Have you ever experienced this before? You read some words or see an image somewhere, and for whatever reason, it just doesn’t seem to leave your awareness…

A few years ago, I read an article about ancient sacred groves in Estland that are being revived by the people of the villages nearby. Above anything else, I remember one of the pictures showing two very tall trees, holding an old, engraved wooden signpost between them.

A part of the article, written by Friederike Ostermeier for the magazine “HAPPINEZ”, reads:

“At the sacred grove of Samma, people start arriving one by one. With a gentle knock on a freely swinging wooden board at the entrance, each visitor asks the spirits of the place for permission to enter. Even the youngest among them take part in this quiet ritual. The fire crackles. A band of children rushes toward the Külakiik — a giant wooden village swing, an essential part of rural Estonian life. Baskets of food are unpacked. Men and women weave threads of wool into little offerings, tying them gently to the trees as gifts for the spirits of nature. Someone begins to play the accordion. Hands join, and laughter rises as people dance in a joyful circle. No one minds the tall, wild undergrowth. Here, everything is allowed to bloom, to climb, to grow as it pleases. A sacred grove is free from human interference, untouchable in its wholeness, shaped only by nature’s quiet will. As a guest, you may not cut trees, mow grass, pick flowers or berries, hunt, fish, or interfere in any way. And whatever is thought, spoken, or done within this space returns to you with multiplied force. For better, or for worse.”

I believe that every living being has such a sacred space, too. But I wasn’t always aware of it. I used to share my heart and soul quite freely, until one day I shared something delicate with someone who wasn’t able to keep it for herself and, what’s more, ridiculed what I had shared so openly when passing it around. A wise friend who was present and benevolent enough advised me to be more careful whom I share my sacred space with.

I feel that we’re mostly not aware of how we enter the sacred space of another being.

Of what we share further.

Of how we judge and possibly hurt the other’s feelings.

We’re human.

But we can learn.

The image of the ancient, sacred grove resonated a lot with me. I am entering holy ground, and I have to knock first to let the spirits of the place know that I am coming. I assume I would walk gently, quietly, attentively looking at the huge, ancient trees, being in awe, imagining how many people, animals and other beings have been here before me. The immense wisdom this grove must hold. I would probably sit somewhere and close my eyes, connecting to the place and its energy. Above all, listening, feeling, perceiving with all my senses… Just being present, exchanging breaths with this living space for a while. I guess I would also bring a special gift to the invisible guardians, and even if I’m not allowed to pick any berries or take anything with me, I’m sure I would be gifted something in return. Deep peace… A knowing of sacredness… A glimpse of mystery. Fresh air filling my lungs (which is a gift, too — one that we mostly take for granted, I’m afraid), maybe a pristine spring cooling my hands and feet. Maybe I would meet someone special from the area who can tell me more about the place and its origins. Maybe they would even invite me to a cup of tea or to a glass of local wine, and I would be able to learn something new and be inspired by someone I never met before.

I wonder what it would look like if I encountered the people around me, no matter how long I’ve known them, in the same way. Being aware that I’m entering a sacred space before I meet them. Not intending to change anything of who and how they are. Listening, above all. Not taking anything from them, unless they give it to me freely. Leaving some kind of gift before our time together comes to an end, and walking away with a small spark of fresh inspiration.

I think most people are far away from acting this way. But I also think it’s important to inspire others, including myself, to open up a slow and steady path to get there some day…

Are you aware of the silent, untouchable places within yourself that ask to be left whole and free?

Can you think of a way to honor these places?

Do you have a clear sense of what you’re allowed to pass on after a close encounter with a friend, and what is sacred and should be protected?