An inner temple (also referred to as an inner sanctuary) is an environment built in your imagination for the purpose of spiritual retreat and work. It does not have to be a ‘temple building’ as such, but it can be any place where you will feel relaxed, at peace and able to focus your energy on a regular basis. Here are some inner environments which are commonly used for temple work:
- A log cabin situated next to a babbling mountain brook. Here the sky is clear blue, the mountains green and the air fresh and invigorating. Inside, the cabin is simply furnished with an open fire, a comfortable chair, and any other items you find necessary to make this inner temple appealing.
- A stretch of coastline, unmarred by human construction. Your temple in this case is not confined to a building. Instead, your spiritual work and play is enjoyed on the sandy beach as you watch the surf of the clear blue ocean lap back and forth.
- A ‘Garden of Eden’, with all manner of exotic plants and wildlife helping to surround you with the beauty of nature. In this kind of inner temple, there is often an open glade area where you can sit and carry out your energy work.
There are many other kinds of inner temples which you can choose to build, but the three examples that I have just provided should illustrate that your temple doesn’t have to be a building in the conventional sense. With that fact established, you should now start creating your inner temple – your personal oasis of spiritual peace, power and enjoyment. To do this, simply follow the guidelines below:
- Go to a place which is quiet and where you will be free from distractions for at least half an hour.
- Sit or lay in a comfortable position, close your eyes and spend a few minutes relaxing your body.
- When you feel totally relaxed, imagine your inner temple as clearly as you can. For example, if your temple is to be a log cabin in the mountains, see the cabin from the outside. Look at the scenery around you. Breath in the fresh, crisp air. Hear the babbling brook nearby.
- Now enter your temple and look around. Notice the flickering fireplace. Sit down in the comfortable chair in your temple space and simply enjoy being in this new place.
- Now affirm: ‘This is my inner temple. This is my personal oasis where I can come and be at peace with myself and the universe. This is where I can focus my spiritual energy for the benefit of my ongoing evolvement as a spiritual being.’
- When you feel that you have spent long enough in your temple, decide to return to normal waking consciousness and open your eyes.
Repeat this simple exercise every day for a week or two and your inner temple will soon begin to feel very real. This is because it is real as far as the inner plane of reality is concerned. You have built a personal oasis in your imagination – an oasis you should feel able to retreat to whenever you wish for the purpose of carrying out spiritual work or simply relaxing and enjoying the environment.
