The Sanctuary of the Morning Light is an imaginary place in the mountains of western North America.
There’s a small shelter and several open platforms at the treeline on a rocky ridge. On the opposite side of the valley, there’s a higher ridge, and beyond that, snow-capped peaks. A small area around the shelter is marked by ropes.
It’s a place of stillness and silence.
It became a "reality" from a simple thought I had more than ten years ago: Wouldn’t it be great if there was a special place in the mountains where a person could sit quietly for a while and not be disturbed by the clatter and chatter of other hikers and climbers? Where a person could sit comfortably on a small bench or platform and contemplate the surrounding world. Or meditate. Or just sit there. Just be.
Of course, many religious and spiritual retreat centres offer stillness and silence. Many have open spaces for meditation among trees and gardens. So do a variety of expensive spas. But this idea was about a very simple place, free and open to everyone—for an hour, a morning, or a day. Not a resort where the natural scenery is a backdrop to massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, gourmet (weight loss diet) meals and a week of pampered luxury. It was to be a place of stillness and silence, where a person could be, for a short span of time at least, at one with the world.
When I wasn’t busy at work or other activities, I gradually developed a story to go with that idea, one that reflected my environmental concerns at the time. As the years passed, the world changed as it always does, and though the basic environmental basis of the story never lost its relevance, I felt that the evolving story was being overtaken by events and larger concerns. Along the way, an array of questions arose. The more I wrote, the more pressing they were, and the writing process was extended even longer. Somehow, I had to include them in the story.
Since I wasn’t planning to discuss the state of the world, Sanctuary of the Morning Light doesn’t provide answers to those questions.It’s an oral history of the creation of the Sanctuary, the philosophy of its creators, their activities and celebrations. Starting from a simple twist on a familiar form of environmental protest, the story describes a journey of exploration into a wide range of environmental, social, and spiritual issues.
Only after I’d finished writing did I realize that the journey pretty much follows the trajectory of Joseph Campbell’s mythic hero: an inspiration for action, a journey into the unknown, trials and tribulation, unexpected help, the successful achievement of their primary goal, and a return to their starting point with a message of hope for the world. It says what politicians are unwilling to say: The planet cannot sustain a global economic system based on continual growth. It says what religious leaders cannot say: Living in harmony with the natural environment and with everyone else in the world is more important than trying to impose beliefs on others. It’s a message of tolerance, compassion, and new possibilities that the world urgently needs to consider.
And although it seems, even to me, a long stretch from a story about a small shelter in the mountains to a discussion of the state of the world, the relentless trend of recent events reinforces my belief that the story and the sanctuary concept are relevant to many of environmental, social, and spiritual issues that we have to deal with in today’s world.
The journey is described in the eight chapters of Sanctuary of the Morning Light found throughout this website; the issues that arose along the way are discussed on the following pages.
Blaise Pascal, back in the 17th Century, suggested the best way to propose an idea was to make people wish it was true and then show them how it could be true. That’s what I’ve tried to do.
When plans for a "world class" luxury resort in Skyline National Park are announced, a small group of climbers, skiers, and environmentalists protest in a different way. On a ridge just inside the Park, they aim to create a small "sanctuary" as an example of what should be in a National Park.
The rationale for the sanctuary and the development of the sanctuary concept are described in Chapter One: Vision.(Coming shortly.)
In the meantime, the following excerpts
(
208Kb) from the first two chapters of Sanctuary of the Morning Light describe the original idea and how the Sanctuary was established.
At the heart of my concern when I began writing Sanctuary of the Morning Light was a large issue: our (human) relationship with the planet. I felt that the environmental message was being heard, but not acted upon. Despite years of research and effort trying to bring attention to environmental issues, environmentalists have not managed to convince governments or the larger public to take meaningful action. Yes, there have been scattered successes, and a wide range of environmental legislation has been enacted in recent years. Environmental awareness has never been higher. But overall action to deal with environmental issues still seems extremely limited in relation to the increasing seriousness of those issues.
The pressure on the natural environment is relentless and increasing, and without any longer delay, we have to deal with three major issues:
Global warming and climate change that will have an impact on every part of the world, whether human activities have contributed a little to it or a lot.
