The Divine Feminine

(photo of Goddess Mahalaxmi and Siddha Guru Akkalkot

Swami in his feminine form).

The Divine Feminine
Shree Ganeshayan Namah !
Om Aim Rhim Sarawatai Namah!
Goddess worship is done to invoke our inherent life force also known as ‘Shakti’ or power. We are embedded with a masculine and feminine force, masculine is known as consciousness or awareness and feminine force is ‘Shakti’ or power which stirs the consciousness.
Hinduism and Buddhism have developed the Tantric traditions where it is emphasised that power is essentially feminine. It comes from inner feminine source. So when masculine needs power it has to derive its own feminine source (allegorically numerous Hindu myths instruct when Gods are helpless, they have to summon the divine feminine force to gain victory over the demons of our inherent tendencies such as greed, lust, desire, anger etc.)
Quantum physics researches point out that the base of everything we touch, feel, see is a subtle vibratory energy. Similarly the ancient yogis who were scientist of their time (carried a self-enquiry on existential questions of life such as: who am I? why I am here and where do I go from here) also experienced this subtle vibratory energy which they called ‘Shakti’. This ‘Shakti’ has five facets namely:

1. Power to be conscious or fact that we live a day to day life
2. Power to feel ecstasy
3. Power to have will/desire
4. Power to gain knowledge
5. Power to behave/act

Shakti is the very essence of our life. We live, think, behave, emote, become aware, and learn because of ‘Shakti’ or the presence of this feminine life force in us. The yogis adopted myth galore of different Goddess energies so that we get tuned into these different energies. In the worship of their different forms as MahaKali/MahaSaraswati/Mahalaxmi we are connected to their sacred powers which are already latent in us. The very life force is feminine in nature which transcends gender association.
Each one, man or woman is endowed with this Goddess energy. When we move inside, we learn to recognise these energies; it makes this force active and it begins to flow. Each Goddess power has a peculiar quality; therefore, meditation on these Goddesses aligns us with their energies. These energies manifest as follows:

1. Durga energy helps us clear obstructions in life
2. Laxmi energy brings out qualities of generosity, fairness, contentment.
3. Kali energy enables us to fight injustice and take right actions. It is a liberating force as well.
4. Sita energy makes us do sacrifices for greater good.
5. Saraswati energy gives success in education, creative field, taking mindful decision in life.
6. Parvati energy allows celebration of conjugal relationship.

 
Therefore Goddess worship is necessary to awaken on multiple levels. Engaging in  ‘Shakti’ worship one becomes stronger within and is able understand ones own psyche.
Nine days from today is celebrated as ‘Navratri’ festival in India, which is also time to invoke this divine feminine or force of sacred feminism. This feminism is not political feminism of woman’s equality but mystical communion with the divine feminine.
(Reference: works of Sally Kempton, a yogini)