These Altars of Mine

About this Art: There was a while in my art expression whereupon I felt called to make “paper altars’’. I think the inspiration for this may have come from one I found in the bookstore of: Song of the Morning Ranch/Ashram and Yoga Retreat Place, located in Northern Michigan during a silent retreat one summer.

Its construction was simple, just black heavier grade paper folded in thirds, the tops cut into pretty pinnacle-like points, the middle pinnacle holding the signature “Star” that signified a single point of concentration used by Paramahansa Yogananda to attain deeper states of meditation called Samadhi, the surrounding outer edges were decorated in gold highlighted edges. Inside on the folded panels were placed the pictures of great Sages from the lineage of Paramahanasa Yogananda. These included the illuminated beings: Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Sri Yukteswar, Mahavatar Babaji, Jesus Christ, Bhagavan Krishna and then Paramahansa Yogananda. The idea of this miniature altar was that it was to be used on a surface like a table or a mantle possibly as part of another larger altar and to feel the connection to these luminous and exalted masters, a sense of joining with them visually, to be in their presence and energy fields while meditating and praying. I thought this paper altar was a very elegant art creation that held such meaning. Also because of its small size and foldability it could be portable and be taken with me when traveling somewhere..

The following are examples of ones I have constructed on my own using a variety of papers, along with meaningful collage type add-ons such as photos, poems and decorative details. I found small bags to be useful canvases for 2 of the altars, as the handles became the hangers and the inside of the bag provided a pouch to put written thoughts, poems, pictures and other keepsakes of the moments unfolding. I could go back to later, take out the treasures stowed, ponder and appreciate and remember what I was feeling then and realize all over again in a new way now.

I even offered an altar- making workshop one weekend as I was so enjoying making these little mini miracles and wanted to share the process with others. Four of these altars feature the Goddess/Mother and were done while in Italy with my daughters where we attended all women Goddess Art Retreat in a Villa in Tuscany Italy. They have a special joy infused in them as this trip was a very special once in a lifetime adventure of love, creativity and joyful being together time that brought unforgettable happiness to be in such a space of time with my daughters and other divine women who were there as well. Whenever I look upon these altars I am reminded of so much that is beyond words. I feel grateful for transformational Art and the ability to appreciate its value no matter how it wants to express itself. I am always transformed by its power to reflect back to me and others our true essence.

“I can set a little altar, in the

world or in my heart. I can stop what

I am doing long enough to see where

I am, who I am there with and how

awesome the place is...Earth is so

thick with divine possibility that

It is a wonder we can walk anywhere

without cracking our shins on

Altars.”

By Barbara Brown Taylor