Have you heard that "Carnism is the invisible belief system, or ideology, that conditions people to eat certain animals. Carnism is essentially the opposite of veganism, as “carn” means “flesh” or “of the flesh” and “ism” refers to a belief system."? In her argument, Dr. Melanie Joy talks about which animals we believe are sacred or profane - we eat certain animals, and judge other cultures for eating animals we don't, and it's a belief system we all have accepted (in our native culture) as normal. Most Americans don't consider eating to be sacred.
Many cultures around the world do consider eating to be a sacred act though. Something as seemingly simple as having a hot cup of hot tea by my hand as I am typing this might entail a ritual with complex ceremonial procedures elsewhere on the globe even today. But what about alone, in my personal daily routine - could I be more mindful of food, more grateful, and vibrant by making a simple shift from ignorance to attention in this one area of life?
The definition returned by Google tells me that "sacred" is an adjective meaning connected with God, dedicated to a religious purpose, and so deserving veneration. Pertaining to the religious rather than secular, and/or embodying the laws or doctrines of a religion. There is a question about yoga class, is it sacred, or is it just another gym class? In a culture where we often eschew religion for the secular mores do we need to look at all gym classes and other places where we adhere to rules (laws or doctrines) and offer veneration to our teachers, colleagues, or authorities, as sacred? What if you did, would that make it better or worse to experience?
Sacredness is what you make of it. If your jam is to attend a weekly service at a church, yoga studio, temple or the gym, in my opinion, it's all worship if you are mindful. In fact I think lots of people showing up at weekly church services are less devout than Mr. Meathead Gymrat. I think that getting a cuppa in the daily morning ritual can be as meditative as a formal tea ceremony if that is how I choose to use the time. Before I am able to choose, I need to be aware there is a choice. How often do you realize that you have the choice to be grateful for each moment or take it for granted. Could you stop and choose a more sacred or grateful thought right now?