Week 5
The word aphrodisiac emerges from the Greek goddess, Aphrodite, an emanation of Sri Lalita Tripurasundari, one of the Mahavidyas, also known as Sodashi. Sodashi is the goddess of the three worlds, referring to her three forms: physical (sthūla), subtle (sūkṣma) and supreme (parã).
Sthūla is our body.
Sūkṣma is our own, unique, song.
Parã is the sacred geometry of our being.
We'll explore all of this and more, this Thursday evening at Sex Actualization . Week 5 . Valentine's Live Music & Aphrodisiacs.
What To Bring . Pillow and blanket or sheepskin to sit and lie down on, your Mahavidya images and bottled water. Dress to celebrate!
In this newsletter, you'll find the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra Sutra we practiced during the Open Class, this week's Home Practice, information on How To Make Up Last Week's Session if you missed it, Something I'd Like To Introduce You To, an invitation to our Endless Love Facebook Group, links to the Music played in class and a calendar of upcoming events.
Vigyan Bhairav Tantra Sutra . Sutra 48 . At the start of sexual union keep attentive on the fire in the beginning, And so continuing, avoid the embers in the end.
The Vigyan Bhairav Tantra
Home Practice . Confluence
Confluence is the place where rivers merge. The Sanskrit word for confluence is Sangam. The Sangam, is sacred for Hindus, to bathe there is believed to wash away all of one's sins and free the bather from the cycle of rebirth.
Triveni Sangam is the merging of three rivers. At this very moment, late January to early March, millions of spiritual pilgrims are gathered for the Kumbh Mela, at the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, India, the confluence of the Ganges, Yaumuna and Saraswati Rivers.
The Ganges, highly revered as Goddess Ganga by Hindus, was raised in the heavens under the tutelage of Brahma. Yaumuna, literally meaning "twins" in Sanskrit, runs parallel to the Ganges. Yaumuna, the Goddesss Yami, is mentioned at many places in the Rig Veda, stories of the Yamuna describe her "excessive love" for her twin.
"The three rivers maintain their identity and are visibly different as they merge. While the Yamuna is deep but calm and greenish in colour, the Ganga is shallow, but forceful and clear. The Saraswati remains hidden, but the faithful believe that she makes her presence felt underwater." Triveni Sangam
Begin sitting upright. You may sit on a cushion, on the floor, or in a straight-back chair. Allow your spine to be aligned and relaxed.
Feel the movement of the breath in and out of your body. Open your attention so that you are able to follow the flow from the very beginning of the inhalation to the very end of the exhalation. Feel the flow of these two rivers, moving inside you.
When you feel ready, gently whisper "Ganga" as you breathe in, "Yami" as you breathe out. "Ganga" on the inhalation, "Yami" on the exhalation.
Be relaxed, allow the flow of these two rivers rather than force them. Feel as if you are being carried by both. Give yourself 5 to 10 minutes for your practice.
After sometime, you will notice Saraswati emerging from the depths, underneath your awareness, as a quality that was hidden begins to emerge in your breathing.
Once you've had the opportunity to practice this on your own a few times, invite a partner to join you. Explore the confluence of the rivers between you.
Enjoy your practice!
Make Up Last Week's Session . If you missed the session last weekend, or if you were there and you'd like to take it deeper, you can do that by scheduling a private session with me. I'm available weekdays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Skype sessions may also be possible.
Private Sessions
I'd Like To Introduce You To . The Dasa Mahavidya Fierce Goddesses, Embodiment, and Feminine Empowerment in Contemporary Shakta Hinduism in South Asia, by Julia A. Jean, Ph.D.
Aditi and I met at Shakti Fest last year out in Joshua Tree. We were sharing a cottage, it was early that first morning, she turned the corner, our eyes met, and there was instant recognition. I saw Her peering out through Aditi's eyes and I knew, in that instant, I'd found a sister who would teach me many things, unlocking the deepest Tantric secrets in my heart.
Aditi Devi began the study and practice of South Asia Tantric traditions more than 22 years ago. As an initiated yogini, pujarini (ritualist, priestess), lineage holder, and authorized teacher, she has lived and practiced her sadhana with adepts in Nepal, India, and Tibet. Aditi Devi Ma’s practice, teaching, research and writing focus on the embodiment of the divine feminine in the Shakta Tantric traditions of India and Nepal. She earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology and Asian Studies, and was a Fulbright Scholar and college professor.
Aditi Devi is authorized to teach what are called the Kali Practices focusing on the reverence of women as embodiments of the divine and awakening in the body, in deep relationality. These practices have their fullest expression in Assam, at the Temple of the Tantric Goddess Kamakhya, a yoni Goddess who is revered throughout South Asia (and indeed the world); this is one of Aditi’s spiritual homes and practice seats.
