Paige Dwyer-Essay and Landscapes of the Sacred (2)

Although I have never personally been to Mecca or taken part in the Muslim pilgrimage, commonly known as the Hajj, I chose to write my first essay on this particular sacred place. It sparked interest partly due to the fact that I have some prior knowledge of this spiritual journey. I attended Catholic school in elementary, middle and high school. In high school, I was taught many other religions in order to broaden my horizon and give me exposure to different cultures. What I found was commonality between other religions and my own. Muslims, for example, take part in the Hajj in order to reflect on the their own personal relationship with Allah and the future that lies ahead. It requires full submission and surrendering of one’s self in order to assimilate with the will of God. I can relate to this practice of devoting one's time and prayers to the one and only God. My family regularly attends mass and emphasizes Christian values and practices at home. In Landscapes of the Sacred, written by Belden C. Lane, the author mentions how a place becomes sacred only when we participate, whether knowingly or unknowingly. The church I attend in many ways is considered to be sacred for me but only when I am truly present. I have sat through many masses and simply just gone through the motions without fully engaging in the worship. On these days, the church cannot be considered a sacred place. For ordinary people Mecca might be considered to just be a city in Islam; whereas, for Muslims it is the holiest city. It is all about participation and engagement in the rituals as well as immersing one’s self into the spiritual experience.