Exploring the Meaning of Shrines

What is a Shrine? Shrines are physical manifestations, externalizations of meaning. They can have secular or religious significance, serving as tangible expressions of ideas, memories, ideals and feelings. It is as if some meanings have an intrinsic “nature” to express themselves and shrines are one way they do so. When people awaken to a meaning they often feel compelled to embody it - shrines are one such embodiment.

And Me? For much of my life, I can't say I was an admirer of shrines. To me they seemed somewhat removed from "the real deal" and secondary - significant for others, but not for me. Yet my perspective has gradually shifted. Recently, shrines have begun to appear in my life, drawing me in with their quiet presence and inviting me to engage them. Below, I share my reflections on shrines and their meanings.

This development is surprising since for years I’ve maintained the first shrine shown below. It has always sat in my meditation room, yet I never thought of it as a shrine as such, until recently. It was simply a collection of meaningful objects—until I recognized how they held together as a whole.

The Past, Present and Future Shrine.This shrine rests on a small chair that once belonged to my maternal grandmother. As a child, it seemed perfectly suited for kids. In her home it was paired with a small table on which sat her telephone. At times I’d sit in the chair imagining I was waiting for a call.

The statue of Christ with the open hand belonged to my Mother. Near the end of her life, I asked if I could have it. This very much pleased her and she said "yes". Beside it is an incense holder, another object from home, which I recall seeing often in the living room of our childhood homes.

The sandalwood mala beads, draped delicately across Christ's hand was given to me by my psychiatrist when I was 20 years old. It was part of his initiation of me into Hindu meditation, marking the beginning of my spiritual search. Their smooth surface and sandalwood scent still carries the poignancy of that pivotal moment.

Over time, I've added other items to this collection. There's a drawing of Thomas Keating, whose teachings on contemplative practice have deeply influenced me; and an image of the chapel at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Old Snowmass, Colorado, a place that has become a touchstone for reflection and life transforming experience. Nearby, the Contemplative Outreach logo rests beneath a serene Japanese Buddhist Jizo sculpture, symbolizing patience and quiet waiting.

Reflections on Meaning. Each individual object in a shrine holds deep personal significance, yet together they form something greater than the sum of their parts. They act as a tangible embodiment of the meanings, values, and memories that shaped a life. For years, I didn’t see this collection as a shrine—perhaps because I had never fully appreciated the power of gathering such meanings visibly in one place.

Now, It reminds me of the interconnectedness of past, present, and future. It speaks to a spiritual journey, a maternal legacy, and the values held close. Shrines, I’ve come to understand, are not static—they are living expressions of meaning, evolving as we do.

Through this realization, I’ve come to see shrines not as secondary expression removed from "the real deal", but as deeply personal expressions of the sacred in daily life. They provide a form and space where memory and intention converge, offering both a reminder and a call to action. May the shrine be with you.