SACRED PLACES, AND THE PATHWAY TO RWYC (RECONNECTING WITH YOUR CULTURE): PERSPECTIVES AND APPRAISAL

Pilgrimage as a rite of passage operates liminality, i.e., transitional space between the material world
and the metaphysical reality. Sacred space is an extraordinary place where the sacred is linked to
physical reality. The interrelatedness of sacred landscape combines the absoluteness of space,
relativeness of places, and comprehensiveness of landscape, and all these altogether result in a
‘wholeness’ carrying the inherent and imposed spirit of ‘holiness’, called ‘sacredscapes’. Ultimately, the
wholeness of the landscape creates a theosphere of ‘faithscape’ that encompasses sacred place, sacred
time, sacred meanings, sacred functionaries, and sacred rituals and embodies both symbolic and
tangible psyche elements in an attempt to reveal humankind’s identity in the cosmos. Within the
system of complex interconnectedness and interactions among cultures, heritage, and landscapes and
their resultant attributes—all that are rooted in the past, together, we seek to search ways, paths, and
means that are implied for framing and making a base for the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Target 11.4, focussing on ‘Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’.
Together with community development, nature-based education, and pilgrimages to reveal the spirit
of places are part of the cultural process of transformations. R W Y C - Reconnecting With Your
Culture – is a visionary mission and movement, re-appraising interconnectedness between Locality
and Universality – Holiness (humanity) to Wholeness (sublimity): Humanism to Spiritualism. The role
of culture is vital to developing perspectives of shared and participatory policies and fostering the
development of humanity through co-sharing ethics, spirituality, and the spirit of place. This
introductory paper presents a synoptic review and appraisal of the trends in this direction and
contextuality.