Navratri and October First Quarter Moon

Navratri continues for three more nights, with the arrival of Saraswati. 

2021 Navratri altar

The word navratri means nine nights; on each set of three nights we meditate on a different aspect of Shakti, the universal principle of energy and creativity, Mother Earth, and the feminine power in each of us. Each of the three goddesses signifies a stage of the spiritual journey we all go through: Durga’s strength and energy creates an opening, Lakshmi’s success and fortune nurtures growth, and Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace. For these final three nights we honor and thank the Divine Mother as Saraswati, who is "the essence of self".

And this is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

Agenda Today:
1. Morning meditation and mantra

2. Journal queries

3. Make a full effort plan

4. Write a mission haiku

5. Fall cleaning

6. Add to my altar

1. Morning meditation and mantra:
During Navratri, Hindus work on their vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character). On my path I pass through the stages that everyone has to pass through- one naturally leads to the next. As I eliminate an undesirable quality, I develop the virtue opposite to it. Each time I succeed in developing and strengthening my good qualities, I am ready to receive another bit of the Light, moving towards enlightenment- that is what the nine days of Navratri are all about.

For these next three days I honor I honor the intuitive aspect of the Mother. Saraswati is dressed in white, holds a scroll and plays music on a veena. She is called the Flowing-One because she comes from the river, and offers the gift of fluidity in speech and thought. She is the embodiment of the knowledge of Truth and spiritual wisdom. Saraswati shines with the pure light and uplifting energy of sattwa.

On each morning of Navratri I light a small white candle. For these next three mornings I meditate on the new light and understanding I have received this season. I picture this Mother spirit sitting on the blossom of my heart, sprinkling me with cleansing waters, and shining the light of wisdom, peace, and Truth.

I focus on my image of Saraswati and chant- (You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)

• Om - the primordial sound 
• Aim - from which knowledge and powers of speech emanate 
• Sa-ra-swath-yai - goddess of wisdom 
• Na-ma-ha - I pray.

2. Journal queries:

Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities; I remember that for each opportunity in life there is a challenge.

Which of my priorities am I having the most trouble acting on this month? 

 

Which challenges do I face this week and month (things I don’t enjoy, don’t know how to do, or feel blocked on) and how can I best meet them?

What do I need in order to stay in balance with social and alone time; thinking and doing; and in harmony with the earth?

What do I need (tools, information, allies) to help me on my path?

3. Make a full effort plan: 

I will certainly face challenges. Today my biggest challenge is lethargy and procrastination, especially with my house projects and art projects. If I delay, I’m not acting in the now; my practice this week is making a reasonable schedule, then taking one step at a time.

Full effort (sometimes called exertion) is one of the steps of mental discipline on Buddha’s eightfold path. Buddha was urging full effort for awakening the mind; a first step is to practice full effort for whatever is most important in your life right now - for your priorities. 

However, full effort requires balance (holding your intentions lightly in the complexity of life). If you are driven to complete everything on your list at all costs, you may miss an opportunity to grow, to open your heart, to find peace within.

My big projects this month are housework and artwork, and today I made a full effort plan for these, including:

• specific intentions
• a reasonable schedule
• a reminder timer
• taking one step at a time
• a star chart!

4: Write a Mission Haiku:

My missions are my various big projects or directions in life. Today I'm thinking again about my mission to "practice equanimity and present-centeredness (stay calm and patient with people and problems, not obsessed with any thought, not acting with aggression or anger, and remembering to tolerate my uncomfortable feelings), because I am ruled by my heart and soul, not my impulses, and my equanimity in times of stress will heal the world, and serve my family best."

Today I'll write this mission / intention as a haiku, because a poem has a unique ability of getting to the core of a Truth, and I'm always surprised by what surfaces. Here's the steps I use:

1. Write a brief, evocative sentence or two describing this top mission in my life, and the significant issues that surround it:

The two part of this mission are presence and equanimity: I want to be awake to life in-the-moment, not in my head so much; and I want to be more accepting of people as they are, not wary and judging.

2. List the most exciting or pleasing verbs that describe what I want to do with this mission:

wake up, open my heart, center, ground, spotlight, surrender, yield, accept, love, receive 

3. Next, list some core values that prompt this mission:

Peace and equanimity, love, integrity, community and unity

4. Turn these sentences, verbs, and values into a haiku (5, 7, and 5 syllables) or a Cinquain (2, 4, 6, 8, and 2 syllables), or in this case a short mantra, that gets to the core of my mission, and gives me a framework for my actions.

Earth and sky,

Center and expand;

Open my heart. 

Yield to this moment.

5. Fall cleaning:

Fall cleaning has an entirely different feel and focus than spring cleaning. In the fall we finish up, pack away, and "batten the hatches"; we put away all the outdoor stuff, air out the sweaters, and prepare for winter.

 

Last week I got quite a bit done in the back bedrooms and backyard. This week I will continue fall cleaning in the kitchen, studio, and driveway area. I plan to:

• Clear out old food from the cupboards
• Repaint the window frames outside my kitchen.
• Put away fans and clutter in the studio
• Give away some extra furniture cluttering up the driveway

6. Add to my altar:

2021 Navratri tray

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, wisdom, speech, music, and all the creative arts. Hindus often put books and art tools on the puja so that Saraswati can bless them.

Today I added a paint brush, pen, and other art tools to rededicate myself to creative expression (something which my grandson and I are growing I together!)