Having a meditation space in the home - somewhere where it’s possible to clear the mind and recover a sense of serenity - is a wonderful way to deal with the stresses of modern life and connect with the spiritual. Having a dedicated meditation room is even better. It doesn’t have to be big and it doesn’t require a lot of investment to create. What is important is to establish the right atmosphere.
Color and light
The first thing to think about is color. Traditionally, Buddhists meditated by looking at a blank white wall, but different individuals need to determine what work best for them. Pale, soothing shades of blue, green, beige or rose are good alternatives to white, while pale wood such as pine or blond ash is usually preferred for the floor. Wallpaper tends to create an overly artificial look, so a better option for the walls is to paint directly onto the plaster.
Ideally, meditation rooms have good natural lighting. People considering where to site such rooms in new properties should think about when they prefer to practice. Early-morning meditation can be more effective if carried out in an eastern room brightened gradually by the rising sun, while the long light of evening in a western room is good for relaxing mind and body after a hard day at work.
Furnishings
A meditation room doesn’t need much furniture and it certainly shouldn’t be cluttered. It needs some form of seating, but this can be as simple as a prayer mat or a comfy, calming rug. Meditation shouldn’t be uncomfortable so it is not obligatory to sit in the lotus position and people who have difficulty getting up and down might consider traditional prayer stools.
For an altar, the best option could be a simple, low table or chest of drawers. Raw, unvarnished wood is often preferred and some people like it with the bark still on. The presence of natural materials helps to create a sense of harmony with nature. For this reason, many people like to cultivate plants or even trees in their meditation spaces.
Ornamentation
The purpose of any other items in a room like this should be to calm the mind, though some choices are shaped by spiritual tradition. An altar flame, a bowl of fruit, a basket of flowers, a vessel of fresh water and an incense burner are often used to represent the five elements. Candles - mounted in beautiful yet simple candlesticks made from materials like soapstone or jade - can add to the atmosphere, and many people choose to display sacred objects, from figurines to prayer stones.
A room is not only experienced by the eyes. In the absence of incense, an oil burner or fresh, strongly-scented blossoms like jasmine can be used to fill the room with a transcendental aroma. Music, natural sounds (like waves or birdsong) or meditation music can be played through hidden speakers.
A well-constructed meditation space gives people the chance to get away from it all in their own home, and to leave behind the material in search of something higher.
Article Source: Cheryl, cheryl.s@specialistauthors.com
