A Pocket of Peace
by Janice Lynne Lundy
A Pocket of Peace is an intentional pause. It is a sacred opportunity to stop, let go of any emotional or physical duress we may be experiencing, and remember the inner peace that abides within us. When life threatens to overwhelm, when stress, fear, or worry come to call, simply stop, take a breath, and practice this Pocket of Peace. Doing so will bring you home to your truest self - a woman who is naturally calm, clear, and wise.

Everyone needs an oasis in the desert of life.
Your personal oasis is waiting for you.
When you find it, drink deeply of its cooling waters.
Relax in the shade of its sheltering palms.
Be satisfied.
Be well.

~~~~~~~

Entering Kairos time

When the world seems to draw us into its chaotic energy, or we notice its woes having a depressive effect upon us, one of the most helpful things we can do is to create sacred space for ourselves. We stop what we are doing and consciously choose to enter “kairos” time, a word coined by the Greeks to imply a sense of timelessness, a period where we are fully engaged in the present moment, in activity that nurtures our souls.

One way we engage kairos time is by pausing to light a candle. The simple act of setting match to wick, conjures up memories for me, of ancient ones in caves drawing close, sequestering themselves from unfriendly elements. Fire represents not only comfort and warmth in most cultures, but a symbolic connection with the Sacred—the Source of all life. Churches and temples worldwide often have an eternal flame burning, a visual reminder of the ever-present nature of Spirit itself.

It seems that once a candle is aglow, the atmosphere of any room changes. Be it bedroom or temple, its soft flicker invites calm, even a sense of security. Before I engage in the act of writing, for example, I always light a candle. Doing so, concretizes my intention to access inner calm and clarity for writing. It also aligns me with the Spirit to whom I dedicate my work.

Creating Sacred Space    The ancient Greeks often referred to a ritually lit candle as a “Hestia” or “temenos” candle. Hestia was the goddess of the hearth. The hearth within each home was considered Hestia’s domestic sanctuary. “Temenos” comes from the Greek meaning “safe place” or “sanctuary.” When we consecrate a space with light from a candle, we have created a sanctuary for ourselves; a safe place for us to intimately connect with ourselves or others, and the Divine.

The next time a current challenge threatens to rob you of your peace, you may want to enact a candle lighting ritual. Do so with the intention of reengaging your peaceful self and the Source of your inner light. As you kindle the candle, say, aloud or silently, “I light the fire of my soul life and enter my temenos space to connect with the Spirit within me.”

Spend the next few moments in silence, feeling your way into this newly sanctified space you have created. Notice how you are being invited into a place of greater calm. You may want to take some time to focus on the flame itself as a form of quieting meditation, to deepen this feeling of peace. Allow the light from the candle’s glow to fill and warm your heart. Here, in this sacred space, you are safe and loved, home in the wholeness of your being.

Until next time …

May you be happy.
May you be well.
May you be safe.
May you be peaceful and at ease.

Love and Blessings,
Jan Lundy

, available in bookstores nationwide and at amazon.com To learn more about Jan, visit her website, www.awakenedliving.com, subscribe to her free newsletter, and receive a new 90-page, inspirational e-book,

©Janice Lynne Lundy, 2009
Learn more about Jan Lundy and "Pockets of Peace."

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October's Pocket of Peace
November's Pocket of Peace
December Pocket of Peace