Purnima
(Full Moon) |
Purnima symbolizes the fullness of your life, your mind, your heart, your soul and your being. When the moon is Full it radiates the light and fullness of the outer sun, reminding us we are Full, we are Whole. This time offers a perfect opportunity to meditate and contemplate on how this Light brings clarity to mind and brightness to heart, and how you may radiate and reflect this Light in your life bringing forth Fullness and Wholeness to benefit your own development as well as to support and uplift others . Full Moon ritual dates can be found on the annual festival calendar provided by www.drikpanchange.com (look for "Purnima") - CLICK HERE for the calendar.
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Amavasya
(Dark Moon) |
Amavasya represents the arising out of darkness and going into the Light. During Amavasya allow yourself to go within and meditate on how, even though the outer moon is dark, the inner moon (mind) is always shining from the Light of the perineal inner Sun. Look beyond the mind to the source of that Light, your Atma or True Effulgent Self. Contemplate on how to bring the Light into the darkness (pain, suffering, disease, frustration, neediness, misery in the world) so you may see clearly even in the dark and walk with the Truth guiding and inspiring you every day. Dark Moon ritual dates can be found on the annual festival calendar provided by www.drikpanchange.com (look for "Amavasya") - CLICK HERE for the calendar.
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Ekadashi
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Ekadashi (literally "eleven" in Sanksrit) falls on the eleventh day of the two lunar phases and is traditionally observed with fasting for the day. Sukla Ekadashi occurs on the waxing or brightening moon and Krishna Ekadashi occurs on the waning or fading moon. Ekadashi ritual dates can be found on the annual festival calendar provided by www.drikpanchange.com (look for "Ekadashi") - CLICK HERE for the calendar.
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Maha Shivaratri
March 8, 2024 |
Maha Shivaratri is a time when we honor and celebrate Lord Shiva, the symbol of the Consciousness of Infinite Purity and Goodness. Shiva is also the Master Yogi who takes you beyond death and suffering to Immortal Life. By honoring Lord Shiva through Puja on this sacred evening, you can hold the intention to awaken to your True Self, the Absolute, the Supreme Brahman. Chanting mantra such as Om Namah Shivaya can help you attune with the Essence of Lord Shiva and open yourself to the vibration of the Universe, within and without and beyond.
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Chaitra Navaratri
April 9-17, 2024 |
In Sanksrit, "nava" means 9 and "ratri" means night. Chaitra Navaratri is held during the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar in the Spring. During nine nights, the different aspects of the Divine Mother, Durga, are celebrated in succession. We honor: Durga for Her strength and courage so that we too may be inspired to walk into the depths of our own darkness or demons and come out victorious; Lakshmi for sharing Her Abundance of Wealth, both material and spiritual, so that we may feel supported and fulfilled in our life and path; and Sarasvati for bestowing upon us the ability to learn worldly skills as well as spiritual truths so that we my excel in life, ultimately attaining the Highest Wisdom. More details of the Divine Mother meditations are found in the Divine Mother publication. By honoring the Divine Mother through Chanting and Puja, you can set the intention to attune to the Divine Mother through Her Shakti to gather the strength and energy needed to walk through and face life, day after day, without retreat in the face of challenges and ask the Divine Mother to protect you, support you and guide you so you can become of vehicle of her Divine Love, Abiding Compassion and Highest Wisdom for the upliftment of all beings.
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Ram Navami
April 16, 2024 |
On Ram Navami, which falls on the last day of Chaitra Navaratri, we celebrate the birth of Lord Ram, who shines as brightly as the Sun and represents the highest potential. Ram, who in the Ramayana expresses perfection in all relationships as King, Husband, Brother and Friend, provides the guideline for living in attunement with the Dharma. By honoring Lord Ram through Puja, you can hold the intention to bring Ram Raj into your heart and bring the Light into your life so that wherever you are the fragrance of Ram Raj will be.
