As I went along a made notes of the surroundings, took some leaflets and recorded my feelings. Here is what I found:
Sheffield Hallam University Multi-Faith Centre
This is where we started.
I found this to be incredibly dull. The 3 rooms (two of which were labelled Quiet Room, one Meditation Room) were all exactly the same. They were all built the same as the studying rooms in the same building. Four painted walls, a table or two littered with leaflets about the need for equality and locations of local churches, and chairs dotted around the walls and centre.
Being below ground level, there were no windows, so only artificial light filled the room. I found this to be a little suffocating for somewhere considered to be a place to relax. In fact, apart from the paintings of waterfalls and stones, there was nothing natural in that room. The furniture was mass made Ikea like models, there were no plants or flowers, and the space was very limited.
Despite this, I tried to take part in the rooms uses. I sat in silence for a few minutes. I did not feel enlightened, peaceful or restful. I am not religious, but I do not think if i was I would find that room a suitable place to think and/or pray, due to the nature of the room.
Although this was not somewhere I would consider a good spiritual space, it did help me. I learned what I would NOT consider as a spiritual place.
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| Leaflet showing locations of local Churches |
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| Leaflet on equality in religion |
Millennium Gardens
The Millennium Gardens, or Winter Gardens in Sheffield are home to the Millennium Galleries, and art museum, and a large indoor greenhouse full of exotic plants. The latter was our destination.
Being disappointed by the lack of anything natural in the Multi Faith Centre, I had hopes for the Gardens. I was unfortunately again let down.
Although this was near enough nature indoors, it was the knowledge that I knew it wasn't really natural that got in the way. It was strange to see these huge exotic trees inside a glass dome, feeling warm from the indoor heaters, but looking up and seeing rain hit the dome.
Another thing that broke any feeling of peace was the through-traffic of people. It is used as a bypass from the Peace Gardens to the next street, and way too many people just stroll by, getting in the way of any vibes even remotely spiritual.
We did not visit the Peace Gardens due to the weather. However, being from Sheffield and having been there many time I knew it would not be a spiritual place, failing the same way as the Gardens did; too much through-traffic.
Sheffield Cathedral
The next stop was the Cathedral, and as soon as I walked in I knew instantly it would be a much better visit than the previous locations.
We were welcomed in by the sound of a small choir practising their singing. The soft sound of their voices was very peaceful. Could sound be a key factor in achieving spirituality?
As I walked through the Cathedral, I admired the scenery. As I have already stated, I would not consider myself a religious person. However I can see why people would go to such places to pray, worship and reflect. It was so peaceful! You could hear every footstep you took.
What made the Cathedral unique from the other places we visited was the scenery. It was dimly lit by natural light pouring through dozens of stained glass windows and candles. The statues were beautifully carved from all sorts of stone and wood.
I also found the section remembering the brave soldiers who died at war in the Yorkshire Lancaster Regiment very moving. Could death and remembering the dead be considered spiritual?
Also the sheer scale was important. The Cathedral was huge, and had a lot of space to sit, walk, and admire the building. Nothing felt cramped.
Everything is the Cathedral looked like effort had been put in to build it. The walls, tapestries, ornaments and benches were all finely crafted.
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| Newsletter from the Cathedral |
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| Even Christians Party? |
Our final destination was a pub to reflect on what we found. This was a great way to think about what we had seen and felt, as we could partake in one legal drug many people use to achieve a sense of heightened spirituality: Alcohol.
But that wasn't my main thought at the pub. I still sat looking at the Evil Eye bands i was wearing around my wrist I got from Turkey. I cannot get it out of my head that people believe in an object to save them. I think its silly, but i still find myself wearing them...
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