Jenny Parker- Post on Landscapes of the Sacred I

As I was reading Landscapes of the Sacred I caught myself thinking quite a bit. The first few chapters of this book have already changed my perspective on sacred places. The book has even answered questions I have been asking myself. One of my favorite lines in this book so far has been, "the faster we go . . . the longer it takes to bring the mind to a stop in the presence of anything" (Lane p.31). This quote tied in really well to his point of the third axiom that states "simply moving into an allegedly sacred place does not necessarily make one present to it" (Lane p.29). Lane makes me realize that we must slow down first in order to even experience the holy/sacred place.  He tells us "God chooses to reveal himself only where he wills" (Lane p.19). God is likely to reveal himself only when were are listening...we must fall silent and slow down in order to experience what we hope for. If we don't slow down we may very well continue to miss things; "the sacred place . . . takes root in that which may form the substance of our daily lives, but is transformed by the imagination to that which is awe-inspiring and grand" (Lane p.29). From the first few chapters of this book I have learned to take a step back, relax, and pay attention to what is going on around me. Appreciate the simplicity of things.