Vedas – Compassionate Awakening

Gayatri Mantra: Illuminating the Path of Compassion and Self-Realization

Published on May 15, 2013June 7, 2023 by Jennifer LillaLeave a comment

The Gayatri symbol holds profound meaning in the context of self-compassion and compassion for all beings in all realms. It is considered a symbol of the source of life, with its sound vibrations believed to give birth to the cosmos. Chanting the Gayatri mantra opens one to the universal consciousness that pervades all realms and states of mind. By meditating on the Gayatri mantra, one can experience a deep realization of the source of life and purify the soul.

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Self-Compassion: the Vessel as Metaphor for Emotional Containment

Published on May 10, 2013June 7, 2023 by Jennifer Lilla

Carl Jung, a father of archetypal psychology, provides compelling insights into the concept of the vessel as a symbol of containment and transformation. Drawing from alchemical traditions, Jung illuminates a powerful metaphor that resonates with our emotional and spiritual lives.

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Kali: The Fierce Goddess of Self-Realization

Published on May 9, 2013June 7, 2023 by Jennifer Lilla

In the realm of Indian myth and philosophy, Kali, also known as the “Black Goddess,” embodies profound themes of compassion. As a fierce form of Shakti, the mother Goddess, Kali represents the transformative power necessary for Self-realization. Her relentless battles against demons symbolize the confrontation and overcoming of our own spiritual ignorance, ultimately leading us to a place of compassion and understanding.

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The Goddesses of India: Embracing the Path of Self-Compassion through the Mahavidyas

Published on May 8, 2013June 4, 2023 by Jennifer LillaLeave a comment

The spiritual realm of Hinduism is richly decorated with divine entities, each symbolizing profound elements of life and existence. Among these, the Mahavidyas, a group of ten goddesses, offer invaluable insights into understanding the self, recognizing our vulnerabilities, and harnessing the power of self-compassion. Each goddess signifies an aspect of the Sacred Feminine and encapsulates teachings of transformative love, inner strength, and personal growth.

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Dhumavati: Guiding the Path of Self-Compassion through Hidden Knowledge and Meditation

Published on May 6, 2013June 4, 2023 by Jennifer LillaLeave a comment

Dhumavati, a form of the Hindu mother goddess, holds a significant role in guiding us on the path of self-compassion and revealing hidden knowledge. As one of the Mahavidyas, the tantric Mother goddesses, she embodies the sacred forces of hidden wisdom and serves as a secret teacher, unveiling the true nature of reality.

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Vishnu Vanquishing the Demons Madhu and Kaitabha, Folio from a Devimahatmya (Glory of the Goddess), India, Madhya Pradesh, Chatarpur, circa 1775 Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. LA county Museum. US Public Domain via Wikimedia

The Battle Within: Confronting Shadows and Embracing Self-Compassion

Published on April 29, 2013June 2, 2023 by Jennifer LillaLeave a comment

The Myth of Madhu and Kaitabha in the Bhagavata Purana

Mythology has always served as a powerful medium for expressing the human struggle with the shadow aspects of the psyche. In the Bhagavata Purana, a sacred text in the Hindu tradition of Vaishnavism, we find a profound myth that sheds light on this struggle. This myth reveals the shadow as a force that obscures our spiritual truth and inhibits our journey of self-realization.

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Kama, the Cosmogonic Principle: Love as a Primordial Force

Published on December 2, 2012June 8, 2023 by Jennifer Lilla

Cosmogony concerns itself with understanding the birth and formation of the universe, the genesis of all things. In the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology, there is an entity that represents love at a primordial level, as a cosmic force with profound cosmogonic significance. This entity is Kama, the god of love. Often depicted as Kamadev with his bow and arrow, he stands as the embodiment of the loving awareness and compassionate awakening that underpin the structure of the cosmos.

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