
Life is moving at a fast pace. When we slow down, we often notice things we otherwise miss. Think of how much more you notice when riding a bicycle as opposed to driving a car. Noticing the sacred in your everyday life is sort of like slowing your brain down to bicycle pace. Often, we’re so busy multi-tasking that we can’t focus on the present moment. If you’re talking on the phone while washing dishes, there is no room for a sacred moment. But what if you hung up the phone and simply focused on washing the dishes? What if you felt the warm water wash over your hands as you gazed out the window and enjoyed the view? Then that moment is an opportunity for a sacred connection—and then it may or may not happen. We aren’t in control of those sacred connections, but we are in control of opening the space in our hearts to notice them.
Everyday Moments that are Sacred
Sacred or spiritual moments are different for everyone. What sparks a connection for one person may do nothing for another. If you’d like to experience a Divine connection in your life, start looking for opportunities to see, feel, and experience the sacred in your life. Here are some common activities and experiences that trigger Divine sparks for many:
- Gardening
- Spending time in nature
- Physical exertion such as walking, running, bicycling, or skiing
- Cooking
- Dancing
- Singing
- Watching children play
- Serving others
Source: Originally published in Women: Total Health & Wellness Magazine