Outdoor shrines take many forms and can be minimalist in nature.
For some seekers of serenity and enlightenment, nature's ambiance lends spiritual sustenance not found indoors. Follow the examples of some cultures by creating a shrine to the deity or other faith object of your choice. Using a minimalist approach, reflect on the elements of a shrine that will express the beliefs you hold closest in your heart and mind. Use the outdoor space as a symbol of your willingness to work with the gifts you have received. Adorn your outdoor shrine with icons and sacred elements that resonate with your faith.
Instructions
1. Assign a private outdoor area that will accommodate the items you want to include. Provide space to sit or kneel in meditation, prayer and worship. Select an area, if possible, protected from weather changes by trees or other natural elements. For example, use an area such as a grove or section of a patio or porch.
2. Say a prayer in the space you select. Ask God, the universe, the goddess or other higher power to bless the area and all who enter it. Offer the space and all practices performed as gifts signifying your faith and your love for the higher power.
3. Place a table to serve as an altar beneath a tree or in a corner of your porch or yard. Use a large flat stone as an altar table for a rustic and natural ambiance. Or use a wooden table for your altar. Drape a tablecloth over the table before each use. Use a pure white cloth or a cloth in a symbolic religious color. Provide a bench or a lawn chair in which to sit near or at the table.
4. Designate a basket to carry sacred objects to place on or around your shrine. Adorn the shrine with an icon of Jesus and Mary, for example. Add a candle or two, incense and a plate and cup for offerings to the deity. Include symbolic worship objects, like the terra-cotta elephants used for the Hindu goddess Kali-Ma. Carry your basket to the shrine for every visit.
