Navratri continues for the final three nights. The nine nights of Navratri are broken up into sets of three, and during each a different aspect of Shakti is meditated upon. For these final three nights we honor and thank the Divine Mother as Saraswati, who is "the essence of self". Saraswati’s wisdom and knowledge leads to enlightenment, happiness, and peace.
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| Photo by Alan Gillespie |
And Tonight 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.
I use this April quarter moon's energy to create hope and optimism.
Agenda Today:
1. Morning meditation and mantra
2. Read Hope in the Dark
3. Journal queries
4. Make a full effort plan
5. Add to the altar
1. Morning meditation and mantra:
During Navratri, Hindus work on their vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character). For these last three days I honor the intuitive aspect of the Mother.
During Navratri, Hindus work on their vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character). For these last three days 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 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's what the nine days of Navratri are all about.
On each morning of Navratri I light a small white candle. For these last three mornings I meditate on my inner wisdom, and 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 continue to focus on my image of Saraswati and chant-
- 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.
(You might want to chant along with someone who knows how. Many YouTube versions exist, and my favorite is here.)
2. Read "Hope the Dark":
Unfortunately what we are seeing today is the dramatic and inevitable push back of those who are threatened by change. It's hard to find hope right now when the darkness is trying to wipe out all the progress we've painfully and heroically made. After rejoicing in progress, it's devastating to see it ripped from you.
Still, as she says, it is possible to make change happen. "And so we need to hope for the realization of our own dreams, but also recognize a world that will remain wilder than our imagination. ... Cause and effect assumes history marches forward, but history is not an army. It is a crab scuttling sideways, a drip of soft water wearing away stone, an earthquake breaking centuries of tension."
And she reminds us that all transformation begins in the imagination, in hope; and that an open heart and uncertainty is better than gloom and safety. "...hope is not like a lottery ticket you can sit on the sofa and clutch ... hope is an ax you break down doors with in an emergency."
"The future is dark, with a darkness as much of the womb as the grave."
3. 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. My theme this month is joy and creativity; the challenges are limitation, lethargy and procrastination; if I feel restricted in any way, or stuck in place, I’m not acting in the now. I will practice opening doors, stepping through, and proceeding one step at a time.
Which of my priorities am I having the most trouble acting on this month?
What do I need (tools, information, allies) in order to best practice the habits of joy (contentment, creativity, playfulness, curiosity, and humor)?
What do I need to do or learn in order to express myself fully?
From my journal: This is a good reminder that it doesn't help to worry and feel bad for my lack of progress on projects; I just need to take some daily time to open the door to curiosity, creativity, and joy.
4. Make a full effort plan:
For Lent I've set some intentions in the area of hope and resilience:
I intend to practice and integrate most of the Emotional Balance Workbook exercises into my everyday life, to be more emotionally grounded, aware, and regulated.
I intend to fast from processed foods (packaged cookies, crackers, pasta, candy, canned goods, frozen dinners) as much as possible, to become less addicted to easy carbs, and reduce the waste of packaging. And that means I'll need to cook and bake my own snacks!
And I intend to make lots of art, because it's what gives my life meaning: By Easter I will complete at least three art projects of some kind.
Today I made a full effort plan / schedule for art and projects. Every morning I will review my intended first step, then picture myself opening the door:
- Today: Print tree hangers to take to potluck, make sample
- S: Watercolor flowers (abstract) Use wc pencils and crayons
- M: Draw a tree with Aldo, tape the outline, sponge on the bark
- T: Plant sunflowers
- W: Holi celebration
- Th: Cut and build a counter + 4x4 edgers? sand trip?
- F: Butterflies for boys
- S: Watercolor
5. Add to my altar:
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.
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| 2024 puja |
Today I added paintbrushes to rededicate myself to creative expression.
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