Roland Chandler: Landscapes of the Sacred: Topos and Chora

Recently, topos and chora have become distinguished at CNU. I noticed that on a different floor in the dorm, I went into the room directly beneath mine. The layout was the same, the furniture was the same, and the smell was the same. But I felt so far away from any connection to the place. My friend was there, but it was a connection to her and not to the place. When I compare that with my room, I always enter with a feeling of relief, as if to say, “I made it,” or “on to the next thing after a quick dose of home.” The feeling of belongingness and connection to a place is very real and revealed through familiarity or encounter with an experience.