Why Some Places Become Sacred

‘‘The moment i entered the temple my eyes welled up and i felt calm, completely at peace for those few moments,” said my friend about her recent trip to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. I have heard many such anecdotes and a personal experience bears testimony to the attainment of this higher feeling, even if it was short-lived. 

    I wonder what makes certain spaces ‘sacred’. According to sociologist Emile Durkheim, almost anything can be sacred: a god, pebble, tree, king, the moon, a river, animal or bird. They derive sanctity only because the community has marked them as sacred. Once established as sacred, however, they become symbols of religious beliefs, sentiments and practices. Thus, status of any space or object progressing from the realm of the profane to the sacred depends on people who vest their faith in them. 

    Perhaps it works as a placebo. Once a place of worship is established as ‘powerful’ it acquires sanctity over time; it could become a popular pilgrimage destination and provide succour to the faithful. Once a community confers upon a space the attribute of sacredness, it is spontaneously treated differently. Devotees visit the place only after ritualistic cleansing and vest unflinching faith in what their community has singled out from the realm of the profane. As several devotees congregate at such a ‘sacred space’ it produces strong vibes emerging from each of these devotees and creates an aura that changes its dynamics. 

    We all inhabit strong spiritual energies that flow from us into the space we inhabit. There are certain spaces that have a ‘calming effect’ even though they may not necessarily be marked as a sacred space. This ‘calming effect’ owes its existence to the spiritual energies the people frequenting these places carry. Humans are gifted with the tendency to personalise the space they are in. The aura of a space derives its worth from the people frequenting it. 

    What makes some parts of space qualitatively different from others is the strength of the vibrations emerging from those inhabiting it. It is looked upon as a void, an empty well that is filled with the hopes, dreams and ambitions of its devotees who believe that pouring their faith into this void will miraculously lead to their fulfillment  The joint faith of myriad members of a community empowers the void 

    What makes some parts of space qualitatively different from others is the strength of the vibrations emerging from those inhabiting it. It is looked upon as a void, an empty well that is filled with the hopes, dreams and ambitions of its devotees who believe that pouring their faith into this void will miraculously lead to their fulfillment  The joint faith of myriad members of a community empowers the void with strong spiritual energies and the constant human interaction with these forces leads to miracles. Thus, the attainment of peace and calm is the spiritual transfer of energy which, according to researchers, activates the kundalini or subtle energy systems in our body that are vital for spiritual growth. 

    There is indeed no end to human potential. The human race collectively is imbued with insurmountable power. Even the spiritual is produced and controlled by human beings. A human gives birth to God, for without the faith that we vest in these forces they shall cease to exist. Miracles happen when our spiritual energies create auras that take extra-human leaps. 

    It is time we cherish our worth as spiritual beings and use the power vested in us to create a world that we deserve. We have the potential to make every space sacred with the energies that we transfer. To inhabit positive energies we need to first commit ourselves to optimism and believe in the power of our faith. For faith can indeed move mountains. 

    It is time we cherish our worth as spiritual beings and use the power vested in us to create a world that we deserve. We have the potential to make every space sacred with the energies that we transfer. To inhabit positive energies we need to first commit ourselves to optimism and believe in the power of our faith. For faith can indeed move mountains. 

Binaifer Dulani 

Famous Buddhist Quotes & Sayings

• Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.
• You only lose what you cling to.
• Fill your mind with compassion.

We live in illusion and the appearance of things. There is a reality. We are that reality. When you understand this, you see that you are nothing, and being nothing, you are everything. That is all.

• The Four Reliances
  First, rely on the spirit and meaning of the teachings, not on the words;
  Second, rely on the teachings, not on the personality of the teacher;
  Third, rely on real wisdom, not superficial interpretation;
  And fourth, rely on the essence of your pure Wisdom Mind, not on judgmental perceptions.

• We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world.

• To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.

• Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.

• Pay no attention to the faults of others,
  things done or left undone by others.
  Consider only what by oneself is done or left undone.

• What we think, we become.

• Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned.

• Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others.

• He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.

• An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind

• Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.

Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.

On life's journey Faith is nourishment,Virtuous deeds are a shelter,Wisdom is the light by day and Right mindfulness is the protection by night.

• If a man lives a pure life nothing can destroy him;
  If he has conquered greed nothing can limit his freedom.

• To know that you do not know is the best. To pretend to know when you do not know is a disease.

• One of his students asked Buddha, "Are you the messiah?"
  "No", answered Buddha.
  "Then are you a healer?"
  "No", Buddha replied.
  "Then are you a teacher?" the student persisted.
  "No, I am not a teacher."
  "Then what are you?" asked the student, exasperated.
  "I am awake", Buddha replied.

The Power of Three Little Words

Some of the most significant messages people deliver to one another often come in just three words.

When spoken or conveyed, those statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled.

The following three-word phrases can enrich every relationship.

I'LL BE THERE - Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and to us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. 'Being there is at the very core of civility.

I MISS YOU - Perhaps more marriages could be salvaged and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other, "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved.

I RESPECT YOU - Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal. It is a powerful way to affirm the importance of a relationship.

MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT - This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side of "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting "maybe I'm wrong."

PLEASE FORGIVE ME - Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

I THANK YOU - Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

COUNT ON ME - "A friend is one who walks in when others walk out," Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those who are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there, indicating "you can count on me."

LET ME HELP - The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

I UNDERSTAND YOU - People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting others know in so many little ways that you understand him or her is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship.

GO FOR IT - Some of your friends may be non conformists, have unique projects and unusual hobbies. Support them in pursuing their interests. Rather than urging your loved ones to conform, encourage their uniqueness-everyone has dreams that no one else has.

I suppose the 3 little words that you were expecting to see have to be reserved for those who are special; that is I LOVE YOU.

Have a great day loving yourself and loving your loved ones! C U

A Small Tip to Seek God

There is a story of about a sea captain who in his retirement skippered a boat taking day-trippers to Shetland Islands.

On one trip, the boat was full of young people. They laughed at the old captain when they saw him say a prayer before sailing out, because the day was fine and the sea was calm.

However they weren't long at sea when a storm suddenly blew up and the boat began to pitch violently. The terrified passengers came to the captain and asked him to join them in prayer.

But he replied, "I say my prayers when it's calm. When it's rough I attend to my ship."

Here is a lesson for us.......

If we cannot seek God in quiet moments of our lives; we are not likely to find him when trouble strikes. We are more likely to panic.

But if we have learnt to seek him and trust him in quiet moments, then most certainly we will find him when the going gets rough.