Spiritual – essential, higher Self – creating your own inner sanctuary – element of Spirit

By Nidhi Chaitow

In this series: Circle of self-nurturing and self-care | Mental self-nurturing and self-care | Emotional self-nurturing and self-care | Relational self-nurturing and self-care | Physical self-nurturing and self-care

The spiritual aspect of self-nurturing and self-care is the most integral. This is how we nurture and care for our essential self and our relationship with the Divine. What is your relationship with your Higher Purpose? How do you honour this core aspect of who you are?

Go within

Your spiritual relationship with yourself gives you the opportunity to support, nurture and care for yourself. When they say “go within” what does it mean? For me, it’s where I create a supportive and loving space to nurture and take care of myself at the core of my being. Deepak Chopra speaks of “finding a rich world, streaming with thoughts, feelings, sensations, memories, hopes, wishes, dreams and fears.” He also comments that no one is ‘immune to the allure of this world’ and that this is the starting point of spiritual growth.

To support, nurture and care for yourself, I believe you need to create an inner sanctuary. This is the inner temple. It’s your sacred inner space, your inner refuge from the world. A space where you can connect intimately with your divinity. All the great spiritual guides, says Chopra, have taught that there is another level of the mind where silence dominates. This silence space is where your mind begins to shift and where you can lovingly support, nurture and care for yourself in a holy way. Chopra continues that this shift brings about a sense of well-being and safety and when you keep experiencing this inner-silence, you experience peace, joy and bliss. The meaning of ‘going inside’ is the unfolding of true self.

“In a world where the to-do lists never seem to end, taking a pause to go within and reflect is like giving your soul a breath of much-needed fresh air.”

Lizzie Pereira

Create your inner sanctuary

To end our series of posts on self-nurturing and self-care, I would like to offer you a special process to create your inner sanctuary. The sacred place inside where you can go and be with yourself. You need a comfortable and quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Sit or lie and make sure you feel warm and peaceful.

Take a deep breath and close your eyes. As you breathe become still and centred with yourself. If your mind wanders, return your focus onto your breath. Find a still, quiet place within. This is the container that holds you in a place of deep connection with your Higher Power. This is your inner sanctuary, the quiet place at the centre of your being. Stay in this space, connected with your breath. There is nothing to do. The only place to be is here, now.

Fill your space with images, items, spirit animals, guides, gems, nature, or anything that makes your sanctuary feel safe. Your Inner Sanctuary offers you a space to retreat from the busy-ness of the world and where you can connect with what really matters to you. This is where you can check-in and renew yourself in whichever way you choose. Here you have the space to restore your sense of wholeness, balance and wellbeing. This is a sanctuary where you become deeply aware and connected with your true, authentic Self. This is your temple and a place you can return to whenever you need to retreat and go within. Stay in this space for as long as you need to be there. When you are ready become aware of your breath. Feel your body sitting or lying.

Start to tune into the sounds around you. Take 3 breaths into your belly, and with each out-breath become more present in the room. As you open your eyes, look around you.

Gently take your journal, and write about your inner sanctuary. Allow yourself to journal your reflections, feelings and experiences of creating a supportive, nurturing and caring space within.

Your spiritual self-nurturing and self-care holds the container that supports your mental, emotional, relational and physical nurturing and care. Going in and connecting with your own divinity is a deep and precious gift. This is where you honour your essential self. Where you can practice self-compassion and self-love. The element of Spirit is Universal Love and your spiritual practice connects you with the Oneness of the Divinity of All of Life.

Be always blessed.
Nidhi-Amanda

www.premnidhi.com