{"id":1972,"date":"2024-05-22T12:05:57","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T10:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/?page_id=1972"},"modified":"2024-06-17T09:55:10","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T07:55:10","slug":"creating-a-sacred-space","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/en\/meditation\/creating-a-sacred-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Create Your Own Spiritual Power Centre at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1972\" class=\"elementor elementor-1972\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14940999 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"14940999\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2aa27cf0 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2aa27cf0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;,&quot;_animation_mobile&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sacred Space<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63a28dc3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"63a28dc3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ca804e3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7ca804e3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ba12c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2ba12c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Create Your Own Spiritual Power Centre at Home<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-157f8783 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"157f8783\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-468b1f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"468b1f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">By Swami Bhagavatananda<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b77d9e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7b77d9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Find the full version <a href=\"https:\/\/articles.sivananda.org\/bhakti-yoga-practice\/create-your-own-spiritual-power-centre-at-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23e13a74 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"23e13a74\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37557f64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"37557f64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Spiritual seekers have always taken inspiration and strength from places that are naturally charged with pure and uplifting energies. Many of these places we find in nature, like the bank of a river, by the sea, deep in a forest or high on a mountain top. <strong>Prana<\/strong> (vital energy) and <strong>Sattva<\/strong> (purity) are naturally abundant in these places.<\/p><p>Then, some of these high-prana-places are man-made and serve as pilgrimage centres, like temples, churches, synagogues, mosques or ashrams. The <strong>Sadhana<\/strong> (spiritual practices) and prayers done in these places, accompanied by <strong>Mantras<\/strong> or any kind of spiritual chants and the pure thoughts left behind by saints and yogis who have been spending time at these places also create a powerful atmosphere conducive to spiritual growth.<\/p><p>By visiting these places, we tune into these pure and powerful energies and absorb them for our benefit. It is true, that an advanced yogi can meditate anywhere, even in a busy public place in downtown London or any other metropole, but, honestly, who is truly that advanced, except a few saintly beings? The rest of us, we need all the support we can get to uplift and control our mind. As we know from psychology, our environment influences our mental state; we constantly absorb on a subconscious level the energies and thoughts of people and situations around us, positive and negative.<\/p><p>The mind works by force of association, whatever surrounds us, is absorbed into the mind. Sometimes we even need protection from our own mind, when it decides to bring up negative thoughts all on its own. Hence, the necessity to surround ourselves with positive energies or what the yogic scriptures call \u201cgood company\u201d to help us to create and maintain a peaceful, clear state of mind.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cbeb0a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6cbeb0a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e88c37e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e88c37e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d6dffb elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"6d6dffb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-square-full&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;,&quot;rendered_tag&quot;:&quot;&lt;svg class=\\&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-square-full\\&quot; viewBox=\\&quot;0 0 512 512\\&quot; xmlns=\\&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.w3.org\\\/2000\\\/svg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=\\&quot;M512 512H0V0h512v512z\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/path&gt;&lt;\\\/svg&gt;&quot;},&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_widescreen&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tContents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__6d6dffb\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6079bf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c6079bf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-915dce6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"915dce6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c07421 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5c07421\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Create a Sattvic (Pure, Harmonious) Environment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44de791 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"44de791\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcd5898 elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"dcd5898\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tPurity is of two kinds, internal purity and external purity. Freedom from Raga-dvesha (likes and dislikes), purity of intentions, purity of motives, and purity of Bhava (feelings) constitute internal purity. Purity of body through bath, etc., purity of clothes, purity of surroundings like the house and its neighbourhood, constitute external purity. External purity generates pure thoughts.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Swami Sivananda<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe518ac e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fe518ac\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe7e25b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe7e25b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Yoga, this is called <strong>Saucha<\/strong>, purity.<\/p><p>When we are in an unclean and disorganised place, it is difficult to keep a clear, structured mind. Therefore, keep your home clean \u2013 especially your Sadhana place, but it applies to the whole place, as energies radiate out.