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INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (7,2,'2011-12-11 05:45:56','2011-12-11 05:45:56','http://sharanya.org/mdr01.php','Puja Candles','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-dsc_0551-jpg','','','2015-07-05 00:07:17','2015-07-05 07:07:17','',101224,'http://sharanya.org/mdr01.php',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12,2,'2011-12-11 05:51:57','2011-12-11 05:51:57','http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cropped-DSC_0529.jpg','cropped-DSC_0529.jpg','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-dsc_0529-jpg','','','2011-12-11 05:51:57','2011-12-11 05:51:57','',0,'http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cropped-DSC_0529.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(13,2,'2011-12-11 05:53:54','2011-12-11 05:53:54','http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cropped-DSC_0284.jpg','cropped-DSC_0284.jpg','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-dsc_0284-jpg','','','2011-12-11 05:53:54','2011-12-11 05:53:54','',0,'http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cropped-DSC_0284.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(17,2,'2011-12-11 05:59:41','2011-12-11 05:59:41','http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cropped-DSC_0321.jpg','cropped-DSC_0321.jpg','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-dsc_0321-jpg','','','2011-12-11 05:59:41','2011-12-11 05:59:41','',0,'http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cropped-DSC_0321.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(18,2,'2011-12-11 06:01:06','2011-12-11 06:01:06','http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cropped-DSC_0646.jpg','Ardhanarishvara Maa Batakali Mandir','','inherit','closed','open','','cropped-dsc_0646-jpg','','','2011-12-11 06:01:06','2011-12-11 06:01:06','',0,'http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cropped-DSC_0646.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(20,35,'2011-12-10 06:04:08','2011-12-10 14:04:08','SHARANYA is a unique 501(c)(3) religious organization and <em>Devi Mandir</em> (goddess temple) evolving Śākta Tantra from ancient roots to serve those who seek to know the Divine beyond the boundaries of geography and religious dogma. With an authentic lineage in embodied, goddess-centered tradition as birthed in northeastern India and contextualized for today, ours is path of strengthening oneself to employ spiritual technologies in service to personal transformation and social justice. Our tradition is called <a title=\"The Tradition\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/about-us/the-tradition/\">Sha\'can</a>.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Our Covenant\" active=\"\"]\r\n\r\n<ol><b>I. Sa\'ham (She I am). </b> <i>I am the Goddess manifest; I recognize Her in all of Creation.</i></ol>\r\n\r\n<ol><b>II. I remember all that is, was and ever will be.</b> <i>Live the present moment, honor the ancestors, respect the future generations;  time is not linear, but travels in a sacred spiral that spans all of existence.</i></ol>\r\n\r\n<ol><b>III. I provoke, invoke and live the Divine Will.</b> <i>Commit to transforming yourself, your community and the planet by doing the work of spirituality; make your practice that of the awakened mystic in our time.</i></ol>\r\n\r\n<center>\r\n<b>Evam Astu!</b><br>\r\n\r\n<i>So mote it be!</i><br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: xx-large;\">\\</span></center>[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Our Mission\" active=\"\"]To promote healing, truth, and personal transformation through integration of embodied worship, spiritual discipline and devotion, creating an engaged spirituality in service to social justice.[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Our Vision\" active=\"\"]Our vision is of a harmonious global community where our inherent divinity—the essence of female, male, and that which lies between and around—is welcomed, balanced, sustained, honored, and celebrated as quintessential to creation. Through open hearts, surrendered egos, willingness, and a deep commitment, we create a compassionate and strong, safe space to engage spirituality that brings Devi, Goddess, home to each one of us.[/toggle]\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n[one_half] <a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSCN1214-e1381995966484.jpg\"><img src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSCN1214-e1381995966484.jpg\" alt=\"Kali Murti\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-100719 imgborder\" /></a> [/one_half] \r\n\r\nThe word SHARANYA is from Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, and means \"refuge\" or \"sanctuary.\" Founded on August 2, 1998 by a scholar and activist, this public charity (EIN: 94-3334334) received federal tax-exempt status in February 2002 in order to support a local and international community through a variety of programs and services.<br><br><br><br><br>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h5>Priorities</h5>\r\nOur community is open to all seeking to better understand the ways of Goddess—particularly in her antinomian, chthonic, relational, cyclical, and embodied forms. In our community:<br><br>\r\n\r\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><ul><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> We seek to know Her throughout the spaces of Self and World.</ul></ul>\r\n\r\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><ul><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span>  We dedicate ourselves to Her devotion.</ul></ul>\r\n\r\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><ul><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span>  We make a commitment to action and service for the betterment of all beings.</ul></ul>\r\n\r\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><ul><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span>  We embrace the work of conscious relationship and own a strong commitment to compassion.</ul></ul>\r\n\r\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><ul><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span>  We strive to resacralize the Feminine/Female and unpathologize the Masculine/Male.</ul></ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"general\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]','About Us','','publish','closed','closed','','about-us','','','2017-05-26 13:51:29','2017-05-26 20:51:29','',0,'http://SHARANYAisaunique501(c)(3)religiousorganizationandDeviMandir(goddesstemple)evolvingŚāktaTantrafromancientrootstoservethosewhoseektoknowtheDivinebeyondtheboundariesofgeographyandreligiousdogma.Withanauthenticl',0,'page','',0),(48,2,'2012-02-20 22:47:06','2012-02-21 05:47:06','It was perhaps no accident that exactly 108 of us gathered last night at 11PM for a ritual dedicated to the Divine Mother, Kali Maa. In Hinduism, the number 108 is considered especially auspicious, aligning the heavens and Earth in powerful relationship toward peace.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PantheaCon-Kali-Puja-021912-II.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-49\" title=\"PantheaCon Kali Puja 021912 II\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PantheaCon-Kali-Puja-021912-II-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kali Maa at SHARANYA\'s Kali Puja PCon 2012\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Indeed, our ceremony for the <a title=\"Why the Dark Goddess? \" href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/shacan/darkgoddess.php4\" target=\"_blank\">Dark Goddess</a> was imbued with the special fragrance of the Divine as She opened internal gateways and sweetly unleashed her scythe of discrimination among us.\r\n\r\nSome come to Kali hoping to score power and prestige, Her allure a false understanding of the wild ride She promises. Others come fearing Her mysteries, an ego-driven humility rather than a willingness to get raw to be found beneath their lowered gazes.\r\n\r\nThe work of our Kali Puja was to draw out the heartfelt yearning that lay at the bottom of it all, first using mantra to stir up our insides and strengthen our resolve.  With reverberations of <a title=\"OM KRIM KALYAI NAMAH Mantra\" href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1980825&amp;skin=1980563\" target=\"_blank\">OM KRIM KALYAI NAMAH</a> in the air, our <em>pranayama</em> then asked the guidance of Pranashakti to hold the channel of our potential open to let Goddess do what was needed.\r\n\r\nSome called Her name with abandon, others cried softly into their palms. Maa was there, bold, audacious, soft and supple in all Her glory. Provocations to remember were made and community supported the energy of vitalization with focused breath, intention, and a drumbeat of connection to Earth and ancestors. We called on one another as family and the circle strengthened.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-50\" style=\"color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 24px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial;\" title=\"PantheaCon Kali Puja 021912\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PantheaCon-Kali-Puja-021912-292x300.jpg\" alt=\"SHARANYA\'s Small Kali Altar @ PantheaCon 2012\" width=\"292\" height=\"300\" />\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nOur meditation began, like the <a title=\"51 Names of Kali Maa\" href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1981907&amp;skin=1980563\" target=\"_blank\">chanting of Her sacred names</a>, on the cremation ground. From there, the variety of our experience expanded, each of us engaged in relationship with Maa unique to our own soul\'s calling. Some of us touched Her feet in our mind\'s eye, lowering ourselves naked to the Divine Will. Others made offerings of flowers and incense, blood and ghee, a sacrifice that the eternal fire be lit within us in attunement with our personal <em>sankalpa</em>, our sacred intention.\r\n\r\nFrom the internal landscape, we traveled into the space of celebration, singing <a title=\"Jai Maa! SHARANYA\'s Aarati to Maa\" href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1981943&amp;skin=1980563\" target=\"_blank\">Jai Maa!</a> in praise of Her, honoring the work of the night and the work to come, for we had opened to Her in our lives, some of us, in new and deepened ways. Our hearts lifted with the clanging of the bell, knowing that hope lives eternal in Her embrace, and we each had our moment for <em>darshan</em>, the outward look of seeing Her eye to eye before the circling slowed and we grounded, answering the call, \"Jai Maa Kali ki...\" with a resounding, \"JAI!\".\r\n\r\nGratitudes offered, the circle returned to breath and awareness of the gifts of the night. Prayers and thanksgiving to those guardians and spirits who had accompanied us, and we were ready for a step, almost, back into the evening\'s mundane consciousness. A bit of <em>prasad</em>, the sacred food first offered to Maa within us, we learned some about Her favorite offerings and places in India before the circle was opened. Hearts full, we departed, 108 of us blessed.\r\n\r\n</div>','PantheaCon 2012 - Kali Puja','','publish','closed','open','','kali-puja-at-pantheacon-2012','','','2013-09-23 22:31:22','2013-09-24 05:31:22','',0,'It was perhaps no accident that exactly 108 of us gathered last night at 11PM for a ritual dedicated to the Divine Mother, Kali Maa. In Hinduism, the number 108 is considered especially auspicious, aligning the heavens and Earth in powerful relationship t',0,'post','',0),(49,2,'2012-02-20 22:03:35','2012-02-21 06:03:35','','PantheaCon Kali Puja 021912 II','','inherit','open','open','','pantheacon-kali-puja-021912-ii','','','2012-02-20 22:03:35','2012-02-21 06:03:35','',48,'',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(50,2,'2012-02-20 22:20:46','2012-02-21 06:20:46','','PantheaCon Kali Puja 021912','','inherit','open','open','','pantheacon-kali-puja-021912','','','2012-02-20 22:20:46','2012-02-21 06:20:46','',48,'',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(55,2,'2012-03-03 21:51:26','2012-03-04 05:51:26','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-56\" style=\"color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 24px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial;\" title=\"Kali Puja 022612 Altar\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kali-Puja-022612-Altar-II-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"SHARANYA\'s Kali Puja - February 2012 \" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />\r\n\r\nBefore our temple doors open to the public each month, initiates who have committed to a year and a day of devotions and deeper study in Her name gather to circle and dive, like vultures, into the fires of self-transformation. February was no exception, and we found ourselves immersed in the embrace of one of our beloved Mahavidyas. She brought us each a special secret of Her path in the space of our meditations meant to help us  in our spiritual blossoming. This powerful ritual work set the stage for a puja later in the day that brought the community gathered, newcomers and Sha\'can practitioners alike, into relationship with Maa in a quintessentially new way.\r\n\r\nThe difference began to be felt with the beginning of our invocations, the space for <a title=\"Praise to Agni\" href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/agnimile.php4\" target=\"_blank\">Agni</a> set with the first verses of the Rig Veda. With this call to the God of Fire and our mudra creating a crucible for the work of our ritual, the mood noticeably shifted. A vibration began to hum through the air, in some creating a felt sense of connection to the Divine, a reflection perhaps of the focus of those gathered.  Again and again we returned to our sacred intention for the puja, breathing the depth of our invocations into the center of our hearts. In this way, the more we opened, the more we received from beyond ourselves in direct alignment with our soul\'s yearning in the moment. And the more we received, the more we strengthened the whole of our ceremony together.\r\n\r\nOn this night, the Sanctuary in which Maa resides was filled with red flowers, offerings of love and sweetness all around. We entered in the throes of our own personal ruminations; or for some of us, quietude, despite the slow and steady chant of <a title=\"OM Maa! SHARANYA\'s Kali Puja Festival\" href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1981925&amp;skin=1980563\" target=\"_blank\">OM MAA</a> again and again. Although she is small in size, Maa is large. We felt Her calling us into truth and spiritual nakedness from the moment we crossed the threshold of Her home. For some, the prayers offered at Her feet were without thought, pure and gentle surrenderings of ego and attachment. For others, the prayers were precise and detailed, seeking an exchange of energy in the realm of taking and creating that is Her domain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_57\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Maa Batakali in Her Sanctuary\"]<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kali-Puja-022612-Altar.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-57 \" title=\"Kali Puja 022612 Altar\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kali-Puja-022612-Altar-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"SHARANYA\'s Kali Puja February 2012 Altar\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut as we each approached Her, those familiar with our ritual could not help but notice that the hold was stronger than usual, Her eyes meeting ours with knife-like certainty, and ours fixed on Hers just moments longer than usual. There was no harshness in this, mind you, just the sharpness of a clarity brought on by the clearing away that had been done hours before. Maa, it seems, had been ready for some moving and important connections to be made this day.\r\n\r\nGratitudes to all who journeyed with us into Her embrace on February 26, 2012. Jai Maa!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Kali Puja: February Devotions','','publish','open','open','','kali-puja-february-devotions-2','','','2013-09-23 23:15:20','2013-09-24 06:15:20','',0,'<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-56\" style=\"color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 24px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial;\" title=\"Kali Puja 022612 Altar\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kali-Puj',0,'post','',0),(56,2,'2012-03-03 20:51:48','2012-03-04 04:51:48','','Kali Puja 022612 Altar','','inherit','open','open','','kali-puja-022612-altar-ii','','','2012-03-03 20:51:48','2012-03-04 04:51:48','',55,'',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(57,2,'2012-03-03 21:23:59','2012-03-04 05:23:59','','Kali Puja 022612 Altar','Maa Batakali in Her Sanctuary','inherit','open','open','','kali-puja-022612-altar','','','2012-03-03 21:23:59','2012-03-04 05:23:59','',55,'',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(62,2,'2012-05-06 13:28:18','2012-05-06 20:28:18','For thousands of years, yantras have been used in the Tantric tradition as visual metaphors for the body of the divine. As expressions of devotion and contemplation, they are similar to Tibetan mandalas in that meditation upon them is tantamount to returning to the primordial fiat of one’s being. Because yantras are comprised of archetypal geometric forms and shapes, they are believed to offer liberation from bondage. There are many different yantras, all of which have specific intentions and meanings. For instance, the Sri Yantra (believed to be the mother of all yantras) is made up of nine interlacing triangles, five inverted ones which represent Shakti and four upright ones which represent Shiva. \r\n\r\nAs a symbolic map of a human being’s spiritual journey, the sri yantra describes nine different routes (from the center, or bindu, to the outer plane) that represent a different stage in the process. <img class=\"alignleft\" style=\"color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 0.4em;\" title=\"Kali Yantra\" alt=\"Kali Yantra\" src=\"http://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/8/6/5/9/3/6_w220_h214_s1_PT0_PR15_PB0_PL0_PCffffff.jpg\" width=\"235\" height=\"214\" /> \r\n\r\nAs a geometric symbol, the yantra represents everything that can be internalized in our consciousness. Ma Kali, the mother of time (and its destruction), is also the progenitor of breath, divine love, and transformation. The elegant Kali yantra can thus be understood as a signifier of transformation and healing. To meditate upon it is to surrender totally to the energy of spiritual growth, and to turn emotional catharsis to one’s spiritual advantage. The 36 centers of the Kali yantra correspond to the 36 principles of creation. The central bindu itself is the elemental aspect of the soul, and of Kali, from which everything in the material world emanates.\r\n\r\nThe five inverted triangles of the yantra represent the sheaths of human consciousness: physical, life force, mental/emotional, wisdom, and bliss. And the inverted position of the triangles symbolize the regenerative power of the divine feminine. The two circles represent life and death. \r\n\r\nThe eight lotus petals that surround the bindu represent the eight tattvas of nature: earth, water, fire, air, ether, the lower mind, the higher mind, and the ego. The colors of the yantra are also, of course, symbolic. Red represents the life blood and energy of the manifested world, black represents the eternal mystery of the void from which creation ensues, and gray represents the liminal space between realms. To meditate on the Kali yantra, simply do the following:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Gaze at the bindu of the yantra, being sure to concentrate on your third eye, or Ajna chakra.</li>\r\n	<li>Experience and relish the exchange of energy between the yantra and your heart center, which is where Ma resides.</li>\r\n	<li>Let the colors of the yantra infuse your consciousness.</li>\r\n	<li>Silently call forth on the regenerative power of Kali, which has the power to transform the deepest suffering into the deepest bliss and wareness.</li>\r\n	<li>Close your eyes now, but let the image of the yantra remain with you.</li>\r\n	<li>Chant the sacred breath of Ma Kali, “sa’ham,” and stay relaxed and peaceful.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">  <strong><em>Jai Kali Maa!</em></strong></p>\r\nContributed by Nirmala Nataraj for the SHARANYA <a title=\"SHARANYA\'s May Newsletter\" href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411330215\" target=\"_blank\">May newsletter</a>. Read it to learn more about our work in the world and the Summer Solstice Festival of <a title=\"Yoni Puja (6/17/12)\" href=\"/events/festivals/\" target=\"_blank\">Yoni Puja</a>.','Kali Yantra','','publish','open','open','','kali-yantra','','','2013-10-16 20:10:00','2013-10-17 03:10:00','',0,'For thousands of years, yantras have been used in the Tantric tradition as visual metaphors for the body of the divine. As expressions of devotion and contemplation, they are similar to Tibetan mandalas in that meditation upon them is tantamount to return',0,'post','',3),(65,2,'2012-06-19 23:28:38','2012-06-20 06:28:38','<img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-66\" title=\"SHARANYA\'s Yoni Puja\" alt=\"6th Annual Yoni Puja (2012)\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/021.jpg\" width=\"250\" height=\"282\" />\r\n\r\nThere was nothing that could have prepared us for the way in which Maa manifested on Sunday night for SHARANYA\'s 6th Annual Yoni Puja. Devotees gathered in San Francisco from near and far for the celebration that joins us with tens of thousands of devotees as the time of Goddess\' menstruation and Ambubachi Mela approaches at the shrine of Maa Kamakhya in Assam, India.\r\n\r\nOur temple full, invocations were chanted and songs to the Divine Mother sung as drum beats proclaimed our sincerity and heart\'s yearning. Many had never uttered her names, but tonight, we filled ourselves with love and honored She Who Resides on the Blue Mountain as Universal Mother. At the same time, we did the essential work of looking within to initiate a more personal process, one of connecting to the vibrations and essences of Truth and Beauty that She embodies as each part of creation.\r\n\r\nAfter our meditation and deeper dive into the internal landscape, we surfaced to reflect in Her holy waters, cleanse, make offerings and let our intentions be known. Maa was there as Her praises rippled in tones and through movements around community. We approached with care, deliberately and with humility, anointing Her and accepting blessings.  Red and pink flowers encircling her murti, devotees sipped of Her nectar and bowed low in respectful obeisance.\r\n\r\nOur time for individual prayers and darshan done, the air filled with the beat of the drum once more, and with bells ringing in celebration, we sang, danced and shouted with joy for the presence felt, surrender achieved, and all the moments filled with meaning yet to be revealed.\r\n\r\nJai Maa Kamakhya ki Jai!\r\n\r\n<a title=\"Pilgrimage to Kamakhya\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=99032&amp;action=edit\">Read</a> about one of our past pilgrimages to India during Ambubachi Mela to learn more about the Goddess.','Yoni Puja 2012','','publish','open','open','','yoni-puja-2012','','','2013-09-23 23:13:13','2013-09-24 06:13:13','',0,'<img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-66\" title=\"SHARANYA\'s Yoni Puja\" alt=\"6th Annual Yoni Puja (2012)\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/021.jpg\" width=\"250\" height=\"282\" />\r\n\r\nThere was nothing that could have prepared us f',0,'post','',0),(66,2,'2012-06-19 22:44:31','2012-06-20 05:44:31','','SHARANYA\'s Yoni Puja','','inherit','open','open','','021','','','2012-06-19 22:44:31','2012-06-20 05:44:31','',65,'',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(80,2,'2012-07-06 21:20:07','2012-07-07 04:20:07','','MBCM','','inherit','open','open','','mbcm','','','2012-07-06 21:20:07','2012-07-07 04:20:07','',20,'',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(102,2,'2012-07-22 20:22:08','2012-07-23 03:22:08','<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Maa-072212.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-107 alignright\" title=\"Maa 072212\" alt=\"Kali Puja Altar 072212\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Maa-072212-e1343014356681-278x300.jpg\" width=\"278\" height=\"300\" /></a>Kali Puja in July at our temple is special because it precedes initiation for those who have journeyed with Daughters of Kali, our training circle, the past year and chosen to continue on the path. Today\'s puja felt energized with the excitement of uncertainty as well as the blessings of Maa\'s mysteries because of this. Adding to the deepened awareness of our footfalls on the spiritual path were the sounds of Anga Puja, worship of the Divine Mother\'s body as our own.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Anga-Puja.mp3\">Listen to Anga Puja</a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Anga-Puja.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-104\" title=\"Anga Puja\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Anga-Puja-226x300.jpg\" width=\"226\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAn excellent resource for this worship is Swami Satyananda Saraswati\'s <em>Shiva Puja</em> book, where you will find the whole of the Sanskrit, plus transliteration and translation. Simply, the puja offers worship to Maa\'s body in their various parts, extolling Her virtues as the devotee does so.\r\n\r\nAfter our individual sadhana and internal worship, we praised Maa in our sanctuary with <a title=\"Aarati\" href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409952411#article_7\" target=\"_blank\">aarati</a> and personal devotions. The circle was opened with gratitudes and a final offering of thanks to all the spirits, guides, ancestors and deities who had joined in the rites.\r\n\r\nWe will meet again in August, but our rituals will be for our soon-to-be initiates and our elders who choose to rededicate to Her for another year and a day. Blessings to all those who have and who continue to travel the path. Jai Maa!','Kali Puja: The Body of the Divine Mother','','publish','closed','open','','kali-puja-the-body-of-the-divine-mother','','','2013-10-16 20:06:13','2013-10-17 03:06:13','',0,'<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Maa-072212.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-107 alignright\" title=\"Maa 072212\" alt=\"Kali Puja Altar 072212\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Maa-072212-e134301',0,'post','',0),(103,2,'2012-07-22 18:50:16','2012-07-23 01:50:16','','Anga Puja','','inherit','open','open','','anga-puja','','','2012-07-22 18:50:16','2012-07-23 01:50:16','',102,'',0,'attachment','audio/mpeg',0),(104,2,'2012-07-22 20:14:22','2012-07-23 03:14:22','','Anga Puja','','inherit','open','open','','anga-puja-2','','','2012-07-22 20:14:22','2012-07-23 03:14:22','',102,'',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(107,2,'2012-07-22 20:31:16','2012-07-23 03:31:16','','Maa Altar 072212','','inherit','open','open','','maa-072212','','','2012-07-22 20:31:16','2012-07-23 03:31:16','',102,'',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(117,2,'2013-02-19 22:32:00','2013-02-20 05:32:00','[caption id=\"attachment_118\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-16-22.52.38.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-118 \" alt=\"Maa\'s Altar and Prasad for Devotees (2/16 @ 11pm)\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-16-22.52.38-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Maa\'s Altar and Prasad for Devotees[/caption]\r\n\r\nKali Puja at PantheaCon is something of a tradition, and as we entered the room to set up for the ritual on Saturday night, a devotee (the first in line waiting for the doors to open) noted this was her fourth year coming to worship with us. She had nowhere to go in her hometown and looked forward to this celebration of the Divine Mother as Dark Goddess every year. Nothing could have set the stage better for our worship than the yearning heart of a lover of Maa.\r\n\r\nOur puja was meditative and blissful, a call to listen deeply to our internal landscape for reverberations of soul. Devotees gathered in the space to the simple sounds of OM MAA, and we together came into her embrace gently and sweetly. Some of us called to her aloud, others only in our hearts. Our circling created a container for the evening\'s work and then our breath to the beat of SA\'HAM (She I Am) invited Goddess Kali to be present. If we have nothing else, we have our breath to guide and provide inspiration for worship.\r\n\r\nThis Kali Puja asked us to remember why we are here and it challenged us to own the truth of our incarnation. Wounded, knowing pain and suffering, we still chose life. With this, the puja asked us to be the fullest truth, to reflect our soul\'s purpose, in order to give back to Maa the life she provided. Doing so, we will each find freedom and experience love.\r\n\r\nFrom invocation to deep meditation, devotees worked the mantra OM KRIM KALYAI NAMAH from breath to bone. We allowed Maa to enter consciousness and then permeate our bodies as a liberator, a devourer of falsehood. We felt her passion alive within us as space was created for our emerging selves to be revealed.\r\n\r\nThis called for a celebration, and a chorus of JAI MAA! danced about the room, syllables lifted on voices filled with power and emotion. Her ability to see us, hold us, and allow us to be all of who we are and are becoming was palpable. The potency of Maa Kali shone in our eyes.\r\n\r\nGratitudes to all sisters and brothers present in the flesh and in spirit. We feel you still and with you kiss Maa\'s lotus feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','PantheaCon 2013 - Kali Puja','','publish','open','open','','pantheacon-kali-puja-2013','','','2013-09-23 22:09:40','2013-09-24 05:09:40','',0,'[caption id=\"attachment_118\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-16-22.52.38.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-118 \" alt=\"Maa\'s Altar and Prasad for Devotees (2/16 @ 11pm)\" src=\"http://',0,'post','',0),(118,2,'2013-02-19 22:04:34','2013-02-20 06:04:34','','PantheaCon Kali Puja','Maa\'s Altar','inherit','open','open','','2013-02-16-22-52-38','','','2013-02-19 22:04:34','2013-02-20 06:04:34','',117,'',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(99001,2,'2007-02-28 00:00:00','2007-02-28 07:00:00','We\'re always looking for new ways to connect with our global community - we hope this blog will help make those connections in new and exciting ways. Find out more about the work we do, experiences people have in our community, and ways that you can work with the <a href=\"/shacan/\">Sha\'can path</a> (the blend of Eastern and Western embodied, goddess-focused spiritual traditions) in your own way, your own home, your own community.\r\rI\'m really excited about some of the new offerings on our website. In addition to more information about <a href=\"/about/action.php4\">the humanitarian work we\'re doing</a> in India, there\'s a <a href=\"/glossary/\">glossary</a> that has been compiled by members of our community, which is always growing. Our <a href=\"/articles/\">Articles & Inspiration</a> section is growing, with room for devotional poetry, artwork and pictures of altars to Maa around the world, as well as educational articles and a new section on mantras. Check it out!\r\rIf you haven\'t subscribed to our newsletter yet, now\'s the time! We\'ll be sending out monthly updates with a new mantra and other goodies. It\'s also the best way to stay up to date with what we\'ve got going on with our public events, classes and workshops.\r\rAnd of course, you can subscribe to our RSS feed so you can know when we\'ve posted something here. \r\rLots going on, and we\'re so grateful. Jai Maa! (Victory to the Mother! Hooray Kali!)\r','Welcome to SHARANYA\'s new blog!','','publish','open','open','','welcome-to-sharanyas-new-blog','','','2013-10-02 22:06:34','2013-10-03 05:06:34','',0,'We\'re always looking for new ways to connect with our global community - we hope this blog will help make those connections in new and exciting ways. Find out more about the work we do, experiences people have in our community, and ways that you can work ',0,'post','',0),(99002,2,'2007-02-28 00:00:00','2007-02-28 18:00:00','What a wonderful vehicle for the growth and celebration of Maa in community - welcome! \r\n\r\nI look forward to our sharing and explorations here, as well as to gathering and answering questions about the Sha\'can tradition in theory and practice. As our community grows and we listen to voices from around with world, it will be intriguing to hear how you honor Maa and in what forms you most often work with Her. It will be a beautiful acknowledgement of our individually unique yet interconnected paths to learn what puja is like in your community, home space or coven.  \r\n\r\nAs things progress, themes posted here will reflect what we, at SHARANYA, believe regarding our Divine Mother as well as what we actually do when bringing our offerings and honorings to Her. Maa shows Her face in myriad ways, and how She manifests in our respective practices is naturally nuanced. By sharing our tradition and learnings with one another, and through seeking the same from those drawn to Her embrace, we hope to help foster a deeper sense of community and a greater ability for seekers on the path to feel comfortable and welcome working with Her. \r\n\r\nSo, as you find this space, please know you are invited to join us in the journey. Please email <a href=\"mailto:info@sharanya.org\"> info@sharanya.org</a> to have your questions brought to the dialogue. \r\n\r\nOm shanti shanti shanti!\r\n\r\n<i>Sa\'ham</i> (She I Am)','Jai Maa!','','publish','open','open','','jai-maa','','','2013-09-25 21:08:28','2013-09-26 04:08:28','',0,'What a wonderful vehicle for the growth and celebration of Maa in community - welcome! \r\n\r\nI look forward to our sharing and explorations here, as well as to gathering and answering questions about the Sha\'can tradition in theory and practice. As our comm',0,'post','',0),(99003,2,'2007-03-01 00:00:00','2007-03-01 07:00:00','It all started out with my feeling that I really wanted to get back to my daily vinyasa yoga and meditation practice, but being overwhelmed by it. I would set my intention to get up in the morning, but then failed every time. It\'s a common dilemma, not something new to me, and certainly something I knew everyone had experienced at some point in their lives.\r\rSo, I started to think about what <i>would</i> help me to be successful, and remembered the fitness challenges my friends had joined in the past. And that\'s where the Sadhana Challenge came in.\r\rSadhana simply translated is \"intentional practice.\" In Tantrik parlance, it\'s something you do with a goal in mind, typically meditation or japa (repetition of divine names and/or mantras), or specific rituals. The main thing is that there\'s intention and regularity behind it.\r\rThe Challenge is simple - for the month of March, get up every morning earlier than you normally would, to perform your sadhana, your practice. For me, it\'s getting up at 6 a.m., starting with meditation and japa practice, followed by vinyasa yoga. Keep a log of your progress, and don\'t beat yourself up if you\'re only able to do two minutes one morning - consistency is the real key to success in this Sadhana Challenge.\r\rThe other part of the intention is to offer the fruits of this sadhana for the benefit of world peace. To that end, we\'re using the Upanisadic prayer:\r\r<i>Loka samasta sukhino bhavantu</i>\rMay the Divine bless the entire world with eternal peace and happiness\r\rI sent an email to our local SHARANYA community, asking if anyone might be interested - and I was blown away by the responses! All together, there are nine of us attempting the Challenge. I\'ll be blogging about the progress of the group. You\'re welcome to join us in your own way, too. Let us know if you\'re inspired to join us - we will link you in with our prayers so you can be included in that web of support.\r\rThis morning I learned why we\'re calling it a \"Challenge\"...\r\r6 a.m. seemed to arrive so quickly, the sky still dark, streets still quiet. Bed was so very cozy! The alarm went off, and I hit the snooze button. But then our mantra started reverberating through my body. I could hear the voices of my Sisters and Brothers in community, and knew that I had to get up and begin this Sadhana Challenge. I\'m telling you, it\'s only through their support that I have been able to begin this at all!\r\rGroggily, I turned off the alarm, sat up, and started silently repeating the mantra in my head as I put on my yoga gear and headed out to my simple altar. Maa was staring at me, her beautiful, shiny black eyes glowing in candlelight. A prayer to Ganesha to remove ostacles like grogginess and stubbornness. Then, invocations to fierce and loving Goddesses Tara and Kamakhya, to my Sisters and Brothers at SHARANYA, then practice of different levels of <i>nyasa</i> (the purification practice that places divine sound vibrations into the physical body), and finally surrendering into the love of the Divine Mother with my <i>guru mantra</i> (your secret mantra received at initiation). I closed with the peace mantra flowing from my lips, connecting me with my community.\r\r<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FShiva-Rea-Shakti-Jean-Michel-Jarre%2Fdp%2FB0001611DS%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fqid%3D1172764648%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Ddvd&tag=sharanya&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325\" target=new\"><img src=http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0001611DS.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg width=240 height=240 align=right border=0></a>Then, the vinyasa practice. I love this <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FShiva-Rea-Shakti-Jean-Michel-Jarre%2Fdp%2FB0001611DS%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fqid%3D1172764648%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Ddvd&tag=sharanya&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325\" target=new\">Yoga Shakti DVD</a><img src=\"http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sharanya&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=1\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" style=\"border:none !important; margin:0px !important;\" /> by Shiva Rea! The pre-set workouts are great, but what really does it for me is what they call the \"yoga matrix\" - so you can create your own customized practice that changes daily (or stays the same - it\'s up to you, really). Sun salutations, supine poses and shavasana were about all I could handle this morning. I felt the stiffness in my body and the slow and subtle opening of my ribcage, and knew this was a good practice to begin again.\r\rThe thing is, it\'s not about me or my practice at all, and repeating the peace mantra throughout the sadhana reminded me deeply of that. While I feel really good about starting this morning, it\'s also meaningless in the grand scheme of things. What is one day? It humbles and inspires me to think of great yogis/yoginis (some of whom are in our community) who do this every single day, no matter what. A good thought to keep the ego in check! While I use my daily commute for joyful japa, it\'s not like making separate time for practice. So, I humbly ask Maa for the strength to continue daily. And, I am filled with gratitude for my community.\r\rI hope to post stories of others doing the Challenge, and as time goes on we\'ll let you know about our progress, too. And if you\'re doing the Challenge yourself, post in the comments about your own experiences!\r\rNamaste!','Sadhana Challenge - Day 1','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-1','','','2013-08-16 23:00:28','2013-08-17 06:00:28','',0,'It all started out with my feeling that I really wanted to get back to my daily vinyasa yoga and meditation practice, but being overwhelmed by it. I would set my intention to get up in the morning, but then failed every time. It\'s a common dilemma, not so',0,'post','',2),(99004,2,'2007-03-01 00:00:00','2007-03-01 18:00:00','\r<img src=/images/mantras/lokah_samastah_sukhino_bhavantu.gif>\r\rFor a full description, visit our <a href=\"/articles/mantras/\">mantras page</a>.\r\rSay this mantra to begin and end your sadhana (practice) each day of the Challenge. Jai Maa!\r\r\r<small>* This entry has been edited and corrected.</small>','The Mantra for the Sadhana Challenge','','publish','open','open','','the-mantra-for-the-sadhana-challenge','','','2013-08-09 03:11:00','2013-08-09 03:11:00','',0,'\r<img src=/images/mantras/lokah_samastah_sukhino_bhavantu.gif>\r\rFor a full description, visit our <a href=\"/articles/mantras/\">mantras page</a>.\r\rSay this mantra to begin and end your sadhana (practice) each day of the Challenge. Jai Maa!\r\r\r<small>* This ',0,'post','',2),(99005,2,'2007-03-03 00:00:00','2007-03-03 18:00:00','How are you doing with the Sadhana Challenge? What has your practice looked like? We all walk our path with the Divine in our own ways, and so our practices will surely be different. What matters is answering that yearning to connect more with the Divine, in whatever way we choose.\r\rRead more to hear a little about my practice, about a great film by someone in our community, and the sacred mantras for fierce and wonderful Tantrik Goddesses Tara and Kamakhya.\r\rWhat has been most powerful for my own practice is in addition to the mantra for world peace, to follow the structure of Tantrik ritual, drawing my asana (the sacred yantra or diagram that becomes the spiritual seat and protection for the practice), chanting invocations, invoking directions, offering gratitude to the lineage of teachers, and performing nyasa, or the placement of sacred syllables into the body. It\'s also been very powerful for me to close with the traditional song from the Western Craft/Wiccan tradition:\r\r<i>By the air that is Her breath,\rby the fire of Her bright spirit,\rby the waters of Her womb,\rby the Earth that is Her body,\rthe circle is open yet unbroken\rmay the love of the Goddess be ever in our hearts!\rMerry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again!</i>\r\rI\'ve been working a lot the last couple of days with the fierce wisdom Goddesses Tara and Kamakhya - and am pleasantly surprised at how beautifully they fit together in my heart. One flows into the other like a river. Working with Tara was completely at the wonderful instigation of my Sister Bhaktisukhini, and supported with amazing imagery by my Sister Karuna, who made an incredible film about Tarapith, the amazing and powerful place in West Bengal where Tara Maa is worshipped. I\'d love it if she could post and tell people how to get a hold of her film. It\'s great!\r\rHere are Tara\'s and Kamakhya\'s simple mantras for worship:\r\rOM STRIM TARAYAI NAMAH\r(aum streem tah\'-rah-yay nuh\'-muh-huh)\r\rOM KLIM KAMAKHYAYAI NAMAH\r(aum kleem kah\'-mah-kya\'-yay nuh\'-muh-huh)\r\r<i>Strim</i> and <i>klim</i> are <i>bija mantras</i>, or sounds that represent the pure vibrational essence of each of these Goddesses. <i>Namah</i> means to bow or offer reverence. So, with the concentrated vibrational essence of Tara, I bow to you, Maa Tara. With the pure vibrational essence of Kamakhya, I bow to you, Maa Kamakhya.','Sadhana Challenge - Day 3','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-3','','','2013-08-09 03:10:42','2013-08-09 03:10:42','',0,'How are you doing with the Sadhana Challenge? What has your practice looked like? We all walk our path with the Divine in our own ways, and so our practices will surely be different. What matters is answering that yearning to connect more with the Divine,',0,'post','',0),(99006,2,'2007-03-02 00:00:00','2007-03-02 18:00:00','It\'s day two of the Sadhana Challenge. If you\'re doing the Challenge with us, how are you doing? If you\'re just running across this and wondering what the Sadhana Challenge is, see our March 1 entry.\r\rIn addition to some of our local community members (Bhagavati, Bhaktisukhini, Chandra, Kalabhairavi, Maya, Puspa, Raia, Ranapandita and myself, Sundari), one of our global community members has joined the Challenge. Welcome, Anna!\r\rNow, on to today\'s practice, including some instruction on basic <i>pranayama</i>, active meditative breathing.\r\rGetting up this morning was more difficult than yesterday. But again, the mantra echoed through the dark and quiet, as did the loving support and companionship of all those who are taking part of this, and that was a powerful thing.\r\rAgni felt very important in stoking the inner flame this morning. This is a common practice in our pujas at SHARANYA, to begin our puja with the invocation to Agni from the Rig Veda, to honor the stoking of the fire within, in order to be fully present for worship and meditation. \r\rAnother useful tool for this morning\'s practice was pranayama, with alternate nostril breathing. All practice begins with the breath, and <i>prana</i> is the life-breath, the energy of the physical body. Conscious breathing is an important part of any yogic practice (in this sense meaning disciplined meditative practice), and alternate nostril breathing helps to align the various energies of the body, and the hemispheres of the brain. Consider it an exercise in getting your left and right brain to talk to each other! The breath pattern is 1:4:2. So, one count in, four counts hold, two counts release. Any multiple of that is acceptable - my own current pattern is 4:16:8 seconds, but you could just as easily do 2:8:4, or 8:32:16 (though some would argue that this last one is not so easy!).\r\rNote: this practice should only be done if you have no obstructions in your nasal passages. If you have a cold or are congested by allergies, let your body rest and simply breathe consciously. \r\rThe practice begins by holding the right nostril closed with the thumb, then inhaling for the first count, closing both nostrils by bringing the ring and pinkie finger together to hold the left nostril closed as well, and <i>gently</i> holding the breath for the second count. I stress <i>gently</i> because there should be no pressure or struggle in this holding - it\'s a quiet, gentle resting place. Release by opening the right nostril and <i>gently</i> releasing the breath in the third count. Pause, holding the breath gently again with your lungs empty. Begin again, this time breathing in through the right nostril. When you breathe out through the left nostril, you have completed one cycle. Repeat for three cycles, and add one cycle each week until you reach seven rounds.\r\rSome teachers will suggest a simple pause between these cycles, others will suggest holding the breath out with the lungs empty for the same count as the holding with the lungs full. This can be very difficult, and may be a practice you wish you move into after you get comfortable with the rhythm. If you do wish to cultivate that, it helps to remember the core of the practice - <i>surrender</i>.\r\rThe resistance to the vinyasa yoga practice was very instructive - there\'s always a lesson in resistance, and cultivating inner listening can be very helpful in honoring and moving through it. Ultimately, the stretching and activation of the body was fulfilling, and I was reminded that this kind of physical yoga practice helps me accept my body as it is - which, in turn, supports the embodiied and loving nature of the Sha\'can path.\r\rDo let me know how you\'re doing with your practice! Let\'s motivate each other with our words and spirits. And if you have any questions, please ask!\r\r<i>Loka samasta sukhino bhavantu\rLoka samasta sukhino bhavantu\rLoka samasta sukhino bhavantu</i>\r\rPeace and happiness to you all in the world out there. And so, so much gratitude.','Sadhana Challenge - Day 2','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-2','','','2013-08-09 03:10:43','2013-08-09 03:10:43','',0,'It\'s day two of the Sadhana Challenge. If you\'re doing the Challenge with us, how are you doing? If you\'re just running across this and wondering what the Sadhana Challenge is, see our March 1 entry.\r\rIn addition to some of our local community members (Bh',0,'post','',2),(99007,2,'2007-03-04 00:00:00','2007-03-04 18:00:00','This morning I\'d like to talk about compassion. Kali in the Sri Kali Sahasranama Stotram (The Song of the Thousand Names of the Blessed Kali) is known as <i>Karuna</i>, She Who is  Compassionate. Cultivating compassion is as important a discipline as others - not only compassion for others, but also for yourself. \r\rRather than getting up extra early this Sunday morning, I slept longer than usual, restoring vital energy. The sadhana still got done, and my day is still open ahead of me, but now I feel rested as well as revitalized. \r\rThe insight given to me, as well, was that one kind of opening facilitated by the Sadhana Challenge is a kind of personal spiritual compassion. Rather than beating myself up about not doing sadhana, or guilting myself into doing it, I am participating joyfully, supporting and being supported by others. Our <a href=\"/articles/mantras/lokahsamastah.php4\">sankalpa mantra</a> is a powerful reminder to cultivate this compassion continuously, to use that as a foundation for interaction with others, especially when difficult things must be said or done. \r\rMy own journey with compassion has been difficult and necessary, but along the way it has given me such amazing gifts. \r\rSo, my question is this, both to myself and to those reading - how might you cultivate compassion for yourself and others? How can you hold integrity, personal authenticity and compassion together?\r\rI wish you well with your sadhana, whatever it looks like! And remember to just do your best, and be gentle with yourself.\r\r','Sadhana Challenge - Day 4','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-4','','','2013-08-09 03:10:42','2013-08-09 03:10:42','',0,'This morning I\'d like to talk about compassion. Kali in the Sri Kali Sahasranama Stotram (The Song of the Thousand Names of the Blessed Kali) is known as <i>Karuna</i>, She Who is  Compassionate. Cultivating compassion is as important a discipline as othe',0,'post','',0),(99008,2,'2007-03-05 00:00:00','2007-03-05 18:00:00','<i>Asana</i> is a Sanskrit word that means \"posture\" or \"seat.\" Most of us in the West are familiar with this word because it is appended to the end of famous Hatha Yoga postures such as <i>padmasana</i> or <i>shavasana</i>, \"Lotus Pose\" or \"Corpse Pose,\" respectively.\r\rWhile yoga is best known in the West for its popularity in the exercise world, in reality it is an ancient path that manifests in many ways, and has an entire philosophy of personal development within it. In one form, Raja (or Ashtanga) Yoga, developing posture conducive to meditative states is one of the eight limbs (<i>ashtanga</i> means literally \"eight limbs\") of the path toward spiritual freedom. In an embodied practice, developing mastery of physical yoga postures helps to prepare the \"seat\" for deeper meditation. \r\rMy own experience is that when I practice physical yoga postures, my body opens up and relaxes more readily - which is important, as two serious car accidents have permanently damaged my spine. It also helps me accept and inhabit my body more fully. Even though I have a long way to go before mastering these poses, I already feel the benefits of the physical yoga practice - hips are more open, spine better supported, body more comfortable in the silence.