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Hanuman Jayanti
April 6, 2024 |
On Hanuman Jayanti we celebrate Lord Hanuman's birth. He is a shining example of strength, loyalty, humility and devotion. Lord Hanuman is the perfect devotee and servant of the Divine. By honoring Lord Hanuman through Puja, you can hold the intention to emulate Him, selecting one or more qualities that you would like to nurture and grow in your life.
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Buddha Purnima
May 23, 2024 |
On Buddha Purnima we celebrate the Buddha's birth. He is often called the Compassionate One, as He offered Himself and his Teachings to release us from the cycle of birth and death, disease and suffering. Lord Buddha is also a symbol of remarkable discipline and renunciation from worldly pursuits. He was known as a great exponent of the Dharma, sharing the Teachings far and wide after His Awakening, Enlightenment. By honoring Lord Buddha through Puja, you can hold the intention to emulate Him, selecting one or more qualities that you would like to nurture and grow in your life.
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Ganga Dusshera
June 16, 2024 |
On Ganga Dusshera we celebrate the descent of Ganga Mata (Mother Ganga) to Earth. She is a perennial symbol of sacrificing personal desires for the benefit of the Greater Good. In the ancient Shiva Purana text, the story of Ganga Mata is laid down to help us understand Her importance to humanity and how She came to be with us here. She agreed to descend to Earth from Her heavenly abode to nourish us, bless us and cleanse us from our karma. Her mystical waters heal and uplift us so that we may evolve and develop physically, mentally and spiritually. She truly represents Divinity in Nature. By honoring Ganga Mata through Puja, you can hold the intention to emulate Her, asking for your heart and mind to be aligned in service to the Greater Good.
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Guru Purnima
July 20, 20224 |
Guru Purnima, a very auspicious Full Moon, represents the Light and Highest Knowledge of the SatGuru. On this day and evening we honor the SatGuru and express the deepest gratitude for the SatGuru's presence in our lives. As Sri Svamiji Teaches: "As the Sun empowers the moon, the SatGuru empowers the disciple, the seeker. Without the sun, the moon would be dark. Without the SatGuru, the seeker would be lost. Your inner calling is to be Complete; that is the eternal quest". This time can be dedicated to reflecting on how far you have come and how far you have to go in integrating the Teachings and practices into day to day life. By honoring the SatGuru through Puja, you can hold the intention to imbibe the Knowledge to become a living expression of the SatGuru's Teachings and offer your Bhakti at the SatGuru's "lotus feet" symbolizing the tradition of deep surrender and sincere devotion, submerging into that energy of pure Love and Bliss with the intention to be Purna: Fulfilled, Whole and Complete.
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Krishna Janmashtami
August 26, 2o24 |
On Krishna Janmasthami we celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, who is a great symbol of Divine Love or "Bhakti" and who teaches that sensuality must give way to Higher Love. He is also well known as the Godhead of the Bhagavad Gita (Divine Song) extolling the virtues of renouncing the attachment to the fruits of our actions, surrendering selfish desires in the name of love and overcoming ignorance through meditation that ultimately leads one to realize the True Self. The beauty of Krishna is that He speaks to the heart as with Mira and to the mind as with Arjuna. Some great bhaktas such as Mira worshiped Lord Krishna as their Beloved, others as their Divine Child, others as Divine Friend...the common thread is that regardless of whichever "bhava" (or mood) the bhaktas took, in seeking to quell the pain of being apart from Krishna and wanting to unite with the object of their love, they lost themselves in the deepest longing and love for Krishna, some ultimately merging with Krishna Consciousness. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna imparts to Arujna, the great warrior who fell into despair on the battlefield, the Supreme Truths of Yoga to free him from the limitations of the human mind and conditioning that we all share. By honoring Lord Krishna through Puja, you may view Him through either lens, that of Divine Love or that of the Supreme Truth. You can set the intention to open the heart fully to Divine Love, to be filled with the spirit of Bhakti so that the mind will turn away from the empty thrill of material objects and incomplete human love and immerse itself fully in Krishna Consciousness or you may feel more inspired to lay down your armor at His feet and surrender the limited beliefs and thoughts you have carried for far too long so that you may be freed from the yoke of ignorance and instead be yoked to the Supreme Truth.
