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>

<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.</blockquote><br>

You may also wish to attend classes (either in person or online through <a title="Kali Vidya" href="http://sharanya.org/resources/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>

[toggle type="gray" title="Class offerings" active=""]
<ul>
	<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>
	<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>
</ul>
<ol>
<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 Tantric traditions of Kamakhya; and together dispel myths about tantric sex while unearthing the power of our yoni.</li>
	<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>
	<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>
	<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>
</ol>
</ol>
<ul>
	<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><b>Goddesses of India</b> - An introduction to the most commonly seen goddesses in India: Durga, Parvati, Kali, Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Lalita.</li>
	<li><b>Gods of India</b> - An introduction to the most commonly seen gods of India: Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Ganesha, Krishna, Rama, Agni.</li>
	<li><b>Goddesses of Tantra</b> - An introduction to the Dasa Mahavidya and others of the Tantric 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>
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<h5>Mother Goddess Earthly &amp; Divine</h5>
<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" />
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[testimonials category="satsang-and-classes" time="10" effect="fade" ]

[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]

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