The demands of an ever-increasing global population that are beginning to exceed the carrying capacity of the planet, especially in terms of water resources.
The expansion of the dominant economic system in the world, that even as it has provided material wealth and comfort for the few and helped millions more rise out of abject poverty, continues to do immense damage to the natural environment, and possibly to human health and the overall well-being of the human population of the world.
Every one of these issues is predominantly an environmental issue. But dealing with them successfully will require environmental, economic, and social policies and actions on an unprecedented global scale.
One reason for the lack of action is the imprecise nature of the issues. No one can say exactly when or where or how the impact of climate change will be felt strongest. No one can say exactly where or when water supplies will run out, if or when oil prices will rise beyond the reach of ordinary consumers. And no one knows exactly how to fix the economic system so that disruptive changes are less severe and the world’s wealth is shared more equitably.
Another obvious reason for the lack of action is the impact of the financial crisis of the last two years. The response to that crisis has focused on returning to the previous status quo; most of the immense cost of doing that has been shifted to the people who have lost jobs, taxpayers in general around the world, and to future generations who bear the weight of the huge burden imposed on them.
And then there’s the psychological factor that seems to be a part of human nature: most people dislike change. Many people fear change. Right now, we live in a world of uncertainty and insecurity, conflict and fear.
Finally, I think there’s another reason that has more serious long-term implications and is not yet an integral part of the discussions about those issues:
We, the human population of the developed nations, are losing contact with the natural world.
It’s time to re-connect to the natural world, to establish a new relationship between humans and the natural world that sustains all life on this planet.
When we lose contact with the natural world, we ignore how much we depend on it. We forget or disdain the pleasure we get from it. We destroy it in the name of progress and in acts of casual carelessness.
In crowded cities of concrete and steel, in SUVs and airplanes and air-conditioned buildings, in sprawling suburbs and shopping malls built over farmlands, we don’t have much contact with the natural world. It’s all too often regarded as something most so-called advanced people have gone beyond, something we don’t need, something we’re superior to. Instead we have chemically-fortified processed food, bottled water, and air-conditioned homes, cars, and workplaces. We have electronic entertainment every minute of every day and night in place of physical activities. And out of sight and out of mind, we have the continual disposal of waste and toxic residues into land, water, and air—a process that contributes over long periods of time to illnesses and diseases that occupy vast amounts of time and money in the medical search for cures.
Perhaps one day, food will be grown in vast illuminated factories; we’ll get vitamins from candy-flavoured mixes available in toothpaste tubes; cities will be enclosed under vast domes and all the emissions from industry and transportation will be vented through the domes into an atmosphere unsuitable for human life; we’ll breathe a rich oxygen mix extracted through filters from the atmosphere; water will come via desalinization plants from deep in the ocean; all entertainment will be electronic. The details may vary, but the common vision is of humanity separated completely from the natural world.
That day is still a very long way off. In the meantime, we’ve got to find a way to protect the natural environment that nourishes and supports us.
We have to connect, or re-connect to the natural world.
And the Sanctuary of the Morning Light? It’s a place to start.
A small shelter, a sitting bench—a sanctuary—is a gateway to the natural world.
A designated piece of land in a natural setting where people can sit quietly, and in their own way, make a physical, mental, and spiritual connection to the natural world.
A small, protected natural area.
A refuge from the encroachment of the world.
A fueling station for the human spirit.
A visible sign of respect and concern for the natural environment.
A commitment to protecting the natural environment.
A focal point for community celebrations and environmental action.
Above all, a natural sanctuary is a place for everyone. A place for people of all faiths, all cultures, and all nationalities.
A natural sanctuary can be:
A designated space in an already established protected area, e.g., a national, provincial, or state park, or a wildlife area.
A designated space in a natural area not far from town or city.
A designated space in a city or suburban park.
Part of the landscaping in a new building, even downtown.
A green space on reclaimed industrial land.
A ‘guerrilla’ garden space.
It could even be a small, special space where you live.
Basically, a natural sanctuary needs only two elements: a place to sit and a natural setting. It’s not a temple or shrine. It needs no offerings, no decorations, but there’s nothing wrong with having them.
