Sanctuary
spring stirs thing up, holding with kindness, providing sanctuary
We are just past the Spring Equinox here in Melbourne. And it seems like this season has stirred up a lot…
I’ve been supporting myself and others with allergies, persistent coughs, inflammatory flare ups, mental health crises, fracture rehabilitation, postpartum recovery after emergency birth, relationship break ups, and lots of big emotions.
We were all so ready for the end of school term! My family is using the holidays to really slow down and rest. Letting ourselves feel bored and sitting with that until we move through to something different, rather than rushing to fill in our time with more activities.
I’ve been introducing my daughter to some classic literature - Jane Austen and Charles Dickens - starting with the film versions. We’ve been discussing big ideas including class structure, women’s position in society, poverty and violence. Noticing how it was then, and what it is like now. Her perspective teaches me a lot!
All month I’ve tried to stay focused on holding myself and others with kindness. When things are stirred up, it is easy to get reactive and brittle. This focus reminds me to be gentle in my responses, to listen deeply, and give everyone plenty of space.
Last month I was exploring the idea of healing presence, now I’m thinking about providing sanctuary.
Sanctuary comes from the Anglo-French word seintuarie or sentwary meaning "a consecrated place, building set apart for holy worship; holy or sacred object." And from the older Latin word sanctuarium "a sacred place, shrine", also "a private room."
In medieval times, churches or other holy places could provide refuge and immunity from punishment to people seeking sanctuary. So the word now has the added sense of "a place of refuge or protection."
I’m beginning to recognise my studio space as a sanctuary. It is a sacred space for rest, peace and healing. It has provided many people with refuge from their pain and worries. And recently, I have offered the studio as a place of privacy and protection for two women who needed a longer stay.
My thinking and inspiration this month is about personal and collective healing and how entangled they are:
Reading Doppelganger by Naomi Klein
Listening to finding our soul’s vocation, a conversation with James Hollis
Watching when healing becomes ill and care harms us
Considering building neighborhood communities
Much love,
Emily