"The sacred is not a thing; it is a rupture in the fabric of the ordinary." – Mircea Eliade

In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, everything feels the same. The days blend together, spaces lose meaning, and life begins to resemble a relentless scroll. But what if the monotony we feel stems from a deeper loss—the absence of sacred spaces?

Sacred spaces aren't just about temples or cathedrals. They're about those extraordinary moments and places where we feel alive, grounded, and transformed. They break the ordinary and allow us to regenerate. Without them, we’re stuck in what anthropologist Mircea Eliade calls "profane space"—homogeneous, meaningless, and prone to decay.

Yet, even in modernity, the quest for the sacred remains. Every life transition—a breakup, a career change, or a personal loss—triggers a universal need for what Eliade describes as a "regenerative place." But how do we find these spaces in a world overrun with distractions, commercialism, and fragmented connections?

The Role of Liminal Spaces in Transformation

Every major change in life begins with a threshold—a liminal space. These are the in-between zones where old identities fade, and new ones have yet to emerge. Think of rites of passage like coming-of-age ceremonies or mourning rituals. In traditional cultures, these spaces were held sacred, marked by community support, and guided by elders.

In modern life, however, liminal spaces have splintered into what sociologist Victor Turner called "liminoid" experiences. Vacations, hobbies, even therapy can mimic the transformative power of liminality, but they often lack its intensity. The result? Fleeting satisfaction, not lasting change.

Take psychotherapy, for instance. At its best, it can act as a modern sacred space—a container for our pain and transformation. A skilled therapist becomes the guide, helping us "try on" new ways of being in a safe environment. But when stripped of depth or ritual, it risks becoming just another commodified experience.

Why Containment Matters

Transformation doesn’t happen in chaos. It requires containment—a structured, safe environment where we can process grief, pain, and uncertainty without losing ourselves.

Imagine a clay pot. Without its sturdy walls, molten metal would spill everywhere, scorching and dissipating. The same is true of us during transitions. Without containment, we risk falling into chronic liminality—forever stuck in a state of "almost becoming." This is the space where substance abuse, prolonged grief, and escapist behaviors thrive.

The danger isn’t just personal; it’s cultural. As a society, we’ve traded authentic communal rituals for fragmented, individualistic pursuits. We swipe, scroll, and consume our way through change, hoping to emerge renewed but often feeling emptier than before.

How to Reclaim Sacred Spaces

1. Seek Ritual, Not Routine: Life transitions deserve more than a fleeting acknowledgment. Mark them with personal rituals—light a candle, write a letter, or create art to symbolize what you’re leaving behind and what you hope to embrace.
2. Find True Containment: Whether it’s therapy, a support group, or a creative practice, look for spaces that allow you to confront discomfort while feeling supported. Depth matters; avoid superficial solutions.
3. Embrace Liminality, Avoid Liminoid: Genuine liminality is uncomfortable. It’s messy and requires humility. Resist the temptation to numb or rush through it. Transformation takes time.
4. Connect with a Guide: Navigating transitions alone is hard. A therapist, mentor, or wise friend can help you stay grounded and point you toward growth rather than stagnation.
5. Rediscover Communitas: Sacred spaces thrive in community. Find or create groups that foster genuine connection and shared purpose. A hiking group, a meditation circle, or even a book club can serve as a container for shared transformation.

Moving Forward

The sacred hasn’t vanished—it’s just harder to find in the modern world. By understanding the nature of liminality and the importance of containment, we can reclaim sacred spaces in our lives. These aren’t places of escape; they’re places of becoming.

Next time life feels overwhelming or stagnant, don’t resist the call of the threshold. Step into the discomfort of the liminal. It’s where transformation begins. And who knows? On the other side, you might just find yourself anew.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Liminality: A transitional state characterised by ambiguity, disorientation, and a sense of being "betwixt and between" established structures.
• Liminoid: Individualized and fragmented experiences in modern society that resemble liminality, often commercialized and lacking the transformative power of true liminality.
• Sacred Space: A distinct and charged space, set apart from the ordinary, where individuals can experience the sacred and undergo transformation.
• Profane Space: Ordinary space and time, lacking inherent meaning and associated with deterioration, contrasted with the regenerative quality of sacred space.
• Hierophany: A manifestation of the sacred within the profane world, marking a space as distinct and significant.
• Axis Mundi: A central point of orientation within sacred space, connecting heaven and earth, often represented by a tree, mountain, or pillar.
• Chronic Liminality: A state of being stuck in a transitional phase, unable to reintegrate back into structured life, often resulting in psychological and social difficulties.
• Containment: The creation of a safe and secure therapeutic environment where individuals can explore and process difficult emotions and experiences without feeling overwhelmed or fragmented.
• Enactment: The process of trying on new behaviours and self-images within the therapeutic space, allowing for experimentation and integration of new aspects of the self.
• Complex Discharging Field: A dynamic in therapy where the unconscious complexes of the therapist and client interact and reinforce each other, hindering progress and potentially harming the therapeutic relationship.
• Ritual Elder: A therapist who acts as a guide through transformative experiences, providing containment, expertise, and ethical guidance.