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| sacred slumber by jagatjyoti khalsa photography by jasper johal creating a sacred family bedroom |
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The notion of the family bed may seem strange to those who view the bedroom as a place for romance and sensuality. However, just as romance is an integral part of loving relationships, peace is an integral part of familial relationships. When we dedicate our bedroom to familial bonding and spirituality, we strengthen our connection to our spouse and children, as well as set a tone of restoration that benefits every aspect of our lives. From texture to organization to sound, every sensory experience counts towards the amount of peace and positive energy our families derive from a sacred family bedroom. By consciously creating our bedrooms as a space of peace and restoration, we give our children the irreplaceable gift of a happier, healthier and holier youth. In many households it is customary to take off one’s shoes when entering through the front door. This is a way to leave energy from our surroundings behind and start fresh in the home. When recreated into a soothing environment, our bedrooms can help to remove any residual energy that is wearing on our families from earlier in the day and help to restore and calm all who reside there. Lighting Just before going to sleep, you may choose to turn off all of your bedroom lights, and rely solely on candlelight. Candlelight is truly the softest and most therapeutic light that one can bring into a bedroom. It is important to note that for your family’s safety, candles should always be placed away from linens and bed sheets, on a stable, non-flammable surface. Since candles give off quite a bit of smoke, it is also important to note what type of wax and wicks yours use. Large, stable candle bowls filled with soy wax and non-lead wicks are safe and ideal for bedroom use. Music Clearly, music has major implications for quality of sleep in both adults and children. A wonderful way for families to bond in the bedroom is to listen to music before going to sleep for the night. Whether we choose to listen to a classical orchestra, soft jazz, Native American drumming, or the chanting of Benedictine Monks, the music that speaks the most to us often carries the most sacred energy. Setting a sleep timer in advance can make listening to peaceful music as easy as pressing a button, with no need to worry about dozing off without shutting down the stereo. We awaken our bodies each morning, but often neglect our souls. By waking to sacred sounds, we begin our day on a note that is inspiring and ripe with gratitude. Waking up to a mantra play list, Buddhist chants or other inspiring sounds will help the entire family to make a conscious connection with the world and everyone they encounter throughout the day. Just as meditating imbues the mind, body and spirit with peace, waking to sacred music and sound helps to develop a family’s innermost potential for personal restoration and joy. Textiles and Accessories We pay attention to what we put into our bodies, but often forget that we wrap ourselves in materials that have been heavily treated with toxic pesticides. Traditionally, cotton sheets have long been a norm for bedding. What may shock you is that in the United States, one fourth of all pesticides used are applied to one crop: cotton. Just growing enough cotton for a T-shirt requires about a third of a pound of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides (sustainablecotton.org) – scary, but true. A great way to support eco- and health-friendly cotton, and reduce the health risks for your family is by purchasing organic cotton sheets. A number of organic cotton sheet sets with thread counts of over 300 are available for under $100, and 1000-thread count organic sets are available for the luxury shopper as well. Finding them is as easy as heading to Bed Bath and Beyond or surfing the net. Storage This is not to say that we should spend all of our time cleaning and organizing. On the contrary, the parts of the day that we spend with our families are some of the most precious and worthwhile minutes we could ever hope to have. It’s just that to savor that time, it helps to minimize the distractions around us, making our days and evenings more peaceful and successful. Easy and quick storage solutions can help make the most out of every weeknight, as well as make the bedroom a more peaceful and sacred place. Rather than using a cold, industrial feeling hamper for laundry, a gorgeous painted trunk or upholstered box might be a great alternative. Bookshelves can store children’s picture books and your novels, as well as statues, art, or framed photos that have special meaning to you. A dresser or armoire can hold clothing and bring sacred energy into a space if it is a piece that inspires you and your family. Even the most generic dresser can be easily personalized. Why not spend a weekend painting an unfinished wooden wardrobe or chest of drawers together as a family? Choose colors that are in harmony with your bedroom scheme, and let your children paint special details. They will always feel part of the space when they look at the piece, and they will be proud that their parents asked them to contribute. The family bedroom is a space that is sure to bring much joy and closeness during our children’s most formative years. By raising our children consciously and surrounding them with positive, balancing influences, we are helping them to become happier and holier than we ever thought possible. Even the simplest actions like playing calming music and reading together as a family have implications for our children’s well-being that are deeper than we realize. As our children mature, they will eventually feel ready for their own rooms, but regardless of their age, they will always remember the love and closeness created in the family bedroom. All furnishings featured here can be purchased at: Photography: Jasper Johal –jasperphoto.com Family: Travis, Constance and Finleigh Williams Adult’s clothes available at: |
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