Navratri Continues

Navratri continues tonight with the visit of Lakshmi. 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 - the Goddesses Durga, then Lakshmi, and then Saraswati.

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. Tonight we honor and thank the Divine Mother as Lakshmi, the Goddess of success.

2021 rangoli

Laksmi is a beautiful golden woman with four arms, sitting on a fully bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud. Cascades of gold coins flow from her hands, and she wears gold embroidered red clothes, indicating her offering of prosperity. The word Lakshmi comes from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning aim or goal. Lakshmi heals and nourishes my spirit and brings me steadiness of mind. She bestows spiritual and material wealth, good food, health, and happiness. Lakshmi brings the growth and unfolding of whatever is life-enhancing. 

Agenda Today:
1. Morning meditation and mantra

2. Resilience practice

2. Make a new rangoli design
3. Add to my altar

1. Morning meditation and mantra:

During Navratri, Hindus work on their vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character). For these next three days I honor the constructive aspect of the Mother - after Durga has destroyed the old structure of my personality, a constructive process can begin. 

On each morning of Navratri I light a small white candle. For these next three mornings I meditate on my inner life-giving force of creativity, and the qualities and habits I wish to cultivate in the days ahead. I picture this Mother spirit sitting on the blossom of my heart, gently opening it to accept love and happiness into my life. I continue to focus on my image of Lakshmi 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 

Shreem -  from which beauty and feminine energy emanates

Ma-ha - greatLak-shma-yai - goddess of wealthNa-ma-ha - I pray.

2. Resilience practice: 

I'm reading from the book, "101 Mindful Ways to Build Resilience," by Donald Altman, which offers simple ideas for being more rooted in my body and mind. I've just moved to section three, on Optimism. Practice #52 is BLISS practice, an acronym for these steps to find a deep sense of joy.

1. BE in your body: Take a deep breath, settle your body until it's rooted, find your center.
2. LISTEN with love: Open and become receptive, let a warm feeling radiate and saturate your body with light and love. Soften with compassion for yourself and all beings.
3. IMAGINE a peaceful, healing symbol, such as a rainbow or your favorite tree.
4. SENSE your calm inner feelings or images, and your wisdom.
5. SENSE the sacred within you and surrounding you. Expand your gaze to penetrate the beauty and preciousness of all things that grace your space, life, and world.

3. Make a new rangoli design:

2022 rangoli

Rangolis are rice flour designs, made on the floor or a metal plate. At Navratri a new design might be made each day, with dots, squares, flowers, birds, and so on- each one designed to welcome the spirit of the Goddess.

Last year we made a rangoli of Lakshmi's footprints on the threshold of our front door, with chalk, to welcome the Goddess of success. I used a pattern that I found here, but it took on a new look! This was a true collaboration.

3. Add to my altar:

For the next three nights the Mother is invoked as Lakshmi, goddess of material and spiritual wealth. I added a bowl of coins from around the world, to remind me of the nurturing quality of the Shakti.