Seasonal Reflections - Spring 2010

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Week 6: Caring for the Altars of Our Hearts

We have spent the last month contemplating the Mayan altar as a way to invite us to deeper exploration of our relationship with each other, with the Earth, and with God, who is Father and Mother, Spirit of Heaven and Spirit of Earth. As we conclude our journey, we consider how we might continue to cultivate our spiritual awakening in our everyday lives.

Week 5: Standing on Holy Ground

We have traced the four corners of the Mayan altar, from east to west, from north to south. Now we focus our attention on the fifth direction: the center. Two candles sit on a bed of fresh pine needles. The green candle represents the Earth; the blue candle represents Heaven. This is the point where the paths from east to west and north to south meet. The center of our altar is the place where we put our deepest longing for harmony. God, who is both Spirit of Heaven and Spirit of Earth, desires that we treat each other and all creation with reverence, respect and love. We create heaven on Earth when we live in harmony with each other, with Creation and with God--when we live "with one, equal heart."

Week 4: Discovering the Road to My Heart

We trace the path of humanity from its beginning in the north, where we place a white candle, the symbol of our birth, to its end in the south, where we light a yellow candle and remember our death. Birth and death are two experiences we all share. But the time in between the moment we're born and the moment we take our last breath is our own journey, unique to each of us.

Week 1: Facing East toward the Light

As we begin our spiritual journey, we contemplate the Mayan altar. The altar is divided into four quadrants, each representing one of the four directions. In the East is a red candle, nestled among red flowers. It symbolizes the rising Sun, the beginning of God's journey. In Chiapas, prayer always begins facing East.

Week 3: The Pace of Pilgrimage

Placing ourselves before the Mayan altar, we trace the axis from North to South. This is the path of humanity, our journey from birth to death. Amidst fragrant white flowers, a white candle burns brightly, reminding us of our birth and beginnings.

Week 2: Facing West, Welcoming Night

Returning to the Mayan altar, we see a deep purple candle sitting among purple flowers, facing West, the place where the Sun melts into the horizon and night begins. For the Tseltal Maya, night is the time when God speaks to us in our dreams. Recalling and sharing dreams is a daily practice among the Maya who say, "If we don't dream, we aren't living."

The Journey Begins

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian tradition, a 40-day journey through Christ’s life and Passion. This is also the season when Jews celebrate Passover Seder and remember their journey from slavery to freedom. Muslims mark No Ruz, a celebration of the New Year that occurs around the Vernal Equinox and recalls the beginning of life. Many traditions honor this season as the time when the sun returns, the days grow longer and the Earth warms.