As I mentioned in my last post, virtual worship spaces are a legitimate thing. Through a combination of focused visualization and the expenditure of a bit of spiritual energy, one may create a simulacra of a physical location for worship. While using a visualization of a place one is familiar with is a good starting point for this practice, it is also possible to generate a unique location that is tailored specifically to your needs.
Below are a number of meditations that one may use to create a space within the theater of the mind that is connected to the spiritual realms that is useful for worship or meditation. For the purposes of this post, I presume that you are familiar with trance induction and the process of navigating trance state.
The Garden
Envision yourself at a hedgerow with a gate before you. You hold the key to this gate in your hand. As you unlock it, you know that this is a place of sanctuary and safety. You pass within the gate and shut it behind you, locking it again and placing the key in your pocket, preserving the safety of this place within yourself. When you turn from facing the gate of this garden, you see a path that leads through the garden.
Along the path are many flowers and ornamental plants. The scent of them is calming and refreshing. As you begin to stroll leisurely along the path, you recognize that these plants represent your thoughts and dreams. Some are fully developed and gloriously in bloom. Others are still growing. In some places, there are plants growing in disarray, for these are the thoughts that trouble you from time to time. They are, still, plants that make this garden a wonder to behold.
The path begins to gently slope upward and soon you find yourself before a small shrine with a bench where you might rest after your stroll. The shrine is one that fits entirely within your garden's aesthetic and is a place of deep peace and healing. You sit upon the bench near the shrine and regard it. Note the structure of it and its beauty. Note the icon(s) within it and how well made they are. As you contemplate the icon(s), recognize that this is a sacred place that will allow you to connect with the Divine. Here, at the center of the garden, you have found a spark of the Divine within you. Take a moment to commune with this essence of the Holy and take comfort in their presence. When you feel ready, follow the path out of the garden.
As you reach the gate, you are filled with peace and healing. You feel refreshed and ready to face the world. You unlock the gate and exit the garden. With gratitude for the Holy presence you have met in this sacred place and appreciation for the beauty within you, you lock the gate to keep the sacred safe.
The Temple
You stand before the gates of a temple. A great wall surrounds it and the entrance is locked securely against all who would defile the sacred ground. You hold the key to the gates and unlock them, knowing this is a place of safety and security. As you cross into the temple grounds, you know that this place is a holy place of sanctuary that is dedicated to the Divine. You lock the temple gate behind you and walk along a path to the temple proper.
As you walk towards the building, you see that there is a garden before it with a wide array of plants in bloom. These plants represent your thoughts and dreams. Some of them are fully developed and gloriously in bloom. Others are still bursting from seed. Here, there are also some plants growing in disarray which are the thoughts that trouble you from time to time. Their presence, however, is harmonious because they are a part of you that is cherished by the Divine.
At the doors of the temple, you find an ewer filled with water and a basin. You wash your hands and your face in the water, cleansing away the spiritual adhesions from the 'mundane' world that make it hard for you to connect with the Divine. You enter the temple and are immediately struck by its majesty and beauty. Light streams in from windows and burns from candles about the space. At the center of the temple is an icon of the Divine. As you approach the icon, you are filled with peace and the troubles of your heart are soothed.
You sit down on a bench near by and contemplate the icon. Sitting here, you feel something of the presence of the Divine and know that you are never alone for the Divine is always with you. When you feel ready, you leave the temple and pass through the garden to the wall. At the gate, you unlock it and exit with the full knowledge that this sacred place is secure against any who would profane it. You lock the gate and put the key into your pocket, knowing you can come to this place at any time with but a thought.
The Grove
You find yourself on a path that leads into a forest. The day is warm and the weather is mild if not pleasant. You walk along the path and hear the quiet noises of the forest. Soon the path begins to slope upward slightly. You emerge from the trees into a circular clearing. At the center of the clearing stands a stone weathered by time but etched with holy symbols that are still visible. As you approach the stone, it is clear that this is a place where you can feel the presence of the Divine.
Flowers grow about you in the meadow. Some are familiar and others less so. All of them, however, represent your thoughts and dreams. Just about the stone is a space of soft grass where you might sit or lie upon the ground. You settle in the center of the meadow near the holy stone and contemplate the symbols you see inscribed there. As you do so, you feel that the Divine is close to you and your heart is set at ease. You sit in the presence of the Divine in this hidden grove with a profound sense of peace and well being. You commune with the Divine through your heart and keen awareness of their presence.
When you are ready, you rise and find the path back to the place where you began. As you walk, you note that it is a path that winds around the hill with others leading off from it. You know that this labyrinth through the forest is what keeps the grove secret and safe. As you exit the forest, you are refreshed and reinvigorated from your walk and ready to resume your day.
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