\r\r<i>Surya namaskar</i>, or Sun Salutation, helps to strengthen and lengthen the spine. Postures such as <i>padmasana</i> - or even <i>ardha padmasana</i> (Half Lotus Pose) - support the spine for long periods of sitting, and developing skill at holding them helps to deepen both <i>dharana</i> (fixed-point concentration) and <i>dhyana</i> (meditation). <i>Shavasana</i> brings deep relaxation and release, so important for integrating the work and de-activating stress on a deep, internal level.\r\rSo if you find that body aches and pains, or self-consciousness, are obstacles to your meditative practice, consider adding a physical yoga regimen to your practice. If you have injuries or other body issues (physical, mental or spiritual), be gentle with yourself, and always consult a medical professional before beginning any kind of physical practice.\r\r<i>Namaste.</i>','Sadhana Challenge - Day 5','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-5','','','2013-08-09 03:10:42','2013-08-09 03:10:42','',0,'<i>Asana</i> is a Sanskrit word that means \"posture\" or \"seat.\" Most of us in the West are familiar with this word because it is appended to the end of famous Hatha Yoga postures such as <i>padmasana</i> or <i>shavasana</i>, \"Lotus Pose\" or \"Corpse Pose,\"',0,'post','',0),(99009,2,'2007-03-06 00:00:00','2007-03-06 18:00:00','What have your difficult moments been with sadhana, and how have you overcome them? Let that inspire you - and if you feel moved to share in the comments, let that inspire others.\r\rRead further to see more about my own process with this difficulty this morning, and how I\'m learning to get through it...\r\rThis difficulty is someting I struggle with daily. This morning was again difficult to do sadhana, though not so much to wake up. My body woke before my alarm went off, but bed was cozy and warm. Such resistance! The good thing about the Challenge for me is that word, \"challenge.\" I am reminded daily that yes, it is challenging! And we do it anyway, for our own greater good.\r\rI am also reminded that there are others getting up each morning, and that through our efforts, though we\'re far apart, we support each other. So, the Challenge is made easier through that support, even though I\'m doing it on my own, I\'m not alone. I\'m responsible for my own practice, but I have support in that - and you do, too!\r\rOne more thing - participating in this Challenge isn\'t about what we should or shouldn\'t do. It\'s about that inner yearning - beyond all the protesting voices - that wants to go deeper with that connection to the Divine. My own difficulty with the practice sometimes comes in the form of a kind of teenage rebellion, not wanting to do chores, wanting to rebel against what I \"should\" be doing. Taking that out of the equation, and reminding myself that it is, every day, a choice I make to unify with my deepest heart wish - it\'s liberating.\r\rI wish you all the most wonderful things, as you strive to find that deeper connection - however that looks for you.\r\r<i>Namaste.</i>','Sadhana Challenge - Day 6','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-6','','','2013-08-09 03:10:42','2013-08-09 03:10:42','',0,'What have your difficult moments been with sadhana, and how have you overcome them? Let that inspire you - and if you feel moved to share in the comments, let that inspire others.\r\rRead further to see more about my own process with this difficulty this mo',0,'post','',0),(99010,2,'2007-03-07 00:00:00','2007-03-07 18:00:00','My sadhana has been liberating, although the form it takes, while shaped by common desire and recitation of the mantra we??re using, has varied. My goal is to better understand how I can live more directly connected to Maa in every moment. Right now, relationship has been an amazing container and testing ground for the enactment of my intention. As my practice has taken shape over these past few days, I??ve noticed a greater sense of calm in difficult moments and a wider window of opportunity from which to make choices. This is quite empowering; that is, knowing I have a choice in how I wish to act rather than letting my emotions take over and simply reacting to a situation. This is what I mean by liberating. The affirmation of my practice is coming in the love that??s able to flow more freely in my life and with my partner, even when the going gets tough. \r\r \rSpecifically, once I finish my pranayama, I recite the mantra a number of times, letting it fade back into my breath. From there, I visualize community, our strength and the bond we all have with one another. I take in that energy and open my heart, letting it flow back out into the cosmos. I imagine the gifting back to Maa and then let that experience settle back into my breath, now much richer. This is the ground from which I engage my recitations and inner work. Some of this emerges in the moment, some is birthed from current engagement with certain verses. In the end, I offer my gratitudes, go back to an inner focus, and then return to waking consciousness. \r','Sadhana Challenge Thoughts','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-thoughts','','','2013-08-09 03:10:42','2013-08-09 03:10:42','',0,'My sadhana has been liberating, although the form it takes, while shaped by common desire and recitation of the mantra we??re using, has varied. My goal is to better understand how I can live more directly connected to Maa in every moment. Right now, rela',0,'post','',0),(99011,2,'2007-03-07 00:00:00','2007-03-07 18:00:00','It\'s Day 7 of the first week of the Sadhana Challenge. How have you done? How many days did you make it this week? What have you learned about yourself and your practice? How has being part of the Challenge affected your practice? \r\rI feel that this Challenge has been a huge gift, in many ways, and I am grateful for your participation and support! \r\rThis morning I woke up late, taking advantage of my sometimes somewhat flexible work schedule. But I was reminded of why the early morning is such a wonderful time for sadhana. As the world wakes up, there are more and more distractions! Cars driving by on the busy street outside, my partner getting ready to leave the house, my own brain drawn to other thoughts about what will happen during the day. My brain was chattering more this morning than usual.\r\rWhen doing any kind of meditative practice, it can be helpful to remove as many distractions as possible - so if you get up before the rest of the world (and the rest of your house) wakes up, it can be a fertile time for meditation, especially because you are freshly rested and have not yet engaged with the outside world. Morning practice creates a solid foundation with which to step out into the world, affirming your connection to the Divine, to that authentic Self, which is connected to all beings.\r\rRegardless of what time you perform sadhana, the main thing is to make time and space for it. How has this looked for you in the past week? Email us at blog@sharanya.org to share your story.\r','Sadhana Challenge - Day 7','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-7','','','2013-08-09 03:10:42','2013-08-09 03:10:42','',0,'It\'s Day 7 of the first week of the Sadhana Challenge. How have you done? How many days did you make it this week? What have you learned about yourself and your practice? How has being part of the Challenge affected your practice? \r\rI feel that this Chall',0,'post','',0),(99012,2,'2007-03-08 00:00:00','2007-03-08 18:00:00','Breath in tantrick practice is of the utmost importance. Breathwork, the expansion of breath with consciousness that is pranayama, strengthens our bodies, clears our minds and prepares us for deeper relationships with the Divine. I mentioned yesterday that I begin my daily practice with pranayama and wanted to share some simple thoughts and exercises. \r\n\r\nThere are many different ways to do pranayama. Different yoga traditions offer different avenues of exploration, and depending upon your temperament or disposition, you may find some more beneficial or agreeable than others. Trust your own body and intuition to discover what methods are best for you on your path. \r\n\r\nTo begin a practice, one needs very little external paraphernalia to support the effort. The most important thing is to bring a clear commitment to yourself to the work. With willingness, anyone can succeed in finding greater peace and strength through pranayama. To start, I recommend finding a comfortable spot you can create your seat upon every day. Try to let natural light be present. If you can, sit cross-legged or in <i>padmasana</i>, which is lotus pose. Otherwise, simply sitting with a straight back on a chair will work just fine. \r\n\r\nHere is a simple pranayama technique. Arrange yourself comfortably and close your eyes. Begin to concentrate on the space between your eyebrows. Remember to relax your face and let your spine remain upright, holding your head as if a string came from the top of your skull to the heavens and Maa herself was gently pulling it up. (This is not meant to be difficult, just a gentle reminder to sit straight, letting your spine be a conduit between heaven and earth.) \r\n\r\nNow, close your right nostril with your right thumb. Start to inhale slowly through your left nostril taking in the breath as deeply as you can without exerting effort. As the in-breath finishes, begin to transition to your exhalation through the very same nostril. This constitutes one round of breath. \r\n\r\nNext, transition your inhalation to your right nostril by closing the left nostril with your right ring and little fingers together.  As before, exhale slowly through the same nostril. Again, this is one round. Between rounds, you may wish to breathe normally for a short time in order to feel the difference in energy flow in your body.  At first, start with just a few rounds and gradually work your way up to longer and longer durations. You will likely feel increased vitality and presence doing so.\r\n\r\nIf you wish, you can also add a short time of breath retention between inhalation and exhalation. A recommended ratio of inhalation to holding of breath to exhalation is 1:4:2. To keep this ratio, you may wish to repeat the syllable \"OM\" silently.  <i>Pranava</i> (the sound of the creation of the universe, or \"OM\") here constitutes what is called a <i>matra</i>, or the unit of time used to count in any pranayama practice. \r\n\r\nAlso, as you do the practice, try not to make any sounds. Allow yourself to relax into the process so that it feels increasingly natural. Happy breathing!','Pranayama','','publish','open','open','','pranayama','','','2013-09-25 23:00:18','2013-09-26 06:00:18','',0,'Breath in tantrick practice is of the utmost importance. Breathwork, the expansion of breath with consciousness that is pranayama, strengthens our bodies, clears our minds and prepares us for deeper relationships with the Divine. I mentioned yesterday tha',0,'post','',0),(99013,2,'2007-03-08 00:00:00','2007-03-08 18:00:00','Week two of the Sadhana Challenge begins today! How are you doing? Remember to be kind to yourself; if you haven\'t made it every day, don\'t worry. Simply re-affirm your commitment and try again. What works for me is to make a commitment each day to start again the next day. It seems more digestable and do-able that way.\r\rChandra already shared her experience in a post yesterday, and some of our other community members will be posting about theirs, too.\r\rAn email from Pushpa, one of our yogini initiates and a new mother, warmed my heart, and I wanted to share it with you. Read more to see how this mother of a newborn has worked the Sadhana Challenge into her own schedule...\r\r<i>Well, the challenge for me has been...challenging, to say the least. Seraphina usually wakes up around 4:30 to start her cluster-feeding which continues off and on until around 11 am.  During the wee hours of the morning (especially the times between 6am and 8 am), I\'ll find myself Om-Krim-Kalyai-Namahing while Sera lays there sucking away at a boob. Then I fall asleep while she feeds only to awaken again a short time later because she lost the nipple somehow.  So, in my bizarre sleepy state of mind, I re-position the boob, ready-aim-and..fire the nipple into her little hungry \"O\" shaped mouth, milk dripping everywhere, on me, on her, on the blankets, on everything.  She\'ll start to suckle again and I look up through the windows remembering the sadhana challenge and go into mental mantras again as I lean my body closer to hers, attempting to best position myself so the nipple keeps good contact.  \r \rThen, oops, I fall asleep again only to wake up 10-15 minutes  later because Sera is crying again - needs to be burped, needs more food, needs to have her diaper changed, etc...\r \rSomehow, in the middle of my morning chaos, I find it inspiring to know that there are others awake with me at this bizarre morning time, trying their best to meditate or practice sadhana in whatever way they can.  Even though my meditation and practice is limited by the baby, there is something inherently beautiful about waking up each morning, looking outside the window as the sun barely creeps its way onto the horizon and thinking that the mantras I\'m saying are somehow resonating with others during this same time.\r\rHopefully I can build more on the meditation itself and maybe include some yoga later on, but for now I\'m just mantra-ing every day.\r\rThe best part about the challenge: having Seraphina fall asleep in the crook of my arm with her little face resting on my breast, tummy filled with milk as I drift away into a brief slumber while repeating mantras in my head.  :)</i>\r\rYou\'re such an inspiration, Pushpa Maa! And this is what the Challenge is all about - finding where your practice can fit into your life, first thing in the morning. Making space for it wherever you can find space - even if that is in the middle of breastfeeding your newborn child. \r\rHow have you fit the Challenge into your life? What have been your ups and downs, and what has been the best part? Leave a comment and let us know!','Sadhana Challenge - Day 8','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-8','','','2013-08-09 03:10:42','2013-08-09 03:10:42','',0,'Week two of the Sadhana Challenge begins today! How are you doing? Remember to be kind to yourself; if you haven\'t made it every day, don\'t worry. Simply re-affirm your commitment and try again. What works for me is to make a commitment each day to start ',0,'post','',0),(99014,2,'2007-03-09 00:00:00','2007-03-09 18:00:00','This morning, a quote from the <i>Bhagavad Gita</i> (trans. Barbara Stoller Miller):\r\r<blockquote>When ignorance is destroyed\rby knowledge of the self,\rthen, like the sun, knowledge\rilluminates ultimate reality.</blockquote>\r\rWhat is the \"self\" that Krishna here is talking about to Arjuna? It can\'t be fully explained. Simply put, it is the undivided Self, the Self that is connected to all reality, that breaks through illusion by fully realizing its inherent and intimate connection with the Divine. \r\rThere are many paths to the Divine, each working for a different person. In India there are many kinds of yoga, or disciplines, for reaching that place of union.  <i>Jnana</i> is knowledge, and jnana yogis, like the famed teacher Shakaracarya, seek union with the Divine through a combined rigorous practice of knowledge and experience, study and meditation, scholarship and devotion - continually seeking the true Self, always asking, \"who am I, really?\" This realization and illumination of the true Self is easier to talk about, but much more difficult to do. \r\rBut the do-ing part is the important part. And that\'s where sadhana comes in. Our daily practices support that unfolding, that exploration, that deepening into realization of oneness with Maa, our Divine Mother, Kali, or whatever face you put on Her. The practice is both the journey and the destination, for through our practice, we briefly touch on moments of bliss and connection. So whether your path is <i>jnana</i> (knowledge), <i>bhakti</i> (devotion), <i>kriya</i> (action), <i>raja</i> (physical) or otherwise, East or West or anywhere in between, know that consistent practice will support your path in a deep and meaningful way.\r\rI applaud your hard work on this ninth day of the Sadhana Challenge! My own practice shifted somewhat this week, and I\'ve begun to include gentle Tai Chi and Qigong to open my spine. The blog itself has become part of my sadhana, too. Linking in to all of you is such a gift!\r\rMay you all realize your oneness with Her, and may you all have peace and happiness.\r\r<i>Saa\'ham. Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu.</i>\r\r','Sadhana Challenge - Day 9','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-9','','','2013-08-09 03:10:41','2013-08-09 03:10:41','',0,'This morning, a quote from the <i>Bhagavad Gita</i> (trans. Barbara Stoller Miller):\r\r<blockquote>When ignorance is destroyed\rby knowledge of the self,\rthen, like the sun, knowledge\rilluminates ultimate reality.</blockquote>\r\rWhat is the \"self\" that Krish',0,'post','',0),(99015,2,'2007-03-10 00:00:00','2007-03-10 18:00:00','It\'s Day 10 of the Sadhana Challenge, and it\'s Saturday, one of Kali\'s sacred days. Tuesdays and Saturdays are especially sacred to our beloved Mother Goddess, just as other days of the week are especially sacred for other Gods and Goddesses. \r\rHow have you spent this Saturday morning? Did you get up bright and early to do your sadhana, are you taking a break from the Challenge today? Or did you do like I did - catch up on sleep, and then do sadhana in the early afternoon?\r\rToday\'s sadhana was short, deep and profound for me. I found myself diving deep into my heart, opening it wide like a lotus blossom, then feeling love pour out of me, as my body rocked back and forth, and I called out to Maa. I found myself welling up with deep gratitude, sending love and support to others with my breath, and accepting love and support from others in return.\r\rFor me, sometimes accepting love and support can be more difficult than giving it - it requires a kind of surrender, allowing my heart to be open enough to really accept and appreciate and hold sweetly the love and support from my community, my family, my friends. It goes against the deeply held American cultural belief that we must be fiercely independent, doing everything ourselves, pulling ourselves up by our proverbial bootstraps.\r\rBut when I surrender to that love, I find that the walls around my heart melt away, like the spires of a sand castle at the gentle lapping of the tide. That openness can be frightening, but also empowering. In the resulting space and expansiveness, I realize that my spirit is free to soar, to explore the vast connection to Maa and everything. I am free to explore my shadows with compassion, to love and illuminate and understand the dark parts of myself. \r\rI invite you to share in that opening. In the quiet space of meditation, let your heart open like a lotus blossom, accept the love and support from others doing this sadhana, from the Mother Goddess, and ultimately, from deep within yourself. Embrace the opening, the acceptance of every part of you. Feel yourself safe in the Mother\'s warm embrace. From that place, come back to the present moment, and see how you can carry that self-acceptance with you.\r\rI wish you well in your sadhana!','Sadhana Challenge - Day 10','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-10','','','2013-08-09 03:10:41','2013-08-09 03:10:41','',0,'It\'s Day 10 of the Sadhana Challenge, and it\'s Saturday, one of Kali\'s sacred days. Tuesdays and Saturdays are especially sacred to our beloved Mother Goddess, just as other days of the week are especially sacred for other Gods and Goddesses. \r\rHow have y',0,'post','',0),(99016,2,'2007-03-11 00:00:00','2007-03-11 18:00:00','What wonderful weather we\'re having in the San Francisco Bay Area! Wherever you are, I hope you\'re having a wonderful day.\r\rHow was your sadhana today? As we move into the week ahead, I may not be blogging every day, but I am continuing the Challenge. I would really love to hear your stories of your sadhana, or how you move through difficult times in life, what connects you and grounds you, helps you speak difficult truths with compassion, love and respect.\r\rThis morning, as every morning, I enjoyed connecting with those who were doing the Challenge, and felt such deep love and gratitude for the opportunity to connect in this way. Thank you all for making that possible.\r\r<i>Jai Maa.</i>\r','Sadhana Challenge - Day 11','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-11','','','2013-08-09 03:10:41','2013-08-09 03:10:41','',0,'What wonderful weather we\'re having in the San Francisco Bay Area! Wherever you are, I hope you\'re having a wonderful day.\r\rHow was your sadhana today? As we move into the week ahead, I may not be blogging every day, but I am continuing the Challenge. I w',0,'post','',2),(99017,2,'2007-03-13 00:00:00','2007-03-13 18:00:00','My sadhana today came (again) with a multimedia kick to it. I started learning new softwear, After Effets, and Ma \"made\" me create this. It took a whole day, but I think it came out pretty sweet :)\r\rIn addition, I must say that I was deeply inspired by our Matrika meeting this past Sunday. Fierceness, kaula, and the love of Ma re-inspired me yet again. \r\rI am not sure if it\'s sadhana, or seva, or both... but I hope you guys like  it. \rI was thinking mainly to use it on our new myspace ???http://www.myspace. com/maabatakali ??? but we could add it to the website too. \r\rCan\'t wait to hear what you think. \r\rJai Tara Mata.  \r~Karuna \r\r<a href=\"http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2014505071\">SHARANYA</a><br><embed src=\"http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf\" flashvars=\"m=2014505071&type=video\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"430\" height=\"346\"></embed><br><a href=\"http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=2014505071&title=SHARANYA\">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href=\"http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home\">  More Videos</a>','My Sadhana Today','','publish','open','open','','my-sadhana-today','','','2013-08-09 03:10:41','2013-08-09 03:10:41','',0,'My sadhana today came (again) with a multimedia kick to it. I started learning new softwear, After Effets, and Ma \"made\" me create this. It took a whole day, but I think it came out pretty sweet :)\r\rIn addition, I must say that I was deeply inspired by ou',0,'post','',1),(99018,2,'2007-03-14 00:00:00','2007-03-14 00:00:00','One of the questions people often ask when they are exploring or encountering SHARANYA for the first time is, \"Why can\'t I wear black to puja?\". For some it can seem almost counterintuitive, as Kali is black Herself. Others may assume that it\'s because we are buying into overplayed stereotypes about the color.  \r\n\r\nIn our tradition and lineage, black is a color only worn by the initiated, and only in certain ceremonies. For others and on most occasions, red is the color that is appropriate to don for worshiping Maa in Her many guises; for example as Bhadra Kali or Dakshina Kali. \r\n\r\nHowever, initiates within our <I>Kaula</I> (spiritual family) also work with non-dualistic practices and open to Her as Smashan Kali, or Kali of the cremation grounds. When we wish to acknowledge and honor this path, we bring practices and knowledge to help facilitate experience with this more encompassing aspect of Maa\'s presence. In public community pujas, we do not wear black because it requires clear intention and dedicated effort to contain among those not familiar with Her path. \r\n\r\nSHARANYA certainly doesn\'t turn away people who come to ceremony wearing black; but there is a responsibility that comes with calling in the non-dualistic energies of Kali Maa, and it is important to be aware of this in one\'s surrender to Her. Ultimately, everyone has to make their own decision about what is appropriate to wear within their own practice. We ask, however, that if you choose to worship with us, you observe our custom out of respect. ','The Color Black at Puja','','publish','closed','open','','kali-and-the-color-black','','','2013-09-26 11:58:11','2013-09-26 18:58:11','',0,'One of the questions people often ask when they are exploring or encountering SHARANYA for the first time is, \"Why can\'t I wear black to puja?\". For some it can seem almost counterintuitive, as Kali is black Herself. Others may assume that it\'s because we',0,'post','',0),(99019,2,'2007-03-18 00:00:00','2007-03-18 18:00:00','The Sadhana Challenge is officially more than half over - how are you doing? What are you learning about yourself and your practice?\r\rComment here and let us know!\r','Sadhana Challenge - Day 18','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-18','','','2013-08-09 03:10:41','2013-08-09 03:10:41','',0,'The Sadhana Challenge is officially more than half over - how are you doing? What are you learning about yourself and your practice?\r\rComment here and let us know!\r',0,'post','',1),(99020,2,'2007-03-24 00:00:00','2007-03-24 18:00:00','What happens when your heart opens? What does it feel like? How do you hold onto that moment, and bring it into the next moment, and the next?\r\rThese are among the questions that have arisen in my life during the last few weeks of the Sadhana Challenge. Spring Navaratri began on Monday, <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/sarvamangala.php4\">Maa Durga</a> has definitely been here! Chandra once told me a few years ago that she noticed Durga entering people\'s lives when they needed to be held by a strong Mother. Deep work with the fierce Tara and blissful Kamakhya lately have opened a sort of internal churning, a kind of burning away and cleaning out of the cobwebs, facilitated and held by work in community, and by sitting and doing sadhana every day. The strong and yet gentle embrace of Chandi (another name for Durga) has been a welcome energy.\r\rYesterday, I didn\'t do my sadhana in the morning. I awoke late, and had to run out the door without sitting. Did I feel guilty? Yes! But then I remembered that we\'re not allowed to use the Sadhana Challenge as a tool to beat ourselves up. We do the best we can - we make a commitment each day to do our best, to bring ourselves closer to the Divine in our own way. The Challenge was set for morning practice, but what happens when I skip that morning practice?\r\rInstead of giving up, I instead sat and meditated before bed, working with our <a href=\"/articles/mantras/lokahsamastah.php4\">peace mantra</a>. There was a sweetness to it, and I noticed the subtle difference between starting my day with sadhana, and ending with it. Morning sadhana for me is about building and strengthening foundation, and evening sadhana more about reconciliation - bringing together scattered energy, releasing things I\'ve picked up during the course of the day, calming and centering after being in the world. It reminded me that spiritual practice isn\'t something we can put in a box and bring out when it\'s convenient - the work is continual, and the more we can be aware in each moment, the more power we have to transform our lives, to bring us closer to that Divine spark that unites each of us.\r\rI hope that your sadhana has thus far brought you peace and insight. Do feel free to share your progress, your frustrations, how you\'ve handled or felt about missing a day or a week, and what brings you back to the practice again and again.\r\rIt\'s always tempting for me to judge myself, to compare myself to others. But these are just manifestations of my inner demons. This week, I meditate on Maa Durga, and how She killed the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, who was threatening to kill the world. Her myth is a powerful metaphor for the internal work we do, in order to live in peace and harmony in the world. When I focus energy on conquering my inner demons, on examining my actions and reactions with humility and fierce, unrelenting compassion (and a healthy dose of humor!), it helps to direct the way toward peace and understanding. Lately, I see Durga\'s trident as being made of that fierce love and compassion, of deep truth and kindness, plunged into the heart of darkness and despair. \r\rWherever you are in the world, and however you are doing with your sadhana, I wish you all the blessings of Maa Durga, and peace and happiness, my sisters and brothers on this spiritual journey.\r','Sadhana Challenge - Day 23','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-23','','','2013-08-09 03:10:41','2013-08-09 03:10:41','',0,'What happens when your heart opens? What does it feel like? How do you hold onto that moment, and bring it into the next moment, and the next?\r\rThese are among the questions that have arisen in my life during the last few weeks of the Sadhana Challenge. S',0,'post','',2),(99021,2,'2008-05-23 00:00:00','2008-05-23 07:00:00','Mantra (<i>mantram</i> in the singular) are an important part of spiritual practice in many religious traditions. At SHARANYA, we understand mantra to be a core component of individual and community work because of the multiple levels on which they can operate to effectuate positive transformation.\r\n\r\nA mantram is a sound or series of sounds, often delivered in the Sanskrit language, designed with a particular intention, purpose and effect in mind. All mantra were originally perceived by sages and offered to spiritual seekers to help them reach enlightenment. While specific mantra can channel great power by virtue of resonance with cosmic energies (and can therefore sometimes be challenging to work with), most mantra are easy to use as part of a daily spiritual discipline.\r\n\r\nMantra japa is the practice of using a <i>mala</i> (rosary) or other means to count the number of repetitions of any mantra so that the energy of the sound vibration of the mantra increases and thus bestoes the practitioner with a wealth of vital energy with which the sound connects for spiritual growth, healing and facilitation of shifts of consciousness.\r\n\r\nFor example, one may chant Kali\'s <i>bija mantra</i>, Her seed syllable, KRIM over and over (often, the number of repetitions recommended is 108, a number which aligns with the 27 astrological houses as divided into 4) to allow the vibrational energies of the Divine to assist in one\'s practice and life. Again, in using such a mantra, it is important to understand and be willing to work deeply with the energy of <i>Devi</i> (Goddess) as Kali in all Her forms: from the personal goddess, to Her transcendent manifestations, to Her presence beyond form and name. This is because the mantra, being sound, vibrates in all these realms across time and space and draws on the power of each. It is for this reason that many on the spiritual path utilize certain mantra only after an intense period of study, self-reflection, and spiritual strengthening through <i>sadhana</i> (spiritual practice).\r\n\r\nShould you wish to work with the many mantra provided on this site, use all your faculties and senses in determining what is right for your practice and path...and feel free to contact us if you have specific questions. We are happy to help guide you in the work. ','Mantra as Part of Daily Practice','','publish','closed','open','','mantra-as-part-of-daily-practice','','','2013-10-20 22:27:00','2013-10-21 05:27:00','',0,'Mantra (<i>mantram</i> in the singular) are an important part of spiritual practice in many religious traditions. At SHARANYA, we understand mantra to be a core component of individual and community work because of the multiple levels on which they can op',0,'post','',0),(99022,2,'2007-03-31 00:00:00','2007-03-31 18:00:00','Namaste!\r\rToday is the last day of the Sadhana Challenge. Congratulations! \r\rIf you haven\'t done your practice for the day yet, consider stopping what you\'re doing right now, and just do it. That\'s really one of the biggest lessons I got from the month - no matter where you are or what you\'re doing, you can stop and do some piece of your sadhana.\r\rI learned that a daily practice is about strength and courage, but also surrender. Facing fears of failure or fears of not having enough time or energy, and just making time for it. Developing a core practice that could be done each day, no matter what.\r\rThe official Sadhana Challenge ends today, but the real challenge now begins - can you keep this going in your daily life? Can you now set aside a few minutes a day for your practice, to deepen your connection to the Divine that runs through all of us?\r\rI hope you will make that commitment to yourself.\r\rShare your stories here if you like - the floor is open to you. And I thank you for your enthusiasm and support over this last month. May you have peace and joy.\r\r<i>Shanti saa\'ham</i>.\r','Sadhana Challenge - Day 31','','publish','open','open','','sadhana-challenge-day-31','','','2013-08-09 03:10:41','2013-08-09 03:10:41','',0,'Namaste!\r\rToday is the last day of the Sadhana Challenge. Congratulations! \r\rIf you haven\'t done your practice for the day yet, consider stopping what you\'re doing right now, and just do it. That\'s really one of the biggest lessons I got from the month - ',0,'post','',0),(99023,2,'2007-04-05 00:00:00','2007-04-05 18:00:00','What is <i>sadhana</i>? Simply put, it means an intentional practice, but more deeply, it means spiritual discipline, or very simply, the Way. The word itself comes from the root \"sadh,\" which means \"to go straight to the goal.\" This is the same root from which we get \"siddhi,\" the great spiritual power obtained by performing sadhana.\r\rIn the West, there are some models for sadhana. The simplest is daily prayer. This simple action, when done with a focused intention, can be a means of connecting more fully with the Divine. In the East, meditation is the foundation of sadhana.\r\rThe simplest form of sadhana is simple, quiet meditation. The most basic form of this is the simplest, but sometimes also the most difficult. It can be done anywhere, but is easiest in a quiet location with no distractions.\r\rBefore you begin, you might want to have a small clock or silent egg timer (one that doesn\'t tick, as ticking will be a distraction) with you. Take some time to stretch your body a bit. Stretch your arms and legs, feel your blood circulating through your body. Breathe.\r\rSit comfortably, with the spine straight and supported. You might sit cross-legged, in full- or half-lotus position (padmasana or ardhapadmasana), and you may wish to sit on a firm cushion to help support your spine. If you have difficulty sitting up straight because of a medical issue, simply sit in a straight-back chair. Breathe deeply and roll your shoulders back, letting them rest comfortably back, your chest open. Feel your head floating up, as if someone were pulling the crown of your skull gently up by a string. You may rest your hands in your lap, right hand palm up, with left hand resting palm-up on top of it, or you may place your hands palm-up or palm-down on your thighs. \r\rWhen you find a comfortable position, take a deep breath to settle into this space, and if you have a timer, set it for five minutes. Make sure you\'re comfortable - for the next five minutes you will not move.\r\rThe exercise is simple: for the next five minutes, breathe normally. Don\'t try to control or adjust your breathing, simply witness. Be with your breath, noticing how it moves in and out of your body, how the air outside becomes part of you, and then leaves your body. Simply witness, nothing more. Focus all of your attention on witnessing your breath. If you become distracted, gently bring your focus back to your breath, without judgement. Each time your mind wanders, notice it wandering, and bring it gently back to your breath. \r\rAfter five minutes, take a deep breath to come back to normal waking consciousness. Stretch your body again. \r\rTake some notes of your experience - how did it feel? Was it difficult? For the vast majority of us, this simple little exercise will be incredibly difficult! I was reminded this morning of how difficult it is - even after years of practice - to come back to this simple little exercise, and how incredibly important it is in training the mind to be quiet and merge with the body.\r\rThe trick in turning this meditation exercise into sadhana is discipline. An example of cultivating discipline is to give yourself a schedule. Commit to performing this daily for one week, and mark on your calendar each day that you\'ve done the exercise. The following week, if you feel very comfortable with five minutes, increase your time to ten minutes. Or, deepen the practice and perfect those five minutes, until you can focus on your breath without your mind wandering. Then increase the practice to ten minutes, and begin the process again. Keep going until you can do this practice for an hour. It may take months to get to that place - but that is the benefit of cultivating discipline, of cultivating sadhana. Through sadhana, we experience deeper connection in ritual practice, deeper connection in personal practice, deeper connection in community practice, deeper connection in daily life.\r\rIf every day seems overwhelming for you, then take it a step or two slower. Can you commit to doing this three times a week for a month? If you find yourself saying \"my life is too busy for spiritual practice!\" consider the new mother in our community who has turned her early morning breastfeeding sessions into time for sadhana! There is truly time enough for sadhana, if we create it.\r\rI encourage you to try this simple breath practice. For me, it is a humbling and powerful practice that reminds me of how far I\'ve come, and how far I have yet to go. It strengthens and heals, and brings me more fully into connection with the all-pervasive Divine Spirit, whom we lovingly call \"Maa.\"\r','Cultivating Sadhana','','publish','open','open','','cultivating-sadhana','','','2013-08-09 03:10:41','2013-08-09 03:10:41','',0,'What is <i>sadhana</i>? Simply put, it means an intentional practice, but more deeply, it means spiritual discipline, or very simply, the Way. The word itself comes from the root \"sadh,\" which means \"to go straight to the goal.\" This is the same root from',0,'post','',1),(99025,2,'2007-04-24 00:00:00','2007-04-24 18:00:00','Dev&#299; (Goddess) is hot. The Goddess is alive, part of a living tradition in India, and to many westerners without a recognized goddess, She is more than a passing curiosity???She is the lifeblood to a deeply personal and caring ethic for Self and the whole of Creation. For us at SHARANYA, this is certainly the case. \r\rIn India, She is not only understood to be Goddess (with a capital \"G\"), responsible for all cosmic matters; but also as the goddess, who at the fundamental levels of societal functioning handles the necessities and intimacies of everyday existence: agriculture, crafts, health and well-being, reproduction and all facets of family life. She has many names and takes many forms. Great literary works have been written for and about Her, and she is equally the topic of myriad folktales. Some worship Her in gilded images while others paint a stone or a nook in a tree with red paint and a mixture of sandalwood and vermilion paste, and see in that Her beauty and protective power.  \r\rShe is Earth and the shining power of the Cosmos. Either way, She is Universal Mother. As such, her many names and forms reveal that she is simultaneously the Supreme Goddess as well as every local gr&#257;madevat&#257; (village goddess), both a transcendent and an immanent spiritual presence.  How is it that she is acknowledged on both the metaphysical and the practical levels? \r\rFor many of those who worship Her, she is easily recognized in each of these ways, with any one form or aspect usually implying the other. Some Hindu paths do teach a preference for transcendence while others stress immanence; but in Hindu cosmology and everyday life, as well as in both the sacred and the profane literature of India, Dev&#299; finds no contradiction in manifesting as intimate mother and transcendent, universal creatrix; as virgin and celestial lover; or as faithful, complacent wife and bloodthirsty, independent huntress. \r\rFor example, at T&#257;r&#257;p&#299;t&#803;h in West Bengal, She appears in one of her most gentle aspects, as a mother suckling &#346;iva. Yet here she is offered blood sacrifice daily, and the cremation grounds near her temple have been used for centuries as a site for non-dualistic (what many call left-hand) tantrick s&#257;dhan&#257; (spiritual practice).  In any of these forms or combinations, She encompasses and transcends western notions of duality, thereby defying western attempts to quantify, qualify or explain Her. \r\rNot only confined, however, to a representation within dualistic extremes, the Hindu goddess is also understood as a trinity of emanations. She too has a life in the spectrum of Maid, Mother, and Crone. Brahmanical literature, for example, portrays her as counterpart to the orthodox trinity of Br&#257;hma (Creator), Vis&#803;n&#803;u (Preserver) and &#346;iva (Transformer/Destroyer) through her guises, respectively, as: Sarasvat&#299; (Goddess of Learning and the Arts); Laks&#803;m&#299; (Goddess of Wealth); and K&#257;l&#299; (Goddess of Time and Death). \r\rWithin the &#346;&#257;kta (Dev&#299; worshipping) tradition, however, the goddess as Supreme Reality is formulated completely independent of the male gods. Within the &#346;&#257;kta Tantrick tradition, the goddess?? independence becomes acute and K&#257;l&#299; herself is all manifestations of the Trinity. Particularly in her fierce forms, Dev&#299; is beyond succinct and simple explanation. She lies beyond a monological interpretation and is a Goddess who mocks the very structures that attempt to contain and control Her. \r\rHow does She speak to you? How do you best know and experience Her? What do you think a western appreciation of the Hindu Goddess facilitates? ','Understanding the Hindu Goddess','','publish','open','open','','understanding-the-hindu-goddess','','','2013-08-09 03:10:40','2013-08-09 03:10:40','',0,'Dev&#299; (Goddess) is hot. The Goddess is alive, part of a living tradition in India, and to many westerners without a recognized goddess, She is more than a passing curiosity???She is the lifeblood to a deeply personal and caring ethic for Self and the ',0,'post','',0),(99026,2,'2007-05-02 00:00:00','2007-05-02 18:00:00','Are women reflected in Devi, the Goddess? If we are, what does this mean for us as we strive to heal our patriarchal wounds?  \r\rIn relationship to a patriarchal worldview, women and goddesses are creatures simultaneously feared and revered, honored, and expunged. Women and goddesses maintain, throughout all patriarchal spheres, the paradoxical nature of femaleness: for example, as socially constructed, S/she is at once attractive and repulsive, seductively sexual and chaste, powerful and victimized. \r\rSuch responses to women and goddesses have particular manifestations within both western and Hindu culture. Overall within arenas of patriarchal control, there is a general effort to reinforce and perpetuate male dominance as a means of not only control, but protection against the Shakti, or inherent power, of woman. In India, both ancient and modern times, the roles women play within the cycle of family, penury, diligence, division, injustice, divine intervention, then back to family, is as consistent in the Indian context as is worship of Dev????.  \r\rIn a mysterious confluence of organisms, power-plays, ideas and ties at once social, political, religious, and economic, women and the goddess are subsumed within patriarchal constructs that all revolve around the fundamental properties of femaleness and the cycles in turn, of life, death, and birth. \r\rTrue in India and also true outside of that boundary many of women\'s and goddess\' societal roles are often determined by patriarchal controls that arise particularly out of male fears in response to essential femaleness (i.e., biology) and in particular, the death phase of Her cycle. Of note in this regard is the point that the controls arising from male fears may be maintained through any number of patriarchal agencies and agents, including women themselves. \r\rIn India particularly, the cycles and qualities of femaleness are indeed reflected in a variety of myths and stories about the goddess, but they are also the basis for many laws and other social constructs that define what it means to be a woman within the Hindu world. The purity and impurity, dishonesty and sacredness of women, for example, is substantiated and reinforced with rituals and social structures, and these further establish women\'s identity, in most cases only through relationships to men. The reality of women\'s marginal and subservient position within Hindu society was codified by the Manu Samhita (Laws of Manu) in the 7th century BCE. This document supports a theory proportionally relating the degree of male control to men\'s perception of women\'s power; i.e., the more her nature is feared, the greater the textual validation for her subjugation. \r\rWomen are therefore subjugated to patriarchal laws both religious and social and these controls are then reciprocally made manifest on the divine level in a translation of patriarchal ideas into brahmanical texts. Such renderings, have portrayed the goddess(es) as either merely the consorts of male gods or as the wrathful exterminators of men.   Accordingly, goddesses and women have been labeled and imagined in similar ways within Hinduism. Women\'s profane nature requires subjugation, and a goddess\' independence must be checked if patriarchal power is to be maintained. \r\rThe question is then, how do we today tell another story...a story of liberation, justice, and healing? What do you know, feel and see in the connection of Goddess to women, Goddess to men and Goddess to our planet that can move H/her beyond patriarchy?  \r','Women and the Goddess','','publish','open','open','','women-and-the-goddess','','','2013-08-09 03:10:26','2013-08-09 03:10:26','',0,'Are women reflected in Devi, the Goddess? If we are, what does this mean for us as we strive to heal our patriarchal wounds?  \r\rIn relationship to a patriarchal worldview, women and goddesses are creatures simultaneously feared and revered, honored, and e',0,'post','',4),(99027,2,'2007-07-01 00:00:00','2007-07-01 18:00:00','In India, dualistic thinking certainly has been used to justify many inequalities and abuses. Such a worldview, however, runs against the force of the entire Indian philosophical tradition, which stresses non-duality.  The laws of karma, for example, are found within a non-dual framework. Although often pointed to as a justification for the caste system (among other oppressive systems), karma supports a harmonious relationship between cause and effect where actions provide the impetus for reactions. Hindu interpretations of karma are derived from the Ch&#257;ndogya Upanis&#803;ad (ca. 600BCE), in which it is said that one\'s karma or destiny within the cycle of life, death and rebirth eventually leading to moks&#803;a (enlightenment), is determined by conduct.  \r\rKarma can be understood as a position in which individual responsibility is taken for action and reaction through the cycle of life, death and rebirth. As Swami Abhedananda of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Math in Calcutta has said, karma is: \r\r\"...the universal law of cause and effect, of action and reaction (meaning) that every cause must be followed by an effect of a similar nature, that every action must produce similar reaction, and conversely every reaction or effect is the result of an action or cause of a similar character.  Thus there is always a balance and harmony between cause and effect, between action and reaction.\" \r\rA disavowal of responsibility in human and world relationships means an unharmonious balance between cause and effect. Thus, for example, while humanity may not have an identifiable reason for patriarchal systems, taking responsibility for the effects of those systems, as well as for their transformation, is definitely a matter of individual karma.\r\rHow do you understand your relationship and/or your individual karma relative to systems and things you wish to change in the world? In your own life...for your own happiness? \r','Karma','','publish','open','open','','karma','','','2013-08-09 03:10:26','2013-08-09 03:10:26','',0,'In India, dualistic thinking certainly has been used to justify many inequalities and abuses. Such a worldview, however, runs against the force of the entire Indian philosophical tradition, which stresses non-duality.  The laws of karma, for example, are ',0,'post','',0),(99028,2,'2007-07-12 00:00:00','2007-07-12 18:00:00','A disparate chronology of development on the Indian sub-continent is said to have led to the emergence of traditions such as &#346;&#257;kta Tantra, which were largely an amalgamation of beliefs from unassimilated tribal people, outcastes, lower castes, and women, with more formalized patriarchal forms of worship. Thus, the &#346;&#257;kta tradition itself is a product of both &#256;ryan and other (tribal or Dravidian) influences,  because it brought together multiple sources over time in a cultural landscape that did not lose the \'prehistory\' of the goddess-worshipping peoples even as newer civilizations developed. \r\rIn Her, the Goddess, both the brahmanic (usually called &#256;ryan) and autochthonous or indigenous (usually called Dravadian) viewpoints were integrated. As David Kinsley notes regarding K&#257;l&#299;\'s appearance in the Hindu pantheon:\r\r\"It is well known that the brahmanic tradition for various reasons accepted into its fold (either willingly or unwillingly) many indigenous deities and customs. In just this way the Aryan tradition was able to accommodate very diverse peoples among the indigenous population.\" \r\rAnd as he continues noting Her development beyond Her origins :\r \r\"But at some point K&#257;l&#299; ceases to be an indigenous, tribal goddess, associated with the periphery of society, and begins to gain an amazing prominence in the pantheon. At this point, I think, one has to recognize the fact that K&#257;l&#299; has become a Hindu goddess, expressing the Hindu vision of things in her own way. The point is that K&#257;l&#299;\'s origins do not and cannot adequately explain her subsequent history. She eventually transcends her origins.\" \r \rMore generally, however, the assimilation process is further reflected mythically. As Vina Mazumdar and Kumud Sharma note:\r\r\"The process of assimilation made room for cultural myths and their ideological implications to continue side by side, often expressing contradictory ideological superstructures.  The influence of earlier matriarchal traditions continued virtually unbroken through various cultural symbols that identified female deities with important aspects of social life such as knowledge, wealth, energy, change, or humanity\'s quest for survival against destructive forces emanating from the underworld. At the same time, alternative male principles emanating from patriarchal traditions emerged and were assimilated through the process of divine marriages and adoption of familial relations between different deities.  As a result, Indian mythology encompasses a bisexual concept of reality (Ardhanarishwar).\" \r\rThe Sacred Androgyne image of the Divine has ramifications outside of pathological dualisms for the lives of men and women. Serena Nanda, for example, has opened the doors to the world of hijras in India, and her scholarship would be a good basis for further exploration of how deities such as Ardhanarishwar may be related to the bisexual, transgendered, or differently gendered manifestations of humanity with all that might imply.