Where did holding space at 11:11 originate? – One night our conversation ebbed into a silence that lasted almost five minutes. Think of it, twenty-five men sitting in a circle feeling the sacred energy of peace in the silence. It was one of the most powerful moments of all our gatherings. When the silence was eventually broken, one of the men commented on the powerful energy he felt was present. He then asked what had just taken place. Another man responded by saying that we were holding space for one another and we were sensing the spiritual presence within each of us.
Another man said that once a day he pauses a few moments to hold space and sends that sacred energy and goodwill to all the men. Another said he did the same thing. Then another suggested that we all consider doing this at 11:11 a.m. Ever since then, at this time every day, our phones chime and we pause from whatever we are doing and spiritually connect for a few seconds, reminding ourselves that we are not alone. Occasionally, texts are exchanged or phone call made.
It’s spreading – Holding Space at 11:11 is spreading and has recently been recognized as a hallmark of Compassionate Austin, the local chapter of Charter for Compassion, a global organization founded by Karen Armstrong. As well, it was recently featured on KVUE, the local ABC affiliate, where Donna Pennell’s local yoga class picked it up and has been spreading the word across businesses and organizations throughout Austin, Tx.
Congregations and businesses around the country and the world are beginning to adopt it. Imagine if this went viral and the wave of good that would ripple around the world if all people were to take a few seconds and do it daily.
Can I begin sharing this with my friends and in my organization? – Anyone can join in by merely setting their phone to chime every day at 11:11am. Then, at that time pause a few seconds to energetically, mentally or spiritually, send a thought of compassion or love to someone, or send a text, or give them a call.
Compassionate~Connect 11: Picking up on the tradition started a few years back in the Men’s Fellowship Network circle Compassionate Austin has begun spreading throughout Austin. Imagine the effect if everyone in Austin were to do it! Imagine the wave of good that would ripple around the world if all people were to do it.
According to numerology, the number 11 is a “master number” which signifies intuition, insight, and enlightenment. Seeing 11 11 is a good sign! An energetic doorway is being opened in which you will experience spiritual growth. – In World War I, on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918 the armistice took effect. – This year has additional importance in that 2018 adds to the number 11, so it is the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of a year that signifies eleven”
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Holding Sacred Space – I sat together with a friend one night within the dark night of his soul. I held for him a greater truth, the essence of which he could not see. I held it until he was eventually able to shed enough of what no longer served him, and was able to see the spark of light that had been within him all along. It was the spark of his true spirit; his goodness and his gifts. It gave me pause. I later realized that sitting with him was his gift to me and it inspired me to produce this short video about holding sacred space. – Clay Boykin