<\/p><p>Maintaining Sattva in your home is not only about removing clutter and dust, but also to uplift and increase the Prana level of your place and allow a free flow of Prana.<\/p><p>If the meditation place is clean, but the kitchen isn\u2019t, this uncleanliness will spread out.<\/p><p>Leave the shoes by the door. They carry the energy of the hectic world around you. It is better to avoid bringing this kind of energy into your home.<\/p><p>For the same reason, take a shower and change your clothes when you get home from work, because your clothes and your skin also absorb the energy of your surroundings. Water energizes us and neutralizes negative energies.<\/p><p>Keep a set of clothes made of natural fibres like cotton exclusively for your spiritual practice and wash them frequently. If you wear your office attire for meditation, it will remind you of your office work and cause distraction.<\/p><p>While cleaning, don\u2019t forget to check on hidden dust-traps in your home, like under the bed and on book shelves and avoid dusty curtains.<\/p><p>The fridge can be another hotspot. We tend to think, the fridge is automatically a sterile zone \u2013 unfortunately it is not. Hence, wipe out your fridge weekly. Best is, to cook only as much food as you can eat, which also saves you from the dilemma of throwing away leftovers and wasting food.<\/p><p>Air out your place well, especially if your yoga practice happens in the same room where you sleep. Fresh air is full of Prana.<\/p><p>Keep your home not only clean, but also tidy \u2013 an untidy place makes an untidy mind and disturbs the Prana flow.<\/p><p>The great Yogi Ramakrishna Paramahamsa trained his disciples to always return everything to the spot from where they took it. He saw that as a spiritual practice and concentration exercise.<\/p><p>Feng Shui and Vastu teach us that even clutter in a non-visible place, like for example a closed cupboard, has a heavy, depressing effect on our physical and mental wellbeing. A good spring-cleaning (at any time of the year) where we give away unused stuff will take care of this.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09f0096 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"09f0096\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34e93b3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"34e93b3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c15bee elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4c15bee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Establish a Little Sacred Place<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52e8f45 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"52e8f45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe6d2ae e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fe6d2ae\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e65a15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8e65a15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You do not need to be a religious person to benefit from an altar. An altar is the spiritual heart of your place. On your altar, you put symbols that radiate Prana and positivity.<\/p><p>Your altar will remind you of your Higher Self and serve as focal point for your meditation. If you are of a devotional temperament, your altar becomes a powerful channel to communicate with the Divine.<\/p><p>A symbol is absolutely indispensable for fixing the mind. The mind wants a prop to lean upon. It cannot have a conception of the Absolute in the initial stages. Without the help of some external aid, in the initial stages, the mind cannot be centralised. In the beginning, concentration or meditation is not possible as your personal power centre.<\/p><p>According to the yogic scriptures, it is best to have a separate room for your Sadhana, as it keeps that room free from worldly influence and a powerful spiritual energy can grow.<\/p><p>But if we\u2019re sharing our home with several people or are living in a tiny studio, a reality check will suggest that this is not possible.<\/p><p>What to do?<\/p><p>Dedicate a small area of your home to your spiritual practice and arrange a shelf or screen or a house-plant in such a way that it creates a protected area. Keep that little space extra-clean and neat and use it only for spiritual practices like asanas, pranayama, meditation, mantra repetition, chanting and spiritual reading. Avoid bringing social media, internet, television, non-spiritual reading matter and overstimulating music into that place and don\u2019t chitchat or take your meals there either.<\/p><p>Now comes a very important step: establish an altar!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bca5da e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7bca5da\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-084ddaf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"084ddaf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43600a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"43600a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Establish an Altar<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7ae9f5 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"e7ae9f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7797d3a elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"7797d3a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tA symbol is absolutely indispensable for fixing the mind. The mind wants a prop to lean upon. It cannot have a conception of the Absolute in the initial stages. Without the help of some external aid, in the initial stages, the mind cannot be centralised. In the beginning, concentration or\nmeditation is not possible without a symbol.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Swami Sivananda<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-714bd30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"714bd30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"664\" height=\"977\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/altar-flower-om-candle-images.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2044\" alt=\"Altar with candle and OM symbol\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/altar-flower-om-candle-images.jpg 664w, https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/altar-flower-om-candle-images-204x300.jpg 204w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aa53fb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4aa53fb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-448b9cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"448b9cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>From your altar, positive energy will radiate out into the rest of your home.<br \/>An altar will inspire you and remind you not to forget your spiritual practice.<\/p><p>And when you feel exhausted, depressed or hurt by the ways of the world, just sitting in front of your altar will comfort you and fill you with new strength and positivity.<\/p><h3>What goes on the altar?