We are in the sacred time of Navaratri, a sacred festival honoring the Divine Feminine over a period of Nine Nights with the 10th day held as a Day of Victory. This time holds special significance for Yogic practitioners, especially those aligned with Shakta Tantra and its esoteric branch, Sri Vidya. At the heart of this tradition, lies a profound spiritual sadhana, an intense practice aimed at personal transformation and union with the Divine.
For the Yogic practitioner, Navaratri isn’t merely a cultural or religious observance; it’s a period of deep introspection and spiritual ascent. In the world of Tantra, where the Divine Feminine, or Shakti, is revered, Navaratri represents a cyclical journey from the mundane to the spiritual. The first three days, dedicated to Durga, focus on the dissolution of the ego and purification. It’s a time of shedding, much like a snake sheds its skin, allowing practitioners to let go of impurities, illusions, and limiting beliefs.
The middle phase honors Lakshmi, emphasizing spiritual wealth and inner growth. During these days, the practitioner nurtures virtues and imbibes the sustaining energy of the Divine Feminine, akin to the nourishing qualities of a mother. It’s a period of inner abundance, where one cultivates qualities of love, patience, and compassion.
The concluding days, dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, direct the soul towards enlightenment. Here, the sadhana deepens, with practitioners meditating on higher truths and seeking knowledge. This period, in the Tantra tradition, correlates with the awakening of the Kundalini Shakti, leading to a potential spiritual epiphany.
Central to this practice for Sri Vidya adherents is the Sri Yantra, a mystical diagram representing the cosmos and the Goddess. During Navaratri, it’s common for practitioners to meditate upon this Yantra, delving deep into its intricate layers, seeking union with the Divine Mother.
In essence, Navaratri’s sadhana for Yogic practitioners is a transformative journey, moving from the gross to the subtle, from darkness to light.
Aligning with the cosmic energies of the Goddess, drives us forward in our commitment for inner strength, transformation and the ultimate union of our soul with the Divine.
Ways to celebrate Navaratri include a recommitment or upgrade to your practice. Just like we create new year’s resolutions, Navaratri is a time to begin again, a reset and recommitment to practices that serve your highest.
Tune into the myths of the Devi Mahatmyam, a text from the Upanishads that celebrate the glories of the Devi in her triumphs over the demonic energies perpetuating ignorance and suffering.
Bring these symbolic stories into a personal context- where can you raise your inner light and bring more awareness to your own suffering and negative patterns that hold you back? And most importantly, come together in community celebrating Love as a unifying force over polarizing energies that divides humanity.
