Chakra Altar

In the home of the Artist.
A Chakra Altar --California, USA -Paul Heussennstamm

As you enter the sacred room in Paul Heussenstamm's home, you are struck immediately by contrast - the simplicity of the interior decoration and the complexity of his artwork. The room itself seems to link the masculine and the feminine: the strong, uncompromising view of the ocean through the picture window which stretches almost the entire width of the living space at one end, and the gentle presence of the soft, mossy, watery, Japanese garden through the French windows at the other.

Almost halfway between the two windows stands Paul's chakra altar, which he has not quite completed. He dreamed of this altar as a body with doors which, when opened, would reveal seven shelves. Each shelf or level represents one of the seven chakras and contains objects corresponding to its different aspects. For example, there is a small clear crystal ball which throws out myriad tiny shafts of light to represent the sixth chakra level - the third eye, the level of clear mind, of illumination,; while candles representing primal light stand together with an ostrich egg to represent the connection with earth on the ground, the first level.

Paul tries hard not to let the altar overflow, but it always fills up again because visitors like to bring something and place it in what they feel is an appropriate chakra level. Some day Paul intends to create a rainbow at the top to represent the crown chakra and enlightenment - he just has to work out how. The altar doors are not yet completed, but one day, when he has the energy (for he is both an artist and a writer) Paul will set about fulfilling his dream.