Creating Space

“When we intentionally create space in our lives, we can intentionally decide what to fill it with.” CAIT FLANDERS

My home is small, messy, full and busy. There’s not much physical space, no quiet place to be that isn’t within earshot of a child’s chatter, laughter or tantrum. No corner that isn’t filled with something that needs doing, toys, shoes or clothes to put away, or a sleeping dog blocking the doorway. Lately, I’ve been locked head to head in a mental battle with the mess. Tension builds up in my system more often than I’d like to admit. It builds quickly like steam rising from a heating kettle, and most of the time it ends with me blowing my top (like said kettle) - with the proverbial steam coming out of my ears as I lament at the disorder and chaos around me. This inner turmoil and tension however, gives me something to reflect upon. Is there a way that I can find the space I am seeking, not without, but within myself?

I was recently reinspired to pick up my daily meditation practice (again). Meditation for me has been a long and winding journey. I mostly use guided meditations before bed, however, there are a few short favourite meditations of mine that I sneak into my mornings before work when I remember to, and make the time for. One of the things I love about meditation is the internal space it creates. It turns me inwards, back to my heart where I can centre and ground myself, if even only for a few minutes. This reconnection to my heart and spirit is an essential part of my personal pathway.

Meditation and the internal space it offers me is only one part of the picture. In order to sit effectively, I need to create physical space too. For me this looks like intentionally arranging a small section of my bedside table with a candle, a notebook and pen, a small statue of Ganesh (a gift from a dear friend) and Kuan Yin, a much loved book my sister gave me, and some crystals. This allows me somewhere (semi) quiet where I can meditate (mostly) undisturbed. When reentering my practice after a period of time of not practicing daily, I tend to sit for 5-10 minutes and build up from there. One of the factors I have needed to surrender is that since the kids have come along I no longer have a whole room to dedicate to my Yoga and meditation practice, and it’s not often that the house is silent. I have needed to learn to let go of the need for a “perfect” space to practice, and instead, to discover that the perfect space already exists within me - I just need to choose to take the time to honour it and use it wisely.

Creating space for yourself doesn’t have to be a seated meditation practice. It could be a walk in nature, journalling, practicing an element of Yoga, listening to ambient music, drawing, painting or taking a shower. It could be allowing any emotions that needs to be acknowledged and release to rise and dissipate; or doing a brain dump of all the things that are worrying you. There is no right or wrong to this so move towards it with a sense of curiosity and playfulness - create the space that you need to serve yourself in that moment. Give it time, experiment with what feels good and right. Let it grow and evolve intuitively and organically. Allow ‘creating space’ to become a sacred part of your personal path.

Questions for self-reflection:

• What does creating space look like me?

• What does creating space feel like for me?

• How can I create space for myself - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually?

• Why is it important for me to create space for myself?

• Where in my life do I need to create more space?
  

Resources for you:

• Feeding the Heart and Caring for Goodness 6 minute Daily Insight by Sarah Blondin

• Metta: Sending Loving Kindness by Ravyn Reid (6 min)

• Listen to your heart by Naomi Goodlet (4min)

• Ajapa Japa Gratitude Practice by Yogi Charu (5 min)

• Clearing your energetic Space by Leo Max (13 min)