Altar of meditation

This is a photo of my altar, altered so it appears as it does to me when I meditate some days, blurred and glowing in the light. Nagchampa incense swirls in the air, its scent nearly obscuring that of the freshly-cut phlox at the Buddha's right hand, symbolic of the transience of life. Fresh water in the goblet, a star anise in the palm of his hand, and candles, of course. And there I sit, upon the oriental carpet, and seek onepointedness. Some days I even succeed.