WRITTEN BY: Tim Windsor
We live in a world obsessed with magnitude—bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger lives. But the paradox is that in our pursuit of more, we often lose sight of the importance of less. This realization, this gut-punch moment of clarity, comes in what I call cathedral spaces—those rare, vast, sacred moments where we are both replenished by the grandness around us and reminded of our smallness within it. And here’s the kicker: most of us are not getting enough of these spaces, and it’s suffocating us.
We think we’re thriving with our over-packed calendars and our endless streams of data, but are we? Are you? The reality is, you’re stuck. You’re in your head, spinning, believing you’re at the center of it all. Cathedral spaces rip that illusion apart. They snap you back into reality, where you are just a speck in something so much more expansive and powerful than you.
The Disconnection Epidemic
Recently I was sitting out in nature; a cathedral of towering trees and buzzing life, reflecting on how disconnected we’ve all become from the spaces that humble yet hoist us up. According to State and Provincial Parks surveys, the average North American spends 93% of their life indoors—87% inside buildings and 6% in vehicles. That leaves a pitiful 7% for breathing in real air, for letting your mind expand into something beyond your daily grind.
This disconnection is killing us. A study from Stanford University revealed that spending just 90 minutes in nature decreases activity in the region of the brain linked to depression. Yet, we keep ourselves confined, stressed, and small in man-made environments, forgetting that cathedral spaces—whether it’s the outdoors or a place that inspires awe—are where real rejuvenation happens.
The Power of the Vast
So, what are these cathedral spaces? They are places, both literal and metaphorical, that strip away your narcissism and remind you that life is bigger than your spreadsheets, your social media following, or whatever fleeting ambition you’re chasing today.
When you stand in a cathedral, or as I did, in a forest that dwarfs you, you’re reminded that you’re just a tiny piece of an incomprehensible whole. A whole that was here long before you and will be here long after you’re gone. This isn’t some woo-woo spiritual fluff. It’s about perspective. The Vast makes you small, but in doing so, it makes your concerns even smaller.
Think about this: astronauts often talk about the overview effect, a cognitive shift that happens when they view the Earth from space. They suddenly grasp the fragility and interconnectedness of life on this planet. Similarly, in cathedral spaces, we experience a mini-overview effect. We see our problems for what they really are—tiny, insignificant, and fleeting.
My Cathedral, the Rivers Current
One of my cathedral spaces is standing knee-deep in a river, fishing for trout. It’s a lesson in transience. Every time I step into that same spot in the river, it feels familiar, yet it’s never the same. New water flows. It’s a powerful metaphor for life—nothing stays the same, even when it feels like it does. The river, like life, is constantly changing, and it reminds me that I am as temporary as the water passing over my feet.
But don’t take my word for it. The benefits of nature immersion are well-documented. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that time in nature increases feelings of vitality and reduces stress. It’s a no-brainer. If you want to feel alive again, get out of your house, your office, your damn climate-controlled comfort zone, and stand in a space that overwhelms you with its grandeur.
Reconnecting with the Sacred
We all need to find our own cathedral spaces. For some, it may be the forest. For others, it could be an actual cathedral, a theater, or a quiet corner of a park where you can lose yourself in music or art. Whatever your cathedral space is, you must spend more time there.
So, what’s stopping you? When was the last time you stood in awe of something? Not your new gadget, not the latest episode of your favourite show, but something real, something that humbles you. If you can’t remember, that’s a problem.
Here’s the brutal truth: most of us feel stuck because we’re too comfortable. We’re addicted to our routines, staying in control and being the center of our little universes. Cathedral spaces shatter that. They force us to see ourselves from a distance. They shift our perspective. In a world that’s always telling us to stand out and be seen, cathedral spaces ask us to sit down, shut up, and witness the vastness surrounding us.
Are You Getting Enough Cathedral Space?
You’re doing life wrong if you’re not deliberately creating time for these vast, humbling moments. You’re cheating yourself out of real perspective and real growth. Without cathedral spaces, you lose sight of the bigger picture. And when that happens, you get trapped in your smallness—your fears, anxieties, and ego.
Let’s bring in some humbling data into our reflection. According to the Global Wellness Institute, mental health disorders are on the rise, with 700 million people worldwide experiencing mental health issues in 2021. You don’t need a fancy study to know that burnout, anxiety, and depression are at all-time highs. Yet, studies show that regular exposure to nature, mindfulness practices, or awe-inspiring spaces can decrease these issues significantly.
Take the data seriously. Cathedral spaces—whether you spend time in nature, art, or quiet—literally change your brain. They help reduce cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and improve cognitive function. This isn’t just about feeling good. It’s about rewiring your mind to see beyond yourself, to reconnect with something larger.
