A morning meditation

Today in morning meditation I enter my interior castle with Theresa of Avila  a spiritual mystic from the 1600's.   Ok, she is not physically with me.  In a sense I meditate and visualize at the same time giving my prayerful encounter  greater life than just word prayers.   Carolyn Myss , a modern day spiritual teacher, intuitive, and teacher, has given me knowledge and honor for Theresa.  http://www.randypeyser.com/myss2.htm

Sometimes I hang out with Kali, the Hindu Black Woman Goddess.      http://hinduism.about.com/od/hindugoddesses/a/makali.htm    She can be ruthless and cut deep into turmoil to bring to light the truth. She also has a very defensive mother spirit.  Kali is physically strong, no nonsense, ruling with her sword.  Do check her out.

Kali is very opposite Theresa of Avila.  However, as I lean toward archetypal as a means of understanding the world, I gather qualities from many role models within many cultures.

Today it is Theresa with whom I enter the sacred interior of myself.  She welcomes me with a voice softly spoken.."welcome, come often to this place of calm."

Together in my visualization we cross a stone bridge into a large well lit room.  Cozy. Simple. Central is an altar.  

Quite instantly the concept of an altar expands.  It expands beyond my preconceived idea of Christian, Hindu, Buddhist or any religion's altar.  Here's how I have come to understand the concept of altar.


Altars are sacred places.  It is where we hold dreams, creativity, family, friends, love, emotions, talents, joys & sorrows.  Hence, our lives.   An altar is not a place.  It is everywhere.

Archetypically, the altar speaks to remind us of sacredness.   Let us expand the concept of altar.  Could not our homes become sacred altars.  Our property.  Nature around us.  Our cars?   I do believe this is paradigm of truth.  Neighborhoods, towns, cities... our country... Can we begin to visualize the world as a sacred altar to the power and possibilities of humanity?  Our DNA?  The Universe? 

I saw my concept of altar also holds ME.  I am sacred.  Holy.  The spirit of infinite love and gratitude resides in me and flows through me.  OH my.  What power am I not open to?
 
Will  the zen of this experience all too soon be forgotten?  How do I keep this holy moment in time as a touchstone when I return to the hard scrabble days of noise and activities?

I saw to prepare metaphoric altars around me so as to be reminders of the sacred, the life force, the energy that flows, the I am.  These "little altars"  need not be altars such as can be touched. They may indeed be a planted flower, a particular shirt, a perfume, a candle. Each eyed with reverence or admiration.  Gratitude for a silent place in the woods, a song, a poem.  To create a work of art, write a letter, dream.  A cup of coffee with a friend.  Dancing, moving, reading.  These are all altars to the sacredness of life.

May you discover the awareness of the sacred in your life.  Create and nurture the powerful you.

Place this thought on your altar:   If you could be guaranteed of success, what would you want to do with your life?

namaste.