WHY IS THERE A SKULL ON THE ALTAR?

The skull is an ancient and authentic symbol used to remind us of our impermanence. Our skull lasts much longer than our body, and our lives. It symbolizes a respect for life while we have it.

As students, we can use the image of the skull two ways in our practice:

  • First, where is our head? For this, two practices:
    • As an awareness of the bony structure, inside our body, that we are reaching to the sky. The pressing point is the crown of the head, the top of the skull.
    • As a reminder to level our skull, to hold it balanced atop our body, not weighing down on our body. The occiput of the skull and the sacrum track together in a healthy spine, so the skull brings awareness to the entire spine.
  • Second, practice with the idea of impermanence. Use it as a reminder of the opportunity to meditate on the power of our ALIVE-ness, and the finite reality of that aliveness.