Universal Sacred Space; An Unconventional Critique

Universal Sacred Space; A Vision for Harmony.

When John F. Kennedy gave his Commencement Address at American University in 1963 in reference to the human link between the U.S.S.R. and Communism and America he said “We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”

In preparation for this profile, while discussing with my fellow group member, this quote seemed to come back to me time and again. Mary and I took much inspiration from the quote and felt it best embodied the philosophies behind our design.

A sacred space is not only a place of worship, but a place of respect, solitude, sorrow, and joy. The history behind a temple or chapel says just as much about the structure as its image and its present caretakers. Given these characteristics we wanted to have a Universal Space with No History, No Caretakers, and No Owners.

To represent not only Universal Faith but also Universal Respect is difficult when the structure or space must have a chosen, man-made scheme, an un-natural or in-organic architecture. In consideration, Mary and I decided our Universal Sacred Space would be exactly that, a space in nature.

When reflecting, I came to realize that not only do we all breathe the same air, and we all respect that air, but we stand in awe at the sheer force and depth of Mother Nature. This Earth we inhabit together is our common link, and undoubtedly should be the centerpiece of a Universal Sacred Space.

In this Universal Space would be nothing but natural objects - neutral objects one could say. This overly simplified plan is not a foray into political correctness or merely a consignment of good will to all faiths, but a much needed and long overdue rationalization of what worship is and how we as human beings should interpret it.

A simple elegant spiral of slate based on the Golden Proportion, placed on the breast of a grassy hill, surrounded by 100 year Oaks and Maples. Or possibly a circle and triangle of large boulders nestled between two ridges on a butte in the arid plains. Both could be placed in reference to the summer or winter Solstice, an archaic throwback to our Pagan and Ancient perceptions of spirituality. Or not. The point is the common thread that weaves this complex tapestry of cultures and religions we have here is Mother Nature: Earth and all her beauty.

In these circumstances, could not any idyllic, or not-so-idyllic, space outdoors be determined a Universal Sacred Space? One seems to thinks so, and Mary and I would agree, not because any building or man made structure is not worthy of being deemed Universal or because of some pre-conceived notion of ‘Nature's All-Importance,’ but simply because it is all we have left to share together. We all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children’s future, and we are all mortal Sons and Daughters of this Earth.

Ryan C. & Mary C.