The Safe Place Exercise uses our imaginations to enter into a place of encountering God’s presence. First, we need to prepare ourselves.
- Posture: Place yourself in a comfortable position in order to receive.
- Breathing: Boxed breathing or simple breath prayer
- Distractions: As distractions enter, ask the Holy Spirit to allow themto pass you by. Invite the Holy Spirit to come and be present. Ask the Holy Spirit to sanctify your imagination.
In Terry Wardle’s book, Every Breath We Take, he gives three movements for this exercise:
- Rest: Resting in the presence of the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to create a place where you are safe. This may be a place where you have been before, or a new place. Engage your senses. When you are ready invite Jesus to come and be with you.
- Receive: Receiving the God’s love.
- What would you like to say to Jesus? Notice what feelings arise.
- Is there anything Jesus wants to say to you? Notice what feelings arise.
- Respond: Responding to God’s love.Thank Jesus for being present with you.
The goal of the Safe Place Exercise is to rest in the shadow of the Lord’s presence.
Resources:
- Summer Gross interviews Terry Wardle regarding the Safe Place Exercise. He leads participants through the exercise: https://vimeo.com/398091368
- Wardle, Terry. “ Every Breath We Take,” Leafwood Publishers, 2015.