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Ganesh Chaturthi
Sept 6, 2024 |
On Ganesh Chaturthi we celebrate Lord Ganesha's birth. Ganesha, the elephant God, is well known as the remover of obstacles. As the son of Shiva and Parvati, He is also known for His great Wisdom. So another way to view Ganesha is as one who eases the way through Knowledge, which implies that we take responsibility for our path and life by following the Teachings and practices we have been given so that we are able to make the right decisions and take the right actions to progress and evolve. Of course, when we are dedicated and focused on our path, Ganesha's Grace may shine on us and remarkable opportunities may arise when least expected! By honoring Lord Ganesha through Puja, you can set the intention to attune to Ganesha to ease the way and open the doors of Wisdom leading to the Ultimate Reality, as expressed by His parents, Shiva and Parvati (Shakti).
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Sharada Navaratri
Oct 3 -12, 2024 |
In Sanksrit, "nava" means 9 and "ratri" means night. During nine nights, the different aspects of the Divine Mother, Durga, are celebrated in succession. We honor: Durga for Her strength and courage so that we too may be inspired to walk into the depths of our own darkness or demons and come out victorious; Lakshmi for sharing Her Abundance of Wealth, both material and spiritual, so that we may feel supported and fulfilled in our life and path; and Sarasvati for bestowing upon us the ability to learn worldly skills as well as spiritual truths so that we my excel in life, ultimately attaining the Highest Wisdom. More details of the Divine Mother meditations are found in the Divine Mother publication. By honoring the Divine Mother through Chanting and Puja, you can set the intention to attune to the Divine Mother through Her Shakti to gather the strength and energy needed to walk through and face life, day after day, without retreat in the face of challenges and ask the Divine Mother to protect you, support you and guide you so you can become of vehicle of her Divine Love, Abiding Compassion and Highest Wisdom for the upliftment of all beings.
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Divali
Oct 31, 2024 |
During Divali, the Festival of Lights, spanning over a number of days we celebrate the victory of Light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. The mantra "Asatoma Satgamaya, Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya, Mrityorma Amritamgamaya" reflects the essence of Divali. This is also a time of harvest so Divali is associated with prosperity and plenty. Divali also represents Sri Ram's homecoming to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. Ram walked thousands of miles on the return, visiting many of his devotees along the way. This is a great symbol that illustrates that if you meditate on Ram intensely, He will manifest to you wherever you are. Upon His return to Ayodhya with Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, all of the people of the town placed ghee lamps in the windows to welcome their King. This was the beginning of Ram Raj and Enlightened Leadership as they established Ram Raj in their Kingdom, houses and hearts. Also, the people cleaned and decorated their houses to invite the Divine Guest Lakshmi in to grant prosperity, wealth, happiness and plenty. This festival is full of significant meaning and symbolism to guide us on our journey. Many puja and havan (fire ceremonies) take place during Divali, where old objects are burned to signify the start of a new time, meaning and purpose. You can ask Lakshmi to come into your home and your heart so you are prosperous and fulfilled and never needy or lacking in any way. You can ask Ram to rest in your heart and direct your mind to the Dharma so you can live in the spirit of Ram Raj where ever you reside.
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Gaya Puja
Year-round |
The Sanctuary for Peace (associated with Adhyatmik Foundation) houses the shrine, Gaya, which acts as a doorway to the ancestral realms, offering you a more felt connection with your departed loved ones. A Gaya Puja provides an opportunity at any time during the year for you to honor a deceased loved one, your immediate family (for whoever has passed and for when certain members do), or the 7 generations before and after you. This rare connection to Gaya established through the Gaya puja can bring innumerable blessings for them and open a door to Grace that might not have happened otherwise at this stage of their evolution.
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