Customer Reviews

Altars of Power and Grace: Create the Life You Desire--Achieve Harmony, Health, Fulfillment and Prosperity with Personal Altars Based on Vastu Shastra

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is very well presented physically and delicious visually. Rich and well chosen colors, professional photography and design, and tangiable quality of the book cover and pages. Organized information charts which are clear, concise, uncomplicated and can be cross-referenced with information given in the paragraphs of the book. There is another issue that doesn't come up in the book; some people might have issues or not too good luck with reds or lets say East or Northwest directions...then what?. But perhaps thats better deal with in another book with more complex Vastu. Back to the review!...Its was also helpful and nice that client experiences/tesitmonials are also included in the book. They mention "Keystone" and how before it is sold it goes through a (ancient) ceremony for of preparation and purificaiton. They offer a brief info on Yantras which is fine. However, Yantras also go through such a ceremony be it simple or elaborate. This mention about this kind of traditional treament of Yantras is missing from this book and has no real need to be left out. I am somewhat surprised about since the authors have to be aware of at this given their emershed exposure to india culture at this point. They offer their free "downloadable" Yantra. They provide a mantra and mudra praticum to go along with their downloadable yantra; altar ceremony/energizing instead which is cool but I don't like the fact that they avoided the yantra in this way. Simplification and wateredown are two different things. An actual Yantra is pictured on page 46 of the book. You can get an one that is blessed/activated(or not), from the internet by mail or buy them off of ebay or if you have association with a hindu or indian culture you may try seek one with the proper activations. I would recommend highly to read about yantras and pooja so as to get an idea of the specifics and larger picuture culturally and otherwise. This is my only main beef about this book. It is a lovely book otherwise...worth the purchase which is not expensive at all and can be purchased new at online stores or auctions inexpensively. As they say you use a compass to accurately find the directions first. If you are not familar with compasses try SUUNTO A-10 Hunting/Backpacking Compass..it should not be very costly..but there are others..you can surf the net for how to use one if you don't know how. After you read it you will be able to creatively set up your own space applying the Vastu priniciples as presented. This is a great begginer plus into to Vastu Shastra. A book I keep on my shelf both for it informational value and its beauty inside and out.

"Altars of Power and Grace offers a revolutionary approach to creating personal altars. This unique system combines the holistic and creative traditions of Whole Systems Design with the most potent aspects of Vastu Shastra. Vastu, an ancient science from India, was the original teaching on which Feng Shui is based." -from the book

Renowned experts Robin and Michael Mastro have demystified the ancient principles of Vastu by creating an accessible model for creating personal altars. Like the compass lineage of Feng Shui, Vastu Shastra is governed by five elements and eight directions-much like a Ba Gua map. However, in the Mastro system, Metal becomes Spirit, which appropriately resides in the center.

Altars concentrate chi-or life force-for the promotion of harmony, health, fulfillment and prosperity. Arranging personal items and spiritual tokens with a specific intention generates a powerful energy vortex for manifesting spirit into matter. In Altars of Power and Grace, the Mastros explain the science and history of Vastu Shastra, the attributes of the five elements and representational objects, and the areas and placements for the eight directions.

The eight directions represent certain desires and dreams, and altars can be created for each aspiration:

North: Abundance and Prosperity
Northeast: Spirituality
East: Health and Well-Being
Southeast: Life Changes and Transformation
South: Career and Recognition
Southwest: Helpful People and Universal Support
West: Creativity and Knowledge
Northwest: Relationships and Marriage

Altars of Power and Grace provides clear step by step instructions, colorful photographs and graphics, and a thorough treatment of personal examples and experiences. Also included are helpful charts such as correspondences for each type of altar (including color, gemstone, mantra, and animal), activation ceremonies, yantras, and mantras. The Resource section contains a glossary of terms, and five pages of "who's who" among gods, goddesses, and religious deities (e.g. Archangel Zadkiel, Minerva, Christ, Ganesh, and Lakshmi), and recommended books and websites. The Mastros also offer instructions on altars for special occasions such as weddings, births, anniversaries, and other rites of passage-as well as a beautiful global peace altar.

The great thing about the Vastu Shastra system is that you can use mementos that you already own, or set out to find special icons and symbols that represents your life, personality, and spiritual path. The Mastros also supply readers with a special website address to download free yantras to print out for altar activation, so you can couple your personal tokens with the power of yantras for a specific intention.

Altars of Power and Grace-which won the Best Book of 2004 Award from USABookNews.com-is a wonderful tool for focusing intention, promoting well-being, achieving desires, and cultivating spiritual connection through the creation and use of personal altars.

Pure Gold! I'm trying to decide how many copies I need to order! This wonder of a book is the perfect gift for all of my loved ones!

