Thursday, July 22, 2010

S is for Sacred: Welcome to the Forest

Welcome to the forest, friends.

Leave your earthly cares behind.

Plant your feet in fir and thistle.

Search for peace and find...

the wingspan of a circling hawk,

the majesty of trees,

the glow of sunlight breaking through,

the sweet, pine-scented breeze,

the peaceful feeling deep within

that brings you to your knees.

I visited a website a month or so ago where the question was posed, "Where Is Your Sacred Place?" Mine would be anywhere in the mountains, surrounded by air and sky and trees, reminded in every moment of two things: who I am and Who God is.

When nature isn't readily available, I can still withdraw into my personal wilderness and find the peace I am seeking.

I usually do that here.

Or here.

Do you have a sacred place?

The kingdom of God is within you. - (Luke 17:21)

We want a place where the beauty of nature and the noblest pursuits of man are in a sweet harmony. Our temple of worship is there where outward nature and human soul meet in union. - Tagore

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. - John Muir

Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.- Joseph Campbell

31 comments:

Jess said...

I agree with you, the mountains are sacred quiet paces. I'm much more in tune up there- ironically where technology is less receptive.
That picture of the moss covered tree is so beautiful- all of them are but that one especially.

Lola said...

Totally agree with Jess & yourself - the mountains are such peaceful places. And I love the image of the moss covered tree - quite ethereal!

Have a lovely weekend,
LOLA:)

PS Mine this week is HERE. Hope you've the time to join me!

Unknown said...

I love the mountains. Now as the mom of a two year old, a place where a little boy is napping is a scared place.

Cheryl said...

Absolute perfection. The words you wove among those images...

Viki said...

Beautiful post. Made me think I have to find a place like that. Good post.

Karen Mortensen said...

Very nice. Your pictures are breath taking as always. I wish I had a place like that out my door. Mostly my place is in my home.

Unknown said...

SUE! You are killing me! Can we just skip August? Can I live some place mountainous? Can it be fall in the mountains already?

larainydays said...

We just spent a week in Oregon and did a lot of hiking in the delicious shade that is an Oregon forest. I loved the poem and the images.

Grandma Honey said...

Your music, is once again, perfect with this post. I love how you do that. My sacred place? It's usually in my home.

Darlene said...

Beautiful pictures and poem, Sue.... I too love to get out and enjoy nature, but unfortunately I don't get a chance to do it very often. I find peace and a certain escape from pain in my special chair in the living room. I read there, pray there, and because it is so comfortable and it seems to relax my joints,I go there for relief. I even sometimes take naps in that special chair. Still, there is nothing so calming and wonderful as to get out in the open air where all is quiet and one can just commune with nature.

Kat said...

My sacred place is the ocean. The majesty of the endless horizon, the incredible sunsets, watching dolphins breech. It reminds me of God's grace and goodness. It is the one place that I always feel at peace, no matter the turmoil in my life. Thank you for this beautiful, reflective post. Kat

CB said...

I would have to agree with you (as I see many here have - wink!). Alot of people love the water but I am a mountain girl all the way!

A no brainer is The Temple but for me it is not just the inside. In the past when I have had hard things happen that I need to get through sometimes I will go sit on the Temple grounds and find solace and beauty.

Wherever my family is is also my sacred place. Many times the above 2 are with my family so that is double the blessings!

Lourie said...

I would say the mountains are probably one the best places to find peace. It's so very quiet in the mountains.

I love the picture of the trees with the sunlight pouring through. A little glimmer of heaven.

Brenda said...

We have a path though our woods. Very special to us as we walk down it.

karen said...

My sacred place is the ocean. Not so much the BEACH, where there are lots of people, but a solitary stretch of sand where I can sit and listen to the waves rolling in and out. I've had many talks with myself and quiet reflection next to a stretch of ocean.

Unknown said...

Gosh, that was just so pretty.
I like your sacred places! Right now I could use one of those!

Karen said...

Yep, Mountains! I love the way they touch the sky. Beautiful post and love the music!

Life@Cee said...

My safe place is on the beach, in the moonlight, with my feet buried in the sand up to my ankles. Beautiful photos, Sue.
Cee

Michelle said...

Nature, yes. Mountains and beaches.

And the temple.

But on the homefront, my shower is it. And also sometimes just in those fleeting moments, especially the unplanned teaching and bonding moments with my kids, and connection moments when hubby and I talk about the gospel.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

love forests,
what timeless images.
cool post.

Caroline said...

Your sacred spaces are very similar to mine. Being outdoors (especially on a beautiful day) is something that always rejuvenates me. I also have a comfy spot in the house where I love to read or sit and contemplate when the girls are asleep..or when I have a spare moment to myself.

p.s. Looking at these pictures of the outdoors there, I'm reminded how absolutely beautiful the West Coast forests are. While I've never been to California, I have spent time in Washington State and the images you posted reminded me of that.

:)

Katie said...

For me, the beach is my sacred place. Nothing like the sound of the ocean and the feeling of warm sun on my face. I remember when I used to live in Hawaii I would float in the ocean, look up at the blue sky and the fluffy white clouds and totally feel like I was home! I really love this post Sue. I needed it!

signed...bkm said...

the forest is truly a Sacred Place...enjoyed stopping in for soup and scripture....blessings..bkm

Amy said...

The mountains always restore me when I am frazzled. My husband learned that, and when we are in the midst of a fight that lasts more than a day, he takes me to the mountains where I instantly forget my fight and just breathe. What a wonderful thing it was for Heavenly Father to give us Mountains and streams!

Red Couch Recipes said...

I guess my sacred place would find me meditating and praying and that could be anywhere. There is something also so special about mountains and oceans. This summer I have felt squished and needed to find my sacred place more often! Love the pics! Joni

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Beautiful, peaceful forest images. I love the forest and lake up at my dad's in northern Wisconsin...and love the beautifu, wide open beaches of my hubby's family in Hawaii...

Blessings & Aloha!
(I'd love for you stop over, if you have some time)

Christy said...

We are so blessed by the abundance of beauty in nature that God has blessed us with! Wonderful post.

easternsparkle said...

Beautiful photos - lovely words, thanks for sharing!

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

wonderful hotos! I love the one with the sunlght thru the trees and the one where the tree branches seem to make a heart.

paige said...

I think I have many sacred places - all over the world. I feel like the whole world is sacred. That's why I want to see it all with my own eyes.

Jenny said...

I love your poem.

And this link made me shiver. Your eloquence and photography was really thought provoking.

Often I can only find my sacred space inside my heart...it is difficult sometimes to find solitude here but a moment with a cup of tea and a lovely blog post is often as relaxing as a walk in the lovely woods.

Thanks for helping make our Alphabet Soup extra delicious this week with this charming post.

A+