Temenos: Creating a Sanctuary for Stillness and Truth

This latest piece again is based on a dream that I had. While not depicting the dream figuratively, it is more encompassing the energy and feeling of the place that I visited in the dream space. In the dream I received, I was led into a courtyard that was nestled between two churches. On the ground, there were five horses lying down, covered up to their necks with beautiful blankets. I asked if the horses were okay, and was told yes, they are perfectly fine, merely resting here this sacred space, receiving all that they need.

The following day, I was listening to an audio book - 'Belonging' by Toko-pa Turner, the woman with whom I have done some dream work. She happened to mention the word 'Temenos', a Greek word meaning a piece of ground surrounding or adjacent to a temple; a sacred enclosure or precinct. My ears pricked up...what an uncanny synchronicity, hearing this literally a few hours after the dream had taken place. It certainly did feel like a sacred place in the dream, a boundaried place of sanctuary where one can rest and be completely oneself. It invited that one be completely still and true.

And that is the energy that I felt whilst creating the mandala. The centre is detailed, truthfully complex, yet paradoxically simple, like our inner worlds. This complexity/simplicity is encircled by a golden circle of what feels like sacred energy. An unseen guiding hand that supports us on our journey. Space for the eye to fall into stillness has been left in the liminal space between.

This week, I invite you to take a look at your life with the view of creating Temenos, a sacred enclosure for yourself. A place where you can be still and true. A beautiful and protected space. You can do this in small ways. Perhaps you might take a walk in a forest, allowing yourself to hap upon a clearing, stopping and being still and completely present in that place, even if it is for only a few minutes. It might be creating a sacred space in your home. Lighting a candle with the intention of stillness and truthfulness. It could be taking a beautiful bath, cleansing with intention. It could be making a permanent Temenos space, a small space where you place items that evoke in you the quality of stillness and recuperation. There are as many ways to do this as there are ideas!

The Temenos Mandala measures 70cm x 70cm and is acrylic on deep edge canvas. It costs €890 and I'm always open to people paying in instalments if that works best. Limited edition prints of this piece are available from the shop in Marlay Park Craft Courtyard or you can email me for one!