[tabgroup]
[tab title="Recommended reading"][/tab]
[tab title="Classes"]
<ul>
	<li><strong>Ritual Practices of Shakta Tantra</strong> - 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>
	<li><strong>Tools for Transformation</strong> - 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:
<ol>
	<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 tantrick traditions of Kamakhya; and together dispel myths about "tantric sex".</li>
	<li><b>Tantra &amp; The Shamanic Path.</b> Learn and begin working with concepts of incarnation, personal responsibility and liberation; exercises such as recapitulation, stalking awareness, dreaming, and gratitudes introduced.</li>
	<li><b>Tantra &amp; The Power of Spellcraft. </b>Delve more deeply into the history of what has birthed some of today's Indo-Pagan traditions; learn about initiations, spellwork, and the basics of the Western Craft (casting a circle, elements and directions, grounding and centering, etc.) relative to Tantrick practices; open to notions of what it means to hold responsibility and integrity in the practice of magick.</li>
	<li><b>Tantrik Awakening.</b> Discover the powerful techniques of <i>pranayama</i> (breathwork) and <i>nyasa</i> (placement); explore Bhakti Yoga (the path of surrender to the Divine through devotion); and learn the fundamentals of Kundalini within a Shakta Tantrick <i>marga</i> (pathway).</li>
</ol>
</li>
	<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>
</ul>
<ol>
<ol>
	<li>Goddesses of India - An introduction to the most commonly seen goddesses in India; Durga, Parvati, Kali, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Lalita.</li>
	<li>Gods of India - An introduction to the most commonly seen gods of India;  Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Ganesha, Krishna, Rama, Agni.</li>
	<li>Goddesses of Tantra - An introduction to the Dasa Mahavidya and others of the Tantrick persuasion</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<ul>
	<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>
</ul>
[/tab]
[tab title="Glossary"]If you are new to Eastern traditions, or if you are walking the <a href="http://www.sharanya.org/shacan/">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.

<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>

<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>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>dada (daa'-daa)</b> - elder brother (Bengali) </span>

<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>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>deva (day'-vuh)</b> - god </span>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>devi (day'-vee)</b> - goddess </span>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>dhyana (dyaah'-nuh)</b> - meditation </span>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>didi (dee'-dee)</b> - elder sister in Bengali </span>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>mandir (mun'-deer)</b> - temple </span>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>mata (maah'-taah)</b> - mother </span>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>marga (maar'-guh)</b> - path or way, as in vamamarga. </span>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>prema (pray'-muh)</b> - love </span>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>puja (poo'-juh)</b> - worship (specifically, ritual worship) </span>

<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>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>puspa (poosh'-puh)</b> - flower; a symbol for menstrual blood. </span>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>sankalpa (sun-kaahl'-puh)</b> - intention </span>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>shanti (shaahn'-tee)</b> - peace </span>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>sharanya (shuh'-ruhn-yuh)</b> - sanctuary, refuge </span>

<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>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>shuddhi (shood'-hee)</b> - purification </span>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ugra (ooh'-grah)</b> - angry, powerful or fierce </span>

<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>

<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>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>vamamarga (vaah'-muh-maar'-guh)</b> - the left-hand path (see also vamacara) </span>

<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>vidya (vihd'-yuh)</b> - wisdom, knowledge </span>

<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>

[/tab]
[/tabgroup]