There is a sacred place that exists in our mind’s eye. I’ve heard some people refer to it as the inner temple, or the sanctum sanctorum. It is a place that we build from the scaffolding of our imagination. Perhaps it is a cabin by the beach, or a gazebo in the mountains. Whatever its form may be (which can shift to our liking), it is a place that we return to time and again for practice. I like to think of mine as a yoga studio in the ethereal. I imagine it similar to the room in my home where I most often lay down my mat. But this space is located deep in the woods. Sometimes there is a large lake nearby, and sometimes it is situated by a volcano. The scenery changes but its purpose remains the same: I come to this space for refuge, to offer my mind some respite from the wild thoughts that run amok in the crevices of my shadows.
And this is also where I come to practice when I’m unable or unwilling to practice in body. Perhaps before falling asleep, I ease myself into savasana as I lie in bed. And from there, I also envision myself in savasana on the floor of my inner temple. Or maybe I see myself flowing to the cadence of my breath as I salute the sun and the moon. This is also where I come to sit to chant the four sacred syllables. I have seen my ancestors come and sit with me. And I have also encountered visitors of other sorts that come to deliver messages. I first started building this ‘room’ in my mind as a form of focused attention. Most forms of meditation don’t appeal to me. This became my own interpretation of dharana. And this is my invitation for you to build a room of your own, an inner temple that you can come to whenever you wish. Because we all need a container to hold ourselves from within.
A savasana practice: Come into your final resting pose. Let your legs splay open while you rest both hands on your womb. Take a deep breath in, and a deep breath out. One more breath in, and let it all out as you close your eyes. From here, allow your breath to travel where it needs to go. And in your mind's eye, imagine a place where you feel safe. What does it look like? What does it feel like? What can you smell, or touch, or taste? Is it a place in nature, or a room in your home? Begin to play with the dimensions and shapes of this space. Decorate it to your liking, or change its location if you want. And when you are finally satisfied, see yourself lie down in savasana in this inner temple. And simply rest. There is nothing left to do.