<center>[i]Tonight's puja was such a powerful reminder to me of why I become involved in SHARANYA, why I walked through the threshold of initiation, and why I am so passionate about the work we do in the world in Her name. 

The devotion, the mantras, the songs, the ceremonies allow us to see Her, touch Her, and experience Her within our own hearts. She is a part of us. We are a part of Her. The entire Universe, the cycles of Nature, and the yearning of our soul is Her wondrous dance, loving weaving all things into being. [/i] 

- Jaratura, reflecting on Sunday's Kali Puja in Community and with the Kaula</center>

<img src="http://www.sharanya.org/images/blog/KaliMaaMurtiIIIFramed.jpg" align=left>
Gratitudes to the kaula, community, and our extended family for supporting and creating Sunday's (7/26) Kali Puja. What a sweet celebration of Her mysteries! 

The air was cool on this evening as we gathered, the weather a perfect complement to the fire in our hearts as we created our personal and collective <i>sankalpas</i> (sacred intentions), chanted Sanskrit mantras, and welcomed in the Divine. Familiar faces and new ones accompanied those in Daughters of Kali who are in the last weeks of their walk toward initiation into the [url=http://www.sharanya.org/shacan/]Sha'can[/url] tradition, our (r)evolutionary Shakta Tantra devoted to our beloved Dark Mother. Song and spirit filled the room and each of us had the opportunity to spend some time in meditation with Her. <i>Darshan</i>, the gift of receiving Her through sacred sight, allowed everyone to fall more deeply in love...and we spent special moments together in a collective deepening before Her altar. 

[url=http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409952411#article_7]Aarati[/url] was offered to the resounding syllables of "Jai Maa Jai Maa!" and the gifts of our community near and far received by Her. <img src="http://www.sharanya.org/images/blog/AaratiII.jpg" align=right>Red flowers touched to her lotus feet, we experienced the run of energy that makes the fulfillment of our intentions possible, guided by the alignment of ours with the Divine Will. 

A special thank you to those whose offerings from places near and far helped us shower Maa with flowers and Her devotees' love in the wonderful space rented to us by the Cultural Integration Fellowship. Know that if not with us in person, you were with us in spirit!

We look forward to seeing you in circle next month. [url=http://www.sharanya.org/calendar/]Join us[/url] on Sunday, August 30th at 5:30pm in San Francisco, or contribute to the energy of the puja by doing your own meditation or other circle work at that time with us. We look forward to deepening, opening, and celebrating with you. 

[url=http://www.sharanya.org/donate/]Donations[/url] for prasad, flowers, and other offerings are most appreciated, and everyone who wishes is called into our sacred space to be part of the ceremony. Upon request, we will gladly send you blessed flowers from the puja in which your offerings were received. 

Jai Maa! 

<i><center>In the struggle for justice, the only reward is the opportunity to be in the struggle.</i> 
- Frederick Douglass</center> 
