The Sanctuary Within

Finding Stillness, Finding Self

There is a sacred space within me that no one can access but me—a sanctuary that holds my truth, my peace, and the essence of who I am beyond all the noise. It lives quietly beneath the surface, waiting for me to return, not because I’ve done anything wrong by leaving, but because this return is part of the rhythm. This is the place I go when the world feels too loud, too fast, too demanding. When I need to remember myself, I come here.

I don’t force my way in. I arrive gently, with breath as my guide and intention as my anchor. I close my eyes and allow the edges of the outside world to dissolve. I inhale slowly, feeling my body open to receive the calm I crave. As I exhale, I release the tension, the doubts, the distractions. I make space for my essence to rise.

In my mind’s eye, a golden light begins to glow from deep within me, soft and steady. It flows from my solar plexus, wrapping around me in warmth and knowing. This light is my own energy, undisturbed by fear or performance. It reminds me that I am more than what I do. I am more than what I carry. I am sacred. I am sovereign. I am safe.

This sanctuary does not ask me to be perfect. It invites me to be present. Here, I welcome all parts of myself—the pieces I celebrate and the ones I’ve kept hidden. There is no need to fragment or fix. I meet myself whole. In this embrace, I remember that healing is not a destination. It is a return. A remembering. A soft opening to what has always been mine.

I create my own rituals here. Sometimes it’s as simple as placing my hands on my heart and belly, rocking gently until the wave of emotion has space to move. Sometimes I whisper my name aloud, reminding myself I belong here. Other times, I light a candle and let the flame witness what I’ve been too afraid to say. The sanctuary honors it all. The stillness is alive, responsive, and wise.

As I breathe into this space, I feel the harmony begin to settle in my body. Emerald green energy wraps around my heart, grounding me in stability. Warm orange spirals through my sacral, stirring creativity, desire, and joy. I trust these movements. I trust this restoration. I trust the timing of my own unfolding.

What I Am Feeling in This Moment

Right now, I feel the pull of something greater guiding me forward, even as I stay rooted in the present. There’s a quiet confidence moving through me, whispering that I am ready for what’s next. Not because everything is figured out, but because I know how to return to myself when the outside world becomes too much. This knowing is my power.

The sensations move like waves—tenderness followed by strength, vulnerability followed by clarity. I honor each one without rushing to label or control it. I give myself permission to feel without explanation. I release the pressure to be anything other than real.

I breathe, and I feel myself open to the possibilities I used to fear. I breathe again, and I feel the past loosening its grip. Each breath brings me closer to the version of me I’ve been growing into—stronger, softer, clearer, and deeply in tune.

In this moment, I am remembering my own medicine. The quiet strength. The radiant presence. The soft refusal to abandon myself ever again.

I am safe in my body. I am supported by the Universe. I am aligned with my highest truth, even when that truth is still unfolding. I let go of the need to control every outcome. I trust the wisdom of my breath, the clarity of my spirit, and the deep, unshakable love that surrounds me.

I carry this sanctuary with me. It’s not a place I visit once and forget. It becomes the way I move, the way I speak, the way I show up in the world. My presence is different when I’ve been here. I don’t need to explain myself—I simply embody the peace I’ve cultivated.

Ritual for Returning to the Sanctuary

When I feel disconnected or disoriented, I return through my senses. I wrap myself in warmth—soft fabrics, soothing sounds, familiar scents. I speak kindly to myself. I pause. I place my bare feet on the earth or my palms over my heart. I hum softly until I feel the vibration stir my center.

Sometimes I write to the parts of me that feel neglected. Sometimes I dance with my eyes closed. Sometimes I simply sit and say, “I’m here.”

Returning to the sanctuary doesn’t require silence—it requires honesty. I don’t bypass what’s hard. I bring it with me and let it be held in the light.

This space is not about escape. It’s about integration. It’s where my human self and my divine essence meet in compassion. It’s where I remember that even in the mess, I am still sacred. Still worthy. Still whole.

Expressions of Gratitude

I give thanks for the stillness that showed me the way home. I give thanks for the lessons that shaped me, the love that held me, and the presence that now anchors me in this moment. I am grateful for the unseen forces working on my behalf, for the clarity that flows in when I slow down, and for the sanctuary within that reminds me who I am every time I forget.

I give thanks for the sacred technologies that live in my body—breath, movement, sensation, sound. I give thanks for my ancestors who whispered these rituals into my bloodline, who guide me back to myself every time I feel lost.

I honor the divine timing of everything I’ve released and everything that is still making its way to me. I give thanks for what I have, what I’ve lost, and what I’m creating. Even when I don’t see the full picture, I trust that my path is unfolding exactly as it needs to.

I am grateful for the moments that cracked me open and the moments that helped me gather myself gently. For the laughter, the ache, the longing, and the peace. All of it has shaped me. All of it has deepened my truth.

With every breath, I carry this gratitude into the world—not just as a feeling, but as a way of being. I walk with intention, speak with love, and move in harmony with the rhythm of my becoming. I don’t rush the process. I honor it. I allow it. I choose it.

With a full heart and steady breath, I close this sacred space—knowing that it never truly closes. It lives in me. It lives through me. And I can return whenever I choose.

With reverence and love,

High Priestess Zela Nimaya Abura
Shaani