THE WISE HEART COMMUNITY
…living our yoga
Contact us:
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our practices
    • Sadhana >
      • Sadhana chants and rituals
      • Holidays and Observances
    • Havan
    • Karma Yoga >
      • Days for Girls
      • Salute the Sun Wisely
    • Study group
  • Workshops and Events
    • Yoga as Sound
    • Salute the Sun Wisely
  • Community Resources
  • Photos
  • India 2013
  • Links we like
  • Wise Heart blog: news and reflections

Navaratri and the Dark Night of the Soul

9/27/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
This weekend finds us in days three and four of Ashwin (Fall) Navaratri, the nine day celebration of the Divine Mother in her aspects of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Swami Niranjanananda writes that Navaratri represents "nine dark nights of the soul." Part of our journey through life includes facing obstacles, challenges, and difficulties that tax our inner strength and test our faith. These encounters can either lead us to cynicism and despair or provide an opportunity to deepen and strengthen our faith. When we can identify with the "protective, motherly nature of the universe," Swami Niranjan says, we can find the power and strength to lift us from our sense of helplessness during these times. Navaratri is a time to reinforce our connection with shakti, the cosmic mother energy, so that it is available to us when we need it most. 

What is your own experience with" the dark night of the soul"? How has the sense of the strength and protection of the Mother helped you through those times? Come explore with us at our Navaratri sadhana this Sunday, 5:45 p.m., Ruscombe Community Health Center. 

0 Comments

Ritual and offering: the symbolism of havan, part three

9/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
In addition to the fire, the offering of samagri, and the chanting of mantra, we include several more symbolic elements in havan:
  • Light: We light candles at the four corners of the kund. Light represents the Divine Light that dwells in each of us and gives life to all of creation.
  • Incense: The fragrance of incense reminds us of the Divine whose presence pervades the universe.
  • Water: We sprinkle water at the four corners of the havan kund. Water symbolizes the divine nectar of immortality. 
  • Camphor: We light the fire with camphor. Camphor burns with no residue and fades after shedding its light. It represents the dissolution of the individual ego.
  • Ghee: We use ghee to nourish the fire. Ghee symbolizes mental clarity, abundance, and spiritual wealth.

Join us for our monthly havan this Sunday at 4 p.m., Ruscombe Community Health Center.


0 Comments

    Authors

    Tanmayi Christine Garrison co-facilitates Wise Heart Community devotional activities.

    Archives

    August 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

The Wise Heart Community for Devotional Studies and Practice
Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Center
4801 Yellowwood Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21209