<\/h3><ul><li>Choose North or East for your altar, as these directions are conducive to your spiritual practice.<\/li><li>Set up a low table or a low shelf for your altar, so that you can sit crossed-legged in front of it without straining your neck.<\/li><li>Cover it with a beautiful cloth, because if we see something beautiful, the mind gets uplifted.<\/li><li>In case, you set up your altar on the floor, put it on a tray or a piece of cloth, so that your altar items don\u2019t touch the floor directly (this would dissipate the energy).<\/li><li>If you are sharing your home with people who resent having an altar around all the time, set it up in a cupboard with doors or a curtain and close it once you\u2019ve finished your Sadhana.<\/li><\/ul><h4>A candle or an oil lamp<\/h4><ul><li>Light is an expression of positivity, beauty and warmth, Light also represents clarity and knowledge and symbolizes the Light of our Soul.<\/li><li>Make sure you extinguish your candle before you leave the place.<\/li><\/ul><h4>A flower<\/h4><ul><li>You can use a flower in a vase or a potted flower or flower heads or petals or a flower garland. Just don\u2019t put a prickly cactus!<\/li><li>Flowers uplift our mood by their beauty. They also radiate a sweet, gentle energy, softening our heart when we look at them. They represent the blossoming of our Sadhana.<\/li><\/ul><h4>A spiritual symbol<\/h4><ul><li>Choose whatever inspires you, whatever uplifts your mind. It can be a stone<br \/>or a conch that you collected during a vacation by the sea or a statue or a<br \/>picture of Krishna, Jesus, Buddha, Vishnu, Siva, Durga, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, OM \u2026<\/li><li>One symbol only is enough, but you can also put several. But the one with the most important meaning to you should be in the middle.<\/li><li>If you have been initiated into an Ishta-Mantra (mantra dedicated to one specific form of the Divine), you should put that symbol in the centre.<\/li><li>If you have a spiritual Master, put a picture of him\/her on the altar.<\/li><li>It will invoke the blessing and protection of your Master.<\/li><\/ul><h4>Incense<\/h4><ul><li>An incense of good, natural quality in an incense holder or an essential oil cold diffuser; use only pure, high quality essential oils.<\/li><li>Don\u2019t use incense made of chemical fragrances, they are bad for your health and bad for the Prana in your room!<\/li><li>The smoke from an incense has purifying qualities.<\/li><li>A calming, pure fragrance, for example sandalwood, will set the proper atmosphere for meditation.<\/li><li>Burning incense symbolizes burning the ego: when we work to overcome the ego, it will create smoke (some resistance and emotional pain) , but when it\u2019s finally gone, only sweet fragrance will remain in the form of a positive, loving mind.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6f1708 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c6f1708\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82a7e9b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"82a7e9b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b54e9be elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b54e9be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Perform Arati Daily at Your Place<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e65549a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"e65549a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98e6b1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"98e6b1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/lamp-flame-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2041\" alt=\"Indian oil lamp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/lamp-flame-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/lamp-flame-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5937e6a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5937e6a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3ad7c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a3ad7c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Arati is the yogic light ceremony to purify and uplift the vibratory level of any place. It combines the purity and positivity of light with the purity and positivity of Mantras.<\/p><p>Lights also represents our Supreme Self or the Divine. We remember our true Self during Arati.<\/p><p>Arati is especially helpful to counteract negative or disturbing energies \u2013 for example after renovations in your home, an awkward visit, a quarrel, etc.<\/p><p>But in fact, Arati should be done daily under any circumstances, just for the sake of uplifting and purifying your mind and your home.<\/p><p>The Sivananda Centres and Ashrams do Arati twice daily, morning and evening.<\/p><p>All over India, Arati is done in temples as highlight of a spiritual ceremony. The principle of waving light is always the same, but the mantras can be very different according to which aspect is invoked, for example during the Ganga Arati which is performed along the banks of the Ganges, Mantras praising Ganga are chanted.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-182c649 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"182c649\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22f95a6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"22f95a6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2258823 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2258823\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What You Need for Doing an Arati<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bd3c43 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1bd3c43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d4dd24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4d4dd24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"664\" height=\"972\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Arati-lamp-bell-deity.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2045\" alt=\"arati\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Arati-lamp-bell-deity.jpg 664w, https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Arati-lamp-bell-deity-205x300.jpg 205w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6252f27 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6252f27\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8903415 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8903415\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>An Arati lamp<\/strong> or a tea candle on a little plate or an incense. The function of an Arati lamp is that you can hold it in your hand and wave it around while it is lit, so, any set up that fulfils this purpose will do.<\/p><p><strong>A little bell:<\/strong> the sound of a bell drowns out worldly sounds and reminds us that time is precious and that we should use it to focus on the present moment and do Sadhana.<\/p><p><strong>Prasad<\/strong> as an offering (fresh fruits or sweets or dried fruits like raisins).