Priya, this was such a lovely piece. I felt like I was in the room with you. This line! “A printout of the words to a classical South Indian song that my niece sang one evening, and it felt like the Goddess had arrived.” I loved it! The thing that has saved my life again and again is sitting down and opening to the unseen but felt spirits and goddesses that live everywhere and sometimes come through is a song or a laugh or a droplet of water on a flower. I loved your description of women sewing. I could feel it, too.
Droplet of water on a flower ✨ I felt it there! Rebecca, thank you for sharing! I guess I sometimes resist the sitting down even as I know it’s the most generative and nourishing action I can take. This was the writing desk whose picture I wanted to share!
I love this post so much, Priya. I felt like I just happened to drop in at your home and you led me to your desk/sacred space.
My sacred space is my little study that I claimed for myself at home - an atticesque space that has a sloping ceiling, odd angles where trying to configure the furniture was a jigsaw but so much fun! My desk overlooks an old, grand, maple tree, my favorite part of the room. A room that has saved me so many times - rescued my mental health and my spirit. Sitting there at my desk, thinking, reflecting, dreaming with my beloved dog sleeping at my feet - no other therapy is needed.
I loved the imagery. I also deeply relate to the notion of writing for ages yet still only scratching the surface of the relationship with myself as a “writer.” So beautifully expressed. Congrats on 2 years!
Ah, writing saves my life again and again. And my cats, the weight of the cat on top of me as I sleep like he’s there, keeping watch. The redwood tree outside my window. The Japanese maple. The first blossoms in February, how I can take a deep breath again. Thank you for this piece. Reading saves my life too.
Priya, this piece is so beautiful and this part especially speaks to me and made me smile: "...because I’m convinced indigo holds some secret and if only I can stare at it long enough, I’ll know what life is really about." 🥰
Did you know that there is a Japanese art form, "Aizome," that centers around indigo dyeing? Also happy anniversary!
Camilla, thank you! I’ve heard of aizome (the word I think means indigo) dyeing. Indigo block printing is an old artisanal tradition in parts of Northern India too. I love the color!
Happy anniversary! I stumbled into your space and love it here. Your desk is inspiring - I love that textile (am curious if you covered it with a glass board or something else?) and feel you 100% on the secrets in indigo. A lovely description of your sacred space!
One of my first online journals was called "sacred space", and had that Campbell quote prominent at the top of the page. It's such an important part of the process of becoming a writer, to claim that space, that time, that identity for yourself. Congratulations on your anniversary - I'm so glad you are here!
First of all, this made me smile for some inexplicable reason — “Part of an indigo-colored cloth because I’m convinced indigo holds some secret and if only I can stare at it long enough, I’ll know what life is really about.”
Secondly, I really liked the Joesph Campbell quote you shared about a sacred place. And I really liked that you told us about yours.
Thirdly, congratulations on two years on Substack! It’s crazy it’s been that long already! I’m approaching two year here at the end of the month!
And finally, a big, and totally understood, smile came across my face when I read that you’ve started to really identify as a writer! Hooray! :)
happy anniversary! to many more to come!
Thank you for your company, perfectlight!
Priya, this was such a lovely piece. I felt like I was in the room with you. This line! “A printout of the words to a classical South Indian song that my niece sang one evening, and it felt like the Goddess had arrived.” I loved it! The thing that has saved my life again and again is sitting down and opening to the unseen but felt spirits and goddesses that live everywhere and sometimes come through is a song or a laugh or a droplet of water on a flower. I loved your description of women sewing. I could feel it, too.
Droplet of water on a flower ✨ I felt it there! Rebecca, thank you for sharing! I guess I sometimes resist the sitting down even as I know it’s the most generative and nourishing action I can take. This was the writing desk whose picture I wanted to share!
Yes! I thought it might be. Can you send me a picture? I'll put it up in my gallery. I'll also try to find a way to link to this post.
Rebecca, I think I can send it via direct message. I’ll do it today.
Wonderful! Thank you.
Sent it to you!
Congratulations 🥂 Priya! And I love the idea of a sacred space especially for writing.
Thank you, Reena! Sacred spaces also remind me of some of Vermeer’s paintings.
may we all follow our bliss
Absolutely!
This is lovely . So much warmth in every line ❤️
Much appreciated, thank you!
Absolutely need “sacred spaces” for “creative incubation.” Thanks for the reminder to cultivate mine.
Stephanie, thank you.
I love this post so much, Priya. I felt like I just happened to drop in at your home and you led me to your desk/sacred space.
My sacred space is my little study that I claimed for myself at home - an atticesque space that has a sloping ceiling, odd angles where trying to configure the furniture was a jigsaw but so much fun! My desk overlooks an old, grand, maple tree, my favorite part of the room. A room that has saved me so many times - rescued my mental health and my spirit. Sitting there at my desk, thinking, reflecting, dreaming with my beloved dog sleeping at my feet - no other therapy is needed.
Thank you for this gift on a Sunday morning.
Savita, what a lovely sounding space- the maple sounds heavenly! Our sacred spaces save us everyday.
Thank you for your company through the years. I’m deeply grateful!
Happy 2 years here and to many more!
Dear Nadia, thank you!
I loved the imagery. I also deeply relate to the notion of writing for ages yet still only scratching the surface of the relationship with myself as a “writer.” So beautifully expressed. Congrats on 2 years!
ACP, thank you! It’s amazing how awareness operates.
Ah, writing saves my life again and again. And my cats, the weight of the cat on top of me as I sleep like he’s there, keeping watch. The redwood tree outside my window. The Japanese maple. The first blossoms in February, how I can take a deep breath again. Thank you for this piece. Reading saves my life too.
LeeAnn, thank you for sharing!
Priya, this piece is so beautiful and this part especially speaks to me and made me smile: "...because I’m convinced indigo holds some secret and if only I can stare at it long enough, I’ll know what life is really about." 🥰
Did you know that there is a Japanese art form, "Aizome," that centers around indigo dyeing? Also happy anniversary!
Camilla, thank you! I’ve heard of aizome (the word I think means indigo) dyeing. Indigo block printing is an old artisanal tradition in parts of Northern India too. I love the color!
me too🥰
Happy Anniversary Priya!!
Jeanine, thank you!
Thank you for all you share. May your joy find you everywhere!
Thank you, megan!
Happy anniversary! I stumbled into your space and love it here. Your desk is inspiring - I love that textile (am curious if you covered it with a glass board or something else?) and feel you 100% on the secrets in indigo. A lovely description of your sacred space!
Ramya, hello! I haven’t covered it with glass. I like feeling the bumpy texture of the embroidery. Thank you!
One of my first online journals was called "sacred space", and had that Campbell quote prominent at the top of the page. It's such an important part of the process of becoming a writer, to claim that space, that time, that identity for yourself. Congratulations on your anniversary - I'm so glad you are here!
Stace, thank you! Even before the writing, I think it’s the claiming that creates the space.
Ohh Priya I just loved this post!
First of all, this made me smile for some inexplicable reason — “Part of an indigo-colored cloth because I’m convinced indigo holds some secret and if only I can stare at it long enough, I’ll know what life is really about.”
Secondly, I really liked the Joesph Campbell quote you shared about a sacred place. And I really liked that you told us about yours.
Thirdly, congratulations on two years on Substack! It’s crazy it’s been that long already! I’m approaching two year here at the end of the month!
And finally, a big, and totally understood, smile came across my face when I read that you’ve started to really identify as a writer! Hooray! :)
Michael, thank you for your support and company! It makes the journey even more fulfilling.