After several years of living in a remote contemplative community, Aditi has taken to the wandering life again, bringing her offerings to yoga retreats, teacher training courses, festivals, godowns, and wherever yoginis and yogins gather. She recently returned from pilgrimage in India where she followed the trail of fierce desire, visiting several remote Yogini Temples.
When not wandering, Aditi Devi Ma’s teaching home is in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, at in Boulder, Colorado. Here, in the midst of a deep yogic community, she teaches privately, offers regular Kali Puja and Kirtan, yoga, and meditation, and has established The Shala: A Classical Tantric Mystery School for Yoginis and Yogins.
Aditi Devi
The Dasa Mahavidya Fierce Goddesses, Embodiment, and Feminine Empowerment in Contemporary Shakta Hinduism in South Asia, by Julia A. Jean, Ph.D.
"High in the Himalaya, some time ago, Daksa offered a large ritual (puja) and fire sacrifice (homa), inviting the inhabitants of heaven and all the deities except for his daughter Sati and her husband Shiva. Daksa disliked Shiva because he believed Shiva’s ascetic behaviors made him a poor husband and son-in-law. This didn’t bother Shiva as his attention was attuned to divine concerns. Yet, Sati was outraged at this disrespect from her father towards her beloved husband, and she was determined to disrupt her father’s homa in order to shame him.
When Shiva denied Sati permission to go, she became outraged and accused Shiva of neglecting her. To avoid Sati’s wrath, Shiva closed his eyes. When he opened them again, there was a horrible visage in front of him: his wife’s beautiful appearance was transforming.
She develops four arms, her complexion becomes fiery and her hair disheveled, her lips are smeared with sweat, and her tongue lolls out and begins to wave from side to side. She is naked except for a garland of severed heads; she wears the half moon as a crown. Standing before Shiva, she blazes like a million rising suns and fills the world with earth-shattering laughter.
Shiva is afraid and tries to flee. He runs around in all directions, but the terrible goddess gives a dreadful laugh, and Shiva is too petrified to move. To make sure that he does not flee from her terrible form, Sati fills the directions around him with ten different forms (the Mahavidyas) (Kinsley 1998:23)." Continue reading . . .
Facebook . I've set up an Endless Love group for us on Facebook. It is a public group, please invite your friends. It's a place where you can share your experiences, ask questions, and get updates on this class. It's becoming a very dynamic group. You can join the group by following the link below.
Endless Love Facebook Group
Music . iTunes links for the music played in class last week . . .
Soul in Wonder
El Hadra
Feedback and Q&A . Please send me your questions - what's happening in your life? Thanks to those of you who checked in with me after the class - and - those of you out there in our world-wide community who chimed in!
I "gifted" each of you with a Mahavidya for your meditation and reflection this week, she's noted at the end of my answers to you. Connect with her, see what unfolds.
Dear Dawn,
Is there such a thing as chemistry?
Anonymous
Halau . Hawaii
Dear Anonymous,
The feeling we call “chemistry” is real - and - it’s a feeling that’s possible to feel with anyone, anytime, in any activity - even when we’re all alone. Sexual chemistry is a heart-racing, endorphin-rich experience that heightens our senses and sets our body on fire. It’s a feeling of YES that is all-encompassing, a feeling that, by it’s sheer force, brings out the best in us without us even trying. It’s a tiny taste of enlightenment, where we get out of our own way and open up to the HECK YEAH potential of living full throttle in this human body of ours. You can feel it right now, sitting there reading this answer . . . it’s all up to you.
Thank you for writing!
Love, Dawn
Chinnamasta (Chinnamunda): She of the Cut Neck, the Headless One
Chinnamasta has cut off her own head with her blade and blood streams out of her severed neck into the mouths of her two attendants, Varnani and Dakini. Chinnamasta is nourishing them with her own life force, her shakti. In the same way, she also distributes shakti to the universe. Under her feet, Rati and Kama are in sexual union on a lotus, uniting of the dualities. Chinnamasta conveys the truth that life, sex, and death are inextricably interwoven.
. . .
Dear Dawn,
Is monogamy real, or just a western construct?
Lawrence
Valencia
Dear Lawrence,
The idea that monogamy is right and other forms of relationship are wrong is a social construct. That some people prefer to be monogamous and some people prefer polygamy, or another form of relationship, is real.
Fantastic question, and my answer is just the tip of the iceberg. Let's keep exploring, this concept is much more complex than it first seems.
