The sages tell us that inner peace is accessible to each of us every moment. During prayer and/or meditation we feel that sense of calm and serenity, but as soon as we walk outside of our doors…! Although we hope to create sanctuary within us, sometimes we need to retreat to a place of restoration, to a physical sanctuary.
During these times of transformation, I have found these sanctuaries to be touchstones to remind me of my truth and to renew my spirit. I invite you to take a glimpse at them, and I hope you will Comment and share some of the places you have visited to retrieve your sense of peace.
-Victorine
Om Sanctuary
Visit the beautiful 54-acre mountain retreat center in Asheville, North Carolina to learn, explore, seek wellness, experience mindfulness and bring balance to your body, mind and spirit while surrounded by nature.
During your visit you have the opportunity to experience cell phone free common areas, participate in a variety of holistic classes, access the wellness center, hike the woodland trail, enjoy the gardens and waterfall within a nurturing, supportive community.
Bring peace and balance back into your life; look for an up-coming program, personalize your retreat, or inspire others and Bring Your Program.
OM Sanctuary is the ideal destination for coordinators looking to bring a Spiritual Retreat, Meditation Retreat, Yoga Retreat, Wellness Retreat or Personal Retreat.
I had the opportunity to stay a few days at Om in preparation for a ceremony for the 4 Elemental Mothers. The grounds and amenities were soothing, and the labyrinth allowed me to ready for the ceremony taking place at Sacred Circle Sanctuary.
Sacred Circle Sanctuary
Established in the spectacular cradle of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sacred Circle Sanctuary was created to serve community in providing a place of spiritual practice in communion with the local Spirits of Place and invited Allies. Intended to encourage interconnection within the larger community of spiritual practitioners, this sacred gathering site has been host to ceremonies and celebrations of many types and practices. Embodying the belief that we are all One, this location has served to enable people of many belief-practices to come together and discover/develop ways to celebrate the Divine as it is expressed in all of our unique human forms. The common creation of ceremony and celebration around the fire circle has been an expression of cultures throughout all times. This symbolic use of light and energy transcends all religious and spiritual definitions, touching upon that common denominator to all sacred practice, the intentional connection of the celestial light with our earthbound creation.
The fire ceremonies are for gatherings of individuals seeking to bring more of the sacred into their everyday expression through a variety of traditions and beliefs. We gather as Buddhists, Hindus, Shamans, Jews, Pagans, Christians, Muslims, Star-Seekers, and a variety of other expressions having the one thing in common that we honor a creator/spirit and acknowledge our interconnectedness with all living things. We create ceremony to tap into the archetypical and symbolic subconscious that has driven men and women through all times to create meaning through ritual and symbolism. We gather to acknowledge the Divine in each of us and to create a sacred vessel together where we can celebrate, pray, dance, drum, and participate in Sacred Play. Each fire is uniquely influenced by those present and the intent of the ceremony. Sometimes there are special planned elements, and sometimes it is spontaneous.
One thing all fires have in common is that they create a safe and sacred container for each person to do their personal work, make offerings to the fire for consumption, and prayers to be carried high with the sacred smoke. There is no expectation on anyone coming other than to be open to the moving of spirit within them, honor each person’s own expression as sacred for them, and lovingly hold space for the ceremony to proceed in its own way.