Your S.P.O.T.
Monday, January 16, 2006
This is a repeat of a 2004 post since this has come up twice in the past few days.Your S.P.O.T.
Some Buddhists and others have what's known as a SPOT: "Special Place Of Tranquility" and it translates well to anybody no mater what your spiritual level. (S.P.O.T.)
Basic SPOT items are:
prayer or meditation beads, amulets, candles, incense and holder, bells, crystals, and flowers. Incense takes the center of the alter, shelf, or table, with a candle and a bell on the right and flowers on the left. Your SPOT should have a universal flavor that can also be individually customized.
You can chant, pray, meditate, or do a reading while lighting the candle, ringing the bell, or using the prayer beads in any order or rhythm that fits you. A minimal SPOT visit could just be ringing the bell and doing gassho (bowing with palms together), and you could have a more involved SPOT visit when something other than routine rolls around or mood dictates it. It can be as basic or grandiose as you wish.
[gassho (gah-'show) is a zen affirmation of life from an intention of humility, gratitude, and mindfulness together with a quick bow with palms together]
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Something I enjoy doing at home for spiritual nourishment and to keep me grounded and thought you may want to incorporate it into your daily life, too.
6 comments:
Susan - I've started a bit of personal research into Buddhism and Zen. I'd like some place to start, but I've found a zillion websites and almost as many books. Any recommendations?
You can try that site that has the SPOT post on it -- Bright Dawn and you may find something on these links, although I've not updated them in some time now. Cosmic Buffet. I'm always searching for any good enlightened reading so let me know if you find anything good, too! Blessings
I have a place like that in my house. Ha! sometimes I'm "in" and don't even realize it! :)
Mine is in my bedroom with my special candles burning, my water fountain on, my lighted bubble light on, and my fibre optic angel on with all other lights out.
Have a good day! Here's to tranquility. *HUGS*
Susan - Thank you for the start. :)
Witchy-I bet you have a nice place all set up.
Karen-Sounds very, very cool. My water thingie doesn't work anymore.
I love that you all get me. Isn't blogging the greatest thing? Anyway, by seeing that site online and talking about it here, I found that many people have these in their homes and I'd like to think that others are setting up their own Special Places Of Tranquility, too.
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