Navratri Part Three

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.

This is the yin time of the waxing crescent moon, a phase of growth, when I am planting my intentions and caring for them. I'll take time to discern and create clarity.

And Saturday is my day for proaction: Proaction is taking initiative to anticipate and shape future events rather than simply reacting to circumstances as they happen. Some people think Covey should've just used the word ACT, but proaction requires a thought: "I could do this or I could do that; I choose to do this."

Agenda Today:

1. Morning meditation and mantra

2. Weekly "First Things First"

3. Proaction and reciprocity plans

5. Add to my 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.

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. Weekly "First Things First":

Saturday is a great day to journal about my dreams and goals for my life roles: What GREAT things do I want to accomplish? How will I serve people? How will I use my talents? How will I stretch myself? How can I become an “island of excellence”? What is essential?

Journal: Today is a big day, with the end of the QEW Gathering and tabling the No Kings rally. Big themes for next week = Clerking, Synergy, Game Night, preparing for Halloween, and an Honorable Harvest. I've also got a banner-making event with ECEF. My biggest projects are house painting, sewing a canvas roof, and a wood-burned cutting board. I will stretch myself to be an awake clerk and Earth Grandmother, aware of my family's and community's needs.

3. Proaction and reciprocity plans:

Once a week I try to define achievable, meaningful goals in areas of Right Action, and prioritize the goals and tasks with the greatest long-term impact.

My plan for Earthcare Action in the next week:

• Sat: Prep and tabling for ECEF
• Sun: Meet to discuss EC retreat and climate cafe
• M: Write a News with local events and info about the ECEF signature effort; and especially look in to the organizations that IFEK supports so I can update that calendar too + info about ECEF
• W: IFEK calendar work + Banner making for ECEF
• F: Send a News

My plans for clerking service in the next week:

• Sun: Clerk meeting and learn new names + Ask Annie about Nom com 
• M: Plan clerks gathering; send link to clerks
• W: Notes for agenda
• Th: Support Meeting: Agree on queries, set the schedule, choose note-taker, time keeper, and presenters.
• F: Send queries

4. 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. Today I added paintbrushes to rededicate myself to creative expression.