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| Navratri celebrations in Lenasia in 2017. Photos: Thakor 'Tony' Bhoola |
Teacher from the Brahma Kumaris, Johannesburg
As we celebrating the festival of Navaratri where the Goddesses are worshipped and revered, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the significance of honouring the sacred feminine energy which each Goddesses represent. Each Goddess represents specific qualities which are reminders for all of us to cultivate them whether we are a woman or a man. These qualities are the essence of our spiritual self and by consciously emerging them they bring balance, harmony and fulfilment to both our inner and outer worlds.
Shakti means a “life-force” or “power”, and is referenced as Shiva. It is derived from the root verb "shak," which means "to be able," "to do," "to act." Shakti is a sacred feminine power originating from Divinity and translated into practical implementation.
Shiva, is the Seed, the Source of all, the still-point and Shakti is the manifestation of that power. Shakti is dynamic, creative and restorative. The power of Shak% is deeply embedded in her connec3on with Shiva. It is this sacred connec3on which fuels her will, her capacity to be a conduit of love and her courage to act with benevolence.
Goddess Brahmacharini - Shakti is synonymous with the power of purity. It is the cleanliness of the soul that allows the energy of Divinity to act through it. Purity has many manifestations and it begins in the mind and heart. A clean and clear mind; and a heart that is imbued with the intention of goodwill for all, can hold sacred energy.
Goddess Saraswati - Shakti means accessing innate wisdom, a wisdom that emerges in the soul through lovefuly connecting to God and quietening the mind of other influences. Today the world is dominated by a material and scientific knowledge, however the world with its uncertainties requires a new kind of intelligence. Spiritual intelligence is an intelligence that is able to read the signs of the times and respond to it with the most beneficial action.
Goddess Durga - Often to act from this intuitive wisdom requires courage. Shakti means to have the courage, to pioneer a new pathway. Her ability to do this means that she is humble to learn from the past, open in the present and always motivated by a higher sense of purpose. which is always seeded in benevolence.
Goddess Parvati - Shakti means to be very in tune and aligned with the subtle energies - meaning that everything that manifests is on the basis of what is created and nurtured on a more subtle level. Everything begins to manifest from the seed which is intention and then watered with contemplative thoughts. Shakti doesn’t lose herself in the obvious but keeps the perspective of what is the intention underneath so that she is able to keep the focus on what is of long-term benefit for all.
Goddess Kali - There are three energies that need to work simultaneously, creation, sustenance and letting go (destruction). Shakti holds the wisdom of non-attachment, this capacity to nurture and know when to release. It is the role of the feminine - she nurtures life in her womb and then after nine months releases that life - the wisdom within is that nothing can be owned. All life, all situations, all people have its unique part at its unique time. Shakti recognises this wisdom - if through attachment one holds onto something one destroys it and oneself. This fearless act of letting go is entrenched in a deep faith and trust in the benevolence and transiency of life. Secondly, a discerning intellect of recognising what does not serve one anymore. Often the tendency to hold on is because of the comfort of the familiar - the discerning intellect requires a courageous act of letting go.
Goddess Santoshi - Shakti represents the energy of transformation. In order to transform, it begins by first acceptance of what is. Through acceptance she is able to remain uninfluenced and hold a clean perspective. Her actions are then loving and transformative. This capacity to have such acceptance emerges when there is contentment in the heart, when motivation is free from desire.
Goddess Amba - Shakti is the nurturer and sustainer, and this is because she holds a deep attitude that every soul is worthy of love and care. She holds no judgement of past actions, like a mother whose vision of what allows for growth is greater than the memory of past mistakes. Her peaceful and loveful presence quietly supports, restores and reassures everyone. This reassuring presence brings hope and clarity especially in uncertain times.
Goddess Gayatri - Shakti means one with an enlightened intellect. Enlightenment, in some ways can be interpreted as light within so that she sees reality. Shakti keeps her intellect connected to Shiva, so that her vision is influenced by a sacred energy and not the gravity of old beliefs and habits.
Goddess Lakshmi - Shakti keeps a steady focus on her aim and objective “laksh” and holds an energy of abundance and generosity. Where there is a steady and concentrated focus there is attainment and what she has becomes abundant because it is generously given.
As we revere the goddesses and celebrate Navratri, let's take time to be introspective and using the symbolisms engage in practices like meditation for our own internal spiritual growth and the upliftment of our world. There is a goddess in each one of us, that we need to awaken, and as she awakens we collectively then create a new world worthy of our divinity. To engage in the practice of meditation you welcome to contact the Brahmakumaris - www.brahmakumaris.org.za
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