\r\rHow then does it feel to be honoring Hindu deities in the West? Are we simply part of the expected course of history? And how, if so, do we create a mythology that indeed affirms healing potentials from outside the normative western constructions of gender regarding the immanent as well as the transcendent aspects of divinity? \r','From Prehisory to Future Goddess: Kali and Beyond','','publish','open','open','','from-prehisory-to-future-goddess-kali-and-beyond','','','2013-08-09 03:10:26','2013-08-09 03:10:26','',0,'A disparate chronology of development on the Indian sub-continent is said to have led to the emergence of traditions such as &#346;&#257;kta Tantra, which were largely an amalgamation of beliefs from unassimilated tribal people, outcastes, lower castes, a',0,'post','',0),(99029,2,'2007-08-09 00:00:00','2007-08-09 18:00:00','The teaching of Kali in my dear relationships--how She has changed who I am and how I show up for those I love and who love me--has been to show me the path of a strong heart.  A  strong heart is one that has weathered many storms yet remains flexible and open to new potentials and realities. It is a heart of yoga (union) that breathes in moments of challenge seeking inner clarity in order to inform action. She teaches that strength is found in vulnerability and in a sincere willingness to completely surrender oneself...to completely offer oneself and one\'s ego...to the divine, often as expressed through others, in the crucible of relationship. She teaches that getting past one\'s ego attachments--really hard work because we\'re often so committed to our woundings, as I was--offers the real reward, which is freedom in love.\r\rMy intimate relationships have been both battle grounds and cremation grounds, to use two of Her most powerful metaphors. They have also, in the end, been fields of delight where the challenges offer immense opportunities. For the first, the metaphor of relationship as battle ground, there have been learnings for me around the importance of my weapons ( i.e., what they are and how to use them appropriately in times of need) and the importance of knowing when to surrender them in service to something higher than what I think is right, fair, appropriate or in line with justice. \r\rAll of this for me, i.e., my commitment to what is right or fair or just, has been of service in many ways in the world, but in many instances in relationship it has overshadowed love. In short, this has been the case in the past because I have had such a strong ego-attachment given early life experiences in a violent home, which of course wasn\'t right, fair or just. Her teaching has been though to realize that ego attachment fully and move beyond it to a place of love carried and emitted from a strong heart. Love is higher and deeper than all these things, and action from a place of love rather than anger is indeed Her revelation.\r\rHere is where the psycho-spiritual process Kali Maa provides gets intense, deeply powerful and ultimately brings healing. Which leads to the second metaphor. I have learned on Her cremation grounds to burn away the attachment to my need to make things fair, right and just above all else. Today, She has shown me the pain I have caused by not being fully present in such situations. She has shown me too that I am \'bigger\' than the hurts and fully capable of living from a place more deeply connected to the wellspring of Her embrace. This is Her path. \r\rWere I to sum it up, I would say that Kali embraces the fullest spectrum of what it means to be human. She helps us utilize our weapons to survive, helping us craft them skillfully so that they may serve; but she then transforms us when we\'re ready, if we walk with Her, to see that using them is not all life is about. She moves us to Her \'other\' side, where attachment is not found, where She and Siva sport, love, play and adventure in the freedom of a love that knows no projection. She moves us past our individual ahamkaras (egos) and their wants, needs and desires, if we pay attention and do the hard work, into a place of absolute yearning for the truth of the Divine, which is limitless bliss. I\'m not trying to speak poetically here. My own experience through the tremendous difficulties of love relationships has shown me what Her lessons can be, some of which I have briefly described. She has utterly transformed me and will continue to do so as I integrate Her teachings.\r\rI do not think Her path is easy or for the timid, but I do think it is as direct as one can get if seeking real, intimate and lasting partnership. Her lessons are big and they require deep work, especially a willingness to dive deep into the underworld (our shadow material) and resurface. Sometimes, that resurfacing is humbling, and again, in the vulnerability we find a stronger heart, a better, healthier place from which to love and be loved. I know it has taken me time to get through the largest blockages I have had; yet, it hasn\'t taken me a lifetime, and at 40 I am exuberant in life. So, while I am scared that I may not have done enough soon enough to be able to fulfill my dream of having a child, for example, I do trust in Her and in the other potentialities lain open by a stronger heart that this path has provided. I trust and I believe because I have seen the results born of my commitment to Her. \r\rI offer that so much more seems possible to me now...so much burned away in the process of relationship, the crucible of the heart...so much more is open now, things to which I was previously closed; so many more choices when the gaze is more clear. So much more of life and love to touch and be touched by. In this, my heart rejoices and I forgive myself for all the stubbornness and whatever else kept me from Her glory.\r\rWhat has She taught you? ','Teachings of Kali','','publish','open','open','','teachings-of-kali','','','2013-08-09 03:10:25','2013-08-09 03:10:25','',0,'The teaching of Kali in my dear relationships--how She has changed who I am and how I show up for those I love and who love me--has been to show me the path of a strong heart.  A  strong heart is one that has weathered many storms yet remains flexible and',0,'post','',3),(99030,2,'2008-02-22 00:00:00','2008-02-22 18:00:00','At SHARANYA, we hold monthly closed circles (in addition to our Daughters of Kali group) for initiates and those studying the Sha\'can path. At each meeting, we review material, learn new mantras and spiritual technologies, and do ceremony to help us embody the work we\'re doing individually and together. In February, we met to learn about yantras and possibilities for engagement with them. One of the points that arose from the teachings came out of the fact that in Tantra, we have seven different levels on which to engage with reality while on the spiritual journey. One way is through karma and our daily activities. \r\rWith this in mind, our discussion turned to mindfulness about food and drink, with several community members noting that putting a mantra on a bottle of water to have throughout the day is a great way to maintain mindfulness and dedicate prana consciously. Out of this idea and the corresponding reflection on the work of <a href=\"http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/entop.html\">Masaru Emoto</a>, our Pani Sadhana was born (click <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/shacan/FAQDoK.php4\">here</a> for a definition of sadhana)! \r\r<b>Week 1:</b> \r\rA practice suggestion for this week might be to work with the mantra found <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/lokahsamastah.php4\">here</a> for world happiness. Place the mantra on your water bottle and read it aloud before you drink. What do you notice? Feel free to share your reflections with us in community! \r\r','Pani Sadhana','','publish','open','open','','pani-sadhana','','','2013-08-09 03:10:25','2013-08-09 03:10:25','',0,'At SHARANYA, we hold monthly closed circles (in addition to our Daughters of Kali group) for initiates and those studying the Sha\'can path. At each meeting, we review material, learn new mantras and spiritual technologies, and do ceremony to help us embod',0,'post','',0),(99031,2,'2008-02-20 00:00:00','2008-02-20 07:00:00','This past weekend, SHARANYA hosted our 4th annual Kali Puja presentation at PantheaCon in San Jose. Intended to welcome those not familiar with the Sha\'can tradition and ways of honoring the Divine Mother as Kali, our community held space for over 100 lovers of the goddess. It was a splendid, rich gathering as we created sanctuary together by chanting \"Om Maa!\" as everyone filled the room, participants taking in the cleansing sounds of rattles and purifying sprinkles of water upon entering. \r\n\r\nWe began our evening presentation with an introduction through spoken word, helping those gathered understand the context for worship of Kali in our community.  Learning more about the Dark Goddess of India, some of her stories, how to approach Her and how to honor Her with her mantra, \"Om Krim Kalyai Namah,\" enabled those present to begin to understand the depth and beauty of this complex divinity. \r\n\r\nQuestions and answers finished, we transitioned to our ritual, a puja designed to include worshipers at all levels of devotion and practice. The room positively hummed as we began our heartbeat drum and shifted our energies and intentions to Her. Starting in the North, we began our invocations of the directions, community members stepping forward to call forth the powers of each cardinal point on the compass.  Walking the energy around the circle, we then blessed water, purified our altar, and proceeded to welcome in Ganesh, Agni, and our beloved Ancestors of past and future. This accomplished using English and Sanskrit invocations as well as bija (seed) mantras, we took time to remove curses from Devi (goddess) through recitation of the Shappodhara Mantra. This verse from the Chandi Path allowed all present to reflect upon the ways in which we malign ourselves as well as the Feminine in self and world, helping us to clear a space for new realizations of our connection to the Divine through every breath. \r\n\r\nWith a reconnection to our individual and collective intentions for the ceremony, we next together proceeded to invoke Lord Shiva with mantra and song, raising our voices to Him singing, \"Shiva, Shiva, Shiva Shambo, Hare, Hare, Hare Shambo!\". Yellow flowers imbued with participants\' blessings were placed upon the bathed lingham/yoni at the central altar, and we together intoned \"Hraum\" into silence, feeling Shiva\'s reverberations inside. \r\n\r\nNext, Maa Kali herself was asked to be present. With verse, Her Gayatri mantra, and an honoring through offering of Her 51 names, we then collectively breathed life into our work with the incantation, \"sa\'ham\" or \"She I am.\" With this meditation, our in-breath focused the \"sa\" and our exhalation focused the \"ham,\" each breath a release of our heart\'s yearning to be with and experience the Divine Mother. \r\n\r\nOnce present with us, we celebrated triumphantly, chanting and singing Her praises with \"Jai Maa!\". Raising energy was exhilarating, a rich experience of Her joy, mystery, power and compassion. Grounding after a time, we held space for gratitudes and then our closing prayer, a chant for the gifts of the Divine and a thanksgiving for all we are offered in the universe of possible unfoldings. Gratitudes to all the spirits and energies gathered were then articulated, and we opened our circle feeling deeply the community we had created in Her name and in Her service. \r\n\r\nOn behalf of all of us in SHARANYA, thank you lovers of Maa for making the evening so special. If you joined us for the event, please let us know of your experience! I can\'t wait until next year. ','PantheaCon 2008 - Kali Puja','','publish','open','open','','pantheacon-2008-kali-puja','','','2013-09-23 22:24:26','2013-09-24 05:24:26','',0,'This past weekend, SHARANYA hosted our 4th annual Kali Puja presentation at PantheaCon in San Jose. Intended to welcome those not familiar with the Sha\'can tradition and ways of honoring the Divine Mother as Kali, our community held space for over 100 lov',0,'post','',0),(99032,2,'2008-07-24 00:00:00','2008-07-24 07:00:00','We are just back from our annual pilgrimage to the sacred goddess sites of Tantrick India. While many friends and loved ones think us crazy for visiting during the hottest time of year, we can\'t resist India in the summertime! The reason for our voyage during Summer Solstice is the great Ambubachi Mela, or festival of the Divine Mother\'s Sacred Water. The festival is held at Kamakhya, a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus located just outside of Guwahati, the capital of Assam, in the northeast region of India. Primarily important to Shaktas, the site functions as the most important Shakta pitha, or <i>sacred seat</i> of the goddess for devotees (although you will find many other Hindu traditions represented at the festival).\r\n\r\nAcross India, fifty-one sacred pilgrimage sites are scattered across the land; however, the most sacred for Shaktas is Kamakhya. Can you guess why? The mandir, or sacred temple, to which pilgrims and devotees come to worship is situated on a beautiful hill overlooking the Brahmaputra river and the green lushness of Assam\'s tea plantations and jungles. It is here, the puranas (sacred texts) tell us, that the yoni (vulva or womb) of Devi (Goddess) fell to Earth.\r\n\r\nAt Kamakhya Mandir during a dark moon phase occurring once during the equivalent of our solar calendar year, usually corresponding with Solstice, devi\'s yoni is believed to release menstrual blood. The celebration and honoring during this time is known as Ambubachi. Annually drawing over 40,000 devotees primarily from eastern India, Ambubachi is at once a spiritual gathering and a celebration of connection to the fundamental life mysteries, bringing together women\'s bodies and Earth body in sacred celebration. Now you know why we bother...and perhaps sometime, you\'ll join us!\r\n\r\nTo imagine what this festival is like and how we honor Maa, you\'ll have to close your eyes. Imagine yourself descending a very steep staircase into the center of the Earth. The walls are dark and moist, the heat of the worshipers\' candles and the earth\'s springs creating a living sweat inside the small sanctum sanctorum, known in India as the <i>garbhagriha</i>, or place where the holy of holies resides. This holy of holies is none other than the yoni of the Goddess, literally a vulva-shaped stone (about the size of a beach ball) in the ground that has been honored as such in all likelihood since pre-Vedic times. The stone is worn down with the centuries of devotees\' adoration, and a spring provides a pool of water in which it rests. She is at the center, a <i>bindu</i> or cosmic center contained within the borders of a carved yantra. As you approach, get down on your knees and touch the stone with your right hand. Now, touch the water surrounding Her and bless yourself. Take away some of the flowers you have offered as a sacred souvenir.\r\n\r\nKnow that no one may look upon Her directly--all who visit look upon and touch Her through a dressing of red cloth and flowers. Out of respect, the priests who are Her guardians even perform the requisite bath and other initial rites blindfolded. But you and the other devotees on this day have experienced much beyond the seen world. Take it all in, and know you can come back any time you wish. Open your eyes and bring the worlds together. Let us know what She has gifted you with today!','Devi\'s Yoni: The Divine Mother Kamakhya','','publish','open','open','','devis-yoni-the-divine-mother-kamakhya','','','2013-09-23 21:42:25','2013-09-24 04:42:25','',0,'We are just back from our annual pilgrimage to the sacred goddess sites of Tantrick India. While many friends and loved ones think us crazy for visiting during the hottest time of year, we can\'t resist India in the summertime! The reason for our voyage du',0,'post','',2),(99033,2,'2008-10-10 00:00:00','2008-10-10 18:00:00','For many people, culture, tradition and religion provide boundaries for what an acceptable relationship with the unseen world looks like. As Samhain, Divali (time of the Bengali Kali Puja and SHARANYA\'s <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/calendar\">Kali Puja Festival</a>) and All Hallows Eve approach, what better time to consider our own connection to the Divine, especially as it may transcend or in any way go beyond the normative. \r\rAcross time and across cultures, a special yearning for the Divine (God/dess), or special search for divine healing has often taken shamans, mystics and saints, both women and men, into ecstatic states of consciousness that lead to alternative behavior. Often in the west, we see the behaviors and just simply call these prophets, witches, and seers \'mad.\' Perhaps this resonates with you! Plato offered different types of appropriate divine madness: 1) <i>mantic</i>, which brings divination; 2) <i>telestic</i>, which brings possession trance (through ritual); 3) <i>poetic</i>, which enables poetic furor and enthusiasm; and, 4) <i>erotic</i>, which brings frenzied love. \r\rWhat are the ways in which you approach the Divine? How do you resonate with divinely-inspired madness? ','Divine Madness','','publish','open','open','','divine-madness','','','2013-08-09 03:10:25','2013-08-09 03:10:25','',0,'For many people, culture, tradition and religion provide boundaries for what an acceptable relationship with the unseen world looks like. As Samhain, Divali (time of the Bengali Kali Puja and SHARANYA\'s <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/calendar\">Kali Puja',0,'post','',0),(99034,2,'2008-11-13 00:00:00','2008-11-13 18:00:00','I marched last Friday. I marched because for me, it was the right thing to do. But I marched in silence amidst the cheers and horns and chants. I walked in silence because the power of my presence, mine joined with so many others, made a statement in and of itself. I walked in silence because the quiet time was at once good for self-reflection and supportive of communion with my mother, a proud lesbian, who I know was watching and walking with me from the other side. Silence because I had moved past my upset into grief...and my grief was both small and monumental. Small in its holding of personal loved ones and friends during this challenging time; monumental because I could not separate this protest from Gandhi\'s salt march (which ultimately led to the liberation of India), from the Civil Rights movement in this country not too long ago, or from my personal activism in Pennsylvania and D.C. as a 20-something fighting for animal rights. All were striking a similar chord in my heart, a chord that was reverberating with the pain of the oppressed and marginalized, the voiceless and the silenced. I have counted myself, at times, among them, and like many of  you, have found that often my only solace is Her. Only the power of silence, the place that contains the whole of human experience on its way to remembering the Divine, can contain all that. \r\n\r\nFrom my moments of silent contemplation, witnessing, and reflection, I slowly came to realize as I walked that my personal beliefs were such a small part of the picture. Of course, mine is just one vote, but I don\'t just mean small in that sense. I mean that what I believe is only a fraction of the power I have to create change. Yes, my beliefs got me there, walking down Market Street, and yes, that was important. But what became overwhelmingly clear as I felt my insides aching was that what mattered more than my beliefs was my feelings about them and how I engaged that in the world. In working through my incredulousness that people could hold (fill in your adjective here) views on marriage, I first dealt with my anger and then my hurt. I then came gradually to connect more with the feelings of empathy I carried with and for others in the parade. Finally, I allowed my awareness to leap out of the container my beliefs had shaped, a container filled with dualistic thinking about morality and ethics (most in black and white), and found a place of compassion that had no boundaries, that was every color of the rainbow at the same time that it was astoundingly clear; a translucence in which mind, heart, spirit and soul together resided. My power to create change, I remembered, lies in all of me.\r\n\r\nI laughed as I thought that only a weekend prior, I had been sitting on a ferry on the way to Catalina pissed off by the choices of the woman who sat in front of me, wearing her buttons and political sweatshirt proudly. Why, I thought, did she have to sit directly in my line of sight? Initially, I lamented my bad luck. Then I was angry. Then I felt hurt. She had it out for me, didn\'t she? My thoughts ensued, a rolling escalation of feelings...she stood in opposition to all in which I believed, acted to impinge upon my personal freedom and the freedom of those I love, hated what I cared for most, and probably only #$%*ed in one position. Then, I stopped the tirade and just looked. What did I know about her? Did we have anything in common? Did she, too, love chocolate, her cat, and her boyfriend? Were her reasons for doing so wrong? I opened my heart to her and settled back in my seat, the feelings quieting into a place strengthened by spiritual practice, finally dissolving into a place of peacefulness. When I next opened my eyes, she was gone, moved to another part of the ship.  \r\n\r\nYet, here we all were at this march making a statement; it was an important statement about equality and social justice. At certain times when the passion moved through me, I raised my fist feeling the power of those gathered: straight, gay, transgendered, and those who prefer more fluid definitions of sexual orientation. Sometimes, I  choked on a sob. Sometimes, I smiled and felt overcome with joy because so many were willing to be so out. I left the march moved. I left empowered. I left hopeful, trusting that this issue too would be behind us soon. I left thinking that perhaps this time we can do the right thing in a good, lasting, and beautiful way--a way that carries the tears of pain and hurt into an ocean of acceptance and love; a way that transforms rage and the only way into compassion and the way of honored possibilities; a way that lays the ground work for the future. \r\n\r\nHow do we get there? That, I believe, is for each of us personally to answer for ourselves, with our loved ones, with our families, and in our communities. I do believe that a helpful starting place in this is an open heart that has done its spiritual homework and continues to make that commitment with every breath...one that is full in its humanity; one that honors, listens and challenges; one that breathes into tension, surrenders, and chooses love above fear. A teacher reminded me the other night that when fear is present, there is no compassion. Did you know that compassion means literally, to be together in suffering?  If we have compassion, we are together; if we do not, we are not. No matter where we stand in the political spectrum, we are suffering by virtue of our beingness. From this place, what do we choose? ','The Choices We Make','','publish','open','open','','the-choices-we-make','','','2013-09-25 21:11:53','2013-09-26 04:11:53','',0,'I marched last Friday. I marched because for me, it was the right thing to do. But I marched in silence amidst the cheers and horns and chants. I walked in silence because the power of my presence, mine joined with so many others, made a statement in and ',0,'post','',0),(99035,2,'2009-01-09 00:00:00','2009-01-09 18:00:00','<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/kaliimage-e1380167925386.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-100331 imgborder\" alt=\"SHARANYA Sanctuary Kali Maa\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/kaliimage-e1380094553655.jpg\" width=\"350\" height=\"467\" /></a>We at SHARANYA are planting seeds for conversations about all aspects of human engagement in and with life when visited through the lens of deep spirituality and our heart-felt love of Maa.\r\n\r\n<strong>Deep spirituality</strong> is a term we use in our tradition to highlight a recognition that inner and outer worlds inform and create reality; that the whole of the cosmos is interrelated, that sustainability is the heart of our soul\'s yearning, and that social justice is the result of a heightened spiritual awareness. This concept is ancient at the same time that it is new; and our intention is to connect old wisdom with new manifestations and get us conjuring together in community.\r\n\r\nIs what you practice a form of deep spirituality?\r\n\r\nWe know and experience ourselves the challenges of how to be spiritual in the mundane world; how to be fully who we are during our day job; how to show up as someone who practices <i>choice spirituality</i>, a path that is a luxury to discover and not marginalizing in its characteristics or connotations. Can deep spirituality help us with these challenges? Can community? Can our individual practice, especially when offered and undertaken from a place of deep spirituality?\r\n\r\nNo matter what your spiritual inspiration or longing, deep spirituality recognizes the need for individual change, the reconciling of worlds, the opening of hearts, and the surrendering of egos. In doing so, we individually and collectively affirm that life-affirming change in the world is possible, and moreover, real. At SHARANYA, this is at the heart of our tradition, Sha\'can, a Western Shakta Tantra. It is much of what our committed practice with one another cultivates, and we invite you to journey with us in your own way!\r\n\r\nProponents of deep spirituality understand that being deeply spiritual is not enough. Deep spirituality says that we each have a sacred charge to take that spirituality out into the world, again, in our own unique way--even if that is by virtue of merely living from a place of authenticity, as a willing participant in life with commitment to a transforming self/Self and honoring that which we are and that which we are becoming. Deep spirituality is in this way an evolving (r)evolution of thought and practice set in the contexts we individually and collectively inhabit. It is inspired and informed by transpersonal psychology, various wisdom traditions, ancient truths and mysticisms, and other \"deep\" movements (for example, deep ecology, deep ecumenism and depth psychology, et al.).\r\n\r\nWhat resonates with your own engagement of deep spirituality? We welcome your thoughts and assistance in helping to crystalize more concretely ideas about what deep spirituality is and does while at the same time instigating insights and potentially the impetus for more pathways to living life in integrity and with respect.','Choosing Our Path and Making a Difference','','publish','open','open','','deep-spirituality-choosing-our-path-and-making-a-difference','','','2013-09-25 21:01:13','2013-09-26 04:01:13','',0,'<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/kaliimage-e1380167925386.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-100331 imgborder\" alt=\"SHARANYA Sanctuary Kali Maa\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/kaliimage-e1380094553655.jpg\" wid',0,'post','',2),(99036,2,'2009-02-17 00:00:00','2009-02-17 07:00:00','Jai Maa! OM MAA! Jai Maa!\r\rThis weekend\'s Kali Puja was a glorious coming together of friends old and new...a veritable Tantrick festival within the walls of the Doubletree in San Jose!  I hope you were able to join us for <b>Kali Puja: Devotion & Worship of the Divine Mother</b>; and if not, don\'t fear - come be with us this upcoming weekend in San Francisco when we gather for Shivaratri and Kali Puja in Her name on Sunday (Feb 22nd - more details and RSVP on our <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/calendar/\">website</a>).  \r\rOver 150 people joined us in chanting the divine names of the Goddess, and we filled the space with our love, devotion, prayers, mantras and sacred meditations. The ethers were alight as the first sounds of OM Maa! filled the San Jose/Santa Clara meeting rooms (we just know that whoever holds an event there this week will feel the reverberations in the walls!), and everyone came together through rosemary water blessings to honor Kali Maa.  \r\rThe mood of the evening (we began at 11pm) was one of love and heart opening even as we remembered and gave witness to the dark spaces and work of the shadow...all necessary on the spiritual path if one is to come into the wholeness of the soul\'s potential.  During the first thirty minutes of the program, we challenged ourselves to go deeper into spiritual awakening by conjuring just such a relationship to the dark; one that ultimately heals us by inviting us to kiss the wounds of this and other lifetimes. With and by Her grace, we are able to do this...for Maa is one goddess who holds the totality of the Real, both seen and unseen. \r\rWe worked our breath together through sacred syllables, beginning with Sa\'Ham - She I Am, taking the in-breath on \"Sa\" and the outbreath on \"Ham.\" Enlivened in our bodies, we were also able to touch deeper places of connection to Her, learning the mantra, \"OM KRIM KALYAI NAMAH,\" an invocation and honoring of the Divine in its absolute, undifferentiated state; its essence and essential qualities; and its personified form as Kali, the Mother and Dark Goddess who is there in our images, reflections, visualizations and other manifest forms. \r\rAfter our opening contemplations and explorations of the inner mysteries (\"What is true?\"), we transitioned into our puja with a scream, a heart-opening, soul-tugging scream set to unleash the wildness of our insides, our passions, our fears, and our longing. Energy thus released and our bodies and emotions freed from some of their entanglements, we proceeded to cast our circle, call the directions, and invoke the deities and spirits of our worship: Agni, Ganesha, the ancestors, Shiva and Maa Kali. \r\rAll gathered and circled as community began <i>aarati</i>, the honoring of Maa\'s presence with light and other offerings, singing \"Jai Maa!\", Victory to the Divine Mother! Thus called and celebrated, everyone got to receive <i>darshan</i>, the gift of connection to Maa through the meeting of soul and Spirit given through Her eyes.\r\rOur deepest gratitudes to everyone who participated in the puja. Your love and willingness to explore Her so fully made for an electric event. Gratitudes too to those in the SHARANYA community who helped in the creation of the evening by building altars, holding space, grounding and otherwise adding to the beauty of the ceremony. \r\rIf you have attended this or other SHARANYA pujas, we\'d love to hear your comments about the ritual and your experiences born of that and Maa\'s crucible. Jai Maa! Hope to see you at another puja soon!  \r','PantheaCon 2009 - Kali Puja','','publish','open','open','','pantheacon-2009-kali-puja','','','2013-09-23 22:09:16','2013-09-24 05:09:16','',0,'Jai Maa! OM MAA! Jai Maa!\r\rThis weekend\'s Kali Puja was a glorious coming together of friends old and new...a veritable Tantrick festival within the walls of the Doubletree in San Jose!  I hope you were able to join us for <b>Kali Puja: Devotion & Worship',0,'post','',0),(99037,2,'2009-02-23 00:00:00','2009-02-23 18:00:00','Over forty people gathered last evening in celebration of Maa Kali and Lord Shiva. We came together, new faces and regular attendees alike, to fall even more deeply in love with the Divine. \r\rOur regular venue, the Cultural Integration Fellowship, hosted us on this rainy night as each of us found breath awareness and connection to the grounding energies of Earth. We inwardly began articulating and igniting a sacred intention in our hearts before entering the worship space lovingly created by initiates and those in <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/shacan/dok.php4\">Daughters of Kali</a>, as well as through the grace of extended community and family who lent a hand with preparations. Our intentions set, we crossed the <i>temenos</i>, the sacred threshold between realities, and stepped through cleansing sacred smoke into the mandir. \r\rThe syllables, \"Om Maa!\" vibrated throughout the temple as we chanted in unison, our circle organically growing as one-by-one we entered the room. Our main altar glowing with candlelight, the beauty of sacred images and flickers of anticipation were reflected in our eyes. The scent of red roses and carnations filled the space as we sung Her sacred names from the world\'s traditions. We readied ourselves for the work, experience, inspiration and devotion of the evening. \r\rIf you have been to one of our pujas, you know what happens next! Through connection to our own inner light and inspiration, we create sacred space, invoke the directions, welcome in helpful guides and spirits, ancestors, and deities. We call out to Lord Shiva and Maa Kali through mantra and song, allowing the longing inside to be expressed, witnessed and felt.  \r\rLast night, our yearning was augmented as we sang to Shiva (click <a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409848869\">here</a>  to learn more about Shivaratri) and made space for the offering of special prayers.  Shiva was sung to as Brother and Father; community added words as devotions; and we stepped together into the land of Mahadeva, Great God, through ancient Sanskrit mantra. Singing together, \"Shiva Shiva Shiva Shambo - Hare Hare Hare Shambo - Mahadeva Shambo,\" <i>abhisheka</i> (pouring blessing) was performed with milk and honey. Everyone made offerings of yellow flowers to the white marble <i>lingham-yoni</i>, a symbol of Shiva and Shakti, at the center of the <i>mandap</i> (place for meditation in front of the main altar).  We took our time, allowing the energy of the Sacred Male, the Divine Masculine, to be with us and in us...we shared in the blessings of Shiva, Lord of the Dance, He Who Grants Liberation, on this evening of celebration!\r\rDevotions to Maa followed, the offering of hearts and souls to Her embrace. \"Om Krim Kalyai Namah!\" we chanted, allowing ourselves to drop into meditation... \r\r<i><center>This is the essence of Tantra.  Come closer, your toes no longer merely touching the water, \ryour body slowly, like your breath, entering the depths \rwhere the waves no longer catapult you from side to side. \rIn this place of stillness you are held beneath the flows of your attachments, \rweightless in the dark, and the holding is strong. \rHere, you are forever alone. Do you feel it in the silence?\r \rHere, the swift blackness awakens like a sword severing sounds \rfrom the alphabet of sacred syllables and you become the diffused center\r of all that ever was, is and will be. Her sacred gift, you are potential. \rYour offering accepted, you are complete and you are free?????\rliberated from this world and its encumbrances.  \rHere, you may choose anything in the universe of possibilities. Even to stay. </i></center>\r<i><center>Chant loudly and breathe long to the bottom of your soul. \rThere is richness beyond what you hear and see, taste and touch and feel. \rThere is the uncovering through the action of Her red tongue, \rflicking past desires and </i>ahamkara<i>, the smallness of our selfish I-ness. \rIf nothing else, know you are embraced as you remember the feeling \rof your toes entering the waters of awakening. </i></center>\rCelebration and incantation, resounding chorus of \"Jai Maa!\" echoing, a feeling of delight and mystery at the opening, even deeper, into ourselves.  Do come and join us next month!\r\r\r','Jai Maa & Om Hraum Namah Shivaya!','','publish','open','open','','jai-maa-om-hraum-namah-shivaya','','','2013-08-09 03:10:25','2013-08-09 03:10:25','',0,'Over forty people gathered last evening in celebration of Maa Kali and Lord Shiva. We came together, new faces and regular attendees alike, to fall even more deeply in love with the Divine. \r\rOur regular venue, the Cultural Integration Fellowship, hosted ',0,'post','',0),(99038,2,'2009-02-26 00:00:00','2009-02-26 07:00:00','We gathered under the energies of the new moon on Tuesday to breathe. We gathered to connect to the energies of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. We gathered to find our inner teachers, the ones who know the direct path to our souls, to the unfolding awareness of the Divine embodied eternal. \r\n\r\nNew moons are interesting times, for they contain powerful energetic expressions of the path to silence. And so we sat, five of us in a circle in SHARANYA\'s Sanctuary, connecting to one another and the larger community, to those who were also holding space in meditation with us from afar.  Candles surrounding us, Maa before us, we began. \r\n\r\nWe had all come from another reality into this space, and so took a few moments to get comfortable, relax, and set our individual intentions. After some pranayama and guided visualization on our internal landscape, we moved to silence. Five of us breathing, some with sustained yogic breath, five of us releasing into the silence our thoughts and emotional attachments, we together smoothly entered the quiet space where all potentials reside and there is nothing to do but be. (Some of us had never met before, but the transition from outside to inside, from stranger to sister or brother seeker was swift. Such a gift!)\r\n\r\nThirty minutes in silence ended with the ringing of a singing bowl and the felt vibrations of sound in fingers, toes and the akashic spaces that respond to subtle stimulations.  We allowed awareness of our heartbeats to return and then re-engaged our bodies on the floor. Chanting \"AUM,\" we came together again, having moved between worlds, now back and present it the room. \r\n\r\nMeditation is a fine art, a dedicated practice; it is also a very accessible treasure, a commitment to oneself that is easily achieved because it can be undertaken almost anywhere. All that is needed is a bit of intention setting and inspiration. Meditation is at once easy and profound; you just sit...and you go places! \r\n\r\nAlthough there are many complex descriptions of how to properly do meditation and myriad offerings of what techniques are required, the simple fact remains that <i>dhyana</i> (meaning contemplation or meditation), is possible for everyone to do and its benefits are both long-lasting and immediate.  Certainly, over time as your practice becomes stronger, you will notice that the benefits increase. Yet, regardless of how long you have been doing meditation, your doing it makes a difference throughout all the worlds.  To start, you just allow yourself to quiet inside and breathe. \r\n\r\nHow do you meditate? Let us know how you spent this past new moon, if you joined in with us or worked the energies another way.  And whether or not you can join us in person, do join us for our next circle: <b>Purnima (Full Moon) Meditation </b> will be held on March 10th at 7pm (PST). ','Amavasya (New Moon) Meditation Experience','','publish','open','open','','amavasya-new-moon-meditation-experience','','','2013-09-25 22:56:31','2013-09-26 05:56:31','',0,'We gathered under the energies of the new moon on Tuesday to breathe. We gathered to connect to the energies of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. We gathered to find our inner teachers, the ones who know the direct path to our souls, to the unfolding awa',0,'post','',0),(99039,2,'2009-03-11 00:00:00','2009-03-11 07:00:00','The full moon is a time of expanded awareness, the moon a sacred instigation to move more deeply into our unconscious, into our dreams, and into our inner spaces for insight and embodied wisdom. Yesterday evening, we gathered in the Sanctuary to harness some of Soma\'s power, opening to the moon\'s energy, elixir of both humans and the gods, to help us find and then begin translating that inner wisdom into conscious intention.\r\n\r\nOur work in circle was focused on <i>pratyahara</i> practices, meaning those spiritual exercises that help us detach from external phenomenal awareness and enter more fully into the internal landscape of consciousness, doing so for exploration, deepening, and potential revelation.  Beginning with <i>pranayama</i>, sometimes called breath work, we started to activate <i>shakti</i>, the primal life-force energy. \r\n\r\nPrana means vital energy, and it is carried throughout the body on and with the breath. In this practice, energy is called <i>prana-shakti</i> to acknowledge the force that on one level is associated with our soul and on another level is connected to the larger expanse of universal power and potential. Prana was the foundation of our engagement with Soma through the immortality of our human yearning as activated by the <i>amrita</i> of divine inspiration.  \r\n\r\nFrom pranayama, an awakening into the subtle language of sound, we engaged the ancient practice of <i>trataka</i>, or fixed gaze, and entered the inner spaces where light and shadow, form and meaning, begin to take on new resonances. Three cycles of trataka complete, we ventured into the territory of spontaneous arisings, allowing the full moon to guide our explorations.  My own work revealed new understandings of the power of the moon\'s blessings and gave this energy a beautiful face. Looking much like an opalescent Kwan Yin, my divinity emerged from a cloudy haze of instability, quickly taking shape and transforming into, yes, a vision; but moreover an experience. \r\n\r\nAfter an hour, our focusings and meditations were complete and we enjoyed sharing in the satsang about our individual experiences. Our closing gratitudes culminated in the Pavamana Mantra: \r\n\r\n<center><i><b>Om Asatoma Sad Gamaya\r\nTamasoma Jyotir Gamaya\r\nMrityorma Amritam Gamaya</i></b></center>\r\n\r\nThis mantra may be found <a href=\"/the-path/mantras/\">here</a>, where you may listen, learn the Sanskrit in the original, work with a transliteration to help facilitate pronunciation, and get an English translation. \r\n\r\n','Purnima (Full Moon) Practice & Meditation','','publish','open','open','','purnima-full-moon-practice-meditation','','','2013-10-08 21:46:48','2013-10-09 04:46:48','',0,'The full moon is a time of expanded awareness, the moon a sacred instigation to move more deeply into our unconscious, into our dreams, and into our inner spaces for insight and embodied wisdom. Yesterday evening, we gathered in the Sanctuary to harness s',0,'post','',0),(99040,2,'2009-03-24 00:00:00','2009-03-24 18:00:00','Women have long been the keepers of spiritual wisdom and insight, with numerous traditions around the globe providing examples of women\'s esteemed presence, practice, leadership, and mystical experience in communion with the Divine, however that may be defined. Still, in a world dominated by patriarchal faiths and institutions, women are often excluded from positions of spiritual leadership?????even in traditions where goddess is honored. More specifically, the role of women is often confined to either that of supplicant in the house of god or to that of household worshiper, women being relegated in many faiths to supportive roles alone, with their powers and passions confined to the more private spheres of life.\r\n\r\nWithin contemporary Paganism and some forms of Hinduism, notably Shakkta Tantra, however, a different story is clear: women are spiritual and community leaders within their traditions, commanding respect and honor for the carrying out of their sacred charge as defined within those communities and traditions. While ordination requirements, roles, and specific functions may vary, I argue in this presentation to the American Academy of Religion at yesterday\'s <a href=\"http://www.aarweb.org/About_AAR/Regions/Western/Website/\">Western Regional Conference</a> and based on preliminary findings, that women clergy from the goddess-centered pathways of Paganism and Hinduism, regardless of personal and regional variances, offer us today both inspiration and an opportunity toward post-patriarchal renderings of power and authority in our spiritual communities and houses of worship. With this, women clergy too offer new possibilities as role models in not only the immediacy of their congregations and spiritual communities, but also in all the spaces they choose to inhabit as empowered female leaders.\r\n\r\nDo you act as a spiritual leader in your goddess-centered tradition? Tell us more! Take our <a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/questionnaire.php?action=email&sId=1393&email=\">on-line survey</a> and read the full text of my Goddess Studies panel presentation <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/voices/AAR2009WESCOR.pdf\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n','Voices of the Goddess: Women Clergy in East & West','','publish','open','open','','voices-of-the-goddess-women-clergy-in-east-west','','','2013-09-23 23:32:07','2013-09-24 06:32:07','',0,'Women have long been the keepers of spiritual wisdom and insight, with numerous traditions around the globe providing examples of women\'s esteemed presence, practice, leadership, and mystical experience in communion with the Divine, however that may be de',0,'post','',0),(99041,2,'2009-05-13 00:00:00','2009-05-13 18:00:00','<center><img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/2009berkeleypaganpride.jpg\" width=500 height=276 alt=\"2009 Berkeley Pagan Pride Day\"></center><p>\r\rThis past Saturday, SHARANYA enjoyed a day at the park in Berkeley for Pagan Pride Day. This is the fourth time we\'ve participated in the festival, and this year, the weather was absolutely beautiful, spirits delightful, and everyone in a good mood it seemed! \r\rWe offered friends new and old information about our Devi Mandir and Kali Pujas, told stories, connected across traditions, gave away \"Jai Maa!\" bracelets, and honored goddess through our interactions and the sharing of appreciation back and forth in Her name. So many traditions, costumes, invocations, languages, and expressions of devotion were present in that small public square. What a blessing that we could gather to celebrate, listen and learn together.  What a blessing that we could share our love of Maa with so many! \r\rThank you to everyone who helped make the day happen in person, in spirit, and in intention. \r\rJai Maa!\r\r','2009 Berkeley Pagan Pride Day','','publish','open','open','','2009-berkeley-pagan-pride-day','','','2013-08-09 03:10:24','2013-08-09 03:10:24','',0,'<center><img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/2009berkeleypaganpride.jpg\" width=500 height=276 alt=\"2009 Berkeley Pagan Pride Day\"></center><p>\r\rThis past Saturday, SHARANYA enjoyed a day at the park in Berkeley for Pagan Pride Day. This is the fourth ',0,'post','',0),(99042,2,'2009-05-20 00:00:00','2009-05-20 18:00:00','Tantra and the Craft are both filled with the workings of magic, with charms and spells, protections and talismans. Practitioners the world over do magic--the mindful altering of consciousness--in order to affect the seen and/or unseen worlds. Whether through meditation, focused concentration, or other means, the ancient practices of Tantra help us engage in the work of transforming consciousness at will. Here then is the beginning of a series on practical magickal spells and other conjurings that you can use to facilitate your work with and learnings about <i>shakti</i> (energy) and <i>shiva</i> (consciousness) in the Sha\'can tradition. \r\r<small>NOTE: This is offered only as a guide and no results are guaranteed; as with all magickal work, be mindful of your ego, intentions, and ethics. </small>\r\r<b>Divination to Tell if Someone is Trustworthy</b>\r\rSometimes, it would be helpful to know if the truth is being told or if we can risk trusting someone. This spell is a guide to helping you make decisions and determine steps toward right relationship. (It is not intended to provide a \'right\' answer; just a starting place for open, honest communication.) \r\rBegin with some simple grounding and centering to attune yourself to the most helpful energies and guides for this work. Invite them in, those beneficent guides and spirits (known or unknown) who wish to be present. Open your heart as you breathe deeply into your body, drawing on the collected wisdom of those who have come to assist you as well as your own embodied connection to Truth.  \r\rStand facing East and spread your arms, palms up to the sky. As you continue to breathe from your core, release attachment to outcomes and agendas, freeing yourself as much as possible from your own desires. The better you are able to do this, the more clear will be the results. Now, visualize in your mind\'s eye the situation or person about whom you wish to know and connect as best as you can to that energy. Sensing into their eyes and/or establishing a felt presence (you may wish to visualize a field of silver light) can aid your connection. Breathe deeply into this connection, and again open your heart.\r\rWith this connection established and your guides and/or other helpful spirits activated and in attendance, ask a simple Yes/No question, such as, \"Is (name of person) speaking the truth?\" In response, your right hand will be weighted down if they are truthful, and your left hand will be weighted down if they are not.  You may need to wait a moment before the answer arrives, and it may be that there is no clear direction offered. Should you have difficulty in interpreting the results, try again at another time; but do not repeat this spell to \'double-check\' the answer you receive.\r','Abhicarika: Magickal Spells','','publish','open','open','','abhicarika-magickal-spells','','','2013-08-09 03:10:24','2013-08-09 03:10:24','',0,'Tantra and the Craft are both filled with the workings of magic, with charms and spells, protections and talismans. Practitioners the world over do magic--the mindful altering of consciousness--in order to affect the seen and/or unseen worlds. Whether thr',0,'post','',0),(99043,2,'2009-06-19 00:00:00','2009-06-19 07:00:00','<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/DSC_0102-e1379997138201.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-100275 imgborder alignnone\" alt=\"Yoni Puja 2009\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/DSC_0102-e1379997138201.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"375\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Not having done it before, I was not sure what to expect, and went into Yoni Puja pretty much as The Fool. Putting the yoni altar together was very powerful for me, especially as I had been in a pretty bad mood and not feeling very well. I\'d gotten my period that day, and the past several months they\'ve been a bit rocky, if not extremely difficult. I\'m doing things to manage it, but this is all part of the Change. I often think of my mother now, and her experiences at my age. I wish she had been able to come to Yoni Puja, and I was happy when she showed up with the ancestors.\r\n\r\nI think mainly I found this puja to be very loving and accepting, especially in a self-love and self-acceptance way. My <i>sankalpa</i> (sacred intention) for the ritual was forgiveness, of myself and others, and I have been surprised (and somewhat dismayed) at how much I need to forgive, mainly in myself. I have been feeling tested a lot, as I have experienced a real uptick in noticing my own negative self talk, and negative thoughts about others, and yet continually making the choice to let those illusions go...to accept the feelings and release the judgments.\r\n\r\nIt\'s been quite an awakening and a real challenge the past few days, although I feel very protected and loved by Maa through this. Sad, vulnerable, somewhat lonely, but the forgiveness and love I need from myself are definitely there. <b>- Jayada</b>, on her first Yoni Puja</blockquote>','Yoni Puja: Celebrating Goddess, Women, Creation & The Feminine','','publish','open','open','','yoni-puja-celebrating-goddess-women-creation-the-feminine','','','2013-09-23 23:13:39','2013-09-24 06:13:39','',0,'<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/DSC_0102-e1379997138201.