<\/p><p>What you use for Prasad should be used only for Prasad, don\u2019t taste it before it is offered at the altar and don\u2019t use leftover fruits (like half a banana). You can for example keep a little bag of raisins close to your altar and each time take out only your daily portion needed for Arati.<\/p><p>The meaning of Prasad: literally \u201cGrace\u201d.\u00a0It represents a selfless act \u2013 we offer, instead of taking, thus purifying the heart. Symbolically it also means offering the fruits of our actions to the Divine.<\/p><p>Practical effect: Prasad is kept during Arati at the Altar and gets charged with the positive energy of light and the mantras of the Arati and then afterwards we eat this positivity by eating Prasad.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6542c97 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6542c97\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e50cc7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0e50cc7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ae5f20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6ae5f20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to do Arati<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c65561 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6c65561\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e83e93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6e83e93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/arati-lampe.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2029\" alt=\"Arati lamp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/arati-lampe.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/arati-lampe-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/arati-lampe-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45c65f3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"45c65f3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-febf601 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"febf601\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol><li>Put the bowl with Prasad on the altar and put a little portion of it directly in front of your spiritual symbol.<\/li><li>Light your Arati lamp\/tea candle\/incense.<\/li><li>Take the Arati lamp in your right hand and touch your left hand to your right hand or forearm. Stand at the side of your altar.<\/li><li>If a second person is present, he\/she can ring the bell. If not, take the bell in your left hand.<\/li><li>Chant the mantras of the Arati, calmly waving the light clockwise in big circles in front of the altar while ringing the bell<\/li><li>At the end of the Arati, take the lamp in your left hand and with your right palm symbolically wave the light 3 times towards the altar. Then put the Arati lamp down and put both your hands above the flame and pass them over your third eye and head to symbolically connect with the light.<\/li><li>If other people are present, offer the light to the altar first, then take it back into your right hand and offer it to all present. Then you take it last. For extinguishing the flame, wave it out or use a candle extinguisher. Don\u2019t blow it out. Fire is considered too pure to be touched with the breath.<\/li><li>Prostrate. The symbolical meaning of a prostration is the surrendering of the ego. By prostrating, we indicate that our Higher Self is given priority and the ego comes second place.<\/li><li>Distribute Prasad among all present. The little portion you offered directly to your spiritual symbol should remain a while at the altar, then you can dispose of it somewhere in nature like into a river or under a tree. Most Yoga masters even agree that you can eat it, once it has been at the altar for a while.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7a79b7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e7a79b7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45742ae e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"45742ae\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dd2533 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3dd2533\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mantras to be Chanted during Arati<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0fd251 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f0fd251\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d80b462 elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"d80b462\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/y8d6nmSXvLE&quot;,&quot;yt_privacy&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;lazy_load&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1668747 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1668747\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-824ad69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"824ad69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Here a simple, but powerful version:<\/p><ul><li>3 x OM<\/li><li>3 x Om Gam Ganapataya Namah (invocation of Ganesha, the energy to remove obstacles)<\/li><li>3 x Om Gum Gurubhyo Namah (Invocation of the spiritual teacher)<\/li><li>3 x Om Aim Sarasvatyai Namah (Invocation of Sarasvati, the energy of knowledge, wisdom and creativity)<\/li><\/ul><p>Then you can select the Mantra(s) of the deity\/deities that you have on your altar and chant some or all of them, each three times:<\/p><ul><li>Om Namah Sivaya (Siva, energy of transformation)<\/li><li>Om Namo Narayanaya (Vishnu, energy of peace)<\/li><li>Om Sri Ramaya Namah (Rama, energy of Dharma = duty)<\/li><li>Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (Krishna, energy of cosmic love)<\/li><li>Om Dum Durgayai Namah (Durga, cosmic energy behind all everything)<\/li><li>Om Hreem Mahalakshmyai Namah (Lakshmi, energy of positivity and abundance)<\/li><\/ul><p>If you have a spiritual Master, chant his\/ her name as well, for example, if you feel connected to Swami Sivananda, chant three times:<\/p><ul><li>Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya<\/li><\/ul><h3>Minimalistic Arati<\/h3><p>Wave a lit incense clockwise and chant a few times \u201cOm Om Om\u201d before offering the light of the incense to the altar.<\/p><h3>Full Arati<\/h3><p>The full Arati that is chanted during the Satsangs at the Sivananda Centres is quite long, since in the universal spirit of Yoga it invokes many forms and manifestations of the Divine.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sacred Space Create Your Own Spiritual Power Centre at Home By Swami Bhagavatananda Find the full version here. Spiritual seekers have always taken inspiration and strength from places that are naturally charged with pure and uplifting energies. Many of these places we find in nature, like the bank of a river, by the sea, deep [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":1934,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_angie_page":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1972","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1972"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1972\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.sivananda.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}