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.
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.
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