![Spirituality altar](/sites/www.artofliving.org/files/styles/original_image/public/unity2/blog_image/Spirituality_altar.jpg?itok=NEgpYvbV)
Have you ever felt a desire for something that seemed unattainable? The love of a
significant other, better relationships with family or friends, or a new career path that could
open doors to your continued growth of success and finances? Maybe you struggle with
your health or there is concern about the health of a family member, or you feel alone
and at a loss for what to do in a difficult situation. Possibly, you are at a place in your life
where things are going great and you want to feel that kind of support you’ve called luck
or chance in the past, a sense of comfort you’d like to continue, a sense that all is right
in the world.
If any of the above reminds you of something in your own life, someplace where you
feel if you just had the right kind of guidance, support, or care, you would do better, be
better, and continue to have the life you were meant to live, then let me share with you a
beautiful practice that might open the door to something new, something that will give
you, at the very least, food for thought and, possibly transform your life.
My story
You might be aware that altars have been a part of many traditions since the beginning of
time as a way of honoring our connection to the unseen forces that guide our lives. My
journey into the power of altars began over 30 years ago. I had a vision and found
myself standing on the edge of a forest clearing at dusk, just as the full moon was rising,
where a tribe of people gathered. They created an altar on the ground with items from
nature in a specific pattern representing the elements. In the middle of the altar, they
placed a hammered golden chalice where they placed things that were valuable to them
as an offering of sorts, a way to request the ongoing support of the fertile, feminine full
moon energy.
The vision deeply affected me and changed the trajectory of my life forever. Before the
next full moon, I created an altar based on the vision using pieces found in my own
home and in nature. My life began to change in ways that seem like divine intervention
to me now.
The origins of Altars of Power and Grace
Years later, in graduate school, my husband and I took a trip to India with our spiritual teacher, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Everywhere we went I saw beautiful altars used in an ancient ritual of honoring the five elements known as Puja.
It was there, in India, that all the pieces came together…the altars I had been using monthly on the Full Moon were based on a similar design, and I wondered if refining my personal altars and integrating Vastu into my altars would change the transformative power of the altars’ intentions.
The altars that were conceived and developed based on the Indian architectural science
of Vastu Shastra come from this ancient Vedic wisdom tradition of honoring the five
elements (earth, air, fire, water, and space), the directions, and the aspirations
influenced by the directions.
Altars based on this sacred knowledge act as energetic transmitters, bringing your heart’s desires into physical form. They have been enhancing the lives of our clients and students for over 25 years.
Pointing in the right direction
There are eight directional altars that are associated with specific aspirations:
NW – relationships
N – prosperity
NE – spirituality
E – health
SE – transformation
S – career
SW – helpful people
W – creativity
Expect the unexpected
People introduced to our work through personal consultations or our books have shared
their experiences of manifesting their heart’s desires utilizing this ancient knowledge.
Vedic altars are powerful and can create change in your life in seemingly unexpected
ways. We continue to receive emails from people with their personal stories of how altars
have changed their lives.
There are those who have manifested long-term relationships and even marriage.
Others found new career opportunities, some overcame health challenges. There have
been many who have deepened their spiritual connections through the use of these
Vedic altars, while others have sought solace in challenging times. Many found their
finances improving, while others deepened their relationships with their children. Pets’
health miraculously improved and, overall, everyone who desired to feel a deeper
connection within themselves and the Divine Presence experienced a sense of oneness
and peace.
Taking manifestation to a new level
Over time, since writing our books on altars and Vastu, there has been a shift in my
work with the altars. It came from years of practicing Sudarshan Kriya (SKY Breath Meditation) and Sahaj Samadhi Meditation as taught through the Art of Living Foundation.
A more elemental component of manifesting with altars introduced itself to me and I began to see the altars as an alchemical process; a “birthing” of deep desires based on the union of the divine masculine and feminine energy that sustains all life.
When a sacred ceremony is used to ignite an altar, the elements of air, water, fire, and
earth, which come from Akasha, the space element, work in synchronicity to begin the
process of manifestation. I see it on the altar as if an energetic, three-dimensional
crystal Shree Yantra that connects the physical and etheric planes.
This awareness feels like a bridge between the elements and how our desires manifest into form. This is unique about Vedic knowledge and how the elements and their frequencies are
connected to all living things, even our dreams, and desires.
My prayer for you
We live in interesting times where there is more intention to engage with the deeper aspects of our lives, as well as feel a connection to the Divine through meditation, breathwork, mantras, yantras, and ancient wisdom traditions. Vedic altars inspire and connect you to the forces of nature inherent in the universe. They empower you and give you a focal point, a place to engage your spiritual practices.
My prayer for you is that your altars fulfill your heart’s desires and dreams and allow you
to experience a connection to Divine Presence that empowers you.
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Editor’s note: To learn more about SKY Breath Meditation (Sudarshan Kriya) please click on the image below to attend a free breath and meditation session online.