Contemplating What Is Sacred
The word sacred evokes a sense of that which is untouchable. The French sociologist Émile Durkheim proposed the concept of the sacred-profane dichotomy as a polarity that is the central characteristic of religion. The sacred-profane dichotomy is not equivalent to the good-evil dichotomy, as the sacred can be either good or evil, as can be the profane.
"Religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden."
Jordan Peterson dives into this in a lecture. Jordan Hall explores this with poetry.
I’m approaching this with a more practical view.
What is sacred to you? This can apply to a project, a relationship, or any aspect in your life.
In other words, what is untouchable, a deal breaker, carved in stone for you? What is your religion, and is it truth or dogma?
This is a worthy exploration. The question to ask is why. When was this framework created? Things change. Life has seasons. What ideas have been sacred to us that have served their purpose and might serve best by being let go? This is the inquiry.
I'd propose that to the extent that anything in your life is more sacred "to you" than is fundamentally true -- actually sacred -- represents ego and attachment; not actually sacred, more accurately "an idol."
But there are aspects of our existence which are truly sacred; our relationship with our children, for example. Perhaps, all of our relationships, in general.
Some principles might also be seen as sacred; "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," for example. "Self-evident truths endowed by our Creator" can reasonably be considered sacred.
For best effect, align what you hold as sacred with what is *actually* sacred.