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-100275 imgborder alignnone\" alt=\"Yoni Puja 2009\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/DSC_0102-e1379997138201.jpg\" width=\"45',0,'post','',0),(99044,2,'2009-07-15 00:00:00','2009-07-15 07:00:00','<blockquote>You are almost through an intense period of waiting. The learnings of the recent past are adequately fermented and are now ready to issue forth a great elixir; you are almost ready to bring into creation a great amrita, that sacred substance of moon juice ambrosia so treasured by Goddess. Remember to breathe. Look inside. Are you impatient for an outcome? If so, relax and ask yourself if you will be able to responsibly handle whatever happens...or are your expectations so great that they may shatter brand new potentials?</blockquote>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/KaliAltarChitrika.jpg\" align=center> \r\n\r\nPilgrimage--a sacred journey--has the capacity, should we choose to engage it, to take us to the heart of our beingness. Every year, I set out for India, land of the ancients, homeland of the Divine Mother and the one to whom I have dedicated myself, Kali Maa. On these trips, I do my best to open to the possibilities and to the realities; for India is a place of shattering, and I am no stranger to the perils (both seen and unseen) of each voyage. \r\n\r\nI go knowing that what happens there is ultimately good--the challenges of this world only serve to amplify the potentials open in the realms of intuition--and I remind myself over and over again that faith is but courage tied to yearning. So I deal with all with which my senses must contend, and I open wide my eyes to the harshness of the legacy of colonialism. All the while, I stare at Her, she who has been kept alive in the hearts and minds of the people for millennia. Certainly, there were valiant attempts to shut Her out; but to no avail. Active is Her worship, alive and well, potent and ubiquitous on the subcontinent. \r\n\r\nMy visits these past eleven years have focused on the most holy of Tantrick shrines, the sacred seats of the goddess where shakti, the universal feminine force, dances before your eyes in the diyas (ghee lamp-lights) offered in devotion as much as in the spark of Her eyes in the temple. At Kamakhya, Kalighat, Tarapith and the other <i>shakta pithas</i> (the 51 sacred seats of goddess), She is revealed in the grace of both beauty and harshness, catalyzing transformation. \r\n\r\nThis year, my practice having settled into a new place, I asked myself why I go. \"Maa,\" I whined, \"if you are everywhere, why do I traipse half-way around the world to be with you?\" The answer I found lay in the footsteps of the men and women carrying more than their own body weight up the hilly alleyways of Kolkata for a meager meal and insurance of another day of living:  \r\n\r\n\"My power,\" She said, \"lies in the simple acts of faith that move us into life rather than away from it. You who reside in the West forget too easily what it means to be alive, what a responsibility it is. Here, where my roots are strong and deep, you are reminded of the fight; of how important is the struggle; of what it means to climb out of the hole of despair because you must. You are reminded, but only if you pay attention, of how truly reflective my world is of yours and how much you live in denial of this truth. Here, you wake up just a bit more whether you are ready or not...and that is my gift to you. \"\r\n\r\nHave you been on pilgrimage? What have you learned or experienced that has made a difference, been a catalyst for change, or propelled you to new adventures? \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n ','Pilgrimage: Walking in the Footsteps of Goddess','','publish','open','open','','pilgrimage-walking-in-the-footsteps-of-goddess','','','2013-09-23 21:54:46','2013-09-24 04:54:46','',0,'<blockquote>You are almost through an intense period of waiting. The learnings of the recent past are adequately fermented and are now ready to issue forth a great elixir; you are almost ready to bring into creation a great amrita, that sacred substance o',0,'post','',2),(99045,2,'2009-07-23 00:00:00','2009-07-23 07:00:00','<blockquote>Tuesday was both the New Moon and Solar Eclipse.  Personally, I really did not know what to expect.  Often, the New Moon energy is not something with which I am comfortable; I always feel the dark, void, or emptiness...which is not within my comfort zone.  \r\n\r\nOn Monday, I had started some hypnotherapy work with my therapist focused on significant relationships in my life and how they felt energetically, as well as how I could do some healing around making necessary changes.  With this in mind, I really was looking forward to Tuesday\'s ritual/meditation in the SHARANYA sanctuary as it was the New Moon and this would complement my work by bringing in love.  Then, I find out that it is the Solar Eclipse at the same time!  Again, I really didn\'t know what to expect with these two energies happening simultaneously, but all I yearned for was being in community with others, those whom I truly love and feel safe with.  \r\n \r\nThere was some talk prior to our meeting about doing some scrying, that ancient art of visioning past the seen realms with the help of a mirror, water, crystal ball or other object.  I thought to myself, \"Great, at least I can get some real answers.\" So we meet. I can feel the love of Maa in the temple with us.  We move into meditation and then to scrying.  I attempt to work with various scrying tools, and I don\'t \'get\' any answers.  I take a breath and am so drawn to a picture of Maa in the form of Tara on the altar that I just gaze and somewhat fall into her eyes.  She then gives me the answer:  \"The answers have to come from inside of you, stop looking at the external.  Go Inwards.\"  \r\n\r\nWith this I close my eyes and really focus on my breath.  She continues to tell me: \"I am always here for you and that from within is where the transformation has already begun.  Continue to go inward, when in doubt or in fear, breathe.\" I am now realize (not on just an intellectual level, but on an emotional, embodied level too) that all my life I have always been looking outside myself for answers, approval, acceptance, love, etc...and I now know why I have never really found it.  It all starts from within. Jai Maa...Jai Tara! </blockquote>\r\n\r\n<i>- Offered by Doreen, a member of Daughters of Kali and the SHARANYA community</i>','Amavasya (New Moon) & Solar Eclipse Reflections','','publish','open','open','','new-moon-solar-eclipse-reflections','','','2013-09-25 22:51:56','2013-09-26 05:51:56','',0,'<blockquote>Tuesday was both the New Moon and Solar Eclipse.  Personally, I really did not know what to expect.  Often, the New Moon energy is not something with which I am comfortable; I always feel the dark, void, or emptiness...which is not within my c',0,'post','',0),(99046,2,'2009-07-28 00:00:00','2009-07-28 18:00:00','<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. \r\rThe 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> \r\r- Jaratura, reflecting on Sunday\'s Kali Puja in Community and with the Kaula</center>\r\r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/blog/KaliMaaMurtiIIIFramed.jpg\" align=left>\rGratitudes 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! \r\rThe 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 <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/shacan/\">Sha\'can</a> 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. \r\r<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409952411#article_7\">Aarati</a> 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. \r\rA 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!\r\rWe look forward to seeing you in circle next month. <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/calendar/\">Join us</a> 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. \r\r<a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/donate/\">Donations</a> 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. \r\rJai Maa! \r\r<i><center>In the struggle for justice, the only reward is the opportunity to be in the struggle.</i> \r- Frederick Douglass</center> \r','Jai Maa! Sunday\'s Kali Puja','','publish','open','open','','jai-maa-sundays-kali-puja','','','2013-08-09 03:10:09','2013-08-09 03:10:09','',0,'<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. \r\rThe devotion, the mantras, the',0,'post','',0),(99047,2,'2009-10-02 00:00:00','2009-10-02 18:00:00','In the spirit of engaged spirituality and celebration of Gandhi\'s birthday, October 2nd is SHARANYA\'s <b>Sacred Activism Day</b>...a time to consider how your simple and/or profound actions make a difference for the well being of yourself, your family and loved ones, your community, your planet and beyond. Not that you don\'t do this already every day, but just a way, like ringing a bell or Tibetan bowl during meditation, to help you refocus your efforts and concentration. \r\rThere are many ways to engage, and even setting an intention to be with the spirit of the day through your practice or conversation is great! This year, I\'ve signed up to increase my awareness of how my buying decisions can have a positive impact on socially responsible business through Carrotmob. From their <a href=\"http://www.carrotmob.org\">website</a>: \r\r\"Carrotmob is a method of activism that leverages consumer power to make the most socially-responsible business practices also the most profitable choices. Businesses compete with one another to see who can do the most good, and then a big mob of consumers buys products in order to reward whichever business made the strongest commitment to improve the world. It??????s the opposite of a boycott.\"\r\rFeel free to join me by signing up for notices in your area about upcoming actions, and give a thought to your engaged spirituality efforts. If you wish, share with us your ruminations and determinations here, as well as your next big carrotmob extravaganza! \r','Sacred Activism Day','','publish','open','open','','sacred-activism-day','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',0,'In the spirit of engaged spirituality and celebration of Gandhi\'s birthday, October 2nd is SHARANYA\'s <b>Sacred Activism Day</b>...a time to consider how your simple and/or profound actions make a difference for the well being of yourself, your family and',0,'post','',0),(99048,2,'2009-11-02 00:00:00','2009-11-02 18:00:00','On Sunday morning, I awoke from Samhain dreamtime to a recollection that I had something to do. Still feeling the presence of the ancients and moreover, some very achy muscles from a few good hours of altar building for SHARANYA\'s <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/webgalleries\">Spiral Dance South Fire Altar</a>, I reviewed my notes for the day ahead. Ah, yes, <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/audio/\">Creatrix Media Live</a> was hosting a show and had asked me to help focus a discussion on the Dark Times...specifically, these dark times.\r\n<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/South%20Altar%20Spiral%20Dance%20103109.jpg\" align=left>\r\nWhat is conjured for you in this mentioning? \r\n\r\nWe considered much in our conversation, but naturally, the conversation turned toward the presence of the Dark Mother Herself, Kali Maa. Kali Maa as embracing and compassionate mother; Kali Maa as terrifying goddess; Kali Maa as equalizer, facilitator of social justice; Kali Maa as Goddess for our times.  Joining the discussion were many powerful women (Max Dashu, D\'vorah Grenn, Marsha Citra Lange, Jayne DeMente, Anniitra Ravenmoon and others) who know well how She helps us see through the obfuscations of truth that media and institutions uphold, who asks that we take personal responsibility, who calls us to action. We acknowledged the quick and ready relationship between our spirituality, Her presence, and action on behalf of the marginal--even when (and sometimes especially when) that marginal is to be found within ourselves.  \r\n\r\nAt this time of the year, when so many are aware of how the darkness of the shortened days reflects our inward turning and the metaphorical darkness to be engaged in the recesses of our souls, we also recognize the power of just one small ray of light to illuminate the world. This is the story of Divali, the Festival of Lights for many in South Asia. And those at Reclaiming\'s Spiral Dance at the Witches\' New Year this past night danced this dance of darkness and light, of inward turning and outward expression, and did so joyously and with great, passionate energy. This passionate energy was contained too in the south altar SHARANYA built and charged singing Maa\'s names. This sacred space held the potency of Shmashan Kali, Goddess of Cremation Grounds, She Who Burns Away. The process of letting go, of surrendering, of falling into oneself so that one may be propelled by the heart\'s yearning for love back into this reality, was our prayer for all gathered.  \r\n\r\nLater on New Year\'s Day, Satya, Haravallabha and I came together in community to offer up all the prayers gathered from our Shmashan Kali altar that visitors and devotees had contributed on pink slips of paper to our cauldron...and there were plenty to burn! Sitting around a fire, we chanted OM KRIM KALYAI NAMAH and brought each to our heart in turn, asking that the Divine Mother hear their prayers and be with them in this time, whatever that might hold for each person. The work completed, we consecrated the energy of our personal invocations and the transformational power of the fire by placing some of the ashes on our foreheads. Our right thumbs making the tilak, we spoke the blessing and gratitude, Jai Maa!\r\n\r\nWith all we have raised this weekend through song, dance, and collective wisdom, I invite us to honor that  energy of darkness, of transformational power, and of personal ego surrendered to the Divine Will...that it be held continuously and reinvoked as we deal with our individual and collective Dark Nights of the Soul, and as we travel willingly or are spurred on by crisis, into Her embrace. \r\n\r\nHappy New Year - May the Blessings of Goddess be forever in your heart! \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','Dark Times, Divali, & Dancing the Spiral','','publish','open','open','','dark-times-divali-dancing-the-spiral','','','2013-08-30 15:31:21','2013-08-30 22:31:21','',0,'On Sunday morning, I awoke from Samhain dreamtime to a recollection that I had something to do. Still feeling the presence of the ancients and moreover, some very achy muscles from a few good hours of altar building for SHARANYA\'s <a href=\"http://www.shar',0,'post','',0),(99049,2,'2009-11-30 00:00:00','2009-11-30 18:00:00','By: Maya (<i>initiate member of the Yogini Chakra</i>)\r\r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/spiritfestfresno2009/Other%20Altar%20Components.jpg\" align=left>On November 25th, Fresno had its Spirit Fusion Festival (Fresno\'s Pagan Pride). I worked a table for SHARANYA for the day and got the chance to talk to people about the organization, give out information, and sell some of the beautiful images, ritual items, and Indian handicrafts we generally offer through the Apsara Store online and at pujas. \r\rAs part of the day, I also hosted a beautiful Ganesha Puja for all who were there. It was a small intimate group that came to puja; it was very sweet and all who attended were deeply touched by the ceremony. We all honored and were honored by the Spirit of Ganesha. \r \rAll of the people who came were active in the puja. We called upon the four elements to join us, along with Shiva, Kali Maa, and, of course, Ganesha took his place of prominence! The Ganesha altar was decorated with a variety Ganesha murtis, along with images and murtis of other deities, such as Shiva, Kali Maa, Tara, and Matangi. \r\rThe group assembled was invited to do invocations for the elements, and I taught them some short mantras to invoke Shiva, Maa, and Ganesha too. As the circle chanted to Ganesha, singing, OM GAM GANAPATAYAI NAMAH, I cleansed the space with charged moon water. Ganesha was then bathed in the charged moon water, milk, and moon water again. \r\rI then anointed the central murti, in addition to everyone in circle, with water from the Ganges River to invoke for peace. Next, we moved on to anointing the various other murtis, coconuts, and bananas with kum kum, powdered incense for Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, dried rosemary and the charged moon water as well. \r\r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/spiritfestfresno2009/Maya%20Setting%20Up%20Altar.jpg\" align=right>Everyone took turns anointing a specific coconut or banana with whatever they felt called to use and however they felt called to do so at the time. It was fun and touching as each person anointed their fruit and the different murtis while in their own special way invoking the beautiful spirit of Ganesha. They took their anointed fruit home with them to place on their personal altars once the ritual was complete.\r\rOverall, it was a wonderful day of sharing in the beauty and fun in the spirit of an eclectic Pagan Festival, and I look forward to participating again next year. \r\r<center><b>Jai Ganesha!</b></center>\r\r','Spirit Fusion Festival - Fresno, CA','','publish','open','open','','spirit-fusion-festival-fresno-ca','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',0,'By: Maya (<i>initiate member of the Yogini Chakra</i>)\r\r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/spiritfestfresno2009/Other%20Altar%20Components.jpg\" align=left>On November 25th, Fresno had its Spirit Fusion Festival (Fresno\'s Pagan Pride). I worked a tab',0,'post','',0),(99050,2,'2009-12-05 00:00:00','2009-12-05 18:00:00','<center><i>Jay Maa Kali! In this year, the <b>Yogini Festival</b> starts on the 23rd of December and runs until the 25th of December in front of the Yogini Temple</i> (at Hirapur, Orissa). <i>Many cultural programme like Odissi Dance, Sambalpuri Dance, Gotipura Nritya, Mahari Nritya, etc. are represented at this function. Many dancers from different states are participating in this festival; so, I invite you to come and enjoy!</i><br><br><b> - Surendra Nath Routaray</b><br>Hirapur\'s authorized archaeological guide, in a personal communication</center>\r\rThe tradition of yogin???? worship likely derives from ancient practices formalized and brahmanized in the <i>Agni Pur????n????a</i>. In this text, the <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/kalipuja/matrikainvocation.php4\">m????tr????k????s</a> are said to be eight: Br????hmani, Mahe???var????, Kaum????r????, Vais????n????av????, V????r????h????, Aindr????, C????mun????d????a, and Mah????laks????mi. <img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/blog/Hirapur%20Mahamaya.jpg\" align=left>These eight goddesses are multiplied by eight (because of this number??????s auspicious nature in Hindu belief) to derive the base of sixty-four yogin????s.   The names of these sixty-four are given in the K????l????k???? Pur????na; although my contact at the temple, Mr. Routaray, has his own manifestation. \r\rBy the time of the 11th century CE, the worship of the yogin????s as connected to the m????tr????k????s is set in common folklore, and one can not easily talk about one group without mentioning the other. In fact, scholars often make classifications of yogin????s at temples or in textual n????m????v????lis (name lists) based upon the presence (or absence) of the m????tr????k????s. <img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/blog/Hirapur%20Durga.jpg\" align=right>\r\rFor example, at Hirapur, while iconographically one of the statues may appear C????mun????d????a-like, Vidya Dehejia,  whose ovular  text on the yogin????s, <i>Yogin???? Cult and Temples: A Tantrick Tradition</i>  details how the yogin????s developed, how they are viewed and worshiped, and what forms they take historically in the literature, is reluctant to call Her such because the full array of m????tr????k????s is not otherwise apparent or documented. Upon seeing this statue year after year, however, I am quite clear (as are the locals who frequent the temple for active worship) that it is the presence of <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/chamunda/\">C????mun????d????a</a> who inhabits this place.\r\rThe yogin???? temple at Hirapur, Orissa is located about 10km outside of Bhubaneshwar, the state capital. Those who visit are often treated to the services of a local village priest, no more than about 20 years old, who has been actively engaged in either orthodox p????j???? or the maintenance of the circular, open-air temple where once the Mah????y????ga rituals of yogin???? worship were carried out by adhik????r????s (male initiates) and bhairav????s (female initiates) of the tantrick heterodox path known as Kaula.  \r\rAlthough the exact nature of historical worship at this temple has not survived in documents, the divine yogin????s are still actively worshiped today through these and similar brahmanical rituals. Nevertheless, to be among the sixty-four yogin????s here is to feel the power of the goddess in one??????s blood and bones. Upon entering the small temple, which one does through a vulva-like opening that proceeds past two skeletal male figures (which may at one time have been ithyphallic) and leads into the womb-like chamber around which the goddesses stand, the intensity of the figures and the feeling of being held and firmly embraced stands out in marked contrast to the open, expansive sky above. Can you imagine being in this temple, held in sacred embrace while the stars and blackness of a new moon bear witness to your rites?    \r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/blog/Hirapur%20Yoginis.jpg\" align=left>\rVidya Dehejia reports that at one time, the central image in the temple was of ???iva,  although the particular statue (some report it was a large yoni-lingam) was stolen when the temple came into public notice in 1953. Today, merely the platform on which it resided remains. \r\rAt Hirapur, the exact philosophical and metaphysical relationship between the god and the goddesses is unclear, yet as Dehejia notes:\r\r<center><i>Kaula doctrine states that through such bhoga (enjoyment)</i> [of the five \"M\"s of Tantrick fame]<i> as opposed to yoga (renunciation), its followers will achieve a state of bliss that is termed Kula. Kula is defined as a state in which the mind and sight are united, the sense organs lose their individuality and sight merges into the object to be visualized. Akula is defined in the same manner and it is further stated that Kula is ???akti and Akula is ???iva, and that ultimate bliss arises from the union of the two.</i></center>\rPerhaps as the time of the Yogini Festival draws neigh this year, we can all together dance this dance of union into Tantrick bliss. What with the deeper meanings of Christmas and Yule at our fingertips, it seems only appropriate. May our work to do so therefore be blessed and our spiritual practice bring us much peace, harmony, and fulfillment...by the grace of the yogin????s themselves!\r\r<center><small>NOTE: If you have trouble viewing diacritics, please reset your browser\'s character encoding.<br>For example, Firefox users go to your View menu, as follows: View/Character encoding/Auto-detect/Universal. This post will then display correctly.</small></center>\r\r','Yogini Festival','','publish','open','open','','yogini-festival','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',0,'<center><i>Jay Maa Kali! In this year, the <b>Yogini Festival</b> starts on the 23rd of December and runs until the 25th of December in front of the Yogini Temple</i> (at Hirapur, Orissa). <i>Many cultural programme like Odissi Dance, Sambalpuri Dance, Go',0,'post','',0),(99051,2,'2010-02-16 00:00:00','2010-02-16 07:00:00','<blockquote>I\'m always struck by how hard I make the practice in my head and how easy it is when it actually happens.  It strikes me especially at the PantheaCon pujas.  There we are, a little handful of initiates and perhaps hundreds of others, many of whom have no experience of Tantra or of Maa Kali.  The only Sanskrit they know is \"Om.\"  How many of them are wondering if it will be too foreign to them, or too frightening?  How many of them wonder if Maa will turn them away, or if we from SHARANYA will, for \"doing it wrong?\"\r\n\r\nIn a hotel there are many aspects of the traditional puja that we cannot do.  There is no fire, no incense, no juicy melon.  But it doesn\'t matter.  We bring forth the image of Maa, outside or in our own heads.  We surround her with our presents and decorations, however great or small they are.  We put ourselves totally into this moment, like children; and like children we scream \"Maa!\" until she comes to us.  Maa, look at me!  Maa, hear me!  Maa, hold me!  And she always does.\r\n\r\nPeople came to Her, and they sang, danced, laughed, wept, tasted cream and chocolate prasad, and in the end, they felt Her gaze and Her embrace.  - Sanatani </blockquote>\r\n\r\nSunday night, 11:00pm. Kali Puja at PantheaCon. The doors opened and the sounds of Her sacred names began to fill the air, vibrations of Goddess Kali entering our bodies through ears first. Eyes began taking in the altar images as throngs of devotees and those entranced by Her mysteries circled to the tune. SHARANYA initiates and Daughters of Kali worked to guard, ground and move the dance of Shiva and Shakti as we together purified and began to feel that the night\'s celebration would be filled with power, grace, and Divine love.\r\n\r\nAs Rashani (priestess/purohit) for the ceremony, I let Her guide me. Sensing the yearning and open hearts of everyone gathered, it was easy to take us immediately deeper into communion with our Divine Mother through meditation and breath. Her sacred syllables guided us, helping to crystallize a sankalpa (sacred intention) and further unencumber our souls. Both a certain intensity and a genuine playfulness were with us as we each spoke our name, proclaiming the intention to perform worship, each of us owning the responsibility born of our passion and desire. \r\n\r\nFrom honorings of Ganesha, Agni, Ancestors, and Shiva, we then worked our prana pratishta as a community, together  intoning SA\'HAM in meditation on Her eyes, allowing the energy on our breath to move from heart to Her. Awakening Her murti (image), Kali Maa joined us and we danced...Jai Maa! \r\n\r\nGratitudes to all who join in the magick of the night and to Amory, Satya, Jaratura, Jayada, and Sanatani especially for your dedication, energy, creativity, and presence. \r\n\r\n\r\n','PantheaCon 2010 - Kali Puja','','publish','open','open','','pantheacon-kali-puja-the-dark-goddess-awakens','','','2014-02-23 00:49:21','2014-02-23 07:49:21','',0,'',0,'post','',0),(99052,2,'2010-03-10 00:00:00','2010-03-10 07:00:00','<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_0039-e1380174023919.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-100394 imgborder alignright\" alt=\"Chanting Workshop - February 2010\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_0039-e1380174023919.jpg\" /></a>SHARANYA was recently invited by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto to be part of a series of chanting workshops dedicated to connecting members to various world traditions through song and chant. We were honored to be part of the series and grateful to Terry Passarotti from their congregation for asking us to join in!\r\n\r\nAbout 25 of us gathered together on February 21st, a rainy Sunday evening, to explore the sacred sounds of chants from the Vedas, Upanishads and Tantras. We wove ancient and contemporary melodies together, honoring both tradition and the unfolding of spirit in the here and now through devotional renderings that one participant found strikingly similar to many Western hymns. Making the chants accessible to the audience despite the relative unfamiliarity of those attending with Sanskrit was certainly a challenge, but it was an easy hurdle in this group--many were willing to just go for it! Someone did mention he found it hard to connect deeply to the Divine through a foreign tongue, but everyone managed to follow the transliterations provided near enough to the letter.\r\n\r\nWe started and ended our evening with chants familiar to those who regularly attend pujas, opening with <a href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1980565&amp;skin=1980563\">OM Maa!</a> and ending with the <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/pavamana.php4\">Pavamana Mantra</a>. Shakers and bells helped us feel the stirrings of energy as we sounded the syllables together, and everyone learned some of the deeper meanings intended by the sometimes seemingly simple words.\r\n\r\nBoth goddess and god were called throughout, and mantras acknowledging the divinity of Mother and Father, the sacred place of the ancestors, the desire for peace, and the beauty of <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/heart.php4\">Kali\'s heart</a> were shared in circle. Releasing strict adherence to any formalities, we were able to also enjoy the power of sacred touch and healing energy, chanting <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/vajra.php4\">OM Tara Tutare Ture Svaha</a> while sharing heart space, hand to heart and heart to hand in pairs.\r\n\r\nWith gratitudes and blessings, we ended the evening together, a soulful \"Jai Maa!\" echoing with us all as we made our way, each one of us, home. Thank you to the UU community and those who gathered and participated for having this workshop. We hope to see you at a puja or in your space again soon!','Chanting Workshop: Vedic Mantras, Hindu Classics, & Goddess Devotionals','','publish','open','open','','chanting-workshop-vedic-mantras-hindu-classics-goddess-devotionals','','','2013-09-25 22:47:01','2013-09-26 05:47:01','',0,'<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_0039-e1380174023919.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-100394 imgborder alignright\" alt=\"Chanting Workshop - February 2010\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_0039-e13801740',0,'post','',0),(99053,2,'2010-05-29 00:00:00','2010-05-29 18:00:00','On Sunday, May 23, SHARANYA hosted our regular monthly public puja, except this month, we aligned our energies and intentions with the cross-roads of the dark goddess in Europe, a place where ancient traditions of the goddess came to shore and today, the Black Madonna stands as testimony to Her presence. For this worship, we recognized the concurrence of our puja with the Festival of Gitanes, or Gypsies, in the south of France, who come together to honor their Dark Goddess, Sarah the Black. \r\n\r\nThe puja was particularly moving as we toned sacred syllables and took turns adorning Sara\'s altar with scarves from around our necks in the same fashion that those gathered in France for her festival do. As one of our initiates, Haravallabha, shared about her puja experience:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote>I got lots of images of constant movement of a tribe slipping through the edges of society, and after a night\'s sleep, a host of clear lessons from La Sara. They are about community, versatility, autonomy, and self-authority. Here are a few glimpses:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Don\'t try to fit any mold</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t try to be a single thing - activate versatility</li>\r\n	<li>Be willing to cast a spell</li>\r\n	<li>Keep some things private when it fits your strategy for survival or service, and find a way to let them flow with full force in a trusted setting</li>\r\n	<li>It\'s OK to run counter to the main currents of society - or not to participate in them at all</li>\r\n	<li>Use fascination to your advantage</li>\r\n	<li>Do ritual instead of picking a fight</li>\r\n	<li>Acting on our own truth is more important than playing an expected role</li>\r\n	<li>Protect yourself and your tribe</li>\r\n	<li>Learn to go between, around, outside of ordinary structures &amp; conventions</li>\r\n	<li>Keep your knives sharp</li>\r\n	<li>There\'s no celebration like music &amp; dancing around a fire</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;</blockquote>\r\nWhat do you think She offers, this dark goddess of the in-between, standing between worlds of East and West?\r\n\r\nLearn more about Saint Sara <a title=\"Saint Sara-la-Kali: A Sister to Kali Maa\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/saint-sara-la-kali-a-sister-to-kali-maa/\">here</a>.','Festival of Sara-la-Kali','','publish','open','open','','festival-of-sara-la-kali','','','2013-09-26 00:09:57','2013-09-26 07:09:57','',0,'On Sunday, May 23, SHARANYA hosted our regular monthly public puja, except this month, we aligned our energies and intentions with the cross-roads of the dark goddess in Europe, a place where ancient traditions of the goddess came to shore and today, the ',0,'post','',2),(99054,2,'2008-06-23 00:00:00','2008-06-23 07:00:00','<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/DSCN1594-e1380168272268.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-100314 imgborder alignleft\" alt=\"Kali Altar at Spiral Dance - San Francisco\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/DSCN1594-e1380168272268.jpg\" width=\"280\" height=\"256\" /></a>What\'s it like to experience (R)evolutionary Shakta Tantra up close and personal; to worship Kali Maa in Sanskrit and bring your heart to a Goddess with roots in India but who is felt worldwide? Perhaps you\'ve never been to a puja, or to a worship service that is fully participatory. Perhaps the notion of coming into a community to offer your devotions to Goddess is a bit scary.\r\n\r\nBe assured, we understand that She can be intimidating at first. And we recognize that joining with people you may not know in something as intimate as worship of Her can perhaps be unsettling. So, let us offer comfort by sharing that we all pretty much started at that place of uncertainty or fear or wondering, and we have been able to come together to strengthen the path of our hearts. \r\n\r\nWe invite you to join us! The container for worship is loving, embracing, inclusionary and welcoming. Enter the temple of our worship for a taste of the experience in the reflections of one of our initiates in what follows, and through our galleries <a href=\"http://sharanya.org/galleries/\">here</a>. We look forward to seeing you at a puja soon. Jai Maa!<br><br><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h5>What is Kali Puja?</h5>\r\n\r\nWe at SHARANYA honor the Goddess as the cosmic interconnectedness of all beings, the Mother of Life, and the pathway to illumination and ultimate bliss. Through Her grace and love, She guides us into the depths of our innermost being and inspires us to live in the fullness of our humanity. Specifically, we worship Maa Kali, the fierce and compassionate Mother Goddess of Hinduism, in both Her transcendent and immanent forms. Blending authentic ritual methodologies of both East and West, we are more fully able to open our hearts to Her love and offer devotion and prayer for personal, collective, and planetary evolution.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-100107 imgborder\" alt=\"PujaAltarMainIIFramed\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/PujaAltarMainIIFramed.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nOur puja ritual begins by casting a circle hand to hand, creating a sacred space between the worlds. We honor and invoke the powers of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, the elements of life, as guides and allies in our worship. Through breath, song, movement, and speech, three unique voices call forth the elemental powers, honoring the diversity of spiritual traditions gathered. As we conjure the elements, we draw power from each corner of the Universe and remember our intimate (inter)dependence upon them in our lives.\r\n\r\nWith the circle cast and the elements present, the gods can come forth. We first invoke Agni, Lord of the sacrificial fire, the dancing flame of all beings. Agni helps open a channel for us to commune with the Divine. Agni is also one of the most ancient deities of the Vedic tradition, honored with the first nine verses of the Rig Veda, the oldest religious text still used today. Our ceremony continues to open to the Divine by next calling Ganesha, the elephant-headed Lord of Obstacles who opens our minds and hearts to touch the Great Mystery. Through His worship, we are resolved of all that hinders our path and keeps us from fully experiencing the Divine.\r\n\r\nMoving into deeper awareness of God and Self, we invoke Lord Shiva, the destroyer of life, sensuous yogi, Father of the Three Worlds, and Cosmic Consciousness alive in all things. His is the dance that turns the cycles of the seasons, the stars in orbit, and the ebb and flow the Universe. We welcome Him with our voices, chanting sacred verses that have lived in the hearts of humanity for thousands of years. Together we offer flowers and praise Shiva singing \"Shiva Shambo Mahadeva Shambo\", honoring Shiva as the Great God and the bringer of peace. Opening to His love and compassion, we see the beauty and divinity of the world.\r\n\r\nFully in the flow of Divine awareness, we then call forth Maa Kali to join our circle. With deep yearning in our beingness, we welcome the Goddess with mantras that have been sung to Her for millennia. We bow to Her divine presence and perform aarti, offering incense, water, food, fan, and light before Her living image. Together we sing \"Jai Maa\", Victory to the Mother, as we open fully and allow Her to touch our hearts. We breathe Her in, reaching ecstatic states through which we can more deeply experience Her beauty and grace. With the use of camphor, wine, tobacco, beer, and Tarot cards, we further deepen our awareness and allow Her messages to come forth.\r\n\r\nDespite Her seemingly frightening imagery, Maa Kali\'s unique form inspires visions of living, dynamic, interconnected reality. To those who love Her, Maa Kali is the epitome of beauty, wisdom, and wonder in the world. She is the Queen of the deepest Mysteries, the Dark Mother of all beings, and the guide to our most authentic Self. Through Her worship, we connect to the primal powers of creation and disillusion, both beautiful and fierce. We release fear and notions of what \"should be\" or \"must be\" and allow Her to free us from illusion, giving way to true liberation and freedom.\r\n\r\nThrough puja (worship) offered to Maa Kali, we allow the Goddess to heal us and renew our souls. When we set time aside, as a community or alone, to perform puja to the Divine Mother, we connect to the original whim of God to know Herself. As we attune to the elemental powers and offer devotion to the gods, we transform ourselves and give birth to new worlds of being. Puja becomes part of the cosmic creation, allowing us to journey beyond time space reality and aid in the continuation of life on this planet. It grants us the ability to move from individual heart space into places of unlimited possibility. We awaken to the Goddess in every facet of our being and transform our reality, coming to see Maa Kali as the Holy Mother in whom we live, move, and have our selves made whole.\r\n\r\n<hr \\>\r\n<em>Offered by Jaratura, a Sha\'can initiate</em>','Our Kali Puja','','publish','closed','open','','our-kali-puja-whats-it-all-about','','','2013-10-20 22:33:26','2013-10-21 05:33:26','',0,'<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/DSCN1594-e1380168272268.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-100314 imgborder alignleft\" alt=\"Kali Altar at Spiral Dance - San Francisco\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/DSCN1594-e138016827',0,'post','',0),(99055,2,'2011-11-22 00:00:00','2011-11-22 07:00:00','<small><a href=\"www.womenofspiritandfaith.org\">Women of Spirit and Faith</a> asked for November: \"What is the Divine Feminine calling you to do in this moment?\" </small>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DSCN1590-e1380168375966.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-100311 imgborder\" alt=\"Dakshinkali Maa\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DSCN1590-e1380168375966.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"301\" /></a>Shakti is calling me to rise up. She is calling me to risk. She is calling me to relate. She rests on a bed of will, knowledge and action, entwined with Shiva, the pure consciousness that follows her call, in order to relax into some powerful creation work. There is not a moment that goes by in which I do not feel her. I am surrounded by the subtle notes of intuition that arise in her presence and the not-so-subtle ripples of her battles in this realm. I know you know what I mean. The trees, oceans, bears and wind all speak her name. A kirtan (call and response) ensues, and those who are attuned listen. The chanting has its charms.\r\n\r\nRecently, she asked me to give more of myself. \"But I already...,\" I start to say, and she just kisses me sweetly, replying, \"Darling, I know how much you do. Still, there is more to be done.\"\r\n\r\nShe is right, of course, and I acknowledge that my energy is dispersed and needs to focus for better effect in the world. There are some things that are too important to be lost in my chaos. How then to manage this, I wonder; but not for long. My spiritual practice guides me to breakthrough on the inner planes that has real outer world ramifications and manifestations. I learn the first lessons of empowered spiritual leadership: listen, tell your truth, take responsibility, stand your ground.\r\n\r\nShe then asks me what I believe in. I go back to a childhood filled with lies, betrayal, physical violence, and an empty fridge until Grandma comes to fill it up. I realize that I have spent much of my life creating values in response to those around me, and I need to ask what is there that is genuinely born from within me. I meditate on my birth and the will to survive interweaves tightly with the wounding of abandonment. What is mine? I sink into awareness around subsequent years of therapy, anger, resentment, and a sense of loss in relationship to my youth. I take pause and realize that I have grown much, and the obstacles have provided me with strength and power. In my crafting of faith, these avenues of challenge have led directly to the unseen realms upon which I draw heavily in my work for social transformation. Nothing is wasted.\r\n\r\nShe called me today to ask that I make a personally significant donation to a cause I care a lot about. I was not planning on giving again before the year was out, but she just winked and said,\r\n<blockquote>You can do it. The women need your money as much as they need your prayers.</blockquote>\r\nNothing could be more true. Had I not dived deep into my own story, I know the insights that came around what I believe and value would not have been revealed. I would not have found either justification or motivation for a financial contribution. Moreover, it would not have seemed relevant. No one would have benefited and I would have been less humble.\r\n\r\nA brother in the work of ministry had her card not long ago, one on which she had written my name. \"Spirit babies\" was all that was otherwise noted, and I was asked to help create a ritual for all the mamas and papas who grieved or sorrowed over the loss of a child through abortion, stillbirth or miscarriage. My own embodied experiences were present in the mix of emotions that circled through me with the call. I felt honored to be asked. I will help, and I will write a prayer that brings healing, if none but my own, and will ask for an opening to her mysteries, the greatest of them perhaps held in the spaces of life and death.\r\n\r\nWhat is being created in response to her call? A life worth living.','Maa is calling me in this moment...','','publish','closed','open','','maa-is-calling-me-in-this-moment','','','2013-09-25 21:18:22','2013-09-26 04:18:22','',0,'<small><a href=\"www.womenofspiritandfaith.org\">Women of Spirit and Faith</a> asked for November: \"What is the Divine Feminine calling you to do in this moment?\" </small>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DSCN1590-e138016',0,'post','',0),(99117,35,'2013-08-09 03:02:58','2013-08-09 03:02:58','[one_third] [teaser url=\"http://sharanya.org/events/festivals/13th-annual-kali-puja-festival/\" title=\"Kali Puja Festival\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Blessed-Altar-Web-e1380257091912.jpg\" ]Receive darshan[/teaser] [/one_third]\r\n\r\n[one_third] [teaser url=\"http://sharanya.org/the-path/\" title=\"Curious?\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/DSC_0313-e1381818563636.jpg\" ]Learn more...[/teaser] [/one_third]\r\n\r\n[one_third last=last] [teaser url=\"http://sharanya.org/events/\" title=\"Puja Dates\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/0311-e1381818979184.jpg\" ]Visit the calendar[/teaser] [/one_third]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<hr />\r\n<h3>Reflections &amp; News</h3>\r\n<center><i>\"Sing Kali\'s glory, make a happy racket, paddle this old boat of a body as fast as you can.<br>What\'s the trouble of this world anyhow?\" - Ramprasad Sen</i></center><br>\r\n[blog category=\"7\" perpage=\"4\" pagination=\"\" ]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"matrikas\" time=\"10\" randomize=\"on\" effect=\"fade\" ]','Homepage','','publish','closed','closed','','homepage','','','2017-10-15 16:16:55','2017-10-15 23:16:55','',0,'',0,'page','',0),(99119,2,'2013-08-09 02:22:43','2013-08-09 02:22:43','Join us monthly as we come together to honor Kali Maa, Divine Mother and Great Goddess, offering reverence as we create ritualized as well as lived spaces in which the fundamental and activating energy of shakti can be realized today.\r\n\r\nRSVP required to attend: <a title=\"RSVP to SHARANYA\'s Kali Puja\" href=\"mailto:info@sharanya.org\" target=\"_blank\">info@sharanya.org</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Kali Puja','','publish','closed','closed','','kali-puja','','','2013-09-28 00:19:51','2013-09-28 07:19:51','',0,'Join us monthly as we come together to honor Kali Maa, Divine Mother and Great Goddess, offering reverence as we create ritualized as well as lived spaces in which the fundamental and activating energy of shakti can be realized today.\r\n\r\nRSVP required to ',0,'th_events','',0),(99123,2,'2013-08-09 02:36:00','2013-08-09 02:36:00','Birthed in India over 15 years ago, SHARANYA exists to empower seeds of change on individual, collective, and planetary levels towards healing, respect, responsibility, and the fullest awareness of an interconnected, interrelated cosmic reality. Our origins are rooted in a commitment to social justice and to the (r)evolution of consciousness across space-time realities that we might transform increasingly toward peace.<br><br>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Our Temple in India\" active=\"\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/MBCMTemple.jpg\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-99537 imgborder\" alt=\"Maa Batakali Mandir (Puri)\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/MBCMTemple.jpg\" /></a>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Constitution of Maa Batakali Sanskrutika Parisada</span></h3>\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The Maa Batakali Cultural Mission\r\n</span><br>\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Balisahi, Puri Town, Puri  752 001 Orissa</span><br>\r\n\r\nRegistration Number: 2802/211/91-92<br>\r\nFiled and Certified by the Audit Superintendent District Panchayat Office, Puri<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>Mission Statement:</b>\r\n<ul>To create and nurture a community of life-affirming individuals devoted to Mother Worship and to developing an understanding of how such devotion can positively transform our global community.</ul>\r\n<b>Vision Statement:</b>\r\n<ul>The Maa Batakali Cultural Mission is dedicated to promoting the vision of the world as a global community in Her divine name.</ul>\r\n<b>Aims and Objectives:</b>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>To maintain this Mission as a nonprofit public-benefit organization, not organized for the private gain of any person.</li>\r\n	<li>To foster awareness of Goddess worship as a life-affirming path among the global community; and to eradicate erroneous and superstitious beliefs in this regard.</li>\r\n	<li>To organize, develop and execute recreational, cultural and spiritual activities for the community.</li>\r\n	<li>To undertake programs for the establishment of community housing, social forestry and environmental sanitation; et alia.</li>\r\n	<li>To organize, fund and promote Mission Centers for community gatherings, social welfare programs and adult education, including the establishment of a library with emphasis on educational activities for community youth; and to develop various pilot projects to meet the needs of community members.</li>\r\n	<li>To organize outreach programs for those not in or around Mission Centers.</li>\r\n	<li>To undertake projects expressly designed to promote the welfare of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and other economically \"backward\" classes of people, and to promote the development of cooperative ideas and enterprise among them and the community at large.</li>\r\n	<li>To draw up schemes for the rehabilitation of antisocial persons; i.e., those with problems related to alcohol and drug abuse, and to assist their families as required.</li>\r\n	<li>To educate about and mobilize peacefully against sati, dowry, beggary, caste crime and similar social ills.</li>\r\n	<li>To publish a monthly newsletter, community bulletin and other educational materials for the promotion of the spiritual and cultural philosophy of the Mission.</li>\r\n	<li>To help provide relief, through community efforts, for those effected by natural calamities and other emergencies.</li>\r\n	<li>To promote cultural exchange of ideas and beliefs throughout India and the world.</li>\r\n	<li>To assist in providing legal aid to the needy and the poor.</li>\r\n	<li>To establish sister organizations, in the United States and elsewhere, in order to promote the vision of the Mission worldwide.</li>\r\n	<li>To develop fundraising schemes for the future growth and maintenance of the Mission and its associations.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Origin Story: Part I\" active=\"\"]<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ShyamPuriWeb.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-99541 imgborder\" alt=\"Shyam Sundar Dash at Maabatakali Mandir\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ShyamPuriWeb.jpg\" /></a><em>August 2, 1998</em><br><br>\r\nIt\'s summer in India, the time when the air is thick, sweat plentiful, and the monsoon\'s rains swell the skies and the streets. I have come here, to this land of spice, spirit and the sacred, to further my work in ecofeminism by looking at women\'s spiritual connections to social justice and activism on behalf of the environment. I am not here long, however, before Maa, the Divine Mother, shows me that there\'s more to my quest than I originally thought.<br><br>\r\n\r\nSpeaking to a guide at my hotel, I tell him, \"I need to find a temple to the Goddess.\"<br><br>\r\n\r\n\"Which one,\" he asks. \"Which goddess?\"<br><br>\r\n\r\n\"Well, Kali,\" I state hesitatingly, unsure of how my request will be received.  The man looks me up and down, trying to determine where I fit within the spectrum of visitors from whom he makes his livelihood.<br><br>\r\n\r\n\"Wouldn\'t you rather visit Lord Jaganath?\" he inquires. Lord of the Universe, Jaganath is honored at this time in Puri (the eastern <i>dham</i>, one of the sacred compass points in India) in a huge festival to which hundreds of thousands flock each year. Together with his brother and sister, this is the only time the Lord leaves the <I>mandir</I> (temple). He\'s on a family outing to his summer home across the town, and everyone comes out to get a glimpse of the royal family.