Hi, Sam here. Welcome to Radio Headspace and Happy Wednesday.

On a recent trip to Sweden, I visited a beautiful church. I'm always struck by the beauty

and majesty of old churches, and I can't help but feel a sense of awe around and in them.

I took in the high ceilings, witnessed visitors lighting candles and saying prayers. Everyone

walked around with a sense of reverence as they read the heroic stories of people buried

there.

Taking in the ambiance made me think about secular mindfulness spaces that I've practiced

in. I've meditated in Buddhist retreat centers around the world, and though most of them

are surrounded by the natural beauty offered by forests and verdant landscapes, the buildings

themselves are usually pretty plain. I've come to understand that spaces of meditation

are meant to be free from clutter and stimulating images and decor. It's an intentional choice,

meant to aid in the concentration and contemplative practices of meditation. And this got me

thinking about how a potential secular community space could be beautified. Is it really that

distracting to be surrounded by beauty? In fact, in the Catholic faith, beauty is seen

as a way to deepen one's relationship with God.

As someone who was raised with flavors of both Catholicism and Judaism, I can say that

being part of those communities gave me a lot to think about throughout my life. I've

always appreciated the idea of having a sacred space and the sense of community that can

develop through practicing. And though I may not practice now, I really respect many aspects

of my religious upbringing, including the beauty I've witnessed. And maybe it's similar

for you. I find there are a lot of things that we're exposed to at a young age where we

identify with certain parts and maybe not so much with others. Beauty is a source of inspiration.

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