Caroline Dow - Sanctuary of Your Own: Create a Haven Anywhere for Relaxation & Self-Renewal

Llewellyn Publications

Woodbury, Minnesota

Copyright Information

Sanctuary of Your Own: Create a Haven Anywhere for Relaxation & Self-Renewal 2019 by Caroline Dow.

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First e-book edition 2019

E-book ISBN: 9780738762760

Book design by Rebecca Zins

Cover design by Shannon McKuhen

Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Dow, Caroline, author.

Title: Sanctuary of your own : create a haven anywhere for relaxation and

self-renewal / Caroline Dow.

Description: First edition. | Woodbury, Minnesota : Llewellyn Publications,

[2019] | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: This

book shares ideas and techniques for transforming any space into a haven

designed to bring balance, serenity, and joy into your lifeProvided

by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019033921 (print) | LCCN 2019033922 (ebook) | ISBN
9780738762425 | ISBN 9780738762760 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Social interaction. | Personal space. | Environmental

psychology.

Classification: LCC HM871 .D68 2019 (print) | LCC HM871 (ebook) | DDC 302dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019033921

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019033922

Llewellyn Publications does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business arrangements between our authors and the public.

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Llewellyn Publications

Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

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Woodbury, MN 55125

www.llewellyn.com

Manufactured in the United States of America

To my friends and colleagues who graciously gave of their time and ideas in interviews about their sanctuaries and who helped me fill in the blank spaces with wit and wisdom. May your sacred spaces help roll you to glory!

Contents

Introduction:

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: Coming Home

Acknowledgments

I d like to thank the following people for consenting to be interviewed about their personal sanctuaries. Their thoughtful and enlightening responses made valuable contributions to this book. They are: Hyman and Nancy Brown, Thora Chinnery, Poppy Copeland, Alicia Cristofano, John Dow, Nancy Downie, Ellen Haynes, Christiane Howard, Sherri Jennings, Lawrie Kimbrough, Debra Livingston, Sara Martinelli, Frederick Mayberry, Frank Miller, Tania Petrulius, Shauna Sandstead-Corona, and Barbara Steiner. And I especially want to thank my editor Amy Glaser, whose enthusiasm for this project has cheered me on.

Introduction

A Home in Your Heart

Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.

Joseph Campbell

M any of us dream of a personal haven, a retreat from the whirlwind of our busy daily lives. A safe place tucked away from the stresses of work, traffic, family, the never-ending to-do list, and other demands. A refuge where no one can intrude and where we can feel free to just be ourselves. A retreat where we can engage in creative pursuits such as a favorite hobby or journaling. Or simply a nonjudgmental space for self-development, meditation, prayer, or contemplation.

If this description fits your desire, you can stop dreaming now and begin carving out a sanctuary of your own. This sacred space, which doesnt necessarily refer to religion, is a place that is sacrosanct to you and you alone. The world abounds with space; it exists all around us, even in our minds. To create your haven, you must start by both harnessing the power of your perceptions and your intentions to realize your dream.

You can locate your sanctuary almost anywhere. Your entire home can become a consecrated realm or you may focus on one room or corner. Your special haven may find a home in your garden, on your patio or balcony, at a park, by an ocean or lake, or deep within a forest or desert. You can construct a mini sanctuary at work, in your car, and even in your hotel room when youre traveling. The settings are as limitless as your imagination and circumstances.

Boundaries

Personal space naturally entails boundaries. You erect these physical, mental, or emotional fences around you to exclude unwanted intrusions. Yet boundaries also keep in what you hold to be sacred. The things you choose to surround yourself with speak to your individual personality, preferences, family backgroundeven your values and attitudes toward life.

A sanctuary is a place where one can withdraw and spend time alone. It also can be a designated area to share quiet moments with someone special or celebrate with those you love. If you envision your haven from this perspective, youll see that you can socialize or exchange ideas with others in this relaxed environment. A dining room filled with family and friends is as much a hallowed precinct as a meditation room or altar. In this way, a boundary becomes a frontier for exploring and interacting with others personal spaces. You may even discover ways to expand or reimagine your sacred space. You can adapt ideas youve discovered in other peoples homes, offices, or personal retreats to reflect your own refuge. In this way, you create a synergistic space greater than the sum of its parts.