<br><br>\r\n\r\n\"No,\" I respond quickly. I\'m restless and on a mission. It is Kali I need to see and no one else. That She is responsible for my getting through a political uprising in Digha at the southern end of West Bengal unscathed is apparent to me. I have come here therefore to give thanks and need to be at her feet in a temple soon. Sensing my urgency, the gentleman kindly calls to an auto-rickshaw driver with a shrug, not wanting to engage me further about goddesses. The driver arrives.<br><br>\r\n\r\n\"Kali mandir,\" I say to him as he pulls up alongside us. At this point, I have no idea how many homes Maa has here in Puri. After receiving no further instructions, the driver takes off towards the center of town. I later find out (after several unsuccessful attempts to again visit the place to which I am now heading) that there are at least four Kali temples accessible to visitors. Reaching our destination, I buy a hibiscus mala, a garland of her sacred flower, and add that to my <I>puja</I> (worship) basket. Into it too go coconut, juicy betel nut and other sweets to delight Her. My offering is noteworthy at this temple for its size; but I am generous as I feel a strong need to show my appreciation to Goddess for getting me out of Digha alive. <br><br>\r\n\r\nThe pujari at Maa Batakali Mandir, Shyam Sundar Dash, is a Brahmin priest with two sons. In his devotion and gratitude for the goddess having given him these sons, Shyam has built this temple. A small roadside mandir, passersby usually drop rupees on the temple steps on their daily rounds. It is nothing too fancy, but Maa here is absolutely resplendent.<br><br>\r\n\r\nIn his time, Shyam has doubled as a government worker, making regular trips back and forth from his office to tend to Maa and her devotees. Now retired, he tends to the temple and its congregation of worshipers every day for morning prayers and evening <i>aarati</i> (a beautiful celebration with lights and offerings). As Shyam sees me approach for the first time, he stares. He asks me directly why I am there, and although he is not angry, his disposition and directness can easily be mistaken for exactly that at first. Truly, he\'s just curious, but I am startled by his question.<br><br>\r\n\r\n\"Are you ISKON?\" he demands.<br><br>\r\n\r\nSuspense broken, I let out a nervous laugh. The International Society of Krishna Consciousness (a.k.a. Hare Krishnas) has never drawn me, but Puri is full of Western devotees. Lord Jaganath, I learn is, like Krishna whom those in ISKON worship, one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the God of Preservation, and one of the main Hindu deities.<br><br>\r\n\r\n\"No,\" I reply, \"I came to thank Maa.\"  After a few more words, Shyam accepts my offering basket, performing puja on my behalf. He asks my name in order to conduct the rites. When we\'re through, he asks why I\'m there. But my eyes are transfixed on Maa\'s image as it transforms before me, and I can only point to my heart by way of explanation. \"She\'s here,\" I manage to say. Then, everything that has been kept inside until now in this challenging land of contrasts streams out through my eyes in hot tears.<br><br>\r\n\r\nFrom June through the end of August 1998, I live in Puri. My friends up north forgive me for not coming back. My field work on is put on hold. It was my pause when Shyam asked after the ritual, \"Will you come visit my house?\" that changed not only the course of my research, but also my life. Aware of India\'s potential for surprises, I held a moment of silence before responding and internally questioned his invitation and motivations.<br><br>\r\n\r\nFeeling inside, I sensed that this was an offering, and a door was opening to me that might never open again. In the pause, I could see Her face dimly, and I wondered in my rational mind about my work and Shyam\'s intentions. It took me three days to surrender to the feeling and my vision of Her beckoning. After careful thought and some time meditating with the ocean\'s wisdom, I said yes. I returned to meet my new teacher and his family.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThe more time I spent in Puri, the more I realized that Goddess was working in quite mysterious ways and that Shyam was no typical Brahmin priest.  As time passed, I learned the extent to which She was working through him, and I absorbed many levels of Her teachings. Some were straightforward and harsh; others were more obtuse and delightful.<br><br>\r\n\r\nAfter much work on my temple manners, Sanskrit, and a conversion to Hinduism, <I>diksha</I>, or initiation into Kali\'s mysteries is the next profound unfolding of my spiritual journey. The day comes on the August new moon, and I am thrilled when I realize it will be August 2nd, the festival of the harvest often called Lughnasad (or Lammas) in the earth-based Western calendar. It is as though Maa has answered my burning question: Can I do this, honor you, Mother, as a priestess in both worlds? The synchronicity of timing does not escape me, and I feel She is telling me that I can have it both ways, walking as a Goddess worshiper wherever I may be in the world. To Her, I learn, there is no distinction.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThe initiation is radical by most Hindu standards. Shyam is a Brahmin priest, and I am not only a Westerner but also a woman; and women in India are not initiated by Brahmins. Following the Vedas in his public work, Shyam also practices Tantra. This is the in-road to Maa that is clearly appropriate for my circumstances and his. Tantrics care not of my birth, only my longing. But perhaps there would be less to explain and fewer staring eyes as we sit working together at the temple were Shyam to be more public about the various faces of his devotion.<br><br> \r\n\r\nAs Shyam manages to satisfy people\'s natural curiosity with his answers to their queries and suspicious looks, I pretend not to notice the robust number of visitors to the temple in the evenings after the gates have closed and we have begun our private work and evening prayers together.<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ShyamSundarDashChandraAlexandrePuriMBCM1-e1377156643651.jpg\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-99707 imgborder alignright\" alt=\"Chandra Alexandre and Shyam Sundar Dash at Puri Mandir\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ShyamSundarDashChandraAlexandrePuriMBCM1-e1377156643651.jpg\" width=\"228\" height=\"246\" /></a>\r\n\r\nMy practice deepens after initiation, and on Her sacred day of Kali Puja some months later in October, I sit at the feet of the goddess in the temple, a spot that locals cannot come near. It is nearing midnight and the heat of the day lifting off the earth combined with the hot lamps that light Her image makes the sweat drip down my arms, makes my sari blouse feel even tighter than it already is, and makes me wish I couldn\'t see the large number of bugs and ants crawling on my feet and ankles in search of food. I honor Her by pouring <i>ghee</i> (clarified butter) for the <i>homa</i> (fire offering) ceremony, and I honor the fact that I am Shyam\'s first <i>chela</i> (student), a position of honor in this lineage tradition.<br><br>\r\n\r\nI tend to my responsibilities dutifully as the <I>Chandi Path</I> verses resonate off the temple walls and expand into the night air. In moments of quiet, I think about the day Shyam said he\'d been waiting for me, how he said his own guru had told him that one day, he would be bringing someone other than his sons to the path. I remember how Shyam said he had found the signs in my face the very first day we had met at the temple; signs telling him that I was the student to which his guru had referred. We finish our time together and he tells me the most important thing: \"Go! Go back to your home land, America, and spread Mother Worship!\"<br><br>\r\n\r\nUpon my return to the States, SHARANYA is born and my dedication to Kali Maa takes root with the formation of community on Western shores. The wisdom of the ocean is remembered and I am home.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<strong>Chandra Alexandre</strong> is the founding director of SHARANYA. She received <i>namakarana samskara</i> and her first <em>diksha </em>from Shyam Sundar Dash (founder of the Maa Batakali Mandir in Puri; Bharadvaja gotra) in 1998. \r\n\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Origin Story: Part II\" active=\"\"]<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/KamakhyaMandirWeb.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-99540 imgborder\" alt=\"Kamakhya Mandir\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/KamakhyaMandirWeb.jpg\" /></a><em>June 26, 2003</em><br><br>\r\n\r\n\"Babaji wants to see you.\"<br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> I’m walking barefoot down the muddy side of Nilachal Hill at Kamakhya in northeastern India after witnessing one of the most beautiful Sanskrit recitations I have ever heard. The white kurtas of the Brahmin men gathered in a circle around a sacred fire stand in marked contrast though to the throngs of red-clad women waiting in long lines to see their Mother. Both, I imagine, receive Her blessings. I am in northeastern India, in Assam, participating in an annual Tantrick pilgrimage to the seat of the goddess’ power, the place where her <i>yoni</i>, or sexual organ, resides on Earth.  It’s a powerful place, a place of contrasts where all come together, whether Vaishnava, Shaivite or Shakta, to honor Maa. It\'s a place, one might say, where all unites in Her name.  </span><br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> Babji, I learn, is a 400-year old Aghori. A believer in the preeminence of the divine as Shiva, pure consciousness, he is a practitioner of the non-dualistic or \"left-hand\" Tantric rites. In short, this means that he adheres to a rather literal interpretation of what other Tantrics might do symbolically in ritual and devotion on the path to enlightenment. He meditates, for example, not only on <i>yantras</i> (sacred diagrams), but on yantras in cremation grounds on top of corpses; he drinks wine and liquor; he smokes hash and takes in other natural mind-altering substances. He believes that the pathway to the divine is through the body, through this world, through all of creation. His accepts it all, the pure and impure, the wicked and sane, as sacred. He is a radical non-dualist—one who believes in the One as well as in the reality of the phenomenal world. His path is fast and furious, sweet and sublime, potentially off-putting at the same time that it attracts wonder, excitement, and awe.  He loves Maa. </span><br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> The three black-clad initiates standing outside his cave-like shelter on the hillside welcome me in. I meet Babji. He’s old but looks young, his face the only give-away that he’s been around the block a few times. His body, otherwise, is baby-like. He looks pregnant, a little round belly on a very thin frame. I sit cross-legged in front of him. To his left, the fire pit. To his right, a <i>kapala</i>, or human skull cup from which wine and other mind-altering substances are drunk, sits upturned. He calls me \"Beti,\" or daughter. Two followers of his are there; his initiates have left us alone. The woman wipes the snot dripping from Babaji\'s nose with a handkerchief and then moves to mop sweat from his forehead. No one, it appears, is immune to this sweltering summer heat. The Indian devotee next to her, perhaps her husband, has had far too much <i>bhang</i> (Cannabis) or something; his eyes have trouble steadying on me. </span><br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">My Sanskrit is better than my Hindi at this point. Fortunately, I can make out meaning from of the ritual language Babaji is using. The man helps a little, but his English is as poor as my Hindi. We quiet. Suddenly, Babaji grabs me. He pulls me to him with unsuspected strength. Face against face, I feel the bristles of his long beard against my cheek, and I feel coolness where the snot has been touching. I am startled, but now I’m held. I am held firmly, with apparent intention. The touch is not violent or inappropriate. The strength is deep and calming. I stay quiet and listen inside to my belly and instincts. Presence prevails, and I allow myself to trust the moment. Just then, Babaji begins. His mouth now pressed to my ear, he sounds an ancient mantra. My heart trembles, my eyes close, and I go inward. I surrender to these sounds, soaking in the ancient reverberations, feeling in them the voices of the lineage, the guttural utterances of vibrations across time and space. All enter my ear. All penetrate my soul.  </span><br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> Moments pass and I eventually sit back upright in silence. One moment, then two. From deep inside, the sobbing begins. There’s no rational thought, no rhyme or reason, just the moment and my feeling of tremendous love and connection to all that is…I recognize a touch of <i>sat chit ananada</i>: being, consciousness, bliss. My forehead now on Babji\'s knee, he pats my head and strokes my hair. I sit back upright. Silence. One moment, then two. Babaji reaches to his left where a rusty knife about four inches long sits waiting. I follow his motion with my eyes. Instantly, I am terrified. I have visions of blood. Stop! One moment, then two. Stop! This time, it’s an admonition to remember. Allow yourself to be taken, it says. You’ve been here before; you know what\'s happening. It\'s safe. Breathe. </span><br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Babaji lowers my head with his hand and takes a fist-full of hair from my crown. He pulls hard enough to undo strands from my braid. Close to the scalp he cuts with the knife. Old and well-used, it doesn’t cut very well.  He pulls harder to get through the thickness of my mane and it hurts for an instant. I deepen my surrender. He cuts. He finishes, and I sit back up. Dazed, with my awareness in another place, I still must know.  </span><br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> \"What,\" I ask, “are you going to do with it?\"  </span><br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> \"A sacrifice,” he says, \"will be offered in the fire tonight.\" He holds up my hair.  </span><br><br>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> \"It’s an equal exchange,\" he says. \"The price you pay for being welcomed into the family.”</span><br><br>\r\n\r\n<em>By: Chandra Alexandre</em>\r\n\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Founder\'s Biography\" active=\"\"]<img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-99540 imgborder\" alt=\"Chandra Alexandre\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/DSC_0731-e1378968031852.jpg\" /> Chandra Alexandre is a Tantric Bhairavi, an initiator in the tradition of Kali, serving SHARANYA as clergy. She is a householder and a regular pilgrim to the birthplace of Tantra in northeastern India, where she studies and practices with her teachers. Chandra was first initiated into the mysteries of the dark goddess in 1998 in Puri, Orissa on the dakshinacara path, and then, five years later, she accepted the non-dualistic path of vamacara Tantra at Kamakhya outside of Guwahati in Assam. Her maternal grandmother was her first guide into the ways of spirit in the world.<br><br>\r\n\r\nOn her initial return from India, Chandra founded SHARANYA to serve those committed to embodied and engaged spirituality for social justice and transformation. This was the birth of Sha’can, an authentic lineage tradition of Shakta Tantra contextualized and made relevant for people and lands distant from the source. Chandra and community complement San Francisco Bay Area worship, events and services with an online mystery school, Kali Vidya, to serve an international community of spiritual seekers and lovers of Maa.<br><br>\r\n\r\nChandra is known for her passionate engagement of theory and practice. She holds a PhD in Asian & Comparative Studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies, a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wisdom University (formerly the University of Creation Spirituality), and an MBA in sustainable management from Presidio Graduate School. In addition to SHARANYA, she engages her commitment through several community-based nonprofit organizations working for educational equity, poverty alleviation, and the empowerment of women and girls.<br><br>\r\n\r\nOriginally from New York, Chandra has, since 1995, called San Francisco home. She is a devoted wife and mother and also conjurer of <i>The Aghori Bakery: Everyday Spiritual Conversations</i> (forthcoming).[/toggle]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<h5>Kali: Goddess of Social Justice</h5>\r\n[thaudio href=\'http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Kali-Maa-Iconography.mp3\']Interview excerpt: <i>Chandra Alexandre</I> (Interviewed by Karen Tate) December 31, 2008[/thaudio]\r\n\r\n<br><br>\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"origins\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Origins','','publish','closed','closed','','origins','','','2017-03-16 22:05:33','2017-03-17 05:05:33','',20,'http://Birthed inIndiaover15yearsago,SHARANYAexiststo empowerseedsofchangeonindividual,collective,andplanetarylevelstowardshealing,respect,responsibility,andthefullestawarenessofaninterconnected,interrelatedcosmicreality.Ourorigi',0,'page','',0),(99124,2,'2013-08-09 02:36:00','2013-08-09 02:36:00','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Origins','','inherit','open','open','','99123-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:36:00','2013-08-09 02:36:00','',99123,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99125,2,'2013-08-09 02:39:15','2013-08-09 02:39:15',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99125','','','2017-03-19 15:58:39','2017-03-19 22:58:39','',0,'',1,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99126,2,'2013-08-09 02:39:15','2013-08-09 02:39:15',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99126','','','2017-03-19 15:58:39','2017-03-19 22:58:39','',20,'',3,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99127,2,'2013-08-09 02:40:18','2013-08-09 02:40:18','SHARANYA is a small and growing community-supported organization, run fully by devotee volunteers. All of our work in the world, from pujas and meditation circles, to project work in India, is carried out from a place of love and desire for engagement with Maa and Her creation through <i>seva</i> or spiritual service.<br><br>\r\n\r\nWe welcome new community participation in all of our endeavors. As a spiritual seeker, you are invited to attend our public services and to learn about the Sha\'can tradition by sitting in circle and volunteering. If you wish to participate but are located far from our home, we invite you to enroll in <a title=\"Kali Vidya\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/the-path/kali-vidya/\">Kali Vidya</a>, our online mystery school.<br><br>\r\n\r\nHelp deepen and expand our offerings as well as your own personal commitment to the Divine and spiritual community as you feel called. There are always opportunities to join us, and we welcome your participation and inspiration!<br><br>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[blog category=\"33\" perpage=\"1\" pagination=\"\" ]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"What we do\" active=\"\"]We function on multiple levels to serve the overall mission and vision of the organization by:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Offering worship services and helping to fulfill the spiritual needs of community</li>\r\n	<li>Co-creating the Sha\'can tradition as a spiritual evolution of Eastern and Western thought, the(a)ology, lived experience, and devotion</li>\r\n	<li>Making the Divine Feminine/Divine Female in all Her guises, but particularly those of South Asian lineage honored by the Shakta Tantric path, accessible to Westerners</li>\r\n	<li>Educating about South Asian culture and religion</li>\r\n	<li>Offering rites of passage and life event ceremonies</li>\r\n	<li>Facilitating transformation for girls and women in order to promote self-esteem and empowerment</li>\r\n	<li>Providing spiritual pilgrimage opportunities</li>\r\n	<li>Engaging in interfaith dialogue and promoting cross-cultural awareness</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Volunteer\" active=\"\"]Visit our VolunteerMatch page to learn about current volunteer needs in support of the organization.\r\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"http://www.volunteermatch.org/results/org_detail.jsp?orgid=16615\" target=\"other\">\r\n<img alt=\"[VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins.]\" src=\"http://www.volunteermatch.org/images/2.0/new_logo.gif\" width=\"207\" height=\"102\" border=\"0\" /></a></p>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Services\" active=\"\"]\r\n<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> Weddings, Handfasting &amp; Commitment Ceremonies</ol>\r\n<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> Renewal of Vows</ol>\r\n<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> Spiritual Guidance</ol>\r\n<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> Birth Rituals &amp; Blessingways</ol>\r\n<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> Coming of Age, Puberty Rites &amp; Menarche Rituals</ol>\r\n<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> Croning &amp; Menopause Rituals</ol>\r\n<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> Crossing Over, Burial Rites &amp; Funerals</ol>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Advisors\" active=\"\"]SHARANYA is supported by a Council and Board made up of adepts, devotees and academics from the US and India. We are grateful for their partnership and support.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Rashbehari is a temple Panda, or approved facilitator, at Kalighat Mandir in Kolkata, West Bengal. In addition to guiding SHARANYA pilgrims at this famous Shakta Pitha (the sacred site where Maa Kali\'s big toe is said to have fallen to Earth) for over ten years, Rashbehari is a child of Maa, offering her bhajans (songs) and playing tunes to delight Her on his harmonium. Rashbehari\'s love of the Divine Mother is deep and infuses all he does. His graciousness, hospitality, delight in the Mystery, and care for those who seek to know Her is profound and has resulted in a long and deep friendship with the organization. He has also been instrumental in our discovery of the delight of Shyama Krishna, the Black Krishna, as found at Kalighat. <I>Hai Krishna Karuna Sindhu Dino Bhuntu Jagamapate Gopesha Gopeka Kanta Sri Radha Kanta Namo-stute!</I>\"]Rashbehari Das[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Shyam is the Founder and President, and residing Priest of the Maa Batakali Temple in Puri, Orissa (India). He has spent his life dedicated to the goddess Kali, and also organizes for social change in his hometown under the auspices of the Maa Batakali Cultural Mission-Puri. In conjunction with Chandra, who serves as the Chairman of the Puri Branch, Shyam has developed a Constitution that provides guidance for programs of transformation in a multiplicity of arenas.\"]Shyam Sundar Dash[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Based in Kolkata (Calcutta), Milan is a Development Consultant and a researcher providing services to NGO/PVOs, research institutes, government bodies, universities, and donor agencies. He focuses on training, research, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, documentation, planning and budgeting. Further, he is a certified National Trainer and Researcher on HIV/AIDS, with qualifications as an abstract reviewer of different national and international conferences. Milan frequently presents papers at conferences worldwide on different issues of development, such as: the World Bank, sociology, demography, sustainable development and agriculture, women in development, children, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.\"]Milan K. Dinda, Ph.D.[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Originally from Kolkata and now based in Toronto, Ontario (Canada), Ravi brings extensive experience to the organization from years of working in the nonprofit sector, both in India and Canada. His ability to work across cultures and translate among them is a gift he shares openly. Ravi has been a friend to the organization even prior to its official formation, helping guide inquiries and make introductions to people and places throughout the Indian subcontinent since 1998. Over the years, he has gifted SHARANYA with his willingness to aid with all manner of support, and has consistently opened both his home and his heart, facilitating understanding, relationship, and the building of bridges to others and to his homeland.\"]Ravi Jain, MPH[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Elena is a Hindu pujari, Christian minister, and Wiccan clergy. She founded the Circle of the Feminine Divine in Stockton, California, a worship and study group devoted to exploring the meaning of the \'Motherhood of God\' and its implications for understanding the world\'s religions. She served for two years as President of the Interfaith Council of San Joaquin in Stockton, and is a guest lecturer at the University of the Pacific. Her first book, <I>Combating Inner Terrorism: Strategies of the Goddess from the Devi Mahatmyam</I>, is now available everywhere.\"]Elena Kelly[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Jeff holds the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University, where he is also the Chair of the Department of Religious Studies. He has written a number of books on comparative mystical literature, American countercultural translations of Asian religious traditions, and the history of Western esotericism from ancient Gnosticism to the New Age. These include: <i>Esalen: America and the Religion of No Religion</i> (Chicago, 2007), <i>The Serpent\'s Gift: Gnostic Reflections on the Study of Religion</i> (Chicago, 2006), <i>Roads of Excess, Palaces of Wisdom: Eroticism and Reflexivity in the Study of Mysticism </i>(Chicago, 2001), and <i>Kali\'s Child: The Mystical and the Erotic in the Life and Teachings of Ramakrishna</i> (Chicago, 1995). Spiritually speaking, Jeff underwent an overwhelming, spontaneous <i>shakti-pat</i> or initiatory experience in Calcutta in 1989 during Kali-Puja, about which, out of which, and toward which he has written, thought, taught, and intuited ever since (the fullest description of this event can be found in <i>Roads of Excess, Palaces of Wisdom</i>, hence his Sanskrit motto on both his letterhead and business card: <i>svapna-siddha</i>, \'realized in a dream.\' Hence also his desire to support spiritual communities like SHARANYA. Pretty much nothing about him that you read on the Internet is true.\"]Jeffrey J. Kripal, Ph.D.[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Murray has been a regular puja attendee since 2007 and has also become a valued volunteer supporting SHARANYA behind the scenes. He provides logistical support as well as photography at nearly all of the organization\'s public activities. A computer software engineer by trade, he has been donating his skills and resources to support SHARANYA\'s online presence, most recently focused on enabling the online school, <i>Kali Vidya</i>.\"]Murray Kucherawy[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Nancy\'s connection to the Divine Mother came directly from her love of the natural world and her feminist convictions. She teaches yoga classes and offers Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy in combination with Reike and counseling in Berkeley. She is a tremendous devotee of Maa and considers it a joy and an honor to be affiliated with SHARANYA and its important mission in the world. <I>May all beings find love and purpose. May we all personally, collectively, and planetary find our way to renewal and survival. Jai Ma and Blessed Be.</I>\"]Nancy Leatzow[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"William developed his love for the many paths and faces of the goddess beginning with his own awakening inspired by his Grandmother, a devout Baptist Christian and pioneer woman who, as a little girl, migrated west traveling in a covered wagon. In his family travels, William lived much of his youth in East Africa. Living both in the African jungles and stateside, he developed an intimate appreciation and connection with indigenous peoples, shamanistic practices, the animal kingdom, and deep ecology. He has explored parapsychology and the turn-of-the-century works of the theosophists and steeped himself in many branches of the human potential movement, with roots both western and eastern. He has a strong and abiding connection with SHARANYA, and since 1997 through his own humble connection with the amazing graces of Maa has held the work of SHARANYA in great esteem.\"]William Moulton[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Initiated by her parents into Shakta Tantra and the mysteries of Tara Mata, Chitrika has been a dedicated practitioner of the faith from her youth and a beloved child of Maa for as long as she can remember. Today, she leads homa (fire ceremony) rites, puja, and Tantric ritual for community regularly in Kolkata and Tarapith, West Bengal. A jotish (astrologer), she also brings this ancient wisdom to bear on her work with those she advises in the ways of the Divine Mother. <em>Joi Tara!</em>\"]Chitrika Nyayaratna, M.A.[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Jim is Director of the Asian and Comparative Studies Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) where he has taught Sanskrit as well as Indian religion and philosophy for 27 years. His primary association with Goddess is in the Divine Mother (once named Mirra Alfassa), who was the spiritual partner of Sri Aurobindo. Jim has also done extensive research on the Sri Vidya tradition and on the Sri Cakra, which is seen as the subtle form of the Goddess in that tradition. He has spent many years teaching about the Indian Tantric tradition and reading the Sanskrit texts of that tradition. Jim holds a doctorate from UC Berkeley in South Asian Literature (Tamil).\"]James Ryan, Ph.D.[/tooltip]</li>\r\n	<li>[tooltip tip=\"Stuart, also known as Jivanand, has been a marriage therapist for 30 years, and was first choice to codirect Ram Dass\'s \'prison ashram\' and first in the US to bring yoga to the homeless mentally-ill in the 1970s. Stuart is Co-president of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology and a 20-year trustee for CIIS. He is the author of <i>Eros Consciousness & Kundalini</i>, <i>Words From the Soul</i>, and <i>Your Perfect Lips</i>, as well as numerous articles and chapters on  psychotherapy and tantra yoga with presentations throughout the US, India, Europe and Russia. A thirty-year adept at anahata-nad, spontaneous yogic chanting, he has three CDs with Axis Mundi. Stuart holds a BA from Princeton and a Ph.D. from CIIS.\"]Stuart Sovatsky, Ph.D.[/tooltip]</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Initiates & Elders\" active=\"\"]Foundational to SHARANYA is our core of initiate practitioners who have committed to personal transformation and the work of engaged spiritual leadership. Through our ritual and teaching circles, these elders deepen the heart of Sha\'can and our community\'s evolution.\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Balipriya.jpg\"><img src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Balipriya.jpg\" alt=\"Balipriya\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-101167 imgborder\" /></a>[tooltip tip=\"Balipriya Dahl has been actively involved in SHARANYA for over seven years and has been an initiate for six years. She is a member of the Yogini Teaching and Ritual Chakras, of Matrika Chakra, and an Apprentice. At the end of her Apprenticeship next year (in November 2015), she intends to ordain in the Sha\'can tradition, Goddess willing. She seeks to debunk the myths and misinformation surrounding Tantra, making it accessible to a wider audience while maintaining and honoring its rich lineage.\"]Balipriya Dahl[/tooltip]</li></ul>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<ul><li><a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Shuddha-Butler.jpg\"><img src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Shuddha-Butler.jpg\" alt=\"Shuddha-Butler\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-101297 imgborder\" /></a>[tooltip tip=\"Shuddha is entering into her fourth year in SHARANYA, and has been an initiate for two years. She is a member of the Yogini Teaching and Ritual Circles, Matrika Chakra, and regularly attends monthly Kali Puja.  With the blessings and direction of Kali Maa and Chandra Maa, Shuddha hopes to follow the path to ordination and bring comfort, compassion, and healing to those with palliative/end-of-life care needs.\"]Shuddha Butler[/tooltip]</li></ul>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\r\n\r\n<ul><li><a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Jayada.jpg\"><img src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Jayada.jpg\" alt=\"Jayada\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-101197 imgborder\" /></a>[tooltip tip=\"The first time I saw Maa I fell in love (it was as an image in <i>Be Here Now</i> by Ram Das when I was a child) and I searched for Her, consciously and unconsciously, until I finally caught up with Her, a little, when I found Sharanya in 2007. Deepening into my relationship with Maa Kali has been one of the defining turning points in my life. I initiated into the Sha\'can tradition in 2008, and have been active in the community as a priestess and celebrant ever since.\"]Jayada Shannon[/tooltip]</li></ul>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<p>\r\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\r\n<ul><li><a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Purnamanaha-Qalandar.jpg\"><img src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Purnamanaha-Qalandar.jpg\" alt=\"Purnamanaha Qalandar\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-101299 imgborder\" /></a>[tooltip tip=\"Purnamanaha is a lover of the Dark One, follower of the Old Ways and ancestors, and initiated tantric yogini. Guided to SHARANYA through The Spiral Dance almost a decade ago, Purnamanaha is a self-described \'queer, pro-womanist/mujerista, vegetarian/vegan, red anarchist shakta muslim,\' he has also received initiation into the Chishtī Order and is passionate about multireligious leadership and sacred activism. He has earned advanced degrees in divinity and social welfare, and advocates for intersectional, counter-oppressive frameworks for radical communal (r)evolution.\"]Purnamanaha Qalandar[/tooltip]</li></ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\nReview the rest of our website for information on our offerings and initiatives. <a title=\"Contact Us\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/contact-us/\">Contact us</a> if we may provide additional information about ways to participate in the SHARANYA community.','Community','','publish','closed','closed','','community','','','2015-11-14 12:11:31','2015-11-14 19:11:31','',20,'http://SHARANYAisasmallandgrowingcommunity-supportedorganization,runfullybydevoteevolunteers.Allofourworkintheworld,frompujasandmeditationcircles,toprojectworkinIndia,iscarriedoutfromaplaceofloveanddesireforengagementwit',0,'page','',0),(99128,2,'2013-08-09 02:40:19','2013-08-09 02:40:19','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Community','','inherit','open','open','','99127-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:40:19','2013-08-09 02:40:19','',99127,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99129,2,'2013-08-09 02:40:43','2013-08-09 02:40:43','Sha\'can is a <i>marga</i> (way or path) within Tantra. It is a <I>sampradaya</I>, an authentic lineage tradition, born from and honoring of the teachers of old, relevant to the circumstances of today, and grounded in the potentials of tomorrow. It is passed on in continuation of the lineage through <I>diksha</I>, or initiatory blessing.<br><br>\r\n\r\nSha\'can is at once groundbreaking and what has always happened with Goddess worshipers in and beyond India; for we yearn, revitalize and transform as community requires. Today, ours is an engaged spirituality that activates a rooted category of challenge to the dominant culture in which we live. As such, we seek liberation as <i>bhaktas</i> (devotees) who treasure the temple of the world through this incarnation, and we are committed to expanding Tantric worship in ways that sanctify earth-based, embodied spirituality and (r)evolutionize potentials for social justice and peace on our planet.<br><br>\r\n\r\nIn our tradition, we teach tools for the affirmation of <em>shakti</em> (the female principle) in self and world. We celebrate the commonalities of thought and practice that bring the marginal to center, helping the voiceless and dominated find spaces for blossoming, healing and bliss. Our roots are deep in ancient consciousness and practices of worship that have lived for millennia in the hearts of humanity.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThe work of our devotion is to follow the principles of Śākta Tantra. We honor the Divine as She, the Divine energy that facilitates our spiritual journey by taking us beyond our fears, beyond our egos, beyond our attachments, and into liberation.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Sha\'can\" active=\"\"]\r\n<a href=\"http://religionnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Shacan-Kali-Maa-Tara-Kali-Web1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright\" title=\"Sha\'can Kali Maa &amp; Tara Kali Web\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://religionnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Shacan-Kali-Maa-Tara-Kali-Web1.jpg\" width=\"181\" height=\"266\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday, a robust and dynamic complexity of religious thought and engagement is being achieved through new traditions in which symbols, deities, and rituals (some only recently constructed) inform by connecting to passions, devotion and a desire for engaged spirituality not contained by country of origin—practitioner’s or deity’s. Add to this a confluence of feminism, goddess-focused spiritualities, and access to various forms of Hinduism, as well as a growing Indian-American population with Hindu diasporic roots and bi-cultural sensibilities, and we find a Western Śākta Hindu perspective and related forms of worship and practice emerging that assert both authenticity and independence from the Hindu source. One such emergence is the countercultural religious tradition known as Sha’can, what I fondly call a (R)evolutionary Shakta Tantra.<br><br>\r\n\r\nRecognizing deep roots in India, Sha’can arose with a finger on the pulse of something larger—the critical work being done around the world to reclaim the power of womanhood and a Feminine/Female Divine. Whether in Kolkata or California, academic or activist circles, the past twenty years have seen subordinated communities and individuals finding ways to take back marginalized ideological and literal spaces, often using powerful and sometimes fierce goddesses as allies, inspirations, and provocateurs. Philosophies such as ecofeminism, through alignment of goddess spirituality with Earth justice<strong> </strong>and the fight for women’s equality, have helped further the cause. So too has the work of Indian and Hindu feminists (for example, Rita Gross, Vandana Shiva, and Rani Jethmalani) who have utilized the goddess, often particularized as Kali, and the principles of Śākta Tantra, the goddess-honoring path of embodied Hindu spirituality, to fight patriarchal religious and cultural norms, dictates, and oppressions. Finally, the field of women’s spirituality and the rubrics of Pagan thought and practice have offered an embrace toward dynamic discourse and life-affirming ceremony that many have described as a distinct home coming for a fully integrated sense of self and purpose within the realm of living spirituality.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThe Sha’can tradition arose in 1998 from this admixture, with an emphasis on connection between the truths offered by Śākta Tantra and the realities of today’s world—realities that are recognized as both freeing and limiting. Seeking “the bridging of East and West through (r)evolutionary, embodied spirituality, <i>sadhana</i> (spiritual practice), wisdom teachings, and worship of the Goddess in Her myriad forms,” especially as Kali Maa, “our beloved Dark Mother…a change agent for our times…helping to transform, empower, and heal individuals, communities, and the planet,” Sha’can originally evolved within the crucible of the San Francisco-based SHARANYA community in a hotbed of cross-cultural and diverse spiritual influences. It has, since its formation, expanded to include a Southern California presence and larger global community through online courses and the work of practitioners and initiates, notably in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThe tradition, I believe, is potentially an exciting case study for the development of Hinduism in America with ramifications for the new religious movement. Sitting poised in a synchretism of faith honoring Shaktism and contemporary Paganism, Sha’can, much like American Buddhism, is co-created from ancient roots in a new land. Additionally, while Sha’can in my mind is not part of the Indo-Pagan movement (because it is an innovation of Shakta Hindu philosophy and the(a)ology rather than a tradition that offers space for Hindu deities and ritual within established or newly established Pagan pathways), others within the tradition do consider it a manifestation of the rise in popularity and awareness of Hindu deities increasingly incorporated into different varieties of Paganism. Either way, the tradition stands ready to welcome those seeking an expression for their devotion to and yearning for Goddess in and through the forms, symbols, tools and practices that She offers via-a-vis Hindu Śākta Tantra and its contemporary expressions. Sha’can seeks to make the experience of worship and devotion relevant to these times at the same time that it drives for an honoring of those teachers and practitioners, past, present and future, who have grown and continue to grow Shakta Tantra in India and beyond.<br><br>\r\n\r\nIt may be helpful if I explain that as the tradition’s initial conjurer, I affirm a Śākta lineage with initiation in India (into both dualistic and non-dualistic forms of Tantra) at the same time that I recognize my situatedness as a woman born and raised in the developed West. My cultural and initial spiritual influences therefore have been largely Abrahamic or Abrahamic-infused. This, when combined with a radical feminist stance and ecofeminist spirituality, have created in me a recognition of the importance of the Witch and various manifestations of antinomian spirituality that honor Earth as well as the female and feminine (on both micro-and macro-cosmic scales) toward overcoming patriarchal religions and religious influences. Thus, I priestess our <em>puja </em>(worship) ceremonies by chanting mantras in Sanskrit, casting a circle in a Pagan-recognizable way, and invoking directions saying, “Hail and welcome! CA HUM PHAT, SVAHA!” at the end to concretize the energy. In this light, Sha’can rituals have been described by Pagans as immediately accessible despite some of the language barriers (we do our best to explain unfamiliar meanings and ask for a deepening into personal experience), and by Indian Hindus as, “feeling like I was in my home village temple.” We are humbled on both accounts and excited by what this portends.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Role of Goddess Kali in Sha’can</strong><br><br>\r\n\r\nOften, those who seek the Mysteries touch on the fringes of what Goddess Kali offers, yet stay away because they are afraid. Some are afraid, with due cause, of cultural appropriation. ”I am not from India or Hindu,” some might say, “and therefore, worshiping a goddess such as Kali, with roots in a living goddess tradition, is out of bounds for me.” Others might just be afraid, period.<br><br>\r\n\r\nCertainly, it should be acknowledged that how this goddess is typically represented inspires reaction. No account of Kali could possibly leave out Her image and iconography, for even in India—let alone the Goddess-fearing West—She is something to behold. Many are already familiar with Her black-skinned, skull-adorned appearance; yet there is more than meets the eye to Her manifest presence and its significance. Not only do Her symbols convey spiritual revelations, but the fact of Her existence today in the minds and hearts of devotees around the world (some of Hindu birth, others not) is inspiring of something even greater, not the least of which is moves beyond the confines of religion with a call for social justice—sometimes born of spiritual longing.<br><br>\r\n\r\nWithin Sha’can, we recognize the esoteric wisdom of opening to the presence of energy—Shakti—and consciousness—Shiva—within ourselves in order to harmonize and understand Self with regard for and in relationship to the life-force as present both in nature and the unseen world. We recognize that Goddess today is becoming a “transaction between contexts, encouraging us to discover how the two contexts [of human and divine] can illuminate each other in new and sometimes unexpected ways.” For us, Kali is that light, presenting us with a radical role model and helping those seeking expanded cosmogonies, cosmologies and consciousness to break through limiting fears so that the biases of the Western milieu, wherever it is found and particularized through agents of patriarchy (such as religious, educational, social and cultural institutions), may be overcome.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThrough the ancient traditions of Goddess worship still practiced today in Hindu South Asia and especially as made relevant for those without otherwise religious or cultural access to the Divine Female<strong> </strong>and Divine Feminine in ways that are empowering for actual women, the Sha’can tradition offers a glimpse through Kali worship and the practices of Shakta Tantra at possibilities for the Feminine and female that lie outside of limiting constructs. Certainly, patriarchy plays a role in religions everywhere, and religions of Goddess are no exception. Yet, within Hindu Shakta Tantra conjured in conjunction with ecofeminist spirituality, we are finding expanded notions of divinity and (r)evolutionary potentials for engagement in the world that promote healing and peace in response to patriarchy and its agendas.<br><br>\r\n\r\nI should note that as I type, an image of Kali greets my gaze. I focus on Her black feet sporting golden anklets, with the residue of <em>alta</em>, a red plant-based, semi-permanent dye, decorating the outline of the soles and spaces in-between the toes. Join me in this gaze for a moment. From this perspective, we are internally bowed low. We are spiritually naked before Adya Maa, the Primordial Dark Goddess, and here, we may come just a bit closer to an understanding of who She is and what She offers. I argue that here, the Witch and the Tantrick meet to create, enliven and empower us all!<br><br>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\nChandra Alexandre<br>\r\nAs originally published in <i><a href=\"http://religionnerd.com/2011/04/17/a-walk-on-the-wild-side-introduction-to-a-goddess-honoring-tradition-where-the-witch-and-the-tantrick-meet/\">Religion Nerd</a></i>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"the-tradition\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[one_third] [teaser url=\"http://sharanya.org/the-path\" title=\"The Path\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSC00002-e1380858470187.jpg\" ]Learn more...[/teaser]  [/one_third]  \r\n [one_third last=last] [teaser url=\"http://sharanya.org/resources/\" title=\"Resources\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSC_0102-e1380859091826.jpg\" ]Explore...[/teaser] [/one_third] ','The Tradition','','publish','closed','closed','','the-tradition-2__trashed','','','2013-10-05 22:54:44','2013-10-06 05:54:44','',20,'Sha\'can is a <i>marga</i> (way or path) within Tantra. It is a <I>sampradaya</I>, an authentic lineage tradition, born from and honoring of the teachers of old, relevant to the circumstances of today, and grounded in the potentials of tomorrow. It is pass',0,'page','',0),(99130,2,'2013-08-09 02:40:43','2013-08-09 02:40:43','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','The Tradition','','inherit','open','open','','99129-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:40:43','2013-08-09 02:40:43','',99129,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99131,2,'2013-08-09 02:41:13','2013-08-09 02:41:13','\r\nSHARANYA hosts a variety of events, public worship and community gatherings in a dedicated temple space, our Sanctuary. Review our calendar to see regular offerings of worship to the Divine Mother, <i>amavasya</i> (new moon) and <i>purnima</i> (full moon) satsangs, earth-based ceremonies, special services, and monthly public pujas. <a title=\"Contact Us\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/contact-us/\" target=\"_blank\">Contact us </a>to learn more. We look forward to welcoming you in circle soon!<br><br>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[event layout=\"full\"]\r\n\r\n<div style=\"clear:both\"></div>\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"events\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]','Events','','publish','closed','closed','','events','','','2017-03-14 23:17:12','2017-03-15 06:17:12','',0,'http://teasertitle=CalendarofEvents/teaserSHARANYAhostsavarietyofevents,publicworshipandcommunitygatheringsinadedicatedtemplespace,ourSanctuary.ReviewourcalendartoseeregularofferingsofworshiptotheDivine',0,'page','',0),(99132,2,'2013-08-09 02:41:13','2013-08-09 02:41:13',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99132','','','2017-03-19 15:58:39','2017-03-19 22:58:39','',0,'',6,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99133,2,'2013-08-09 02:41:13','2013-08-09 02:41:13','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Events','','inherit','open','open','','99131-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:41:13','2013-08-09 02:41:13','',99131,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99134,2,'2013-08-09 02:41:37','2013-08-09 02:41:37','At SHARANYA, we are dedicated in our worship to Goddess Kali in Her myriad forms, including those as She is expressed through the world\'s various traditions that honor the Dark Goddess, the one who holds the wisdom of the full spectrum of human beingness. We honor through Maa her relationship to an unpathologized Sacred Male as manifest particularly through Shiva. This relationship is at the heart of the birthing potentials of the universe.<br><br>\r\n\r\nCeremony is held in the <a title=\"The Tradition\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/about-us/the-tradition-2/\" target=\"_blank\">Sha\'can tradition</a> and lead by Rashani (ordained clergy) with help from community. Our puja infuses methods and practices from East and West in order to create a sacred space for worship, deepening, and opening on the path of the <i>bhakta</i>, or devotee of the Divine. An <a title=\"RSVP for Kali Puja\" href=\"mailto:info@sharanya.org\" target=\"_blank\">R.S.V.P.</a> is requested if you would like to participate.