In a natural setting, there may be space to for two people to sit side by side or a structure in which ten people or more can sit. The scenery does not have to be spectacular. A flower garden or a grove of trees in a city park could be possible sites. Similarly, a sanctuary could be beside a meadow, pond, or river, on a stretch of shoreline or face a desert vista.
A sheltering structure need be little more than four posts and a roof.
Ideally, a sanctuary is a place of silence, but clearly that’s not always possible in a city or urban setting. In that case, it helps to focus one’s mind, without strenuous effort, on something close by, and take time for the sounds of the city to fade away.
Where a natural setting is not easily available, a living organism such as a flower, plant, or small tree, or even something inanimate such as a piece of driftwood, some sea shells or pebbles, or a special stone can be a focus for contemplation and meditation.
Ideally (as described in Sanctuary of the Morning Light), a sanctuary should be away from roads and crowds—but not too far. But at the same time it should be easily accessible on foot, and ideally, it would be accessible for disabled people.
Maintenance is not a serious issue if a sanctuary is created or organized by a group of people, and is simply laid out. Cleaning and rudimentary gardening would be the major chores.
If a sanctuary is a simple structure, damage to it, e.g., from vandalism, should not be a major concern. However, in some situations, it might be more comfortable for people to visit a sanctuary in pairs or groups rather than alone.
The best way to deal with all aspects of creating, maintaining, and protecting a sanctuary will have to be determined according to the specific conditions and circumstances that apply.
A natural sanctuary is not a wildlife reserve, a bird sanctuary, or a recreation area. It’s not a picnic spot or campsite, a viewpoint for photography, or a tourist destination.
It’s a place for sitting in stillness and silence.
The success of a natural sanctuary in a public place, and the full enjoyment of each visit, depends on the co-operative and sharing attitude of all visitors. It helps to keep in mind the Golden Rule: If you don’t like being disturbed while sitting, do everything you can to avoid disturbing others.
The Sanctuary of the Morning Light is fictional. It’s idealized, but still realistic and practical. In real life, a sanctuary can be whatever you want it to be. The only limits are those of your own creativity.
Creation of the sanctuary is a protest action; it isn’t done through the regular channels. Building a small structure is easy enough; getting it onto the ridge without attracting attention is another matter. It involves careful timing, near misses, extra help, alpine starts, and dark descents.
Adventures in the construction of the Sanctuary are described in Chapter Two: Quest. (Coming shortly.)
To help us slow down and reduce stress in our lives.
To help us to find a few moments of natural peace and serenity.
To enable us to evaluate our personal health and strength, or lack of it.
To help us review the values and purpose of a life shaped by the promise of more of everything, the desire for more of everything, the need for more of everything.
To help us build up inner strength and confidence to deal with issues in our lives and in the world around us.
To enable us to look beyond ourselves, at the natural world around us.
To bring the natural world into our lives.
To remind us that we depend on the natural world for the sources of life itself: food, water, and air.
To show that we value the natural environment.
To help us develop a spiritual attitude that offers a path to a positive future for all human beings and all other forms of life.
It’s time to connect, or re-connect with the natural world around us. By raising our personal awareness of the natural environment—the pleasure it brings, and the basic human needs it meets—we may be able to do a better job of protecting it.
Creating the Sanctuary of the Morning Light is only one small element in the campaign to protect the integrity of the National Park. It’s a slightly different form of protest action, and the Sanctuary is definitely a new element in a National Park, but once it’s established, it has to be defended.
Can innovation and initiative win out over entrenched bureaucracy and red tape? What might be possible in a world where creativity and common sense are considered important? The discovery and defence of the Sanctuary are described in Chapter Three: Challenge. (Coming shortly.)
If you have any comments, advice, questions or criticism, I’d be happy to hear from you via e-mail at
As you can see, this is a pretty simple website, and I haven’t got a forum for comments. Nevertheless, I’d be happy to post comments, including criticism, close to the relevant sections of the site, along with my (brief) response. I don’t know who’ll ever find this site, but I’d be very happy to start a dialogue with anyone interested in the issues discussed on this and the following pages.
Gordon Skyring
