Navaratri

Today is a new moon and the night before the most celebrated Hindu festival in India, Navaratri! Navaratri is the celebration of the power of the feminine aspect of divinity. During the 10 day festival the trishakti or triple goddess' are celebrated, including Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. With Navaratri sadhana, we have the opportunity to renew, and give thanks for all we have and what has been given to us from the Great Mother, the Earth, the essence of Sri.

During the darkest time of the month, we might feel our own "darkness", we feel most vulnerable, experiencing challenges in our outer life or what's stirring internally within the shadow self might be projected outward. In addition, we are in the midst of a major transformative time of year. Everyday the leaves are a new color and the light lessens exponentially. Through our sadhana we can easily connect with what needs to go, what we want to sustain and what is emerging within.  Navaratri sadhana should be nurturing to our body, our soul, and should prepare us for winter (vata) season.

Because we have lives to live, we should keep it simple and avoid causing any stress or neurosis around Navaratri sadhana. Most important is the daily ritual or sadhana which should include at the minimum, meditation. The duration is not as important as the consistency; quality not quantity. Here are a few practices to integrate into daily sadhana for the next 10 days.

• lighting altar (candle, or oil lamp)
• prostrations (minimum of 3 rounds, up to 108)
• regular asana practice
• journaling
• fasting is some form (i.e. cleanse, eliminating alcohol, vegetarian diet)
• limiting use of electronics

Durga

The first 3 days (Tuesday-Thursday) of Navratri are dedicated to the goddess Durga. Durga expresses shakti as the warrior goddess, she is indestructible, and fights to eliminate all human suffering with her many "weapons" of consciousness.

During this time our practices should invoke purification of inner and outer obstacles on the spiritual path. This is the time to clean and clear out sacred spaces, your body, your home, your altar. Also letting go, "burning" what is not needed during this transformative time.

Om Dum Durgaye Namaha

Lakshmi
The next three days (Friday-Sunday) are dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi, invoking healing beauty and prosperity in both material and spiritual realms, which is the goal of all human life.
She is the mother goddess, Shri.

Following three days of purification practices dedicated to Durga, we are ready to reflect, in our sadhana, the beauty and grace that is Lakshmi. At this time we can offer gratitude to the Great Mother, the Earth. Invoking Lakshmi in our lives, also helps us to maintain balanced effort that is required toprosper in our sadhana.

Om Srim Maha Lakshmiyaye Namaha 

Saraswati

The final three days (Monday-Wednesday) are dedicated to Saraswati, awakening divine wisdom and creativity. She is the goddess of knowledge. Saraswati expresses shakti through art, creativity and her wisdom. Invoking the energy of saraswati we bring awareness to what is emerging within our creative center, inner and outer.

During this time we bring our awareness more inward. Our sadhana should reflect our own wisdom. The essence of Saraswati is invoked through meditation, contemplation, playing music, chanting, reading sacred texts and acquiring knowledge with complete awareness.

Om Aim Saraswatiye Namaha

The tenth day is for celebration!