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[blog category=\"2\" perpage=\"3\" pagination=\"\" ]\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"puja-2\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"What to bring\" active=\"\"]Offerings for the main altar are welcome. It is customary to bring flowers, fruit, wine, vegetarian offerings, or sweets and to refrain from wearing black to our public rituals. If you wish to wear a special color for Kali, we invite you to don red, a color associated with Her power in the phenomenal world as <i>shakti</i>, the activating force and the energy of creation. You are also invited to bring an object you would like to have blessed. [/toggle] </span>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Donations\" active=\"\"]A sliding scale donation of $21-11 is suggested to cover the cost of the space, puja supplies and <i>prasad</i> (blessed food); however, no one is ever turned away for lack of funds, and any donation is graciously accepted. If you wish, you may <a title=\"Donate to SHARANYA\" href=\"https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=%2094-3334334&amp;vlrStratCode=QfHkjvv7O3iNUsVQhMSxvV1lSAo5hzn%2bjcTdl9IU4KAZH1KCyhNWvn%2fBXD%2bsythO\" target=\"_blank\">donate online</a>. We appreciate the offerings you make to support our work and the community. Jai Maa! [/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"What is puja like?\" active=\"\"]Our pujas are participatory, devotional, sometimes deeply transformational and often, fun! The ritual begins by casting a circle hand to hand, creating a sacred space between the worlds. We honor and invoke the powers of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, the elements of life, as guides and allies in our worship. Through breath, song, movement, and speech in both English and Sanskrit, unique voices then call forth ancestors and the Divine.<br><br>\r\n\r\nWe first invoke Agni, Lord of the sacrificial fire, the dancing flame of all beings. Agni helps open a channel for us to commune with the Divine. Agni is also one of the most ancient deities of the Vedic tradition, honored with the first nine verses of the Rig Veda, the oldest religious text still used today. Our ceremony continues to open to the Divine by next calling Ganesha, the elephant-headed Lord of Obstacles who opens our minds and hearts to touch the Great Mystery. Through His worship, we are resolved of all that hinders our path and keeps us from fully experiencing the Divine.<br><br>\r\n\r\nMoving into deeper awareness of God and Self, we invoke Lord Shiva, the destroyer of life, sensuous yogi, Father of the Three Worlds, and Cosmic Consciousness alive in all things. His is the dance that turns the cycles of the seasons, the stars in orbit, and the ebb and flow the Universe. We welcome Him with our voices, chanting sacred verses that have lived in the hearts of humanity for thousands of years. Together we offer flowers and praise Shiva, singing \"Shiva Shambo Mahadeva Shambo\", honoring Shiva as the Great God and the bringer of peace. Opening to His love and compassion, we see the beauty and divinity of the world.<br><br>\r\n\r\nFully in the flow of Divine awareness, we then call forth Maa Kali to join our circle. With deep yearning in our beingness, we welcome Goddess with mantras that have been sung to Her for millennia. We bow to Her divine presence and perform <i>aarti</i>, offering incense, water, food, fan, and light before Her living image. Maa can be felt through her sacred image on the altar, and you are invited to take <i>darshan</i> with her. Darshan comes from the Sanskrit verb meaning \"to see\" and one can think of this practice as both seeing and being seen by the Divine. It also refers to sitting in the presence of the Divine and connecting by staring into the eyes of Kali Maa in the central image, the one that has been enlivened through <i>prana shakti</i> or life force energy. This practice will encourage peacefulness, insight, blessings and perhaps visions to come to you.<br><br>\r\n\r\nTogether we then sing \"Jai Maa\", Victory to the Mother, as we open fully and allow Her to touch our hearts. We breathe Her in, reaching ecstatic states through which we can more deeply experience Her beauty and grace. With the use of sacred substances and tools, we further deepen our awareness and allow Her messages to come forth.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThrough puja (worship) offered to Maa Kali, we allow Goddess to heal us and renew our souls. When we set time aside, as a community or alone, to perform puja to the Divine Mother, we connect to the original whim of God to know Herself. As we attune to the elemental powers and offer devotion to the gods, we transform ourselves and give birth to new worlds of being. Puja becomes part of the cosmic creation, allowing us to journey beyond time space reality and aid in the continuation of life on this planet. It grants us the ability to move from individual heart space into places of unlimited possibility. We awaken to Goddess in every facet of our being and transform our reality, coming to see Maa Kali as the Holy Mother in whom we live, move, and have our selves made whole.[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Temple etiquette\" active=\"\"]\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">As you are entering the sacred space of our <i>mandir</i> (temple), touch the ground with your right hand, and then touch your forehead. This is a symbolic gesture of humility. Taking the dust from the feet of Maa, our Divine Mother, to our brow, we contemplate and bring mindfulness to the surrender of our egos and the openness of our hearts to Her. Then join your hands together in prayer position at your heart and gently bow toward the altar as a sign of respect.</span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Do not turn your back to the altar; please back away for a few paces and then turn.  </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Do not to block the altar from other people\'s view, and allow others to join you as you prostrate before Her. </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Please do not face the bottoms of your feet toward the altar as this is disrespectful. Do cover your feet with a shawl if you are able to do so in order to sit more comfortably (you may wish to bring your own and the temple has some on hand for community). </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">As you move in the space, always try to go in a clockwise direction. This helps draw on the power of natural cycles and brings us into greater alignment with the mirroring of our individual selves and the turning of the universe.</span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">You are invited to wear red. Please abstain from wearing black during puja. </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Be mindful. </span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"FAQs\" active=\"\"]\r\n\r\n<b>What is the proper way to enter the temple?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nWhen entering sacred space, our sanctuary, or a dedicated temple, it is customary to touch the floor with one\'s right hand and then touch one\'s forehead. This is an act signifying one\'s intention to surrender to the divine (our deepest awareness of the divine will and our highest self) for the duration of the time one spends along with the deity being worshiped within the physical space occupied for worship. With this motion we are taking the dust from the floor in God/dess\' home and putting it to our head to ritualize our deeper understanding of and work toward ego surrender. We allow this intention to be witnessed and acknowledged in community.<br><br>\r\n\r\nAll who enter then pranam, paying respect to the lineage of teachers and the presiding teacher to honor the kaula, or spiritual family, of the temple and tradition.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>What is darshan? Are there certain or more appropriate ways to approach Maa when receiving darshan?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\n\'Darshan\' comes from the Sanskrit verb meaning, \'to see.\' Darshan literally means to \'see\' the divine; it is a term used to express the act of physically looking into the eyes of the image or statue into which the presence of the divine has been invoked and activated during ritual. By so doing, the worshiper is brought more closely into connection with the divine presence, allowing our soul--the spark of the divine within us--to recognize the original state of our beingness. Through darshan we reactivate our connection to Spirit, both internally and externally. When approaching the Divine Mother, it is important to breathe and remain open in one\'s heart.  Physical acts in addition to maintaining eye contact may include: prostration, bowing of the head, holding the hands in <i>anjali mudra</i> (the namaste or prayer position at the heart center), touching of the forehead to the feet of the deity, and other similar gestures of surrender, honoring and respect.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>Why do we cover our feet in front of Maa’s altar?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nWe cover our feet and refrain from pointing them toward the altar out of respect for the spiritual process. The feet signify the mundane, the place of contact with our earthly selves. By being aware of the mundane in worship, we can set an intention to utilize that awareness to bring ourselves closer to our spiritual goals. Also, in traditional Hindu culture (as in many other cultures), pointing the feet at one\'s elders or others is considered disrespectful; and we honor the idea and practice of maintaining humility and respect in all relationships.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>What does the word <i>prema</i> mean?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nIt means \'love.\'<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>Why do we call directions thrice at community pujas? Is this a hard and fast rule?</b><br><br> \r\nThree is both a sacred number for goddess worship and a spiritual seal, a way of fully inviting in and holding the guides and energies called to be present in puja.  Calling in the directions three times also encourages more participation in the circle. We welcome invocations from all traditions during this part of the ceremony. During our annual Kali Puja Festival, the directional invocations are more elaborate and are supplemented with special elemental altars at each quarter. Therefore, during this time invocations are only done once.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>Why do we ring the bell before we approach Maa?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nThe bell is rung to let Maa know that we are coming to worship Her. It also awakens us to the power of vibrational energy made manifest.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>Why are there so many skulls associated with Kali and the Sha\'can path?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nIn many of the world\'s spiritual traditions, skulls, as repositories of the brain, are symbols of the power of the mind and of wisdom, as well as of the integrative forces that allow principles of mind, body and spirit to reveal the divine nature of beingness. Our cranium, therefore, is considered to be a symbol of the human potential for enlightenment, or oneness with God/dess.<br><br>\r\n\r\nWhen acting in the mundane realm, human beings often forget about or stray from this original connection to Spirit. To do so leaves the more shallow ego-identified state that is agenda-laden and task-oriented. Kali\'s skulls therefore are a reminder of our divine nature and our deeper call to the Great Mystery. They hold the potential for the unification of matter and spirit, heart and head, mind and body through love--which rectifies and embraces all opposites, bringing us through our yearning to a place of <i>sat-chit-ananda</i> (being-consciousness-bliss).  Additionally, the skulls around Kali\'s neck form a <i>mala</i>, or rosary, each symbolizing the 51 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet from which all sounds are created. Hence, all <i>mantras</i>, or conglomorates of words used to address a deity (or words used for an effect which lasts beyond the utterance of the words), are worn by Her.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>What does <i>ishtadevi</i> mean?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nThis Sanskrit word means \'chosen Goddess.\' It is akin to the similar \'ishtadeva,\' meaning \'chosen God.\' In some traditions, this deity is chosen by virtue of family line; i.e., the god or goddess who is considered the family \'patron saint.\' At SHARANYA, we promote deepening personal spiritual practice while learning about the Sha\'can tradition in order to facilitate the personal revelation of this deity, who resides in one\'s heart. The ishtadeva or ishtadevi is also understood to be a reflection of the undifferentiated cosmic consciousness.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>What\'s the difference between <i>Devi</i> and <i>Deva</i>?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nThe Sanskrit word Devi means Goddess, and the word Deva means God.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>What is <i>sadhana</i>?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nThe Sanskrit word \'sadhana\' means spiritual practice or discipline. In this, it can mean a particular practice or method--a spiritual technology--one undertakes or employs to deepen a connection with the divine or spirit; e.g., meditation, japa, or prayer. It also refers to the spiritual journey overall and in this sense relates to one\'s way of walking in the world or \'doing\' life.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>What is <i>dakshina</i>?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nThis is an offering made, monetary or otherwise, to one\'s teacher out of respect and gratitude for the teaching or work done on one\'s behalf, such as during puja, homa (fire ceremony) or other ceremony. It is given from the heart and is never asked for directly.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>What does <i>Jai Maa</i> mean?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nThis is a call to the Divine Mother, \'Maa,\' a singing of Her glory. Literally, \'jai\' means \'victory,\' although we often translate it as \'hallelujah\' or \'praises.\' Speaking \'Jai Maa\' in puja (worship ceremony) is an affirmation of the Divine Mother\'s blessings, a chant of gratitude for all Her gifts and the challenges She provides that help us grow spiritually.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>Why do we chant to Agni first during Puja?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nIn Hinduism, Agni is the god of fire, the one who presides over all rites and rituals. He is \'purohit,\' the one who presides over the fire ceremony and is the first deity honored in the Rig Veda, the oldest written religious text of record from among all surviving world\'s spiritual traditions. Simply, fire is what enabled humanity to first survive and then thrive. We open our ceremonies with a chant to Agni to honor the role of fire both as literal element and as metaphor for the transformational spiritual journey.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>How do you \"ground\"?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nThe concept of grounding refers to any method of reconnecting to one\'s body (i.e., physicality) after engaging in any endeavor, spiritual, emotional, or intellectual that facilitates or actively directs focus away from the fact of one\'s embodied presence in the moment. We can be readily reminded of our bodies through bringing attention to our breathing or by touching of the ground on which we stand, invoking the power of पृथ्वी (pṛthvī), or Earth. Doing so reincorporates us, allowing for an integration of our experience with the fullness of mind, body and spirit.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>What are the most important Sanskrit texts for Shaktas?</b><br><br>\r\n\r\nTraditionally, the two most important Sanskrit texts for Shaktas are the <i>Devi Mahatmya</i> (or <i>Chandi Path</i>, as it is also called), and the <i>Srimad Devi Bhagavatam</i>. Other important texts for left-hand Tantric practitioners and devotees of the Dark Goddess Kali and all her manifestations are the <i>Yogini Tantra</i> and the <i>Kalika Purana</i>.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h5>Jai Maa!</h5>\r\n[thaudio href=\'http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/jaima64.mp3\'][/thaudio]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[one_third][teaser url=\"http://sharanya.org/events\" title=\"Puja Calendar\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSC_0387-e1378621009871.jpg\" ]Upcoming dates[/teaser][/one_third]\r\n\r\n[one_third last=last][teaser url=\"http://sharanya.org/resources/galleries/\" title=\"Puja Galleries\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013-11-02-17.54.47-e1384902563517.jpg\" ]Explore...[/teaser][/one_third]','Puja','','publish','closed','closed','','pujas','','','2013-11-19 16:11:06','2013-11-19 23:11:06','',99131,'http://AtSHARANYA,wearededicatedinourworshiptoGoddessKaliinHermyriadforms,includingthoseasSheisexpressedthroughtheworld&#039;svarioustraditionsthathonortheDarkGoddess,theonewhoholdsthewisdomofthefullspectrumofhumanbeingness.',0,'page','',0),(99135,2,'2013-08-09 02:41:37','2013-08-09 02:41:37','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Pujas','','inherit','open','open','','99134-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:41:37','2013-08-09 02:41:37','',99134,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99136,2,'2013-08-09 02:41:58','2013-08-09 02:41:58','Pilgrimage—a sacred journey—has the capacity, should we choose to engage it, to take us to the heart of our beingness. Pilgrimage offers those seeking Goddess in Her most powerful forms (for example, through Kali, any of the Mahavidyas, Matrikas, or Yoginis) an opportunity to discover Her mysteries more deeply and sweetly. Each voyage invites the devotee to delve deeper into her or his spiritual path, expand horizons, learn first-hand about living Goddess traditions and experience the history and culture of the birthplace of Tantra.<br><br>\r\n\r\nIf you join us, you will access and visit temples and spiritual sites otherwise hard to reach, gaining entrance to a world often off-limits to foreign visitors. Come with us to meet Tantrics, adepts, and myriad spiritual seekers devoted to the Divine Mother.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[blog category=\"20\" perpage=\"4\" pagination=\"on\" ]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<blockquote>SHARANYA hosted annual pilgrimages to India from 2000 through 2009. We plan to resume in 2016.</blockquote> <br><br>\r\n\r\n<h3><a href=\"/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/SHARANYA2006IndiaPilgrimage.pdf\"> </a></h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_100156\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"558\"]<a href=\"/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/SHARANYA2006IndiaPilgrimage.pdf\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-100156 imgborder \" alt=\"India-Pilgrimage-SHARANYA-in-the-News\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/India-Pilgrimage-SHARANYA-in-the-News.jpg\" width=\"558\" height=\"314\" /></a> Blessings of the Divine Mother Kamakhya at her temple outside of Guwahti in Assam.[/caption]','Pilgrimage','','publish','closed','closed','','pilgrimage__trashed','','','2013-09-23 23:10:18','2013-09-24 06:10:18','',99131,'Pilgrimage—a sacred journey—has the capacity, should we choose to engage it, to take us to the heart of our beingness. Pilgrimage offers those seeking Goddess in Her most powerful forms (for example, through Kali, any of the Mahavidyas, Matrikas, or Yogin',0,'page','',0),(99137,2,'2013-08-09 02:41:58','2013-08-09 02:41:58','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Pilgrimage','','inherit','open','open','','99136-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:41:58','2013-08-09 02:41:58','',99136,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99138,2,'2013-08-09 02:42:32','2013-08-09 02:42:32','Each month in addition to worship and regular events, we host satsangs every <em>purnima</em> (full moon) and <em>amavasya</em> (new moon) in our home temple. These are an opportunity to meditate and chant, as well as listen to teachings on esoteric matters and lived experience (<em>upadesha</em>), or to learn about the sacred texts and their lessons (<em>pravachan</em>). We welcome you to join us.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In the sacred texts of Tantra, we learn of the Maa\'s expression of virtues. She is Divine Mother, and we honor Her as such. Yet, it is also true that sexuality, the fecundity of menstrual blood, the wild and untamable nature of reality, and all things antinomian come together in Her, expanding our notion of the Divine beyond motherly limitations. Through Her, the Dark Goddess, we see the potential for liberation because Devi is able, as dictated in the scriptures and by the lineage of the ancients, to lead aspirants to the highest and most engaged reality. - <I>SHARANYA Discourses on the Tantras</I></blockquote><br>\r\n\r\nYou may also wish to attend classes (either in person or online through <a title=\"Kali Vidya\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/the-path/kali-vidya/\" target=\"_blank\">Kali Vidya</a>) and participate in our other gatherings to learn more about and come to experience directly Her mysteries.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Class offerings\" active=\"\"]\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b>Ritual Practices of Shakta Tantra</b> - This three-part course is an introduction to worship and devotion of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess of Hinduism, the all-pervading Shakti, and Kali Maa, Dark Mother, the Supreme Goddess of Shakta Tantra. Participants will learn the context and content of worship in the living goddess tradition of Western Shakta Tantra called Sha\'can. Puja basics, including how to honor Devi (Goddess) Kali at home, will be taught. This offering may be particularly rewarding if you are considering training with us, are looking to incorporate Kali worship or worship of other forms of the Divine Mother from the Hindu tradition into your existing spiritual path, or are seeking a fuller experience with your dedicated worship in community.</li>\r\n	<li><b>Tools for Transformation</b> - This lecture and practice workshop series is focused on Yogic and Tantrick tools for transformation. All offerings include both educational and immediately useful, hands-on components; and all are set within a framework that recognizes a great spiritual truth: the personal is the planetary. Our work and commitment through each event is to broaden and deepen your experience of how changing yourself means changing the world. Sample workshops have included:</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ol>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><b>The Path of the Yoni: Tantrik Tools for Acceptance and Empowerment.</b> Let\'s discuss, celebrate and explore reverence for women\'s sexuality; viewing our bodies in a healthy way; the Tantric traditions of Kamakhya; and together dispel myths about tantric sex while unearthing the power of our yoni.</li>\r\n	<li><b>Tantra &amp; The Shamanic Path.</b> Learn and begin working with the fundamentals of incarnation, the subtle body, personal responsibility and liberation beyond space and time. Exercises may include recapitulation, stalking awareness, dreaming work, and the power of gratitudes.</li>\r\n	<li><b>Tantra &amp; Spellcraft. </b>Delve more deeply into the history of what has birthed some of today\'s magical traditions; learn about initiations, spellwork, and the basics of casting a circle, working with the elements and directions, grounding and centering through Tantric practice. Open to notions of what it means to hold integrity in the practice of magic.</li>\r\n	<li><b>Tantrik Awakening.</b> Discover the primary techniques of <i>pranayama</i> (breathwork) and <i>nyasa</i> (placement) as spiritual technologies. Explore Bhakti Yoga (the path of surrender to the Divine through devotion); and learn the fundamentals of Kundalini within a Shakta Tantric <i>marga</i> (pathway).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b>Gods and Goddesses of India Series</b> - Offering an introduction to the Western practitioner who seeks to know Hindu deities more concretely and practically, this series has three parts:</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<ol>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><b>Goddesses of India</b> - An introduction to the most commonly seen goddesses in India: Durga, Parvati, Kali, Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Lalita.</li>\r\n	<li><b>Gods of India</b> - An introduction to the most commonly seen gods of India: Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Ganesha, Krishna, Rama, Agni.</li>\r\n	<li><b>Goddesses of Tantra</b> - An introduction to the Dasa Mahavidya and others of the Tantric persuasion.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><b>Fierce Mothers: Tantrik Goddesses of Self-sacrifice</b> - This workshop opens doorways to the <em>raudra</em> (fierce) goddesses of India, including Camunda, Chinnamasta, Bagalamukhi, and several other of the Mahavidyas. This is a path to embracing feminine power and self-acceptance through Divine love and inspiration.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<h5>Mother Goddess Earthly &amp; Divine</h5>\r\n<img src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSCN1652-e1381643034256.jpg\" alt=\"Kali Murti at SHARANYA\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-100618 imgborder\" />\r\n<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>\r\n\r\n[thaudio href=\'http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/CIF-Project-Snip.mp3\']Talk excerpt: <i>Chandra Alexandre</I> (Cultural Integration Fellowship) April 25, 2010[/thaudio]\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"satsang-and-classes\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]\r\n\r\n[blog category=\"53\" perpage=\"3\" pagination=\"on\" ]','Satsang & Classes','','publish','closed','closed','','satsangs-classes','','','2013-10-20 22:23:46','2013-10-21 05:23:46','',99131,'Each month in addition to worship and regular events, we host satsangs every <em>purnima</em> (full moon) and <em>amavasya</em> (new moon) in our home temple. These are an opportunity to meditate and chant, as well as listen to teachings on esoteric matte',0,'page','',0),(99139,2,'2013-08-09 02:42:32','2013-08-09 02:42:32','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Satsangs & Classes','','inherit','open','open','','99138-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:42:32','2013-08-09 02:42:32','',99138,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99140,35,'2013-08-09 02:42:55','2013-08-09 02:42:55','The Sha\'can tradition offers many opportunities for the neophyte as well as the initiate on the path to practice, worship, learn, deepen, and cultivate spiritual leadership. At SHARANYA, those seeking an understanding of and way into Sha\'can begin with sitting in circle, joining us regularly for puja, service and teaching circles. Those who receive initiation are welcomed into the Kaula, or family of initiates.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"The Kaula\" active=\"\"]\r\nThe Kaula, our spiritual family, is bonded by faith, commitment and devotion to Goddess Kali. Each year we welcome Sha\'can initiates new and old to ceremonies that solidify their practice and another year\'s work on the path.\r\n<ul>\r\n        <li><strong>Kaula Chakra</strong> honoring the work of Matrika Chakra took place on Saturday, August 19th (2017) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Balipriya, Bhaktashankari, Satya, Jayada, and Shuddha for their witnessing of one another; for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.</li>\r\n        <li><strong>Initiation</strong> of our 14th Chakra (2016-2017 circle) took place on Friday, August 25th (2017) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Shveta, Raktabhava, Jvala, and Bhusa, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!.</li>\r\n        <li><strong>Rededication</strong> of Initiates (there was no 13th Chakra initiation) took place on Saturday, August 20th (2016) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Balipriya, Bhaktashankari, Satya, Jayada, Purnamanaha, Gitapriya, Pavini, Shuddha and Chinnamasta for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.</li>\r\n        <li><strong>Rededication</strong> of Initiates (there was no 12th Chakra initiation) took place on Saturday, August 15th (2015) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Balipriya, Bhaktashankari, Satya, Jayada, Purnamanaha, Gitapriya, Vibhutihi, Shuddha and Chinnamasta for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.</li>\r\n        <li><strong>Rededication</strong> of Initiates (there was no 11th Chakra initiation) took place on Saturday, August 16th (2014) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Balipriya, Bhaktashankari, Satya, Jayada, Purnamanaha, Maya,  Gitapriya, Vibhutihi, Shuddha, Citra and Chinnamasta for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Rededication</strong> of Initiates (there was no 10th Chakra initiation) took place on Saturday, August 10th (2013) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Balipriya, Bhaktashankari, Satya, Jayada, Haravallabha, Purnamanaha, Maya, Punyadeha, Gitapriya, Tivra, Vibhutihi, Shuddha, and Chinnamasta for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Rededication</strong> of Initiates during the 9th Chakra took place on Saturday, August 11th (2012) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Bhaktashankari, Pavini, Haravallabha, Satya, Jayada, Purnamanaha, Jaratura, Balipriya, Citra and Maya for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Initiation</strong> of our 9th Chakra (2011-12 circle) took place on Friday, August 24th (2012) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Gitapriya, Tivra, Vibhutihi, Shuddha, and Chinnamasta for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Rededication</strong> of Initiates (there was no 8th Chakra initiation) took place on Friday, September 9th (2011) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Purnamanaha, Bhaktashankari, Jayada, Balipriya, Jaratura, Satya, Mahesha and Haravallabha for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Initiation</strong> of our 7th Chakra (2009-2010 circle) took place on Friday, September 10th (2010) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Raktapa, Purnamanaha, Bhaktashankari, and Nitya, with thanks to community and all who have loved them and supported their work during the past year and a day!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Initiation</strong> of our 6th Chakra (2008-2009 circle) took place on Friday, September 11th (2009) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Mahesha, Haravallabha, Duti, Satya, and Citra, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Initiation</strong> of our 5th Chakra (2007-2008 circle) took place on Friday, September 5th (2008) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Jaratura, Jayada, Sanatani, Sarasvati, Anangarekha, and Balipriya, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Initiation</strong> of our 4th Chakra (2006-2007 circle) took place on Friday, September 7th (2007) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Asha and Kumarirupadharini, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Initiation</strong> of our 3rd Chakra (2005-2006 circle) took place on Friday, September 1st (2006) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Shunyanivasini, Svadha, Kalabhairavi, Pavini, Durgatarini, Shreyasi, Ranapandita, and Maya, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Initiation</strong> of our 2nd Chakra (2004-2005 circle) took place on Friday, September 2nd (2005) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Punyadeha, Shashini, Svayambhupuspapuspini, and Bhaktisukhini, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Initiation</strong> of our 1st Chakra (2003-2004 circle) took place on Friday, August 26th (2004) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Bhagavati, Karuna, Sundari, and Kumari, with thanks to our ancestors, guides and the lineage for the support and love during the past year and a day!</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n[blog category=\"111\" perpage=\"1\" pagination=\"\" ]\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"the-path\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]\r\n\r\n[upcoming category=\"daughters-of-kali\" count=\"2\" place=\"1\" time=\"1\" phone=\"1\" ]\r\n\r\n<h5>Teaching Circle</h5>\r\nYou can also join us for our next Teaching Circle as we continue the tradition of of engaging with teachings and practice after puja. Learn more about Tantra, our path, and the road to personal fulfillment through spiritual discipline in these informal gatherings. We offer you direct access to practices for deepened sadhana and worship within the embrace of community.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[upcoming category=\"teaching-circle\" count=\"2\" place=\"1\" time=\"1\" phone=\"1\" ]\r\n\r\n<h5>Farther Along The Path: Initiation & Beyond</h5>\r\nInitiation is a decision come to only after deep personal reflection, commitment, and dedicated work on the path. After initiation, many choose to further deepen study and practice in our ongoing circle of initiates, the Yogini Chakra. Many in our community stay in this circle, becoming mentors and elders in community. Others may choose to do the work necessary to take on a leadership role through Matrika Chakra.<br><br>\r\n\r\nFrom this place, it is also possible to continue the journey to ordination, working toward recognition as full clergy: the Rashani of Sha\'can. This path is available to any committed seeker.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[one_third] [teaser url=\"http://sharanya.org/the-path/commitment/\" title=\"Initiation\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/SF-Oct-08-123-e1377932688317.jpg\" ]Learn more...[/teaser] [/one_third]\r\n[one_third last=last] [teaser url=\"http://sharanya.org/the-path/ordination/\" title=\"Ordination\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_2076-e1377932258801.jpg\" ]Learn more...[/teaser] [/one_third]','The Path','','publish','closed','closed','','the-path','','','2017-09-01 13:40:07','2017-09-01 20:40:07','',0,'http://TheSha&#039;cantraditionoffersmanyopportunitiesfortheneophyteaswellastheinitiateonthepathtopractice,worship,learn,deepen,andcultivatespiritualleadership.AtSHARANYA,thoseseekinganunderstandingofandwayintoSha&#039;canbeginwithsi',0,'page','',0),(99142,2,'2013-08-09 02:42:55','2013-08-09 02:42:55','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','The Path','','inherit','open','open','','99140-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:42:55','2013-08-09 02:42:55','',99140,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99143,2,'2013-08-09 02:43:14','2013-08-09 02:43:14','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Teachings','','publish','closed','closed','','teachings','','','2013-08-09 02:43:14','2013-08-09 02:43:14','',99140,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'page','',0),(99144,2,'2013-08-09 02:43:14','2013-08-09 02:43:14','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Teachings','','inherit','open','open','','99143-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:43:14','2013-08-09 02:43:14','',99143,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99145,2,'2013-08-09 02:43:33','2013-08-09 02:43:33','A commitment to the Divine within the <a title=\"The Tradition\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/about-us/the-tradition-2/\">Sha\'can tradition</a> takes many forms. Seekers are invited to our public rituals and are welcome to join us for teaching circles held monthly on the dates of our regular worship. <br><br>\r\n\r\nFor those who feel a deeper call, the path to initiation is open when the time is right. While we welcome all serious inquiries, we recognize that the commitment and dedication necessary for initiation, and most especially for the process of ordination as clergy, is not possible or practical for everyone. No matter what your inclination at this moment, we invite you to familiarize yourself with our path and our temple, to ask questions of our community members, initiates and ministry, and after all this, to determine what is best for you.  <br><br>\r\n\r\nOutlined here are the guidelines for a faith-based practice that can lead to initiation and the ministerial path if one so desires. Please note that regardless of the road, ours is a tradition of commitment, devotion and dedication. For religious governance purposes, SHARANYA runs by consensus among clergy and elders, and we seek to promote fresh ideas and open avenues of communication among all members in community.\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"initiation\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]\r\n\r\n<h5>Initiation and Beyond</h5>\r\n[tabgroup]\r\n[tab title=\"Sitting in Circle\"]\r\n\r\n<b><img class=\"alignright\" alt=\"Maa Batakali Mandir (Puri) and SHARANYA\'s Founder (1998)\" src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/chandra_puri.gif\" width=\"297\" height=\"280\" align=\"left\" /></b><span style=\"color: #9c1601\"><strong><i>Objective:</strong></span> To develop personal practice within Sha\'can and deepen worship of the Dark Goddess; to gain basic techniques and understandings through learning of cosmology, practice, language, and ritual in the tradition that help guide spiritual development.</i><br><br>\r\n\r\nThose interested in becoming practicing members of the tradition, and possibly initiates, are encouraged to sit in circle with us during our <a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/daughters-of-kali/\">Daughters of Kali</a> meetings. This means that in addition to attending worship ceremonies, individuals are encouraged to follow a course of regular devotion and practice, as outlined in our course, taking to heart the fundamentals of our history and the symbolism, ritual formats, liturgy, and prayer methodologies of Sha\'can.<br><br>\r\n\r\nParticipation in regular circle work for a year and a day is typical under the supervision and mentoring of an initiate (one serving at least within a Yogini Chakra). This can prepare one for and lead to initiation within the tradition, as agreed upon by the individual and the circle members, with final recommendation and approval granted by the presiding initiate.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Expectations and outcomes\" active=\"\"]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Sitting in circle, here is some of what you will learn:  </span>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The history and foundation of Sha\'can </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Cosmology and cosmogony of the tradition </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Principles of Tantra and Shakta Tantra </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">History and context for worship of Kali and other Hindu goddesses </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Mantras to ground material and work with deities </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Foundations of ritual work (purification, invocations, etc.) </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Components of the Kali Puja (first level) </span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Foundations of individual practice (grounding and centering, spell work, divination, energy work, creating sacred space, meditation, etc.)</span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nExamples of Tantric techniques, concepts, and practices taught:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Pranayama (breath work)</li>\r\n	<li>Dharana (concentration) and Dhyana (meditation)</li>\r\n	<li>Japa (recitation)</li>\r\n	<li>Mudra (hand postures)</li>\r\n	<li>Chakras (energy centers)</li>\r\n	<li>Tattwa shuddhi (elemental purification)</li>\r\n	<li>Koshas (sheaths)</li>\r\n	<li>Akshara nyasa (placement)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[/tab]\r\n\r\n[tab title=\"Initiation\"]For those choosing to be initiated within the tradition, taking of a name and making a Statement of Faith are the hallmarks of this next passage. Individuals are encouraged to enter into contemplation and meditation on the spiritual significance that initiation will have, making the choice to do so in full confidence of their decision. Initiates carry a chosen name as a sign of their commitment, devotion, and willingness to work on their spiritual path.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSCN1576-e1381470083113.jpg\"><img src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSCN1576-e1381470083113.jpg\" alt=\"Offering\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-100600 imgborder\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThe ceremony culminates with the initiate being presented to at least three witnesses (one of whom must also be an initiate), before whom the Statement of Faith is affirmed. With this, initiates willingly carry responsibility for the preservation of the tradition, and for promoting the aims and objectives of SHARANYA to the utmost of their abilities.<br><br>\r\n\r\nAlthough this responsibility is not codified, the responsibility is real and fully based upon the needs, interests, and objectives of both the initiate and the guiding community spirit. Potential initiates have an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills by sitting in circle (in this past this was facilitated through Daughters of Kali). Sitting in circle on the path to initiation requires a commitment to regular sadhana, worship and study. After initiation, individuals have further opportunities within the faith for developing their commitment to the Divine according to our beliefs and practices.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[/tab]\r\n[tab title=\"Yogini Chakra\"]<span style=\"color: #9c1601\"><strong><i>Objective:</strong></span> Deepened personal practice and greater breadth of spiritual technologies in pursuit of personal spiritual goals.</i><br><br>\r\n\r\nAfter initiation, individuals may request admittance to the Yogini Chakra. This circle is a manifest expression of deeper commitment to the tradition and faith.  It is considered the first step towards pursuing ordination, a much longer and more involved process to which initiates must dedicate themselves over the course of, at a minimum, three years.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/kali_arms.gif\" width=\"247\" height=\"407\" align=\"right\" /> Application for membership requires that in addition to expressing an earnest desire to further spiritual practice with demonstrable dedication to the path, an individual must obtain the support of another initiate willing to act as mentor. This requires that the supporting mentor already be within the Matrika Chakra, or at a more advanced degree within SHARANYA\'s ordination structure. All membership requests are reviewed by committee and either accepted or denied based in large part upon the following criteria:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Applicant must be initiated in the Sha\'can tradition.</li>\r\n	<li>Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.</li>\r\n	<li>Applicant must hold at least a high-school diploma.</li>\r\n	<li>Demonstrable commitment to the work of SHARANYA and the faith.</li>\r\n	<li>Demonstrable aptitude in and knowledge of the tradition.</li>\r\n	<li>Recognized and demonstrable leadership abilities.</li>\r\n	<li>Letter of recommendation from mentor or other initiate.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nDenied membership applications may be augmented or otherwise altered to meet committee requirements and resubmitted on appeal within three months. Those accepted into the Yogini Chakra make a commitment in formal ceremony marking the passage to regular and disciplined practice, deepened instruction in religious ceremonies, study, dedicated attendance at monthly meetings, participation in community worship services, and assistance at high holy day public events. This assistance encompasses the logistical details of public functions as well as the spiritual guidance aspects of ritual.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThe primary work of this circle is to further familiarize initiates with all levels of ministerial duties, provide opportunities for leadership, and create a container for work on and practice of invocations, prayers, and other ritual elements. Participation within the Yogini Chakra for a year and a day (or after six months with special application to committee) entitles one to seek membership within the next circle.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Expectations and outcomes\" active=\"\"]\r\n\r\nSome of what you will learn (in addition to deepening work with previous material):\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Mantras appropriate to this level of practice</li>\r\n	<li>Integration of ritual techniques</li>\r\n	<li>Components of Kali Puja (second level)</li>\r\n	<li>Yantra Level I (creation, worship as deity, protection)</li>\r\n	<li>Introduction to panchatattva chakra puja</li>\r\n	<li>Advanced pranayama</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nExamples of some Tantric techniques, concepts, and practices taught:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Prana pratishtha</li>\r\n	<li>Kara nyasa and other nyasas</li>\r\n	<li>Kundalini yoga practices</li>\r\n	<li>Yoga nidra</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\nNOTE: Initiates may remain in Yogini Chakra for as long as they wish. Initiates are considered elders in community once they have participated in Yogini Chakra for two years.\r\n\r\n[/tab]\r\n\r\n[tab title=\"Matrika Chakra\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1081132339_BdWLn-O-e1382070439407.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-99739 imgborder\" alt=\"Shiva Offering\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1081132339_BdWLn-O-e1382070439407.jpg\" /></a><span style=\"color: #9c1601\"><i><strong>Objective:</strong></span> Engagement of spirituality in the larger community/world. Learning and mastery of more intricate spiritual technologies for realization of S/self, facilitation of relationships, personal growth, and deepened connection with the Divine.</i><br><br>\r\n\r\nEntry to the Matrika Chakra is predicated upon successful completion of tenure within the Yogini Chakra and based upon application and approval by committee. In addition to a Certification of Completion by the Yogini Chakra committee, applicants are required to submit, in writing, details of their religious/spiritual work to date within the tradition, a statement called Explanation of Involvement (this details how they have served in community), and a proposal for project work as application. Once the application is received and reviewed, an interview with the candidate will be arranged as the final step before determination is given. As above, denied membership applications may be augmented or otherwise altered to meet committee requirements and resubmitted on appeal within three months.<br><br>\r\n\r\nWhen approved, individuals are accepted and granted status within this circle at the Ceremony of Elders. They must complete, at a minimum, one year of service and fulfillment of their project before requesting Apprenticeship. The primary work of the Matrika Chakra is to augment deepening ritual knowledge with mentoring responsibilities and ministerial assistance, including learning to lead and taking responsibility for public monthly puja ceremonies. <br><br>\r\n\r\nIndividuals within this circle must also complete a community service project based on SHARANYA\'s aims and objectives as approved by committee, prove proficiency in ritual work that includes the creation of a commitment or rite of passage ceremony for submission to the tradition\'s <i>Twilight Book of Ritual and Prayer</i>, mastery of <i>devanagari</i> script (reading and writing only; translation is not required), and commitment to memory of the <i>Kali Gayatri</i>, at least 51 of Maa Kali\'s sacred names, and other important mantras for use in worship (<i>puja</i>) services.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Expectations and outcomes\" active=\"\"]What you will learn (in addition to deepening work and teaching of material offered in Yogini):\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Subtle body practices, including work with the patala chakras</li>\r\n        <li>Increased engagement with the Sacred Male/Divine Masculine</li>\r\n	<li>Mantra as appropriate to this level of practice</li>\r\n	<li>Foundations of Sanskrit</li>\r\n	<li>Deepening yoga nidra, shuddhi, nyasa and fundamental practices</li>\r\n	<li>Advanced ritual techniques</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nExamples of some Tantric techniques, concepts, and practices taught:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Bahya matrika nyasa</li>\r\n	<li>Matrika nyasa</li>\r\n	<li>Anga puja</li>\r\n	<li>Pitha nyasa</li>\r\n	<li>Yantra Level II (spell work, siddhis, talismans)</li>\r\n	<li>Yajna and homa rites</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[/tab]\r\n\r\n[/tabgroup]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Initiation','','publish','closed','closed','','commitment','','','2016-05-23 21:32:28','2016-05-24 04:32:28','',99140,'http://AcommitmenttotheDivinewithintheSha&#039;cantraditiontakesmanyforms.Seekersareinvitedtoourpublicritualsandarewelcometojoinusforteachingcirclesheldmont',0,'page','',0),(99146,2,'2013-08-09 02:43:33','2013-08-09 02:43:33','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Commitment','','inherit','open','open','','99145-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:43:33','2013-08-09 02:43:33','',99145,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99147,2,'2013-08-09 02:43:54','2013-08-09 02:43:54','Ordination, as its Latin roots imply, is the weaving together of the inner and outer worlds into one seamless life. It is the continued deepening of one’s spiritual practice while simultaneously increasing one’s service to the greater community. In this sense, ordination reflects the very nature of Tantra itself; namely, the work that one does within fosters transformation in the external realm and vice versa. Of course, one need not be ordained to do this, but the conferral of clergy is the formalized process of this work and includes the public commitment to putting Sha’can’s teachings and values into action.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[blog category=\"37\" perpage=\"1\" pagination=\"\" ]\r\n<br><br>\r\n\r\n<h5>The Final Steps</h5>\r\n[tabgroup]\r\n[tab title=\"Apprentice\"]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-100734 imgborder\" alt=\"Apprentice\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSC_0248-e1382072134191.jpg\" />After a minimum of two and a half years, those whose inclination takes them to seek ordination are required to submit application for Apprenticeship.  Apprentices work under the direct supervision of a Rashani (the title of ordained clergy within Sha\'can), with responsibility for ministerial activities (including community outreach and support, liturgical enhancements as permitted, and ritual preparation and assistance), as well as service within the structure of initiation and ordination, and dedication to the service project of one\'s choice; among other things.<br><br>\r\n\r\nApplication for Apprenticeship is made to committee, with a request for supervision by particular clergy possible. If no request is made, then the successful applicant will be assigned to the Rashani deemed most suitable to fulfilling their needs as expressed in the application essay. Revoked applications may be resubmitted after a waiting period of at least six months, within no more than a year from the original application date.