Wisdom 

A teaching humbly offered by Klent

The Buddha said "Any place can be your temple if you treat it as such".

I was fascinated with this concept. As I looked around, I noticed that we as modern people have lost our sense of the sacred it seems.  We do not have very many places we can call our temple, or a sacred place. Many people consider their church or temple to be sacred ground, and treat it as such on Sunday, or whatever day they go there, but don't you think that we as humans need a sense of the sacred in our daily lives?

I have a special sacred spot in my house, my temple so to speak. It is there as a reminder of the path I travel, to help me keep in mind that each moment is sacred. It requires daily attention, which is a good practice in mindfulness, and living in the moment. It isn't much of a spot, I guess it doesn't have be. It all depends on how I treat it.

My sacred spot is a small area in my spare bedroom. In this spot is my altar, which is simply a small  brown bookcase. On top is an altar cloth where the Lord Buddha sits in serene meditation. Before him is a small offering plate of plain rice, a water cup, and a small incense burner. I try to keep the water cup full daily, and I change the rice weekly. All, as a part of my practice.

Nothing else is allowed on this altar, or in it's general area. The incense burns when I am home to create a sense of peace and harmony which helps me have focus from the turmoil of daily life. When I meditate, it is before my altar with a few candles burning in the room. I quietly meditate, focusing on the sacred. Just coming into the room causes a feeling of tranquility to come over me because in this area I do sacred things. The smell of the incense permeates the whole house and makes everyone comfortable and immediately relaxed.

My sacred spot isn't very big, but it influences my whole house and those who come here. It is a constant reminder of the sacred in all our lives, and how we need to focus on that sacredness each and everyday. Maybe by reminding ourselves of the sacredness of life we will see the sacred and good in all our fellow travelers. Maybe anywhere we are can be our temple if we treat it as such? Do you have a sacred spot?