In this episode of Jump Start Your Joy, I’m talking about liminal space. I’m really excited to dive into this topic mostly because it’s been popping up in my world for a little while (from Disney vloggers, to HBO Max’s Station Eleven, and my discussion recently with William J. Peters on Shared Death Experiences). I hope you’ll join me as I discuss Liminal Space: finding comfort and joy in the space in between.
This kind of space is defined as meaning “a threshold of types it’s any point or place of entering or beginning a liminal space is the time between what was, and what’s next. It’s a place of transition, a season of waiting and of not knowing it’s also a time or a place where some sort of transformation generally takes.”
Four kinds of liminal space:
Physical – like airports, trains, amusement parks, commutes, and anywhere you are waiting, and abandoned places
Emotional – during times of transition such as relationships ending, jobs changing, illness, losing a loved one, and
Metaphorical – this is the space in between two decisions: changing jobs, moving your home
Spiritual – meditation, labyrinths, retreats, and places of worship
Intentional Comfort in Liminal Space
Richard Rohr gives you a lens with which to find comfort when you find this kind of space, “Where we are betwixt and between the familiar and the completely unknown there alone is our world left behind while we are not yet sure. Of the new existence, that’s a good space where genuine newness can begin. Get there often and stay there. As long as you can, by whatever means possible. This is sacred space where the old world is able to fall apart. And a bigger world is revealed. If we don’t encounter liminal space in our lives, we start idealizing normalcy.”
I love this because Richard Rohr is reflecting on what happens when you enter into uncertain spaces in your life. Whether that you enter into an unfamiliar situation by your own choice (intentionally), or you encounter liminal space by happenstance, there is always something to learn from from the space in between other things.
In this episode, I’m discussing:
– the definition
– the four types: physical, emotional, metaphorical, and spiritual
– examples from every day life
– intentional and happenstance examples, and how they are different
– 5 ways to work with liminal space when you encounter it in your life
Resources
Interview with William J Peters on JSYJ
The Impact of Liminal Space on Mental Health on Very Well Mind