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"Application\" active=\"\"]Applications must include the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>The applicant\'s religious curriculum vitae detailing work within the tradition and length of service under each degree held</li>\r\n	<li>Statement of Intent to Ordain</li>\r\n	<li>An essay describing the applicant\'s vision of their ministerial work in the world (not to exceed 2,500 words)</li>\r\n	<li>Certificate of Completion</li>\r\n	<li>A letter of recommendation by a Matrika Chakra committee member</li>\r\n	<li>A letter of recommendation by someone outside the tradition who knows the applicant well</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\nAdditional material may be provided or requested by the reviewing committee. A survey regarding the applicant\'s spiritual leadership abilities and work to date will be made to community by the applicant. Responses will be received and synthesized by the responsible Rashani and offered to the applicant. A response to the feedback is required within no more than three (3) weeks. Acceptance as an Apprentice by committee then requires the successful applicant to undergo the Claiming Ceremony, in which they avow to uphold the Creed of Kali.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThe ceremony is facilitated in two parts, on separate occasions usually within three (3) months of one another. This provides time for a deepening of personal work and reflection on the process. Service as an Apprentice is for one year without exception, making the minimum time before ordination three and a half years. The entire application process for approval as Apprentice is at least six (6) months and can take longer.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[/tab]\r\n[tab title=\"Rashani\"]\r\n\r\nRashani is the title of ordained clergy within Sha\'can. A Rashani is a fully-fledged minister of the faith, with the power to initiate community members, perform rites of passage, solemnize life event ceremonies, certify as meeting required criteria all articles for submission and possible addition to the Twilight Book of Ritual and Prayer pending Liturgical Oversight Committee review and approval, serve as officiant at all rites and rituals, perform puja ceremonies, participate on ordination committees, and otherwise carry out the religious function of SHARANYA.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<img alt=\"Maa Batakali\" src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/ordination_kali.gif\" width=\"222\" height=\"383\" align=\"left\" /> Additionally, a Rashani may participate in the activities of the Inner Council, serving on committees related to the administrative functioning of the corporation, and may be nominated for membership within the Inner Council.  A Rashani is expected to promote fully the aims and objectives of the organization, including but not limited to service and community work, spiritual and educational projects, and the overall growth of community.<br><br>\r\n\r\nTo be ordained, an Apprentice must satisfy the time and commitment requirements of that position, acting in good faith as a spiritual leader commensurate with the expectations of SHARANYA\'s Inner Council, Ordination Committee, and other ordained clergy. Petition for Ordination after these requirements are met is made by the supervising Rashani to the Ordination Committee. After review of the applicant\'s file, an interview is set up for the candidate to elaborate upon their experience and expectations, summarize qualifications, and otherwise support the petition made on their behalf. Approval of the Ordination Committee means that the applicant is considered Advanced to Ordination, which sets in motion the process for final conferral of the title of Rashani.<br><br>\r\n\r\nFinal conferral is made in a ceremony at which the individual advanced to Ordination takes the Oath of Spiritual Service. After this ceremony, the individual conferred is an equal having the same status, responsibilities, and powers as any other Rashani ordained within the Sha\'can tradition.<br><br>\r\n[/tab]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[tab title=\"Summary\"]\r\n\r\nThe minimum time commitment for ordination is three and a half years, but will usually be longer. Applicants should expect at least a four year commitment. Ordination is a formal and public commitment to the path and to the community. It is never undertaken lightly. Here is a summary of the entire process:<br><br>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSC_0172-e1382072557502.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-100736 imgborder\" alt=\"Kali Yantra\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSC_0172-e1382072557502.jpg\" /></a>\r\n<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> <b>Sitting in Circle and Initiation</b>: 1 year</ol>\r\n	<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> <b>Yogini Chakra</b>: 1 year</ol>\r\n	<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> <b>Matrika Chakra</b>: 1 year</ol>\r\n	<ol><span style=\"color: #9c1601; font-family: wingdings; font-size: x-large;\">{</span> <b>Apprentice &amp; Ordination</b>: 1 year</ol>\r\n[/tab]\r\n[/tabgroup]\r\n\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"ordination\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]\r\n','Ordination','','publish','closed','closed','','ordination','','','2013-10-24 22:55:27','2013-10-25 05:55:27','',99140,'http://blogcategory=37perpage=1pagination=TheFinalStepstabgrouptabtitle=Apprentice',0,'page','',0),(99148,2,'2013-08-09 02:43:54','2013-08-09 02:43:54','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Ordination','','inherit','open','open','','99147-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:43:54','2013-08-09 02:43:54','',99147,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99149,2,'2013-08-09 02:44:14','2013-08-09 02:44:14','We gather in our sanctuary, our home temple, to contemplate Her mysteries. Through Her, Dark Goddess, we see the potential for liberation knowing that Devi is able, as dictated in the scriptures and by the lineage of the ancients, to lead aspirants to the highest and most deeply experienced reality. Meeting regularly, we devote our time and energy on the path to active engagement in living. Use the resources in this section of our site to facilitate your own journey.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h5>Books & Reference</h5>\r\n[tabgroup]\r\n[tab title=\"Recommended Reading\"]To begin learning about Sha\'can, the following three books are recommended to provide academic and practical information, offering a starting place for your reflections and engagement on the path:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><em>Kali: The Feminine Force</em> by Ajit Mookerji</span></li>\r\n	<li><em>Kali: The Black Goddess of Dakshineshwar</em> by Elizabeth Usha Harding</li>\r\n	<li><em>Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahavidyas</em> by David Kinsley</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<hr />\r\n\r\n<h4>Additional Resources</h4>\r\n<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://img.mynewsletterbuilder.com/userdata/kalichandra/images/Kali_Maa.jpg\" align=\"right\" border=\"0\" />Adams, Carol J. ed. Ecofeminism and the Sacred (Continuum: New York) 1993\r\n\r\nAdler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today (Beacon Press: Boston) 1986\r\n\r\nAiyar, Indira S. Durga as Mahisasuramardini: A Dynamic Myth of Goddess (Gyan Publishing House: New Delhi) 1997\r\n\r\nBaring, Anne and Jules Cashford. The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image (Arkana/Penguin: London) 1991\r\n\r\nBhairavan, Amarananda. Kali\'s Odiyya: A Shaman\'s True Story of Initiation (Nicolas- Hays: York Beach, Maine) 2000\r\n\r\nBharati, Agehananda. The Tantric Tradition (Samuel Weiser: NY) 1975\r\n\r\nBhattacharyya, Narendra Nath. Ancient Indian Rituals and their Social Contents (Manohar: New Delhi) 1975\r\n\r\nBhattacharyya, Narendra Nath. History of the Shakta Religion (Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers: New Delhi) 1996\r\n\r\nBrown, C. Mackenzie. The Triumph of the Goddess: The Canonical Models and Theological Visions of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana (State University of NY Press: Albany) 1990\r\n\r\nDanielou, Alain. The Myths and Gods of India (Inner Traditions: VT) 1985\r\n\r\nEck, Diana L. and Jain, Devaki. Speaking of Faith: Global Perspectives on Women, Religion &amp; Social Change (New Society Publishers: Philadelphia) 1987\r\n\r\nEisler, Riane. The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future, (Harper &amp; Row: San Francisco) 1988\r\n\r\nFeuerstein, Georg. Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy (Shambhala: Boston) 1998\r\n\r\nGadon, Elinor W. The Once &amp; Future Goddess: A Sweeping Visual Chronicle of the Sacred Female and Her Reemergence in the Cultural Mythology of Our Time (Harper &amp; Row: San Francisco) 1989\r\n\r\nGalland, China. Longing for Darkness: Tara and the Black Madonna, A Ten-Year Journey (Viking/Penguin) 1991\r\n\r\nGeorge, Demetra. Mysteries of the Dark Moon: The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess (Harper Collins: San Francisco) 1992\r\n\r\nGhanananda, Swami and Sir John Stewart-Wallace, C.B., eds. Women Saints East and West (Vedanta Press: Hollywood, CA) 1955\r\n\r\nGimbutas, Marija. The Language of the Goddess (HarperRow: San Francisco) 1989\r\n\r\nHiltebeitel, Alf and Erndl, Kathleen, eds. Is the Goddess a Feminist? The Politics of South Asian Goddesses (New York University Press : NY) 2000\r\n\r\nHixon, Lex. Great Swan: Meetings with Ramakrishna (Shambhala: Boston) 1992\r\n\r\nHuyler, Stephen P. Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion (Yale University Press: New Haven) 1999\r\n\r\nJansen, Eva Rudy. The Book of Hindu Imagery: The Gods and their Symbols (Binkey Kok Publications: The Netherlands) 1993\r\n\r\nJayakar, Pupul. The Earth Mother: Legends, Rituals Arts, and Goddesses of India (Harper &amp; Row: San Francisco) 1990\r\n\r\nJohnsen, Linda. Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India (Yes International Publishers: St. Paul, MN) 1994\r\n\r\nKhanna, Madhu. Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity (Thames and Hudson Ltd: London) 1979\r\n\r\nKinsley, David. The Sword and the Flute: Kali &amp; Krishna, Dark Visions of the Terrible and the Sublime in Hindu Mythology (University of California: Berkeley) 1975\r\n\r\nNeumann, Erich. The Great Mother: An Analysis of the Archetype (Bollingen Series: Princeton) 1974\r\n\r\nOchs, Carol. Behind the Sex of God: Toward a New Consciousness Transcending Matriarchy and Patriarchy (Beacon Press: Boston) 1977\r\n\r\nPande, Mrinal. Devi: Tales of the Goddess in Our Time (Penguin Books India: New Delhi) 1996\r\n\r\nPattanaik, Devdutt. The Goddess in India; The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine (Inner Traditions: VT) 2000\r\n\r\nPayne, Ernest A. The Shaktas: An Introductory and Comparative Study (Dover: New York) 1997 (Reprint)\r\n\r\nPintchman, Tracy. The Rise of the Goddess in the Hindu Tradition (State University of New York Press: Albany) 1994\r\n\r\nShelton, Mary Murray. Guidance from the Darkness: The Transforming Power of the Divine Feminine in Difficult Times (Putnam: NY) 2000\r\n\r\nShiva, Vandana. Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Development (Zed Books: London) 1989\r\n\r\nSjoo, Monica and Mor, Barbara. The Great Cosmic Mother: Rediscovering the Religion of the Earth 1991\r\n\r\nSri Aurobindo. The Ideal of Human Unity, (Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press: Pondicherry, India) 1950\r\n\r\nStarhawk. The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess--10th Aniversary Edition, Revised and Updated (Harper: San Francisco) 1979\r\n\r\nStone, Merlin. When God Was a Woman  (Harcourt Brace:  NY) 1978\r\n\r\nWhite, David Gordon. The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India (University of Chicago Press: Chicago) 1996\r\n\r\nWoodman, Marion and Elinor Dickson. Dancing in the Flames: The Dark Goddess in the Transformation of Consciousness (Shambhala: Boston) 1996\r\n\r\nWoodroffe, Sir John. Hymns to the Goddess (Ganesh &amp; Co.: Madras) 1973\r\n\r\nZimmer, Heinrich. Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization (Motilal Banarsidass: Delhi) Joseph Campbell, ed., 1990\r\n\r\n[/tab]\r\n\r\n[tab title=\"Current Reading\"]\r\nProvided here are some of our kaula\'s current reading with links to texts (we do not receive any remuneration through these links).\r\n\r\n<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"1000\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"http://astore.amazon.com/maabatakasapsara\"></iframe>\r\n[/tab]\r\n\r\n[tab title=\"Glossary\"]If you are new to Eastern traditions, or if you are walking the <a title=\"The Path\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/the-path/\">Sha\'can path</a>, you may find this to be a helpful resource. We have listed the most common terms that one may run across in our tradition.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/AScript.jpg\" width=\"82\" height=\"80\" align=\"left\" /><b>acarya (aah-chaar\'-yah)</b> - teacher; an advanced jnana yogi; traditionally, the formal title used for a respected teacher, appended to the end of their name, such as the famous teacher Shankaracarya (Shankar + acarya = Shankaracarya). Sometimes equated with guru, the acarya is differentiated somewhat from a guru as having deep knowledge in the scriptures and ability to use them to support his/her teaching, as well as a pure connection with the Divine.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>agni (uhg\'-nee)</b> - fire; also the God of fire, one of the most important Gods of the Vedas; as such, Agni is considered the first purohit. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>bali (buh\'-lee or boh\'-lee)</b> - sacrifice. We use a melon, as is done in daksinacara Hindu practice, as the sacrifice in our puja. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>dada (daa\'-daa)</b> - elder brother (Bengali) </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>daksinacara (dak-shee\'-na-chaara)</b> - the right-hand or dakshina path of Tantra; the dualistic path in which symbols are used in ritual as substitutes for what are otherwise used in vamacara practice to connect worshippers with the divine. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>dasa mahavidya (duh\'-shuh muh-haa\'-vid\'-yaah)</b> - literally, the ten great female wisdoms, or the ten great wisdom goddesses; the ten fierce (primarily Tantrik) Goddesses who are considered forms of Kali. There are many lists that variously give their names. In the Sha\'can tradition, we primarily worship this list: Kali, Tara, Sodashi/Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshvari, Chinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagala/Bagalamukhi, Matangi, Kamala. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>deva (day\'-vuh)</b> - god </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>devanagari (day\'-vah-nah\'-gah-ree)</b> - the script used for writing both Sanskrit and Hindi. Literally, \"of the city of the gods.\" </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>devi (day\'-vee)</b> - goddess </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>dhyana (dyaah\'-nuh)</b> - meditation </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>-di (dee)</b> - a Bengali honorific appended to a name to show respect or honor (like the Hindi -ji). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>didi (dee\'-dee)</b> - elder sister in Bengali </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>evam astu (aay\'-vum aah\'-stoo)</b> - thus it will be (synonymous with \"blessed be,\" \"so shall it be,\" so mote it be, or \"amen\") </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/GaScript.jpg\" width=\"75\" height=\"76\" align=\"left\" /><b>Ganesha (Guh-nay\'-shuh)</b> - literally \"Lord of the Multitudes\" (\"gana\" referring to Shiva\'s multitude of attendants); the elephant-headed God of knowledge, wisdom, compassion, the remover of obstacles, the lord of the dance. He is traditionally worshiped first in all pujas, to remove obstacles to devotion. It is also said on a spiritual level that \"ga\" means knowledge and \"na\" means salvation - thus Ganesha is also the Lord of Knowledge and Salvation. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>gayatri (gai\'-yuh-tree... where \"gai\" rhymes with \"pie\")</b> - a song or hymn; a meter for Sanskrit poetry; also the name of a Goddess who is the Mother of the Vedas and a personification of the famous Gayatri Mantra (not to be confused with the Kali Gayatri). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>guru (goo\'-roo)</b> - teacher or guide; literally, venerable/worthy of praise; one who helps to cross from darkness (gu) to light (ru); one gifted with the ability to impart not only knowledge, but experience of the Divine, who can open the pathway to each individual\'s experience. This term is widely misunderstood, especially in the West.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">A true spiritual guru, being continually and intimately connected with the Divine, serves the Divine and encourages each individual to explore their own direct connection with the Divine. They help guide others toward their own realization of Divinity, in the spirit of service to the Divine and to humanity. False gurus (sometimes referred to as cult leaders) often claim Divine oneness, then demand unquestioning faith for the purpose of self-glory, self-promotion and the exploitation and control of their followers.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"> Although we honor our lineage holders and teachers for helping us to connect more fully and deeply to our chosen paths, SHARANYA does not require or request any pledge of faith to any guru. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>homa (hoh\'-muh... where \"hoh\" rhymes with \"show\")</b> - fire ceremony, during which clarified butter and other sacred substances are offered to the fire. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>Jai Maa!</b> - literally, \"Victory to the Mother!\" We\'ve also heard it lovingly translated as \"hooray Kali!\" - which is a sweet and wonderful translation that captures its essence. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>japa (juh\'-puh)</b> - literally, \"muttering.\" It is the term for the process of devotionally repeating mantras with a mala, which when it becomes fast and quiet sounds like muttering. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>-ji (jee)</b> - a Hindi affectionate honorific; appended to the end of a name to denote affection. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>jnana (nyaah\'-nuh)</b> - knowledge; wisdom. As a yogic path, the pursuit of connection with the Divine via intensive study of the Sanskrit scriptures and traditions, as well as intensive meditative and ritual devotional practice.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>Kali (kaah\'-lee)</b> - based on the word meaning either \"time\" or \"black,\" in simplest translation, Kali is \"She Who is Time,\" or \"She Who is Black.\" There are other, expanded meanings, as well. Her name should not be confused with the similar-looking word \"kali,\" which means \"terrible,\" but in devanagari is spelled differently and is also pronounced differently. In simple transliteration, the Goddess is Kaalii, and the word meaning \"terrible\" is kali. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>kaula (kow\'-luh)</b> - family; as a Tantric term, this traditionally refers specifically to initiates in the same Tantric tradition, but we use it also to refer to those sincerely practicing Sha\'can, not necessarily just initiates. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/MaaScript.jpg\" width=\"101\" height=\"96\" align=\"left\" /><b>Maa</b> - mother (affectionate colloquialism for Mata); somewhat better translated as \"mama\" or \"mommy.\" Also spelled Ma. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>maha (muh-haah\')</b> - great (as in Mahakali - the Great Kali; Mahadeva - the Great God) </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>mala (maah\'-luh)</b> - garland; the garland of beads similar to a rosary used for japa. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>mandir (mun\'-deer)</b> - temple </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>mata (maah\'-taah)</b> - mother </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>marga (maar\'-guh)</b> - path or way, as in vamamarga. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>matrika (muh\'-tree-kaah)</b> - little mother (as in the asta matrikas, \"the eight little mothers\"); in Sha\'can, the second level of commitment toward ordination, after initiation. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>namaste (nuh\'-muh-stay)</b> - literally, I bow to you. The spirit of this word, however, is the recognition of the divinity in each person. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/PaScript.jpg\" width=\"76\" height=\"76\" align=\"left\" /><b>prana (praah\'-nuh)</b> - the life-breath;  energy carried on the breath into the body. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>prema (pray\'-muh)</b> - love </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>puja (poo\'-juh)</b> - worship (specifically, ritual worship) </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>pujari (poo-jaah\'-ree)</b> - a priest who facilitates worship in a traditional Hindu service. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>purohit (puh\'-row-heet)</b> - literally, the one who stands before others; i.e., the lead priest in a traditional Hindu ritual. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>puspa (poosh\'-puh)</b> - flower; a symbol for menstrual blood. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>rashani (rah-shaa\'-nee)</b> - priestess; in Sha\'can, one who is ordained. It is a Romani (Gypsy) word, and thus symbolic of our standing as a bridge between East and West. (N.B. while in some instances we have learned of interesting twists on this meaning, the original meaning of the word <i>Rashani</i> is <i>priestess</i>, and this is how we use it in community.) </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>ritu (rih\'-too)</b> - cycle; used in Tantra to designate the menstrual cycle in particular as well as the blood of that cycle. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>sa\'ham (saah\'-hum)</b> - when pronounced with a long aa, it means literally \"I am She;\" when pronounced with a short a (often written Òso\'hamÓ), it means \"I am He.\" This is frequently used in the feminine form by members of our community as a greeting or farewell and to recognize their oneness with Maa, the inherent divinity in themselves, and thus in all beings. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>sankalpa (sun-kaahl\'-puh)</b> - intention </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/ShaScript.jpg\" width=\"62\" height=\"69\" align=\"left\" /><b>Shaiva (shai\'-vuh)</b> - one who primarily worships the God Shiva </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>Shakta (shaahk\'-tuh)</b> - one who primarily worships the Goddess; most typically, Shaktas worship Kali or Lalita (Also known commonly as Sri or Tripura Sundari) </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>shakti (shuhk\'-tee)</b> - power or energy; also, the name of the Goddess as the essence of the power of the universe; the divine female force. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>shanti (shaahn\'-tee)</b> - peace </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>sharanya (shuh\'-ruhn-yuh)</b> - sanctuary, refuge </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>Shiva (shih\'-vuh)</b> - auspicious; the name of the God who is the consort of Kali Maa, and as such \"He Who is the Auspicious One.\" He is the Great God, the Great Yogi, and the Lord of the Dance - referring to his cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction, which he dances with Maa Kali. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>shri (shree)</b> - an honorific denoting respect; used in front of a name. Deities are often referred to as \"Shri Shri\" and then their name.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>shuddhi (shood\'-hee)</b> - purification </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>ugra (ooh\'-grah)</b> - angry, powerful or fierce </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>Vaishnava (vaish-naah\'-vuh)</b> - one who primarily worships the God Vishnu and/or his incarnations, such as Krishna and Rama </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>vamacara (vaah\'-muh-chaara)</b> - the \'left-hand\' path of Tantra; the non-dualistic path in which traditionally impure, unclean or polluting substances are utilized in ritual in order to break down the practitioner\'s acculturated resistance to or fear of certain aspects of the divine.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>vamamarga (vaah\'-muh-maar\'-guh)</b> - the left-hand path (see also vamacara) </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>vidya (vihd\'-yuh)</b> - wisdom, knowledge </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/YaScript.jpg\" width=\"59\" height=\"69\" align=\"left\" /><b>yogini (yoh-gee\'-nee)</b> - one who seeks spiritual union with the divine; sometimes causally used to refer to a female practitioner of hatha yoga. Also, a female divine intermediary who functions and acts on behalf of the absolute in the mundane realm. Yogini Chakra is the first commitment level toward ordination in Sha\'can after initiation. </span>\r\n\r\n[/tab]\r\n\r\n[tab title=\"Archives\"]Read our newsletter archives! <i>Devyuvaaca: The Goddess Said</i>, is full of tea and treat recipes, mantra, seasonal stories, community updates, poetry, special notices about teachings and events such as public pujas.\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"January 2009 - January 2010\" active=\"\"]\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410163219\">January 2010</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Saraswati\'s Birthday, Visarjan Mantra, Altar of the Month, Hiphoppin\' to Kali, The Apsara Store...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410142515\">December 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: The Divine Mother (or \'How a nice Lutheran girl...\'), Peace Mantra, Puja in a Box!, Shanti Mission (a memoir from Australia), Quote of the Month...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410091117\">November 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Crafting Puja for Maa (a presentation at the American Academy of Religion\'s national conference in Montreal), link to the Kali Puja Festival &amp; Fundraiser\'s YouTube video from the event, Stuart Sovatsky\'s spiritual erotic memoir tidbit from <i>Your Perfect Lips</i>, Kali Maa\'s Heart Mantra...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410054321\">September/October 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Kali Puja Festival, link to our YouTube video, Engaged Spirituality, September\'s Kali Puja Photos, Namaskara Mantra...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1409987969\">August 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Ganesha Chathuri, Padma Mudra, Interview with a Tattoo Artist, Dark Moon Invocations...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409984757\">July 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Mary Magdalene, Women &amp; Goddess in India, Shankha Mudra, Creating a Living Altar to the Dark Goddess...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409952411\">June 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Witch &amp; Tantrick, Yoni Puja, Aarati, Bhairava &amp; Bhairavi Mudras...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409933055\">May 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Dark Goddess, Yoni Mudra, Blood Mysteries &amp; the Festival of Ambubachi...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409908503\">April 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Beltane, Apana Mudra, Crafting Puja for Maa, Voices of the Goddess...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409879413\">March 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Holi, Women\'s Mysteries, The Elevated Chant, Introduction to Mudra...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409848869\">February 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Celebrating Lord Shiva\'s Dance, Shappodhara Mantra, Imbolc, One mantra at a time, Lessons &amp; Love...and More!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409824779\">January 2009</a>\r\n\r\nIncluded inside: Vajrayogini, Vajrayogini Mudra, Initiation by Kali Maa (workshop), Infinite Admiration Puja...and More!\r\n\r\n[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"June 2007 - December 2008\" active=\"\"]\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409803207\">December 2008</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409775469\">October/November 2008</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409751651\">September/October 2008</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409722019\">August/September 2008</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409708867\">July /August 2008</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409683429\">May/June 2008</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409670933\">April/May 2008</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409659165\">March/April 2008</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409646823\">February/March 2008</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409637733\">January/February 2008 </a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409605853\">Yoni Puja 2007</a>\r\n[/toggle]\r\n[/tab]\r\n[/tabgroup]','Resources','','publish','closed','closed','','resources','','','2013-10-18 23:11:32','2013-10-19 06:11:32','',0,'We gather in our sanctuary, our home temple, to contemplate Her mysteries. Through Her, Dark Goddess, we see the potential for liberation knowing that Devi is able, as dictated in the scriptures and by the lineage of the ancients, to lead aspirants to the',0,'page','',0),(99150,2,'2013-08-09 02:44:14','2013-08-09 02:44:14',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99150','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',0,'',20,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99151,2,'2013-08-09 02:44:14','2013-08-09 02:44:14','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Resources','','inherit','open','open','','99149-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:44:14','2013-08-09 02:44:14','',99149,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99152,35,'2013-08-09 02:44:34','2013-08-09 02:44:34','Join us as we come together to explore Goddess through writings, poetry, reflection, discussion, meditation, devotion, spiritual technologies, <i>sadhana</i> (spiritual practice), and the creation of community through Shakta Tantra in the Sha\'can tradition.<br><br>\r\n\r\nOur courses are designed to help all spiritual seekers contextualize the ancient and living goddess traditions within the socio-cultural and psycho-spiritual framework of today\'s world, creating lived spaces for the Divine in all Her forms—including those of the Sacred Masculine—in personal practice and devotion.<br>\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"kali-vidya\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]\r\n\r\nIf you seek community and want to learn more about SHARANYA\'s spiritual path as an authentic, Tantric lineage tradition of goddess worship, then we welcome you to delve into <em>Devoted to Devi: Embracing  Tradition - Walking the Path</em>.  Join this introductory class in our open source, interactive online forum!<br><br>\r\n\r\nRegistration is now OPEN for our next offerings.<br><br>\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"SHA101: <em>Devoted to Devi</em>\" active=\"\"]Ongoing enrollment.<br><br>\r\n\r\nClasses run for sixteen weeks to allow an integration of the rich lessons with your ongoing practice and explorations in the Sha\'can tradition. We begin this introductory course at SHARANYA\'s Kali Vidya with creation of a Western framework that helps us build a respectful and appropriate bridge to the Eastern mysteries and understanding of Devi, Goddess, our Divine Mother, She Who Embraces All.<br><br>\r\n\r\nGiven our roots in the earth-based spiritualities of East and West, we start with a very basic introduction to the Craft. Even if you are already familiar with this tradition, please consider yourself a beginner on our path as we create perspective for Western elements of devotion in Sha\'can. The first section of our course will give you an important introduction to and perspective on how we practice. The exercises given are also important foundational keys for the rest of the spiritual homework provided. In addition to on-line sharing, this includes daily practice, readings, research, participation in development of an on-line glossary, and other requirements designed to facilitate your spiritual exploration and unfolding.<br><br>\r\n\r\nWe then provide a brief background on what Tantra is (and what it is not) and how it fits within Sha\'can. Next, we offer an introduction and overview of the Dark Goddess and why She is important, followed by a beginner\'s look at Kali as the Great Mother and Four-Fold Feminine Force.<br><br>\r\n\r\nThis course, when all of the components are put together, creates a ritual through which you may approach Kali Maa, our Divine Mother, and gain understanding that will complement your sincere devotion.[/toggle]\r\n\r\n[toggle type=\"gray\" title=\"SHA201: <i>Unveiling Goddess: Practices at the Heart of Tantra</i>\" active=\"\"]This is an intermediate course for those who have completed SHA101. Join us for the next series of classes beginning in early 2018 (some space available for rolling admissions).<br><br>\r\n\r\nOnce you have journeyed through our introductory course, having learned tools and absorbed the ethics and basics of the tradition, the next step in your studies lies here, in <i>Unveiling Goddess</i>. In this in-depth course, we will continue to explore the nuances of spiritual discipline and practice in the Sha\'can tradition, learning additional methods of worship and delving more deeply into the Tantric frameworks of the Shakta lineage carried from India to new shores. Participants in this collaborative forum will share experiences and receive feedback each week as they develop the techniques during <i>sadhana</i> (spiritual practice) and utilize them within their own devotional work, inclusive of ritual, prayer, meditation, ecstatic dance and other forms of worship. Emphasis will be on establishment of an invigorated daily practice through the pathways of the <i>Yoga Sutras</i>.[/toggle]\r\n\r\nTo enroll, simply pay online. Once we have received your registration, we will email you with login information and additional course details. Questions? Email us at <a title=\"Email Kali Vidya\" href=\"mailto:info@kalividya.org\" target=\"_blank\">info@kalividya.org</a>.<br><br>\r\n\r\n<form action=\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method=\"post\" target=\"_top\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_s-xclick\" />\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"hosted_button_id\" value=\"SLWA52RAF42GG\" />\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"on0\" value=\"Courses offered\" />Courses offered</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><select name=\"os0\"><option value=\"SHA101\">SHA101 $81.00 USD</option><option value=\"SHA201\">SHA201 $81.00 USD</option></select></td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"currency_code\" value=\"USD\" />\r\n<div class=\"widget_feedburner\" style=\"padding: 15px;\"><button type=\"submit\">Enroll Now</button></div>\r\n</form>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[teaser url=\"http://www.kalividya.org\" title=\"Kali Vidya\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/India-2007-050-e1379737365818.jpg\" ]Login[/teaser]','Kali Vidya','','publish','closed','closed','','kali-vidya','','','2017-09-17 16:45:40','2017-09-17 23:45:40','',99140,'http://JoinusaswecometogethertoexploreGoddessthroughwritings,poetry,reflection,discussion, meditation,devotion,spiritualtechnologies,sadhana(spiritualpractice),andthe creationofcommunitythrough ShaktaTantraintheSha&#039;cantraditio',0,'page','',0),(99153,2,'2013-08-09 02:44:34','2013-08-09 02:44:34','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Kali Vidya','','inherit','open','open','','99152-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:44:34','2013-08-09 02:44:34','',99152,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99154,2,'2013-08-09 02:44:56','2013-08-09 02:44:56','<!-- BEGIN Mantra of the Month -->\r\n<!-- Audio thumbnail and title link -->\r\n<h2><img alt=\"\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/themes/churchope/lib/metabox/images/i_audio.png\" />\r\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/th_gallery/honoring-the-ancestors/\">Featured Mantram: Honoring Ancestors</a></h2>\r\n<!-- Header image -->\r\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/th_gallery/honoring-the-ancestors/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-99337 imgborder aligncenter alt=\"Ancestors\' Invocation\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Ancestors-Mantram2.jpg\" width=\"350\" height=\"331\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<!-- Audio player -->\r\n[thaudio href=\'http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/05-Track-05.m4a\'][/thaudio]\r\n<h2><b style=\"font-size: 13px;\">Translation:</b></h2>\r\n<em>From the highest realm to the lowest, as far as the universe extends, let all divine sages and forebearers, all deceased ancestors, on both the father\'s and mother\'s side be worshiped. Let this humble offering of sesame and water benefit the whole world, from the heavens down to this earth; may it benefit the inhabitants of the seven continents belonging to unlimited families in the past.</em><br><br>\r\n\r\n<strong><em><a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/th_gallery/honoring-the-ancestors/\">Learn more about this mantram...</a></em></strong>\r\n\r\n<!-- END Mantra of the Month -->\r\n\r\n<hr style=\"border-top: 2px solid #aaa; margin: 30px 0;\" />\r\n\r\n[blog category=\"92\" perpage=\"2\" pagination=\"\" ]\r\n\r\n<hr style=\"border-top: 2px solid #aaa; margin: 30px 0;\" />\r\n\r\n[terms_gallery terms=\"84\" perpage=\"10\" pagination=\"on\" layout=\"medium\" isotope=\"on\" ]','Mantra','','publish','closed','closed','','mantras','','','2017-03-17 17:40:06','2017-03-18 00:40:06','',99140,'',0,'page','',0),(99155,2,'2013-08-09 02:44:56','2013-08-09 02:44:56','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Mantras','','inherit','open','open','','99154-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:44:56','2013-08-09 02:44:56','',99154,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99156,2,'2013-08-09 02:45:47','2013-08-09 02:45:47','[two_third]\r\nhttp://vimeo.com/75840774\r\n[/two_third] \r\n[one_third last=last] \r\n<h1>Yoni Puja</h1>\r\nEach year we gather to celebrate Ambubachi Mela and the power of Goddess through Earth, women, the Female, the Feminine, and all things of Nature. A special part of our ceremony is the anointing of the yoni with kumkum powder and the receiving of <I>yoni tattva</I> the essence of Devi. This video captures a moment of worship for two of our devotees and the sacred imbibing of the nectar of Maa.  \r\n[/one_third] \r\n\r\n<div style=\"clear:both\"></div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[one_half]\r\n<br />\r\nhttp://vimeo.com/75836707\r\n\r\n<h3>Tantric Teachings</h3>\r\nEach month we gather for teachings and discussion on the tantras, yoga sutras and mysticism. In prior years, we have invited all those seeking initiation to commit a year-and-a-day to Daughters of Kali. This video segment is from one of the DoK teaching circles. \r\n\r\n[/one_half][one_half last=last]\r\n<br />\r\nhttp://vimeo.com/75838844\r\n\r\n<h3>Chandi Recitation</h3>\r\nJoin us for a beautiful recitation in Sanskrit of a portion of the Chanti Path, 700 sacred verses in honor and praise of Goddess, presented in front of Maa Batakali. The offering of these divine hymns is being made by Shyam Sundar Dash, pujari of our home temple, the Maa Batakali Cultural Mission temple in Puri (Orissa), India, at the intersection of Ganamal Sahi and Bali Sahi. \r\n[/one_half]\r\n\r\n[clear]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[one_half]\r\n<br />\r\nhttp://vimeo.com/77018733\r\n\r\n<h3>The Heart of Tantra</h3>\r\nWatch some of the footage from a July 26, 2009 talk by Chandra Alexandre, \"The Heart of Tantra: Theory & Practice on the Path of Spiritual Awakening,\" at the Cultural Integration Fellowship in San Francisco.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[/one_half][one_half last=last]\r\n<br />\r\nhttp://vimeo.com/77018735\r\n\r\n<h3>Removing Curses from Devi</h3>\r\nAt each puja, the Shappodhara Mantra is a key component of worship prior to our invocation of the Divine Mother. Join us as we chant and offer sandalwood incense to the fire. This video segment of Removing Curses from Goddess was taken at our 2010 Yoni Puja Festival. We gather to offer the Shapodhara Mantra from the Chandi for the removal of curses from Goddess, as well as from the Feminine and any internalized or external expressions of female subjugation. \r\n\r\nOM HRIM KLIM SHRIM KRAM KRIM CHANDIKA DEVYAI SHAPANASHANUGRAHAM KURU KURU SVAHA!\r\n\r\n[/one_half]\r\n[clear]','Videos','','publish','closed','closed','','videos','','','2017-03-21 14:52:39','2017-03-21 21:52:39','',99149,'',0,'page','',0),(99157,2,'2013-08-09 02:45:47','2013-08-09 02:45:47','<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque. Suspendisse ultricies congue mi non suscipit. Suspendisse rhoncus ac est sit amet bibendum. Mauris vulputate id odio nec fermentum. Praesent nec blandit orci, sed euismod tellus. Donec purus ante, tempus in libero id, cursus auctor ipsum. Etiam nisi turpis, tincidunt sit amet elit a, varius lobortis augue. Maecenas vehicula porttitor condimentum. Phasellus euismod justo at orci congue, ut vehicula sem consectetur. Ut erat sapien, fringilla id auctor ac, commodo quis mi. Mauris ac sodales eros. Phasellus malesuada at tortor ut laoreet. Nulla ac ligula lectus.\r\n\r\nDonec metus neque, commodo quis lacinia eu, pharetra quis justo. Etiam mollis blandit purus, sit amet feugiat dui scelerisque sed. In non eros hendrerit, cursus orci ornare, lacinia velit. Donec elementum dignissim ligula nec lobortis. Pellentesque iaculis nisl posuere urna consequat, ut congue augue laoreet. Nam ultrices risus quis massa ultricies, vel ultrices massa volutpat. Mauris cursus rutrum rhoncus. Donec condimentum, neque nec auctor lacinia, mauris nisl mollis purus, congue pulvinar urna nisl ac sem. Vestibulum interdum euismod lorem et rhoncus.\r\n\r\nPellentesque tempus felis vel urna fringilla egestas. Sed sed dictum augue, vitae pretium eros. Nullam in facilisis dui. Curabitur sed malesuada metus, ut viverra nibh. Nulla lobortis eu orci eu aliquet. Mauris a dolor semper, aliquam sapien nec, mollis purus. Praesent interdum orci in dolor dignissim venenatis. Nunc ac luctus orci, et ornare enim. Praesent sollicitudin tellus lorem, quis pretium diam eleifend ut. Sed adipiscing a ipsum cursus facilisis. Nam nec orci enim. Morbi odio risus, luctus vel rutrum quis, gravida sit amet dolor. Donec sed tempus sem.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n</div>','Videos','','inherit','open','open','','99156-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:45:47','2013-08-09 02:45:47','',99156,'<div id=\"lipsum\">\r\n\r\nLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam fringilla orci sed est bibendum, vitae venenatis neque pulvinar. Phasellus ante lorem, tristique ac dictum sed, vulputate quis quam. Suspendisse dapibus posuere scelerisque.',0,'revision','',0),(99158,2,'2013-08-09 02:47:33','2013-08-09 02:47:33','[tabgroup]\r\n\r\n[tab title=\"Contact Us\"]Fill out this form to be in touch with us and share comments or ask questions. We look forward to hearing from you. <br><br>\r\n[th-contact-form subject=\"Email from SHARANYA.org\" to=\"info@sharanya.org\" button_text=\"Send\"] [th-contact-field label=\"Name\" type=\"name\" required=\"true\" /] [th-contact-field label=\"Email\" type=\"email\" required=\"true\" reply=\"true\" /] [th-contact-field label=\"Website\" type=\"url\" /] [th-contact-field label=\"Comment\" type=\"textarea\" required=\"true\" /] [/th-contact-form]\r\n[/tab]\r\n\r\n[tab title=\"Info\"]\r\n\r\nEmail: <a title=\"Inquiry\" href=\"mailto:info@sharanya.org\" target=\"_blank\">info@sharanya.org</a><br>\r\nTel: (415) 505-6840 (<I>for offerings and puja inquiries only</I>)<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>Mail Only:</b><br><br>\r\n270 Upland Drive<br>\r\nSan Francisco, CA 94127<br>\r\n[/tab]\r\n[/tabgroup]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[testimonials category=\"general\" time=\"10\" effect=\"fade\" ]','Contact Us','','publish','closed','closed','','contact-us','','','2013-10-16 23:41:52','2013-10-17 06:41:52','',0,'[tabgroup]\r\n\r\n[tab title=\"Contact Us\"]Fill out this form to be in touch with us and share comments or ask questions. We look forward to hearing from you. <br><br>\r\n[th-contact-form subject=\"Email from SHARANYA.org\" to=\"info@sharanya.org\" button_text=\"Send',0,'page','',0),(99159,2,'2013-08-09 02:47:33','2013-08-09 02:47:33',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99159','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',0,'',26,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99160,2,'2013-08-09 02:47:33','2013-08-09 02:47:33','[th-contact-form subject=\"Email from SHARANYA.org\" to=\"sean.mulholland@gmail.com\" button_text=\"Send\"] [th-contact-field label=\"Name\" type=\"name\" required=\"true\" /] [th-contact-field label=\"Email\" type=\"email\" required=\"true\" reply=\"true\" /] [th-contact-field label=\"Website\" type=\"url\" /] [th-contact-field label=\"Comment\" type=\"textarea\" required=\"true\" /] [/th-contact-form]','Contact Us','','inherit','open','open','','99158-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:47:33','2013-08-09 02:47:33','',99158,'[th-contact-form subject=\"Email from SHARANYA.org\" to=\"sean.mulholland@gmail.com\" button_text=\"Send\"] [th-contact-field label=\"Name\" type=\"name\" required=\"true\" /] [th-contact-field label=\"Email\" type=\"email\" required=\"true\" reply=\"true\" /] [th-contact-fi',0,'revision','',0),(99161,2,'2013-08-09 02:48:14','2013-08-09 02:48:14','SHARANYA is a unique 501(c)(3) religious organization and <em>Devi Mandir</em> (goddess temple) evolving Shakta (goddess-honoring) spirituality from ancient roots to serve those who seek to know Kali Maa beyond the boundaries of geography and religious dogma. With an <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/about/history.php4\">authentic lineage</a> in Shakta Tantra (embodied goddess-centered spirituality) and Witchcraft, ours is part of the new religious movement, a syncretism of faith known as <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/shacan/\">Sha\'can</a>, a (R)evolutionary Shakta Tantra.\r\n\r\n[widgets_on_pages id=\"Upcoming Pujas\"]','About Us','','inherit','open','open','','20-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:48:14','2013-08-09 02:48:14','',20,'SHARANYA is a unique 501(c)(3) religious organization and <em>Devi Mandir</em> (goddess temple) evolving Shakta (goddess-honoring) spirituality from ancient roots to serve those who seek to know Kali Maa beyond the boundaries of geography and religious do',0,'revision','',0),(99164,2,'2013-08-09 02:49:34','2013-08-09 02:49:34',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99164','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',99149,'',25,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99165,2,'2013-08-09 02:49:34','2013-08-09 02:49:34',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99165','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',99140,'',17,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99166,2,'2013-08-09 02:49:34','2013-08-09 02:49:34',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99166','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',99140,'',16,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99167,2,'2013-08-09 02:49:34','2013-08-09 02:49:34',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99167','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',0,'',14,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99168,2,'2013-08-09 02:49:34','2013-08-09 02:49:34',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99168','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',99140,'',19,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99169,2,'2013-08-09 02:49:34','2013-08-09 02:49:34',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99169','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',99140,'',18,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99172,2,'2013-08-09 02:49:34','2013-08-09 02:49:34',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99172','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',99131,'',13,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99174,2,'2013-08-09 02:49:34','2013-08-09 02:49:34',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99174','','','2017-03-19 15:58:39','2017-03-19 22:58:39','',99131,'',8,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99176,2,'2013-08-09 02:49:34','2013-08-09 02:49:34',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99176','','','2017-03-19 15:58:39','2017-03-19 22:58:39','',20,'',4,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99177,2,'2013-08-09 02:50:41','2013-08-09 02:50:41','<!-- BEGIN Featured Article -->\r\n<h2><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"/mandala/why-she-and-why-a-dark-goddess/\">Featured Article: Why She & Why a Dark Goddess</a></h2>\r\n<!-- Header image -->\r\n<a href=\"/mandala/why-she-and-why-a-dark-goddess/\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-100107 imgborder\" alt=\"Dark Goddess Parvati\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/DarkGoddessParvati.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<p>Humanity is now experiencing a shift in evolutionary consciousness especially catalyzed and facilitated by the Divine Female. Goddess, as She is often called, can be represented through a variety of guises, forms, and names; but it is because we tend to think of God as strictly male and usually transcendent that we avoid this term when speaking about Her, although she is nonetheless that. In this brief introduction to the Dark Goddess, we seek to shatter limiting notions of the Great Mystery and welcome you to Her embrace.</p>\r\n\r\n<strong><em><a href=\"/mandala/why-she-and-why-a-dark-goddess/\">Read more >>></a></em></strong><br><br>\r\n\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<h5>Our Library</h5>\r\n[tabgroup]\r\n[tab title=\"The Tradition\"] [blog category=\"48\" perpage=\"\" pagination=\"\" ][/tab]\r\n[tab title=\"Devi Inspirations\"] [blog category=\"46\" perpage=\"\" pagination=\"\" ][/tab]\r\n[tab title=\"Power & Presence\"] [blog category=\"47\" perpage=\"\" pagination=\"\" ][/tab]\r\n[/tabgroup]','Articles','','publish','closed','closed','','articles','','','2013-10-18 23:19:00','2013-10-19 06:19:00','',99149,'<!-- BEGIN Featured Article -->\r\n<h2><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"/mandala/why-she-and-why-a-dark-goddess/\">Featured Article: Why She & Why a Dark Goddess</a></h2>\r\n<!