Acme Altar & Incense Burner Co.
Just Friends
The name of this altar is JUST FRIENDS.
It depicts the metaphysics of a musician composer who is “listening” to MIND help guide his way home.
The wire mesh depicts the “field”, the akasha, which is time and space that we manifest into.
The circular steel tubing represents the “heart antenna” or the intuition of the musician that receives the message from MIND.
The Musician is intent on converting the messages received in his heart, to an audible song that reflects the message as accurately as possible. To do this he has practiced a LOT. With extended practice, the message becomes clearer, and the song more refined.
The upright wooden piece represents our 7 chakra nerve centers through which the message of MIND is transmitted. The 4th chakra (Anahata or “Heart” chakra,) has “knots” (termed Hirdaya or Vishnu Granthi). I am not saying or inferring that you have heart knots, (most of us do) but if at some point in your life you do, you will be familiar with the concept.
According to the yogic tradition, a granthi (“knot”) is an energetic and psychic contraction preventing the free flow of prana (energy) along sushumna nadi (the main energy channel in the subtle body). The granthis impede the awakening of the chakras and the rising of kundalini shakti (the fundamental force of our being, generally lying dormant in muladhara chakra). Only by true discrimination, knowledge, and faith can one untie the knot of Vishnu and realize the purpose behind the Cosmos, which is a part of the divine plan.” Once Vishnu granthi is transcended, the awareness of the universal quality of energy is more easily recognized. In this way, the yogi will have more natural access to the universal source of energy, rather than having to draw energy from the localized centers within the being.
At the top of the chakra staff is represented the “Buddhi”, the/our higher wisdom center, and innate ability to source discriminating mind. (reason) It lies outside space and time. It is through/with Buddhi that we encounter “Purusha”, (or Shiva) who enlivens out material experience, and we can form/allow the “balance” that will provide “freedom” from being held captive by Prakriti. (see below).
Coming out of the tubing is an energetic “wave” that feeds into a “speaker” that is beaming the message into the musician’s heart. There is no “sound”, of course, until the musician creates it. That is (one of) the musician’s duties.
The orange rope depicts “Prakriti”, the names and forms (Nama-Rupa) that confine the Musician to a body. This is none other than “Maya”, and in a sense, it is trapping the musician and the musician is working to break loose (temporarily) from Maya and find freedom through the music.
The glass globe represents the song being created. It will drop down onto the mountain where it will form a stream with other drops and wind its way to the “ocean of love” where his friends are. Perhaps there are other musicians creating the song together. How beautiful. Love and friendship are the greatest mystery…..Divine Love is immanent in human relationship. That is Truth.
Above and to the right of the musician is the inner critic. (The Cold Hollow one). The musician is so intent on listening to his heart message, that the critic’s voice is very faint.
Behind the musician is a mirror. Look into it and see your True Guru.
In the bottom right is a small statue of Odysseus fighting to get his crew home safe as they encounter the “Sirens” that would lure them to death with their intoxicating song. In the tale, he straps himself to the mast so he can hear their song without losing his way. The sirens are any thing or any person that would lure the musician away from his Dharmic duty. This is a warning to remember that we are mortal, life is short, and we must use our Buddhi mind (our mast) to escape the trap of Prakriti by discovering, and doing, our duty.
In the lower center is an “Aum” (or OM) symbol. This represents firstly Brahman (not a personality) that is EVERYTHING. Secondly, it depicts the aspect of Brahman that shows up in the forms of gods and goddesses as well as material existence, and is known as Saguna Brahman, or, WITH aspects (or Gunas)). It is a stylized symbol that suggests 3 states of our daily reality; A-U-M
The top of the “3” represents the A, the waking state. The lower part of the “3” represents the “U”, the dream state, and the tail of the “3” represents the deep sleep state. The upside down rainbow represents Maya, and the diamond shape at the top represents “Atman”, or, the part of you that is the same as Brahman. It is maya that keeps us trapped in our daily cycle of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, gives us the Illusion of separation from Atman (Brahman), and prevents us from blending back into Nirguna Brahman from which we came. This is awesome because it allows us to experience this existence. It also sucks, because this existence is complete with death and suffering. The only reasonable response to this paradox is Gratitude. (The alternative sucks even worse). Thank you for your music which acknowledges the darkness as well as the light, and still moves forward with Faith-Mind.….I mean…...that is REAL.
The candle is a candle, suitable for contemplative moments. (Never leave a candle unattended).
The glass jar is to hold sticks of incense. This IS, after all, a fancy incense burner.
