“A symbolic or ceremonial experience is real and affects one as much as the actual event.” –Robert A. Johnson
The word “remember” has a lot of meaning for me. At its essence it means to call back the aspects of yourself that have scattered or gone missing; to return to the truth of who you are. And there’s no better way to “pull yourself together,” I believe, than to adopt a simple daily practice in mindfulness and letting go.
An altar provides a perfect focal point too. Though we mostly associate these with churches or temples, the truth is altars can be found everywhere. The special flower centerpiece on a Thanksgiving table and the “good china” place settings are a kind of altar. They honor the circle of family and friends coming together once a year to give thanks. The photos on the bureau, the grouping of rocks and shells from a favorite beach or summer experience, the antique clock holding court on the mantel, the wreaths we hang to celebrate the seasons are just some of the ways we remember and connect with something timeless, something larger than ourselves.
Home altars offer a direct connection to spirit and a vehicle to experience spaciousness. You can use them to anchor an intention, quiet the mind, express gratitude, connect to your soul’s deepest yearnings, honor the memory of a loved one, bless and release something or someone that no longer serves and supports you, or embrace, illuminate, call back… re-member.
Creating this spiritual focal point in your home is easy, too. All you need is a table, shelf, or nook, in a quiet corner of your house, apartment, or office. The rest is up to your imagination.
If there is something you wish to manifest in your life, for example, you can adopt this creative idea as a way to anchor your intention:
“…One idea for a simple altar is a pot with a bulb planted in it, set on a box. This altar to growth can act as a reminder to you that all living things bloom in their time. A simple ritual might be to write down dreams you would like to see come to fruition on scraps of paper. You might place these scraps of paper in the box, or under the flowerpot, or in an envelope you prop against the pot. As the flower grows, so will your dreams.”
–Excerpted from “Intention and Intuition: The Purpose of an Altar,” DailyOM by Madisyn Taylor
Bottom line, the sky’s the limit on ways to connect with the Divine.
