Cherith C-Landscapes of the Sacred

In Belden Lane's "Landscapes of the Sacred", there are four guiding axioms that Lane addresses that will help to make the character of sacred place clearer.  Axiom number one states that the sacred place is not chosen, it chooses.  No one can walk up to a tree, a river, or the sidewalk and say that that place is now sacred, nor can they try to perform any action on the place to make it sacred.  This is because the initial place or ‘untransformed’ place has no significance.  It is not the specific place that makes a location sacred but an event, which is not forced.  The event can be an idea or thought crossing your mind, or a near-death experience; no matter how big or small, the aftermath of the event is what changes you. The second axiom that states, “sacred place is ordinary place, ritually made extraordinary.”

In Landscapes of the Sacred, an example is given when someone is hiking in the woods, which they have done numerous times before and would seem to be counted as part of their routine.  The person hypothetically passes the same tree stump near the neck of the river time after time.  Except one day it is different.  There is an internal shift that can be life-altering or just have a small effect on them.  Whatever the case may be, the life-altering event has occurred and will therefore change their outlook and perspective.   

The original ‘ordinary place’ has lost its ordinariness and has now become extraordinary.  Whenever they go hiking there, or pass a particular spot that reminds them of the hike, the event will be at the forefront of their mind.  The ordinary place ceases to exist and the event takes precedence.  The author speaks of the ‘ritual silence’ that they experienced while hiking, in which the silence eventually took over and changed their life.  

The third axiom states that the sacred place can be tred upon without being entered.  This is because the experience that occurs is so singular and unique to you that it “catapults” you into a different frame of mind.  Going off the previous example from the second axiom, you could be an avid hiker and travel in the same areas for years and years without the places you pass through having any real meaning, significance, or value in your life.

After hiking the same trail for say five years, you one day have your spiritual experience.  This is what it means to have tred upon a sacred place without entering it.  You may have a relationship with the place, but its newfound meaning and attachments are on a completely new level.  It is also really amazing to look back at how a place used to mean nothing but because of one singular event, your perception of it has changed your way of thinking and seeing life. Also, you can tred upon someone else’s sacred place without entering it, because their sacred place has no significance in your life.

The fourth and final axiom is that he impulse of the sacred place is centripetal and centrifugal, both local and universal.  Although a sacred place and transformative experience is usually unique to you and your life, it can also be a similar experience to others.  This relates to our discussion of our personal project and the overarching project that connects all of us.  The ritual and spiritual experiences of others can define your ritual experiences and move you closer to your personal project.