Just Friends
The name of this altar is JUST FRIENDS.
It depicts the metaphysics of a musician composer who is “listening” to MIND help guide his way home.
The wire mesh depicts the “field”, the akasha, which is time and space that we manifest into.
The circular steel tubing represents the “heart antenna” or the intuition of the musician that receives the message from MIND.
The Musician is intent on converting the messages received in his heart, to an audible song that reflects the message as accurately as possible. To do this he has practiced a LOT. With extended practice, the message becomes clearer, and the song more refined.
The upright wooden piece represents our 7 chakra nerve centers through which the message of MIND is transmitted. The 4th chakra (Anahata or “Heart” chakra,) has “knots” (termed Hirdaya or Vishnu Granthi). I am not saying or inferring that you have heart knots, (most of us do) but if at some point in your life you do, you will be familiar with the concept.
According to the yogic tradition, a granthi (“knot”) is an energetic and psychic contraction preventing the free flow of prana (energy) along sushumna nadi (the main energy channel in the subtle body). The granthis impede the awakening of the chakras and the rising of kundalini shakti (the fundamental force of our being, generally lying dormant in muladhara chakra). Only by true discrimination, knowledge, and faith can one untie the knot of Vishnu and realize the purpose behind the Cosmos, which is a part of the divine plan.” Once Vishnu granthi is transcended, the awareness of the universal quality of energy is more easily recognized. In this way, the yogi will have more natural access to the universal source of energy, rather than having to draw energy from the localized centers within the being.
At the top of the chakra staff is represented the “Buddhi”, the/our higher wisdom center, and innate ability to source discriminating mind. (reason) It lies outside space and time. It is through/with Buddhi that we encounter “Purusha”, (or Shiva) who enlivens out material experience, and we can form/allow the “balance” that will provide “freedom” from being held captive by Prakriti. (see below).
Coming out of the tubing is an energetic “wave” that feeds into a “speaker” that is beaming the message into the musician’s heart. There is no “sound”, of course, until the musician creates it. That is (one of) the musician’s duties.
The orange rope depicts “Prakriti”, the names and forms (Nama-Rupa) that confine the Musician to a body. This is none other than “Maya”, and in a sense, it is trapping the musician and the musician is working to break loose (temporarily) from Maya and find freedom through the music.
The glass globe represents the song being created. It will drop down onto the mountain where it will form a stream with other drops and wind its way to the “ocean of love” where his friends are. Perhaps there are other musicians creating the song together. How beautiful. Love and friendship are the greatest mystery…..Divine Love is immanent in human relationship. That is Truth.
Above and to the right of the musician is the inner critic. (The Cold Hollow one). The musician is so intent on listening to his heart message, that the critic’s voice is very faint.
Behind the musician is a mirror. Look into it and see your True Guru.
In the bottom right is a small statue of Odysseus fighting to get his crew home safe as they encounter the “Sirens” that would lure them to death with their intoxicating song. In the tale, he straps himself to the mast so he can hear their song without losing his way. The sirens are any thing or any person that would lure the musician away from his Dharmic duty. This is a warning to remember that we are mortal, life is short, and we must use our Buddhi mind (our mast) to escape the trap of Prakriti by discovering, and doing, our duty.
In the lower center is an “Aum” (or OM) symbol. This represents firstly Brahman (not a personality) that is EVERYTHING. Secondly, it depicts the aspect of Brahman that shows up in the forms of gods and goddesses as well as material existence, and is known as Saguna Brahman, or, WITH aspects (or Gunas)). It is a stylized symbol that suggests 3 states of our daily reality; A-U-M
The top of the “3” represents the A, the waking state. The lower part of the “3” represents the “U”, the dream state, and the tail of the “3” represents the deep sleep state. The upside down rainbow represents Maya, and the diamond shape at the top represents “Atman”, or, the part of you that is the same as Brahman. It is maya that keeps us trapped in our daily cycle of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, gives us the Illusion of separation from Atman (Brahman), and prevents us from blending back into Nirguna Brahman from which we came. This is awesome because it allows us to experience this existence. It also sucks, because this existence is complete with death and suffering. The only reasonable response to this paradox is Gratitude. (The alternative sucks even worse). Thank you for your music which acknowledges the darkness as well as the light, and still moves forward with Faith-Mind.….I mean…...that is REAL.
The candle is a candle, suitable for contemplative moments. (Never leave a candle unattended).
The glass jar is to hold sticks of incense. This IS, after all, a fancy incense burner.