Home altar
The Rev. Jim Burklo created this home altar as an example of how families can incorporate such sacred spaces into their devotional lives. (Courtesy Photo)
Children quite naturally express reverence for life by making offerings. Without prompting, they will place flowers in front of a dead bird on the ground, or they will offer food to inanimate objects for which they sense a personal relationship. The impulse to make offerings as a way of expressing a felt connection with the world is deep and elemental.
Altars in varied forms appear in almost all the world’s spiritual traditions. They are tables or spaces set apart for ritual observances of the relationships between people and Ultimate Reality.
You can create your own altar to incorporate into your family’s ritual life. It can become a focal point of your family’s life together, reminding your family members of the sacred center that holds you together. It can take any of many shapes: a spot on a shelf, a separate table, or an entire corner of a room.
New Burklo ident
I suggest that you make it a living altar – one that makes room for events, seasons, and celebrations in your family’s life. There may be items on the altar that remain over time, but make space for new expressions. And for new understandings or interpretations of the items on the altar. Make room for spontaneous offerings or placements by members of your family. And make it a topic of dinner conversation: “What’s on the altar tonight? What do the things on it mean to each of you? How does it feel to stand in front of it now?” Maintaining the altar can be a rotating “chore” for different members of the family. One way or another, make it a “100%” participation activity!
You can use the altar as a place where family agreements are made. You can use it to gather the family on sacred occasions of all kinds. You can put messages to each other on it.
You can put a prayer or meditation box on it. Get a small box and put a slot in the top lid and put slips of paper by the box, with a pen available. Members of the family can write prayers or meditations on the slips and put them in the box. Periodically you can gather to mix up the prayer/meditation slips, hand them out randomly, and then read them aloud and ceremonially burn them in the fireplace or outdoor fire pit.
The altar can be the spot where you put a bell or singing bowl which you can use to announce gatherings of the family – such as dinner time. I would suggest being cautious about using the altar as a place to put trophies or certificates or other symbols of accomplishment, in order to avoid invidious comparisons among family members. The altar can be the spot where you keep your family “ritual kit” – items you use for family ceremonies.
(See more at my new site, SOULJOURNING.org -- about nurturing the natural spirituality of young people)