You Are the Cathedral
Here’s the ultimate provocation: Once you’ve found your cathedral spaces and been humbled by them, you need to become a cathedral space for others. That’s right—you. We’re living in a society starved for depth, meaning, and perspective. You can be the one who offers that.
How? By standing in your smallness and letting the vastness around you seep into your interactions, work, and relationships. When you stop trying to be the biggest thing in the room, you create space for something more significant to emerge. That’s where real power lies—not in dominating the conversation but in creating a space where others can be replenished by the vast and reminded of their smallness.
So go out. Find your cathedral space. And then, when you’ve filled up on awe and perspective, go out and be the space where others can do the same.
Because, in the end, the most powerful people aren’t the ones who take up the most space. They’re the ones who make space for something bigger.
To help you make it happen, here are three practical exercises to help you find and get inspired by your personal cathedral space.
ONE – GET WILD
Nature is the original cathedral. Forget the overpriced meditation apps or trendy yoga studios—step outside and let the wild reclaim your mind. Nature forces you to confront something larger than yourself, stripping away the ego-driven noise and reconnecting you with the raw essence of existence.
MAKING IT HAPPEN …
Choose Your Arena: Find a natural setting that intimidates and inspires you. It could be a dense forest, a raging river, a towering mountain, or even a sprawling park. The key is that it’s a space that commands and demands your respect and awe.
Disconnect to Reconnect: Leave your gadgets behind. No phone, no GPS, no distractions. You’re here to be consumed by the environment, not to document it for Instagram.
Immerse Yourself: Spend at least two hours fully present in this space. Walk without a destination, listen to the cacophony of nature, and allow yourself to feel insignificant in the grand scheme. Let the vastness around you put your life into perspective.
Reflect and Journal: After your immersion, jot down your thoughts. How did the experience make you feel? What realizations hit you hardest? Use this as fuel to understand your place in the universe and recalibrate your priorities.
TWO – EMBRACE THE SHOUT OF SILENCE
Silence is the ultimate equalizer. It forces you to confront your inner chaos without the usual distractions. In the void of silence, your mind has no choice but to grapple with its own thoughts, offering a clear view of who you are versus who you think you need to be.
MAKING IT HAPPEN …
Set the Scene: Find a quiet, undisturbed location—a secluded cabin, a dedicated meditation center, or even a quiet corner of your home where interruptions are minimal.
Commit to Silence: For 24 hours, maintain absolute silence. No talking, no texting, no reading. Just you and your thoughts. If 24 hours sounds like a marathon, start with a 12-hour window and build from there.
Mindful Practices: Engage in activities that promote introspection without verbal communication. Meditate and practice deep breathing.
Document the Experience: Write down what you discovered after your silent retreat. What was the most challenging part? What unexpected insights did you gain? How did your perception of yourself and your environment change?
THREE – CREATE WITHIN A CATHEDRAL SPACE
Creating something in a space that demands reverence and channels your internal turmoil into tangible form. It’s a powerful way to externalize your feelings, giving you a new perspective and a sense of accomplishment that mere contemplation can’t provide.
MAKING IT HAPPEN …
Select Your Medium: Choose a form of creative expression that resonates with you—painting, writing, sculpting, photography, or even building something with your hands. The medium should challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone.
Choose Your Cathedral Space: Find a location that embodies the grandeur or sacredness you seek. It could be a secluded beach, an abandoned building, a mountaintop, or a meticulously organized studio. The space should inspire awe and elevate your creative process.
Set a Goal: Define what you want to create within a specific timeframe. It doesn’t have to be perfect; the objective is to engage deeply with the space and let it influence your creation. Let the environment guide you, whether it’s a poem capturing the essence of the landscape or a painting that distorts reality to reflect your inner state.
Create with Intention: As you create, remain acutely aware of how the space around you affects your work. Let the vastness, the solitude, or the rawness of the environment seep into your creative process. Don’t force it—allow the space to naturally influence your expression.
Analyze and Reflect: Once your creation is complete, step back and analyze it. What does it say about your experience in that cathedral space? How has the act of creation changed your perception of yourself and your surroundings?
Finding your cathedral space isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity in a world that constantly tries to make you feel small in all the wrong ways. These exercises aren’t gentle suggestions; they’re calls to arms for reclaiming your perspective and rebuilding your sense of self in the face of overwhelming vastness.
Stop whining about being stuck, and take action. Whether you’re plunging into the wild, embracing silence, or unleashing your creative beast, do it with intent and watch as your life transforms. Your cathedral space is waiting—find it and let it remind you just how small you are in the grand tapestry of existence.
