by Shakti Gawain: One of the first things you should do when you start using creative visualization is to create a sanctuary within yourself where you can go anytime you want to. 
Your sanctuary is your ideal place of relaxation, tranquillity, and safety and you can create it exactly as you want it.
Close your eyes and relax in a comfortable position. Imagine yourself in some beautiful natural environment. It can be anyplace that appeals to you . . . in a meadow, on a mountaintop, in the forest, beside the sea. It could even be under the ocean, or on another planet. Wherever it is, it should feel comfortable, pleasant, and peaceful to you. Explore your environment, noticing the visual details, the sounds and smells, any particular feelings or impressions you get about it.
Now do anything you would like to do to make the place more homelike and comfortable. You might want to build some type of house or shelter there, perhaps just surround the whole area with a golden light of protection and safety, create and arrange things there for your convenience and enjoyment, or do a ritual to establish it as your special place.
From now on this is your own personal inner sanctuary, to which you can return anytime just by closing your eyes and desiring to be there. You will always find it healing and relaxing to be there. It is also a place of special power for you, and you may wish to go there every time you do creative visualization.
You may find that your sanctuary spontaneously changes from time to time, or that you want to make changes and additions to it. You can be very creative in your sanctuary and have a lot of fun there … just remember to retain the primary qualities of peacefulness, tranquillity, and a feeling of absolute safety.