-- Header image -->\r\n<a href=\"/mandala/why-she-and-why-a-dark-goddess/\"><img ',0,'page','',0),(99178,2,'2013-08-09 02:50:41','2013-08-09 02:50:41','[blog category=\"2\" perpage=\"5\" pagination=\"on\" ]','Articles','','inherit','open','open','','99177-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 02:50:41','2013-08-09 02:50:41','',99177,'[blog category=\"2\" perpage=\"5\" pagination=\"on\" ]',0,'revision','',0),(99179,2,'2013-08-09 02:52:19','2013-08-09 02:52:19',' ','','','publish','open','closed','','99179','','','2017-03-19 15:58:40','2017-03-19 22:58:40','',99149,'',23,'nav_menu_item','',0),(99180,2,'2013-08-09 03:02:58','2013-08-09 03:02:58','','Homepage','','inherit','open','open','','99117-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:02:58','2013-08-09 03:02:58','',99117,'',0,'revision','',0),(99181,2,'2013-08-09 03:03:32','2013-08-09 03:03:32','[blog category=\"2\" perpage=\"5\" pagination=\"on\" ]','Homepage','','inherit','open','open','','99117-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:03:32','2013-08-09 03:03:32','',99117,'[blog category=\"2\" perpage=\"5\" pagination=\"on\" ]',0,'revision','',0),(99182,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:07','2013-08-09 03:10:07','[caption id=\"attachment_118\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-16-22.52.38.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-118 \" alt=\"Maa\'s Altar and Prasad for Devotees (2/16 @ 11pm)\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-16-22.52.38-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a> Maa\'s Altar and Prasad for Devotees[/caption]\n\nKali Puja at PantheaCon is something of a tradition, and as we entered the room to set up for the ritual on Saturday night, a devotee (the first in line waiting for the doors to open) noted this was her fourth year coming to worship with us. She had nowhere to go in her hometown and looked forward to this celebration of the Divine Mother as Dark Goddess every year. Nothing could have set the stage better for our worship than the yearning heart of a lover of Maa.\n\nOur puja was meditative and blissful, a call to listen deeply to our internal landscape for reverberations of soul. Devotees gathered in the space to the simple sounds of OM MAA, and we together came into her embrace gently and sweetly. Some of us called to her aloud, others only in our hearts. Our circling created a container for the evening\'s work and then our breath to the beat of SA\'HAM (She I Am) invited Goddess Kali to be present. If we have nothing else, we have our breath to guide and provide inspiration for worship.\n\nThis Kali Puja asked us to remember why we are here and it challenged us to own the truth of our incarnation. Wounded, knowing pain and suffering, we still chose life. With this, the puja asked us to be the fullest truth, to reflect our soul\'s purpose, in order to give back to Maa the life she provided. Doing so, we will each find freedom and experience love.\n\nFrom invocation to deep meditation, devotees worked the mantra OM KRIM KALYAI NAMAH from breath to bone. We allowed Maa to enter consciousness and then permeate our bodies as a liberator, a devourer of falsehood. We felt her passion alive within us as space was created for our emerging selves to be revealed.\n\nThis called for a celebration, and a chorus of JAI MAA! danced about the room, syllables lifted on voices filled with power and emotion. Her ability to see us, hold us, and allow us to be all of who we are and are becoming was palpable. The potency of Maa Kali shone in our eyes.\n\nGratitudes to all sisters and brothers present in the flesh and in spirit. We feel you still and with you kiss Maa\'s lotus feet.\n\n&nbsp;','PantheaCon Kali Puja 2013','','inherit','open','open','','117-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:07','2013-08-09 03:10:07','',117,'[caption id=\"attachment_118\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-16-22.52.38.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-118 \" alt=\"Maa\'s Altar and Prasad for Devotees (2/16 @ 11pm)\" src=\"http://',0,'revision','',0),(99183,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:07','2013-08-09 03:10:07','<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Maa-072212.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-107 alignright\" title=\"Maa 072212\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Maa-072212-e1343014356681-278x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kali Puja Altar 072212\" width=\"278\" height=\"300\" /></a>Kali Puja in July at our temple is special because it precedes initiation for those who have journeyed with <a title=\"Daughters of Kali\" href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/?page_id=25\">Daughters of Kali</a> this year. Today\'s puja felt energized with the excitement of uncertainty as well as the blessings of Maa\'s mysteries because of this. Adding to the deepened awareness of our footfalls on the spiritual path were the sounds of Anga Puja, worship of the Divine Mother\'s body as our own.\n\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Anga-Puja.mp3\">Listen to Anga Puja</a>.\n\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Anga-Puja.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-104\" title=\"Anga Puja\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Anga-Puja-226x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"226\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\nAn excellent resource for this worship is Swami Satyananda Saraswati\'s <em>Shiva Puja</em> book, where you will find the whole of the Sanskrit, plus transliteration and translation. Simply, the puja offers worship to Maa\'s body in their various parts, extolling Her virtues as the devotee does so.\n\nAfter our individual sadhana and internal worship, we praised Maa in our sanctuary with <a title=\"Aarati\" href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409952411#article_7\" target=\"_blank\">aarati</a> and personal devotions. The circle was opened with gratitudes and a final offering of thanks to all the spirits, guides, ancestors and deities who had joined in the rites.\n\nWe will meet again in August, but our rituals will be for our soon-to-be initiates and our elders who choose to rededicate to Her for another year and a day. Blessings to all those who have and who continue to travel the path. Jai Maa!','Kali Puja: The Body of the Divine Mother','','inherit','open','open','','102-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:07','2013-08-09 03:10:07','',102,'<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Maa-072212.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-107 alignright\" title=\"Maa 072212\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Maa-072212-e1343014356681-278x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kal',0,'revision','',0),(99184,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:07','2013-08-09 03:10:07','<img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-66\" title=\"SHARANYA\'s Yoni Puja\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/021.jpg\" alt=\"6th Annual Yoni Puja (2012)\" width=\"250\" height=\"282\" />\n\nThere was nothing that could have prepared us for the way in which Maa manifested on Sunday night for SHARANYA\'s 6th Annual Yoni Puja. Devotees gathered in San Francisco from near and far for the celebration that joins us with tens of thousands of devotees as the time of Goddess\' menstruation and Ambubachi Mela approaches at the shrine of Maa Kamakhya in Assam, India.\n\nOur temple full, invocations were chanted and songs to the Divine Mother sung as drum beats proclaimed our sincerity and heart\'s yearning. Many had never uttered her names, but tonight, we filled ourselves with love and honored She Who Resides on the Blue Mountain as Universal Mother. At the same time, we did the essential work of looking within to initiate a more personal process, one of connecting to the vibrations and essences of Truth and Beauty that She embodies as each part of creation.\n\nAfter our meditation and deeper dive into the internal landscape, we surfaced to reflect in Her holy waters, cleanse, make offerings and let our intentions be known. Maa was there as Her praises rippled in tones and through movements around community. We approached with care, deliberately and with humility, anointing Her and accepting blessings.  Red and pink flowers encircling her murti, devotees sipped of Her nectar and bowed low in respectful obeisance.\n\nOur time for individual prayers and darshan done, the air filled with the beat of the drum once more, and with bells ringing in celebration, we sang, danced and shouted with joy for the presence felt, surrender achieved, and all the moments filled with meaning yet to be revealed.\n\nJai Maa Kamakhya ki Jai!\n\n<a title=\"Devi\'s Yoni: The Divine Mother Kamakhya\" href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/blog/index.php?id=M200807\" target=\"_blank\">Read</a> about one of our past pilgrimages to India during Ambubachi Mela to learn more about the Goddess.','Yoni Puja 2012','','inherit','open','open','','65-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:07','2013-08-09 03:10:07','',65,'<img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-66\" title=\"SHARANYA\'s Yoni Puja\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/021.jpg\" alt=\"6th Annual Yoni Puja (2012)\" width=\"250\" height=\"282\" />\n\nThere was nothing that could have prepared us for',0,'revision','',0),(99185,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:07','2013-08-09 03:10:07','For thousands of years, yantras have been used in the Tantric tradition as visual metaphors for the body of the divine. As expressions of devotion and contemplation, they are similar to Tibetan mandalas in that meditation upon them is tantamount to returning to the primordial fiat of one’s being. Because yantras are comprised of archetypal geometric forms and shapes, they are believed to offer liberation from bondage.\n\nThere are many different yantras, all of which have specific intentions and meanings. For instance, the sri yantra (believed to be the mother of all yantras) is made up of nine interlacing triangles, five inverted ones which represent Shakti and four upright ones which represent Shiva. As a symbolic map of a human being’s spiritual journey, the sri yantra describes nine different routes (from the center, or bindu, to the outer plane) that represent a different stage in the process.\n\n<img class=\"alignleft\" style=\"color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 0.4em;\" title=\"Kali Yantra\" src=\"http://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/8/6/5/9/3/6_w220_h214_s1_PT0_PR15_PB0_PL0_PCffffff.jpg\" alt=\"Kali Yantra\" width=\"235\" height=\"214\" />\n\nAs a geometric symbol, the yantra represents everything that can be internalized in our consciousness. Ma Kali, the mother of time (and its destruction), is also the progenitor of breath, divine love, and transformation. The elegant Kali yantra can thus be understood as a signifier of transformation and healing. To meditate upon it is to surrender totally to the energy of spiritual growth, and to turn emotional catharsis to one’s spiritual advantage.\n\nThe 36 centers of the Kali yantra correspond to the 36 principles of creation. The central bindu itself is the elemental aspect of the soul, and of Kali, from which everything in the material world emanates<strong>.</strong>\n\nThe five inverted triangles of the yantra represent the sheaths of human consciousness: physical, life force, mental/emotional, wisdom, and bliss. And the inverted position of the triangles symbolize the regenerative power of the divine feminine. The two circles represent life and death. The eight lotus petals that surround the bindu represent the eight tattvas of nature: earth, water, fire, air, ether, the lower mind, the higher mind, and the ego.\n\nThe colors of the yantra are also, of course, symbolic. Red represents the life blood and energy of the manifested world, black represents the eternal mystery of the void from which creation ensues, and gray represents the liminal space between realms.\n\nTo meditate on the Kali yantra, simply do the following:\n<ol>\n	<li>Gaze at the bindu of the yantra, being sure to concentrate on your third eye, or Ajna chakra.</li>\n	<li>Experience and relish the exchange of energy between the yantra and your heart center, which is where Ma resides.</li>\n	<li>Let the colors of the yantra infuse your consciousness.</li>\n	<li>Silently call forth on the regenerative power of Kali, which has the power to transform the deepest suffering into the deepest bliss and wareness.</li>\n	<li>Close your eyes now, but let the image of the yantra remain with you.</li>\n	<li>Chant the sacred breath of Ma Kali, “sa’ham,” and stay relaxed and peaceful.</li>\n</ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">  <strong><em>Jai Kali Maa!</em></strong></p>\nContributed by Nirmala Nataraj for the SHARANYA <a title=\"SHARANYA\'s May Newsletter\" href=\"http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411330215\" target=\"_blank\">May newsletter</a>. Read it to learn more about our work in the world and upcoming (6/17) <a title=\"Yoni Puja (6/17)\" href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/yonipuja/\" target=\"_blank\">Yoni Puja</a>.','Kali Yantra','','inherit','open','open','','62-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:07','2013-08-09 03:10:07','',62,'For thousands of years, yantras have been used in the Tantric tradition as visual metaphors for the body of the divine. As expressions of devotion and contemplation, they are similar to Tibetan mandalas in that meditation upon them is tantamount to return',0,'revision','',0),(99188,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-56\" style=\"color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 24px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial;\" title=\"Kali Puja 022612 Altar\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kali-Puja-022612-Altar-II-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"SHARANYA\'s Kali Puja - February 2012 \" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />\n\nBefore our temple doors open to the public each month, initiates who have committed to a year and a day of devotions and deeper study in Her name gather to circle and dive, like vultures, into the fires of self-transformation. February was no exception, and we found ourselves immersed in the embrace of one of our beloved Mahavidyas. She brought us each a special secret of Her path in the space of our meditations meant to help us  in our spiritual blossoming. This powerful ritual work set the stage for a puja later in the day that brought the community gathered, newcomers and Sha\'can practitioners alike, into relationship with Maa in a quintessentially new way.\n\nThe difference began to be felt with the beginning of our invocations, the space for <a title=\"Praise to Agni\" href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/agnimile.php4\" target=\"_blank\">Agni</a> set with the first verses of the Rig Veda. With this call to the God of Fire and our mudra creating a crucible for the work of our ritual, the mood noticeably shifted. A vibration began to hum through the air, in some creating a felt sense of connection to the Divine, a reflection perhaps of the focus of those gathered.  Again and again we returned to our sacred intention for the puja, breathing the depth of our invocations into the center of our hearts. In this way, the more we opened, the more we received from beyond ourselves in direct alignment with our soul\'s yearning in the moment. And the more we received, the more we strengthened the whole of our ceremony together.\n\nOn this night, the Sanctuary in which Maa resides was filled with red flowers, offerings of love and sweetness all around. We entered in the throes of our own personal ruminations; or for some of us, quietude, despite the slow and steady chant of <a title=\"OM Maa! SHARANYA\'s Kali Puja Festival\" href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1981925&amp;skin=1980563\" target=\"_blank\">OM MAA</a> again and again. Although she is small in size, Maa is large. We felt Her calling us into truth and spiritual nakedness from the moment we crossed the threshold of Her home. For some, the prayers offered at Her feet were without thought, pure and gentle surrenderings of ego and attachment. For others, the prayers were precise and detailed, seeking an exchange of energy in the realm of taking and creating that is Her domain.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_57\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"223\" caption=\"Maa Batakali in Her Sanctuary\"]<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kali-Puja-022612-Altar.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-57 \" title=\"Kali Puja 022612 Altar\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kali-Puja-022612-Altar-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"SHARANYA\'s Kali Puja February 2012 Altar\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut as we each approached Her, those familiar with our ritual could not help but notice that the hold was stronger than usual, Her eyes meeting ours with knife-like certainty, and ours fixed on Hers just moments longer than usual. There was no harshness in this, mind you, just the sharpness of a clarity brought on by the clearing away that had been done hours before. Maa, it seems, had been ready for some moving and important connections to be made this day.\n\nGratitudes to all who journeyed with us into Her embrace on February 26, 2012. Jai Maa!\n\n&nbsp;','Kali Puja: February Devotions','','inherit','open','open','','55-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',55,'<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-56\" style=\"color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 24px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial;\" title=\"Kali Puja 022612 Altar\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kali-Puj',0,'revision','',0),(99189,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','It was perhaps no accident that exactly 108 of us gathered last night at 11PM for a ritual dedicated to the Divine Mother, Kali Maa. In Hinduism, the number 108 is considered especially auspicious, aligning the heavens and Earth in powerful relationship toward peace.\n\n<a href=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PantheaCon-Kali-Puja-021912-II.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-49\" title=\"PantheaCon Kali Puja 021912 II\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PantheaCon-Kali-Puja-021912-II-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kali Maa at SHARANYA\'s Kali Puja PCon 2012\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Indeed, our ceremony for the <a title=\"Why the Dark Goddess? \" href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/shacan/darkgoddess.php4\" target=\"_blank\">Dark Goddess</a> was imbued with the special fragrance of the Divine as She opened internal gateways and sweetly unleashed her scythe of discrimination among us.\n\nSome come to Kali hoping to score power and prestige, Her allure a false understanding of the wild ride She promises. Others come fearing Her mysteries, an ego-driven humility rather than a willingness to get raw to be found beneath their lowered gazes.\n\nThe work of our Kali Puja was to draw out the heartfelt yearning that lay at the bottom of it all, first using mantra to stir up our insides and strengthen our resolve.  With reverberations of <a title=\"OM KRIM KALYAI NAMAH Mantra\" href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1980825&amp;skin=1980563\" target=\"_blank\">OM KRIM KALYAI NAMAH</a> in the air, our <em>pranayama</em> then asked the guidance of Pranashakti to hold the channel of our potential open to let Goddess do what was needed.\n\nSome called Her name with abandon, others cried softly into their palms. Maa was there, bold, audacious, soft and supple in all Her glory. Provocations to remember were made and community supported the energy of vitalization with focused breath, intention, and a drumbeat of connection to Earth and ancestors. We called on one another as family and the circle strengthened.\n\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-50\" style=\"color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 24px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial;\" title=\"PantheaCon Kali Puja 021912\" src=\"http://sharanya.org/mandala/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PantheaCon-Kali-Puja-021912-292x300.jpg\" alt=\"SHARANYA\'s Small Kali Altar @ PantheaCon 2012\" width=\"292\" height=\"300\" />\n<div>\n\nOur meditation began, like the <a title=\"51 Names of Kali Maa\" href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1981907&amp;skin=1980563\" target=\"_blank\">chanting of Her sacred names</a>, on the cremation ground. From there, the variety of our experience expanded, each of us engaged in relationship with Maa unique to our own soul\'s calling. Some of us touched Her feet in our mind\'s eye, lowering ourselves naked to the Divine Will. Others made offerings of flowers and incense, blood and ghee, a sacrifice that the eternal fire be lit within us in attunement with our personal <em>sankalpa</em>, our sacred intention.\n\nFrom the internal landscape, we traveled into the space of celebration, singing <a title=\"Jai Maa! SHARANYA\'s Aarati to Maa\" href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1981943&amp;skin=1980563\" target=\"_blank\">Jai Maa!</a> in praise of Her, honoring the work of the night and the work to come, for we had opened to Her in our lives, some of us, in new and deepened ways. Our hearts lifted with the clanging of the bell, knowing that hope lives eternal in Her embrace, and we each had our moment for <em>darshan</em>, the outward look of seeing Her eye to eye before the circling slowed and we grounded, answering the call, \"Jai Maa Kali ki...\" with a resounding, \"JAI!\".\n\nGratitudes offered, the circle returned to breath and awareness of the gifts of the night. Prayers and thanksgiving to those guardians and spirits who had accompanied us, and we were ready for a step, almost, back into the evening\'s mundane consciousness. A bit of <em>prasad</em>, the sacred food first offered to Maa within us, we learned some about Her favorite offerings and places in India before the circle was opened. Hearts full, we departed, 108 of us blessed.\n\n</div>','Kali Puja at PantheaCon 2012','','inherit','open','open','','48-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',48,'It was perhaps no accident that exactly 108 of us gathered last night at 11PM for a ritual dedicated to the Divine Mother, Kali Maa. In Hinduism, the number 108 is considered especially auspicious, aligning the heavens and Earth in powerful relationship t',0,'revision','',0),(99191,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','<small><a href=\"www.womenofspiritandfaith.org\"\">Women of Spirit and Faith</a> asked for November: \"What is the Divine Feminine calling you to do in this moment?\" </small>\r\r\rShakti is calling me to rise up. She is calling me to risk. She is calling me to relate. She rests on a bed of will, knowledge and action, entwined with Shiva, the pure consciousness that follows her call, in order to relax into some powerful creation work.  There is not a moment that goes by in which I do not feel her. I am surrounded by the subtle notes of intuition that arise in her presence and the not-so-subtle ripples of her battles in this realm. I know you know what I mean. The trees, oceans, bears and wind all speak her name. A kirtan???call and response???ensues, and those who are attuned listen. The chanting has its charms.  \r \rRecently, she asked me to give more of myself. ???But I already??_,?? I start to say, and she just kisses me sweetly, replying, ???Darling, I know how much you do. Still, there is more to be done.?? She is right, of course, and I acknowledge that my energy is dispersed and needs to focus for better effect in the world. There are some things that are too important to be lost in my chaos. How then to manage this, I wonder; but not for long. My spiritual practice guides me to breakthrough on the inner planes that has real outer world ramifications and manifestations. I learn the first lessons of empowered spiritual leadership: listen, tell your truth, take responsibility, stand your ground. \r \rShe then asks me what I believe in. I go back to a childhood filled with lies, betrayal, physical violence, and an empty fridge until Grandma comes to fill it up. I realize that I have spent much of my life creating values in response to those around me, and I need to ask what is there that is genuinely born from within me.  I meditate on my birth and the will to survive interweaves tightly with the wounding of abandonment. What is mine? I sink into awareness around subsequent years of therapy, anger, resentment, and a sense of loss in relationship to my youth. I take pause and realize that I have grown much, and the obstacles have provided me with strength and power.  In my crafting of faith, these avenues of challenge have led directly to the unseen realms upon which I draw heavily in my work for social transformation. Nothing is wasted. \r \rShe called me today to ask that I make a personally significant donation to a cause I care a lot about. I was not planning on giving again before the year was out, but she just winked and said, ???You can do it???the women need your money as much as they need your prayers.?? Nothing could be more true. Had I not dived deep into my own story, I know the insights that came around what I believe and value would not have been revealed. I would not have found either justification or motivation for a financial contribution. Moreover, it would not have seemed relevant. No one would have benefited and I would have been less humble.\r \rA brother in the work of ministry had her card not long ago, one on which she had written my name. ???Spirit babies,?? was all that was otherwise noted, and I was asked to help create a ritual for all the mamas and papas who grieved or sorrowed over the loss of a child through abortion, stillbirth or miscarriage. My own embodied experiences were present in the mix of emotions that circled through me with the call. I felt honored to be asked. I will help, and I will write a prayer that brings healing, if none but my own, and will ask for an opening to her mysteries, the greatest of them perhaps held in the spaces of life and death.  \r \rWhat is being created in response to her call? A life worth living. \r\r\r','Maa is calling me in this moment...','','inherit','open','open','','99055-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',99055,'<small><a href=\"www.womenofspiritandfaith.org\"\">Women of Spirit and Faith</a> asked for November: \"What is the Divine Feminine calling you to do in this moment?\" </small>\r\r\rShakti is calling me to rise up. She is calling me to risk. She is calling me to r',0,'revision','',0),(99192,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','<center><img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/Shappodhara.jpg\"></center>\r\rWhat\'s it like to experience (R)evolutionary Shakta Tantra up close and personal...to worship Kali Maa in Sanskrit...to bring your heart to a Goddess with roots in India but felt worldwide? Perhaps you\'ve never been to a puja, or to a worship service that is fully participatory. Perhaps the notion of coming into a community to offer your devotions to Goddess is a bit scary.  Well, be assured we understand that She can be intimidating at first. And we recognize that joining with people you may not know in something as intimate as worship of Her can perhaps be unsettling. So, let us offer comfort (we hope) by saying we all pretty much started at that place of uncertainty or fear or wondering...and we have come together to strengthen the path of our hearts. \r\rWe invite you to join us! The vibe is loving, embracing, inclusionary, welcoming...\r\rEnter the temple of our worship for a taste of the experience through our most recent gallery <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/webgalleries/2010-04-kali-puja/\">here</a>.\r\rJai Maa! And we look forward to seeing you at a puja soon (visit our <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/calendar\">calendar</a> for dates of upcoming ceremonies). \r\r  ','Our Kali Puja: What\'s It All About? ','','inherit','open','open','','99054-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',99054,'<center><img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/Shappodhara.jpg\"></center>\r\rWhat\'s it like to experience (R)evolutionary Shakta Tantra up close and personal...to worship Kali Maa in Sanskrit...to bring your heart to a Goddess with roots in India but felt',0,'revision','',0),(99193,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','On Sunday, May 23, SHARANYA hosted our regular monthly public puja, except this month, we aligned our energies and intentions with the cross-roads of the dark goddess in Europe, a place where ancient traditions of the goddess came to shore and today, the Black Madonna stands as testimony to Her presence. For this worship, we recognized the concurrence of our puja with the Festival of Gitanes, or Gypsies, in the south of France, who come together to honor their Dark Goddess, Sarah the Black...<a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/saralakali/\">Sarah-la-Kali</a>!\r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/Saint%20Sara%20Altar.jpg\" align=right>\rThe puja was particularly moving as we toned sacred syllables and took turns adorning Sara\'s altar with scarves from around our necks in the same fashion that those gathered in France for her festival do. As one of our initiates, Haravallabha, shared about her puja experience...\r\r<i>I got lots of images of constant movement of a tribe slipping through the edges of society, and after a night\'s sleep, a host of clear lessons from La Sara. They are about community, versatility, autonomy, and self-authority. Here are a few glimpses:\r\r<ul><li>Don\'t try to fit any mold\r<li>Don\'t try to be a single thing - activate versatility\r<li>Be willing to cast a spell\r<li>Keep some things private when it fits your strategy for survival or service, and find a way to let them flow with full force in a trusted setting\r<li>It\'s OK to run counter to the main currents of society - or not to participate in them at all\r<li>Use fascination to your advantage\r<li>Do ritual instead of picking a fight\r<li>Acting on our own truth is more important than playing an expected role\r<li>Protect yourself and your tribe\r<li>Learn to go between, around, outside of ordinary structures & conventions\r<li>Keep your knives sharp\r<li>There\'s no celebration like music & dancing around a fire</li></ul></i>\r\rWhat do you think She offers, this dark goddess of the in-between, standing between worlds of East and West? \r\r\r','Festival of Sara-la-Kali','','inherit','open','open','','99053-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',99053,'On Sunday, May 23, SHARANYA hosted our regular monthly public puja, except this month, we aligned our energies and intentions with the cross-roads of the dark goddess in Europe, a place where ancient traditions of the goddess came to shore and today, the ',0,'revision','',0),(99194,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','<center><i>I am a predominantly Neo-Pagan, former Catholic who considers myself a religious inclusive. I have an interest in various ancient cultures and traditions which have survived, as well as more recent magical traditions such as Hoodoo/Conjure and folkways or Europe and the Americas which are still used. \r\rI found the Hindu chants workshop to be extremely informative, lovely and powerful. I believe it was perfect for Unitarian participation because it addressed the spiritual, emotional and intellectual aspects of this practice, as well as lots of live practice...\r\rI have actually been using some of the chants, several times a week, having incorporated them into my normal meditation routine.  Given that I work in a fast-paced environment in a pretty harsh town, I love the connection I feel to these chants & how incorporating them has resulted in a calmer, more intuitive Maureen.  - UU Chant Workshop Participant</i></center>\r\r\rSHARANYA was recently invited by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto to be part of a series of chanting workshops dedicated to connecting members to various world traditions through song and chant.  We were honored to be part of the series and grateful to Terry Passarotti from their congregation for asking us to join in! \r\rAbout 25 of us gathered together on February 21st, a rainy Sunday evening, to explore the sacred sounds of chants from the Vedas, Upanishads and Tantras. We wove ancient and contemporary melodies together, honoring both tradition and the unfolding of spirit in the here and now through devotional renderings that one participant found strikingly similar to many Western hymns. Making the chants accessible to the audience despite the relative unfamiliarity of those attending with Sanskrit was certainly a challenge, but it was an easy hurdle in this group--many were willing to just go for it! Someone did mention he found it hard to connect deeply to the Divine through a foreign tongue, but everyone managed to follow the transliterations provided near enough to the letter.  \r\rWe started and ended our evening with chants familiar to those who regularly attend pujas, opening with <a href=\"http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1980565&skin=1980563\">OM Maa!</a> and ending with the <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/pavamana.php4\">Pavamana Mantra</a>. Shakers and bells helped us feel the stirrings of energy as we sounded the syllables together, and everyone learned some of the deeper meanings intended by the sometimes seemingly simple words. \r\rBoth goddess and god were called throughout, and mantras acknowledging the divinity of Mother and Father, the sacred place of the ancestors, the desire for peace, and the beauty of <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/heart.php4\">Kali\'s heart</a> were shared in circle. Releasing strict adherence to any formalities, we were able to also enjoy the power of sacred touch and healing energy, chanting <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/mantras/vajra.php4\">OM Tara Tutare Ture Svaha</a> while sharing heart space, hand to heart and heart to hand in pairs. \r\rWith gratitudes and blessings, we ended the evening together, a soulful \"Jai Maa!\" echoing with us all as we made our way, each one of us, home. Thank you to the UU community and those who gathered and participated for having this workshop. We hope to see you at a puja or in your space again soon! \r\r','Chanting Workshop: Vedic Mantras, Hindu Classics, & Goddess Devotionals','','inherit','open','open','','99052-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',99052,'<center><i>I am a predominantly Neo-Pagan, former Catholic who considers myself a religious inclusive. I have an interest in various ancient cultures and traditions which have survived, as well as more recent magical traditions such as Hoodoo/Conjure and ',0,'revision','',0),(99195,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','Sunday night, 11:00pm. Kali Puja at PantheaCon. The doors opened and the sounds of Her sacred names began to fill the air, vibrations of Goddess Kali entering our bodies through ears first. Eyes began taking in the altar images as throngs of devotees and those entranced by Her mysteries circled to the tune. SHARANYA initiates and Daughters of Kali worked to guard, ground and move the dance of Shiva and Shakti as we together purified and began to feel that the night\'s celebration would be filled with power, grace, and Divine love.\r\rAs Rashani (priestess/purohit) for the ceremony, I let Her guide me. Sensing the yearning and open hearts of everyone gathered, it was easy to take us immediately deeper into communion with our Divine Mother through meditation and breath. Her sacred syllables guided us, helping to crystallize a sankalpa (sacred intention) and further unencumber our souls. Both a certain intensity and a genuine playfulness were with us as we each spoke our name, proclaiming the intention to perform worship, each of us owning the responsibility born of our passion and desire. \r\rFrom honorings of Ganesha, Agni, Ancestors, and Shiva, we then worked our prana pratishta as a community, together  intoning SA\'HAM in meditation on Her eyes, allowing the energy on our breath to move from heart to Her. Awakening Her murti (image), Kali Maa joined us and we danced...Jai Maa! \r\rGratitudes to all who join in the magick of the night and to Amory, Satya, Jaratura, Jayada, and Sanatani especially for your dedication, energy, creativity, and presence. \r\r<i><center>I\'m always struck by how hard I make the practice in my head and how easy it is when it actually happens.  It strikes me especially at the PantheaCon pujas.  There we are, a little handful of initiates and perhaps hundreds of others, many of whom have no experience of Tantra or of Maa Kali.  The only Sanskrit they know is \"Om.\"  How many of them are wondering if it will be too foreign to them, or too frightening?  How many of them wonder if Maa will turn them away, or if we from SHARANYA will, for \"doing it wrong?\"\r\rIn a hotel there are many aspects of the traditional puja that we cannot do.  There is no fire, no incense, no juicy melon.  But it doesn\'t matter.  We bring forth the image of Maa, outside or in our own heads.  We surround her with our presents and decorations, however great or small they are.  We put ourselves totally into this moment, like children; and like children we scream \"Maa!\" until she comes to us.  Maa, look at me!  Maa, hear me!  Maa, hold me!  And she always does.\r\rPeople came to Her, and they sang, danced, laughed, wept, tasted cream and chocolate prasad, and in the end, they felt Her gaze and Her embrace.</i>  - Sanatani </center>\r\r','PantheaCon Kali Puja: The Dark Goddess Awakens!','','inherit','open','open','','99051-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',99051,'Sunday night, 11:00pm. Kali Puja at PantheaCon. The doors opened and the sounds of Her sacred names began to fill the air, vibrations of Goddess Kali entering our bodies through ears first. Eyes began taking in the altar images as throngs of devotees and ',0,'revision','',0),(99196,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','<center><i>Jay Maa Kali! In this year, the <b>Yogini Festival</b> starts on the 23rd of December and runs until the 25th of December in front of the Yogini Temple</i> (at Hirapur, Orissa). <i>Many cultural programme like Odissi Dance, Sambalpuri Dance, Gotipura Nritya, Mahari Nritya, etc. are represented at this function. Many dancers from different states are participating in this festival; so, I invite you to come and enjoy!</i><br><br><b> - Surendra Nath Routaray</b><br>Hirapur\'s authorized archaeological guide, in a personal communication</center>\r\rThe tradition of yogin???? worship likely derives from ancient practices formalized and brahmanized in the <i>Agni Pur????n????a</i>. In this text, the <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/kalipuja/matrikainvocation.php4\">m????tr????k????s</a> are said to be eight: Br????hmani, Mahe???var????, Kaum????r????, Vais????n????av????, V????r????h????, Aindr????, C????mun????d????a, and Mah????laks????mi. <img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/blog/Hirapur%20Mahamaya.jpg\" align=left>These eight goddesses are multiplied by eight (because of this number??????s auspicious nature in Hindu belief) to derive the base of sixty-four yogin????s.   The names of these sixty-four are given in the K????l????k???? Pur????na; although my contact at the temple, Mr. Routaray, has his own manifestation. \r\rBy the time of the 11th century CE, the worship of the yogin????s as connected to the m????tr????k????s is set in common folklore, and one can not easily talk about one group without mentioning the other. In fact, scholars often make classifications of yogin????s at temples or in textual n????m????v????lis (name lists) based upon the presence (or absence) of the m????tr????k????s. <img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/blog/Hirapur%20Durga.jpg\" align=right>\r\rFor example, at Hirapur, while iconographically one of the statues may appear C????mun????d????a-like, Vidya Dehejia,  whose ovular  text on the yogin????s, <i>Yogin???? Cult and Temples: A Tantrick Tradition</i>  details how the yogin????s developed, how they are viewed and worshiped, and what forms they take historically in the literature, is reluctant to call Her such because the full array of m????tr????k????s is not otherwise apparent or documented. Upon seeing this statue year after year, however, I am quite clear (as are the locals who frequent the temple for active worship) that it is the presence of <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/chamunda/\">C????mun????d????a</a> who inhabits this place.\r\rThe yogin???? temple at Hirapur, Orissa is located about 10km outside of Bhubaneshwar, the state capital. Those who visit are often treated to the services of a local village priest, no more than about 20 years old, who has been actively engaged in either orthodox p????j???? or the maintenance of the circular, open-air temple where once the Mah????y????ga rituals of yogin???? worship were carried out by adhik????r????s (male initiates) and bhairav????s (female initiates) of the tantrick heterodox path known as Kaula.  \r\rAlthough the exact nature of historical worship at this temple has not survived in documents, the divine yogin????s are still actively worshiped today through these and similar brahmanical rituals. Nevertheless, to be among the sixty-four yogin????s here is to feel the power of the goddess in one??????s blood and bones. Upon entering the small temple, which one does through a vulva-like opening that proceeds past two skeletal male figures (which may at one time have been ithyphallic) and leads into the womb-like chamber around which the goddesses stand, the intensity of the figures and the feeling of being held and firmly embraced stands out in marked contrast to the open, expansive sky above. Can you imagine being in this temple, held in sacred embrace while the stars and blackness of a new moon bear witness to your rites?    \r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/blog/Hirapur%20Yoginis.jpg\" align=left>\rVidya Dehejia reports that at one time, the central image in the temple was of ???iva,  although the particular statue (some report it was a large yoni-lingam) was stolen when the temple came into public notice in 1953. Today, merely the platform on which it resided remains. \r\rAt Hirapur, the exact philosophical and metaphysical relationship between the god and the goddesses is unclear, yet as Dehejia notes:\r\r<center><i>Kaula doctrine states that through such bhoga (enjoyment)</i> [of the five \"M\"s of Tantrick fame]<i> as opposed to yoga (renunciation), its followers will achieve a state of bliss that is termed Kula. Kula is defined as a state in which the mind and sight are united, the sense organs lose their individuality and sight merges into the object to be visualized. Akula is defined in the same manner and it is further stated that Kula is ???akti and Akula is ???iva, and that ultimate bliss arises from the union of the two.</i></center>\rPerhaps as the time of the Yogini Festival draws neigh this year, we can all together dance this dance of union into Tantrick bliss. What with the deeper meanings of Christmas and Yule at our fingertips, it seems only appropriate. May our work to do so therefore be blessed and our spiritual practice bring us much peace, harmony, and fulfillment...by the grace of the yogin????s themselves!\r\r<center><small>NOTE: If you have trouble viewing diacritics, please reset your browser\'s character encoding.<br>For example, Firefox users go to your View menu, as follows: View/Character encoding/Auto-detect/Universal. This post will then display correctly.</small></center>\r\r','Yogini Festival','','inherit','open','open','','99050-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',99050,'<center><i>Jay Maa Kali! In this year, the <b>Yogini Festival</b> starts on the 23rd of December and runs until the 25th of December in front of the Yogini Temple</i> (at Hirapur, Orissa). <i>Many cultural programme like Odissi Dance, Sambalpuri Dance, Go',0,'revision','',0),(99197,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','By: Maya (<i>initiate member of the Yogini Chakra</i>)\r\r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/spiritfestfresno2009/Other%20Altar%20Components.jpg\" align=left>On November 25th, Fresno had its Spirit Fusion Festival (Fresno\'s Pagan Pride). I worked a table for SHARANYA for the day and got the chance to talk to people about the organization, give out information, and sell some of the beautiful images, ritual items, and Indian handicrafts we generally offer through the Apsara Store online and at pujas. \r\rAs part of the day, I also hosted a beautiful Ganesha Puja for all who were there. It was a small intimate group that came to puja; it was very sweet and all who attended were deeply touched by the ceremony. We all honored and were honored by the Spirit of Ganesha. \r \rAll of the people who came were active in the puja. We called upon the four elements to join us, along with Shiva, Kali Maa, and, of course, Ganesha took his place of prominence! The Ganesha altar was decorated with a variety Ganesha murtis, along with images and murtis of other deities, such as Shiva, Kali Maa, Tara, and Matangi. \r\rThe group assembled was invited to do invocations for the elements, and I taught them some short mantras to invoke Shiva, Maa, and Ganesha too. As the circle chanted to Ganesha, singing, OM GAM GANAPATAYAI NAMAH, I cleansed the space with charged moon water. Ganesha was then bathed in the charged moon water, milk, and moon water again. \r\rI then anointed the central murti, in addition to everyone in circle, with water from the Ganges River to invoke for peace. Next, we moved on to anointing the various other murtis, coconuts, and bananas with kum kum, powdered incense for Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, dried rosemary and the charged moon water as well. \r\r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/spiritfestfresno2009/Maya%20Setting%20Up%20Altar.jpg\" align=right>Everyone took turns anointing a specific coconut or banana with whatever they felt called to use and however they felt called to do so at the time. It was fun and touching as each person anointed their fruit and the different murtis while in their own special way invoking the beautiful spirit of Ganesha. They took their anointed fruit home with them to place on their personal altars once the ritual was complete.\r\rOverall, it was a wonderful day of sharing in the beauty and fun in the spirit of an eclectic Pagan Festival, and I look forward to participating again next year. \r\r<center><b>Jai Ganesha!</b></center>\r\r','Spirit Fusion Festival - Fresno, CA','','inherit','open','open','','99049-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',99049,'By: Maya (<i>initiate member of the Yogini Chakra</i>)\r\r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/spiritfestfresno2009/Other%20Altar%20Components.jpg\" align=left>On November 25th, Fresno had its Spirit Fusion Festival (Fresno\'s Pagan Pride). I worked a tab',0,'revision','',0),(99198,2,'2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','On Sunday morning, I awoke from Samhain dreamtime to a recollection that I had something to do. Still feeling the presence of the ancients and moreover, some very achy muscles from a few good hours of altar building for SHARANYA\'s <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/webgalleries\">Spiral Dance South Fire Altar</a>, I reviewed my notes for the day ahead. Ah, yes, <a href=\"http://www.sharanya.org/articles/audio/\">Creatrix Media Live</a> was hosting a show and had asked me to help focus a discussion on the Dark Times...specifically, these dark times.\r<img src=\"http://www.sharanya.org/images/South%20Altar%20Spiral%20Dance%20103109.jpg\" align=left>\rWhat is conjured for you in this mentioning? \r\rWe considered much in our conversation, but naturally, the conversation turned toward the presence of the Dark Mother Herself, Kali Maa. Kali Maa as embracing and compassionate mother; Kali Maa as terrifying goddess; Kali Maa as equalizer, facilitator of social justice; Kali Maa as Goddess for our times.  Joining the discussion were many powerful women (Max Dashu, D\'vorah Grenn, Marsha Citra Lange, Jayne DeMente, Anniitra Ravenmoon and others) who know well how She helps us see through the obfuscations of truth that media and institutions uphold, who asks that we take personal responsibility, who calls us to action. We acknowledged the quick and ready relationship between our spirituality, Her presence, and action on behalf of the marginal--even when (and sometimes especially when) that marginal is to be found within ourselves.  \r\rAt this time of the year, when so many are aware of how the darkness of the shortened days reflects our inward turning and the metaphorical darkness to be engaged in the recesses of our souls, we also recognize the power of just one small ray of light to illuminate the world. This is the story of Divali, the Festival of Lights for many in South Asia. And those at Reclaiming\'s Spiral Dance at the Witches\' New Year this past night danced this dance of darkness and light, of inward turning and outward expression, and did so joyously and with great, passionate energy. This passionate energy was contained too in the south altar SHARANYA built and charged singing Maa\'s names. This sacred space held the potency of Shmashan Kali, Goddess of Cremation Grounds, She Who Burns Away. The process of letting go, of surrendering, of falling into oneself so that one may be propelled by the heart\'s yearning for love back into this reality, was our prayer for all gathered.  \r\rLater on New Year\'s Day, Satya, Haravallabha and I came together in community to offer up all the prayers gathered from our Shmashan Kali altar that visitors and devotees had contributed on pink slips of paper to our cauldron...and there were plenty to burn! Sitting around a fire, we chanted OM KRIM KALYAI NAMAH and brought each to our heart in turn, asking that the Divine Mother hear their prayers and be with them in this time, whatever that might hold for each person. The work completed, we consecrated the energy of our personal invocations and the transformational power of the fire by placing some of the ashes on our foreheads. Our right thumbs making the tilak, we spoke the blessing and gratitude, Jai Maa!\r\rWith all we have raised this weekend through song, dance, and collective wisdom, I invite us to honor that  energy of darkness, of transformational power, and of personal ego surrendered to the Divine Will...that it be held continuously and reinvoked as we deal with our individual and collective Dark Nights of the Soul, and as we travel willingly or are spurred on by crisis, into Her embrace. \r\rHappy New Year - May the Blessings of Goddess be forever in your heart! \r\r\r\r','Dark Times, Divali, & Dancing the Spiral','','inherit','open','open','','99048-revision-v1','','','2013-08-09 03:10:08','2013-08-09 03:10:08','',99048,'On Sunday morning, I awoke from Samhain dreamtime to a recollection that I had something to do. Still feeling the presence of the ancients and moreover, some very achy muscles from a few good hours of altar building for SHARANYA\'s <a href=\"http://www.shar',0,'revision','',0),