Not only does it provide SO many helpful, creative suggestions for harmonizing one's home and life, it is a precious delight to disappear into, spending many hours imbibing the beauty and deep wisdom throughout. The photographs are exquisite as are the alters in the pictures throughout the book which seem to balance one's energy field simply by looking at them. What better gift? As the reader implements the ideas and wisdom provided and their life improves, the gift grows. What a true gift of Love!

I have studied Feng Shui for a long time and find the Vaastu system offers a deepening of understanding through a slightly different lens. As I follow these principles I see miracles. Through the guidance of this information, I created alters several years ago, one in particular for Abundance and within 2 years had 3 unexpected windfalls of more abundance than I had ever had.

Praises and Great Thanks to authors Robin and Michael Mastro for their thorough research and compilation as well as the gorgeous layout that makes this book a treasure you want to carry with you always. I always keep it close by my bed. Maybe some of the ancient truth contained will seep in!

This is a wonderful and beautifully designed book. The photography and graphics make it a pleasure to browse through. The text is both informative and fun to read.
A lot of books like this have a couple ideas and then a lot of fluff. This is different, each alter is explained in perfect detail, easy to set up and understand. I was a bit sceptical but since setting up my alter for prosperity I've been swamped with work.
I've also followed the instructions in the book and my house feels much more serene and balanced. Every person I've shared this book with says after a few minutes "I want one!"

Title: Altars of Power and Grace; Create the Life You Desire

Authors: Robin and Michael Mastro

Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life and Style Magazine

This 182-page guide to personal altars based on the ancient Indian theory of Vastu Shastra is not only a clearly written book on a complex topic, but it enchants readers with its sophisticated and alluring imagery and book design. Photos help readers visualize an alter set up and graphs help illustrate the importance of the alter arrangement and its elements.

Altars of Power and Grace is laced with inspirational words and images that almost envoke harmony. With a packed appendix to support further studies and knowledge, this book is the perfect learning tool to reap the rewards of implementing the principles of Vastu Shastra.

The authors carefully pick apart the complex topic into smaller chunks so that readers aren't overwhelmed by the vastness of the topic. Starting with the history and science foundation of Vastu Shastra, it moves slowly into the more deep topics like how to heighten spirituality, attracting universal support and how to create a global peace altar.

Without a doubt, if someone is interested in Vastu Sastra and looking to incorporate its principles into their life, Altars of Power and Grace is the perfect start and will guide you easily onto your personal path of fulfillment.

I was both impressed and delighted while reading Alters of Power and Grace by Robin and Michael Mastro. The authors present the complex, ancient teachings and wisdom of Vastu Shastra (older than Feng Shui) in a highly accessable way that is applicable to modern life. The book is written with compassion, insight, and a true passion for living fully. It is a visual feast with its exquisite color photos throughout. As a result of the clearly laid out, step-by-step directions, I am able to create alters to enhance and enrich all aspects of my life.

This book is very well illustrated, easy to follow, and simple to understand. I like the author's use of pictures and actual client stories to demonstrate how to set up altars using your own items. You truly feel as if you can do it!

Altars of Power and Grace: Create the Life You Desire is truly a blessing in disguise. The book has definitely brought in a positive impact in my life ever since I caught hold of this book. A must read book for all. If one implements the guidance provided in the book in ones life, one is sure to benefit manifold.

When I wanted to find ways to enlighten my home with more feng shui without spending $$$$ on a consultant...I found this charm at the library.

While it is suggested by the authors only to create at the most two altars...I have gone ahead and created all 8 ... While the concepts of the directions and planning of the altars takes some thought and planning as in learning any new skill...with intent and focus following the simplistic instructions and free web-site access for pronounciation of the accompanying mantras allows arrival of the place you want to be. With some questions...I have been in touch with Robin, co-author and she answers within a few days and is as lovely and Divine as the book.

The results: I have an immediate and powerful connection with the Divine including a guardian angel in my computer that does not allow me to send or receive e-mails from those I should no longer be connected with. I receive wonderful Universal signs all the time...as I work out of my home anyone entering my home is blessed and amazingly healed with this alignment of the Earth's energies...people who have negative energies and ulterior motives no longer come to my home or are in my life...and I continue to find highest spiritual direction and gifts on an ongoing basis. My work that I offer to the world is spiritually focused and brings much abundance to myself and those who receive.

What a blessing to receive and honor this ancient, powerful and beautiful work ...thank you...!

I highly recomend this book for anybody looking to create change in their life. After i built my Abundance Altar in my business, I found a $5.00 bill outside of my gate the next day. A sign indeed, as the orders have been flowing in ever since. Beautifully written and photographed as well. I'm looking forward to building more altars in both my business and my home.