meaningism
an epiphany
a creed
a rite
a ritual
a shrine
a sanctuary
a poem
an ode
a tale
a play
a haiku
governance

Shrine of Refuge

An honourable life has no greater duty than to practice caring, teach caring, and to be thankful as a recipient of its goodness. In this regard, it is helpful to keep a personal record of good actions most meaningful to you.
A letter box of writings about caring actions (either given or received) that you have been involved with personally can be supportive, if not healing, in caring for yourself during times of sorrow, crisis, desperation, or personal failings.
Begin by writing some letters about your good actions or about your thankfulness for goodness you have received. Write your age, the date and place of the event on each letter. Keep as many letters as twice your age, no more nor less, in a special box dedicated to this purpose. During the first years of childhood, your earliest letters may be written with the help of a parent or friend. As you grow older, you may retire some letters that are no longer as meaningful to you and replace them with others you find more relevant. All letters must be entirely factual and told without exaggeration or embellishment, and not boastful.
At times of personal crisis, high anxiety or great sadness return to this shrine and read and re‑read your letters. Think on their significance about which you can write further as appendages to the letters.
Once a year, your family may celebrate each of their Refuge Shrines on the day of the spring equinox. Use this occasion to ensure that your Refuge Shrine has the right number of letters and that they are those which are most meaningful to you. You may wish to keep some or all of your letters private, or read them aloud to discuss with family and friends.
The place you keep the Shrine of Refuge can also be your place of meditative prayer for focusing on sacros. May sacros bring goodness to bear upon a situation that could benefit from its influence. Be ever mindful, however, that the shrine itself serves no particular function other than to hold your letters.

inspired by Meaning

 Please do not alter these texts or post elsewhere on the internet.   Meaningism.org 2010