Much love, Dawn
Bhairavi: The Fierce One
She is the force of fierce destruction and represents the inevitability of death. Bhairavi is the color of smoke and has a mouth full of sharp teeth. She, like other Mahavidyas, wears a mundamala and walks naked. Bhairavai destroys all that holds the devotee back from union with the divine. Wearing snakes, she makes possible the upward movement of kundalini and helps devotees to control and absorb the shakti that is released in the process.
. . .
Dear Dawn,
What is happening when one has been in a monogamous relationship for a long time and there is no longer a sexual connection? Can familiarity be a problem?
Anonymous
Los Angeles
Dear Anonymous,
You hit the nail on the head.
Familiarity diminishes passion and derails sexual connection in long-term monogamous relationships. When we become familiar with someone we create a set image in our mind that represents who they are, we no longer interact with who they truly are on a day to day, moment to moment basis, we take for granted that they like the same things, feel the same things, that they are static.
We’ve all had this experience - a place we love to go in nature - on the first hike out into the wilds we are awestruck - everything is new and exciting - then, we go back day after day after day and, even though nature is still breathtakingly beautiful, we start to take it for granted, we no longer see the details that once gave us joy, we no longer feel that sense of discovery that made us fall in love, our favorite place has become old, boring and dry - not because it is old, boring or dry, but because we have stopped fully experiencing it.
Is it possible to see your partner with new eyes each day? To have such high regard for yourself, your relationship and your partner, that you approach each interaction with your full attention?
Thank you for checking in!
Much love, Dawn
Sodashi (Kamakhya): She Who is Lovely in Three Worlds, the Perfect One
She is often depicted as a young woman and associated with the 16 types of desire. She is the great enchantress, without exception. Her body is deep red color and is often depicted in ecstatic intercourse with Shiva. Brahma, Indra and Rudra carry her throne. In Sodashi’s four hands she holds an arrow, bow, noose, and goad. Sodashi is the power of desire (kama).
. . .
Dear Dawn,
I am confused about remaining open and honoring the feeling that when I am repelled by someone. When is it okay to honor my boundaries?
Anonymous
Los Angeles
Dear Anonymous,
Always honor your boundaries.
What if, whenever you felt repelled by someone, you were to remain open to yourself and the love you carry inside? Even while saying “no”? In this way, your “no” is powerful and clear and comes from openness rather than defensiveness.
Important question!
Love, Dawn
Bagalamukhi: The Paralyzer, The Victory Giver
Seated on a golden throne, she holds a mace and the severed tongue of an enemy. Her entire body is covered in ornaments and she wears a garland of flowers. She is sometimes depicted with a crane-head and destroys negative forces including mental illusions. Bagalamukhi is the power of silence.
. . .
Dear Dawn,
What do I do when my soulmate, love, won't speak to me or won't contact me for a time?
Anonymous
Los Angeles
Dear Anonymous,
How about this?
First, communicate: “I respect your wish for space. Whenever you feel ready to be in touch, I’m here.”
Then, nurture yourself, be patient while you give yourself time and space to feel all the feelings that come up while the two of you are apart. Sometimes space in a relationship is a blessing, it helps us see more clearly what we value and how we can grow, making us stronger and even more available to love in the future.
This is an intense dynamic! Much love to you!
Love, Dawn
Bhuvaneshvari: She Whose Body is the World, the Queen of Manifest Creation
Her body is golden, with three eyes, she wears the crescent moon as a crown on her head, and holds a noose and a goad. Bhuvaneshvari sits on a throne and is the queen and mother of the universe. Indeed, the entire universe is her body. Present in the Heart Cakra, she is the source of consciousness and knowledge, and is the power of space, or the womb.
. . .
Dear Dawn,
My body (chakras) close more on the exhale. Any good ideas on how to teach them to stay open?
Kim
Santa Monica
Dear Kim,
The Sutra from the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra we're practicing this week may be helpful: Sutra 48: At the start of sexual union keep attentive on the fire in the beginning, And so continuing, avoid the embers in the end.
Practice staying attentive on the beginning of the inhalation and the beginning of the exhalation. Allow that feeling of “beginning” to carry you throughout the practice - as you breathe in and as you breathe out.
And! Enjoy the openness you feel on the inhalation.
Love, Dawn
Tara: The Goddess Who Guides Through Troubles, the Provider, the Savior
As the second Mahavidya, she has a shining blue body and stands in a pyre. She is clearly pregnant with the potential of endless creation and recreation. Tara removes fear, and is the one who governs emotions and their expression. She holds the power of sound.
. . . . . . . . .
See you Thursday night!
Much love, Dawn
Chandra Bindu Tantra Institute
www.chandrabindutantrainstitute.com
310.592.1293
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