Jamie Richards- "Landscapes of the Sacred" #3

In a creative approach in providing his readers an opportunity to understand the perspectives of others in how they view sacred place, Belden Lane, in his novel, "Landscapes of the Sacred," lists and outlines three approaches. These approaches include the ontological approach, the cultural approach, and the phenomenological approach. The first view suggests that a sacred place is not determined by humans, but rather by the place itself. The second approach disclaims this perspective and states that it is not the place, but the individual that determines the evocation of holy energy. Essentially, Lane is stating that it is the the culture and the imagination of each individual that distinguishes what may be called a sacred place. Lastly, the final approach can be described as a fusion between the previous two views. Lane explains that this approach gives new meaning to all aspects of the context in which one views a potentially sacred place. For instance, he suggest that even the vocals of local animals play a role in one's viewing of an area. Despite analyzing all three approaches, I personally agree with Lane in that each view plays a crucial role in the understanding of a sacred landscape. No single perspective can solely be responsible in distinguishing a place of religious significance. It is through the prominent interaction of all three approaches that one may gain the ability to truly understand the character of a spiritual location.