Home is where the heart is.

Home is also where your distractions are – snacks in the kitchen, boyfriend watching TV,  the internet, needy pets…how can a sane person find stillness admist the chaos?

Answer: Create a sacred space – your own private sanctuary – and honor that space as your place to go when you want to simply sit in stillness.

Where to set this space up?

Away from the busyness of the house ideally, but if you live in a small apartment where space is a premium you don’t necessarily need an entire room devoted to this purpose. Even a small section of a closet or bedroom can work, and, in a pinch, your sanctuary can be packed up and unfolded as needed.

What should you put in your space?

Meditation cushion:
Ideal for seated meditations, you can find quality cushions online or in your local spiritual bookstore

Eye mask:
Brookstone stores carry a great eye mask called the Nap (they have a version with memory foam for $35 that I use at night for sleeping but they also have a $15 version that my boyfriend swears by). Whole Foods and many yoga studies also carry great silk lavender eyemasks and eye pillows – perfect for a reclined meditation sesh.

Mat:
I use the Padma Nailmat for 15-30 minutes a day during meditation, and my back loves it. To be more specific, my back actually hates it for the first 2 minutes…but once I get used to it and give in, it stimulates deep relaxation. I could take a nap on that thing.

Earplugs or meditation music:
I use the Brainwave iphone app and have found it really helps me tune out external noises that can be so distracting and tune into my inner stillness. Plus, there’s a bit of research behind binaural beats – worth the $2 investment to see if it works for you.

Candles, Shrines, and anything else to make your space feel sacred!
I like to keep it simple – perhaps a candle but usually just a silent blessing or intention.

How often should you visit this space?

Every day – between 5 minutes to an hour depending on your own personal meditation practice -  and then again every time you need to slow down the mind.

No matter what your sanctuary looks like, make it yours, and use it often. Your mind will thank you.