Customs & Practices of Devotional Path

 

There are many devotional practices and pathways. What we are describing below is the flavor of how we do it. We are not saying it is better than other ways, it is just our way. We hope that you will find inspiration and Divine love through the ideas and practices that are described in brief below. As with anything, reading about it merely grants us an idea. Experience is of greater importance.

 

A Tantric Path

When most Western people think of Tantra they think of Sexual Tantra. Sexual Tantra is only one small part of Tantra. Tantra is vast field of learning which involves many practices which help the spiritual aspirant to have experiential knowledge of God.

 

Tantra is a way of looking at the world honouring the indivisible Divine in two aspects, masculine and feminine. Masculine is seen as consciousness, which is a never-ending pillar of brighter and brighter light, of infinite potential. This can be termed Shiva. Feminine is seen as form. It is the creative way that the Divine brings itself into form. It is everything in creation, everything in the soul dimension, everything in the astral and etheric dimensions and everything in the physical dimension. This can be termed Shakti.

 

Tantra means literally “weaving” and is primarily to do with the means by which we ‘weave’ the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine into our own being.

A photograph is really just a blob of frozen consciousness, (Shiva) but if it is blessed by a Guru and Shakti is put into it, then it becomes a tool for the use of the student to help them to experience the divine directly. Thus, the blessing of photographs for use in devotion is a Tantric practice.

 

Classes in Tantra are held at The Harmony Centre for graduates of the path of ease and grace, and include many different styles of Weaving or Tantra.

The manner of instruction on the Devotional path within Shanti Mission is Tantric. The Guru tradition is also tantric because it involves direct transmission of Shakti from teacher to student. When the flame is lit, pass it on.

 

Open Posture

When one is around a Guru and particularly in a class it is appropriate to uncross arms and legs, so as not to block the flow of Divine energy from them to you.  Hold an open attitude as well as body posture. If you close down, if you mentally or verbally criticize the teacher, the flow of energy automatically stops coming towards you. This is in accordance with the Law of Flow, and the Law of Gratitude. (See Spiritual Mastery book for more on the spiritual laws.)

 

Gratitude

Gratitude will speed up the transmission of energy towards you. During blessings an attitude of gratitude will make the blessing more potent.  Blessings are relevant to your capacity to receive them, not the capacity of Shakti Durga to give them. When the vessel of the student is ready, just the touch or even a look from the Master can cause the student to enter Samadhi (state of Divine bliss and union with God) and can bring rapid and sustained enlightenment.

 

Slow Down!

If you feel like the energy is too much for you, just ask that it slow down. Enlightenment is not a race, it is a marathon, and there are times when it is sensible to pace yourself, focus on integration rather than expansion and consolidate your consciousness and energy.

 

Initiation

Initiation speeds up your spiritual development. It is offered to our students as a means of opening spiritual channels in a similar manner to a reiki attunement. It is for the benefit of the student, to assist with more rapid and easier development.  The first initiation serves to welcome prospective students into the school, and implies no obligations upon the student. It is gentle and is an invitation to move onto higher initiations if the initiate so desires. 

 

Grades of Initiation

We are in the process of structuring our higher initiation system to better support our aspirants, and to educate people in a clear way as to what is offered and what is expected at each level. 

 

In Karate initiations into the next level of ‘belt’ and then ‘dan’ is clearly delineated and also somewhat easier to measure than the non-physical parameters of the spiritual school, however we are confident that a cogent system can be developed which will benefit our students and strengthen our school. More will be shared about this at a later time when the system has been fully developed. 

 

Every person has the same Divine spark within them and thus every one of us is equally loved by our Divine parent. Nevertheless we are at different stages of our awakening to the self realization that we are Divine. At first this can be a thought, but it seems unreal and is not reflective of a life where we seem to be living in heaven on Earth.  Just as a parent loves older children no more than younger ones, all are loved within our school and by our Heavenly Parent. We would not  however expect our 2 year old to know what our 18 year old knows and we would not ask the 2 year old to be responsible as an 18 year old might be. Nor would we put decision making into the hands of the spiritually immature unless we were creating the cycle of life that is a dark age. As we are currently emerging from a dark age, we are all needed to grow and play our part in the unfolding plan of peace. We wish to help all who are interested in our path to do that safely.

 

Blessings

When a Guru gives a blessing to the devotee it is similar to initiation but less intense.  Generally blessing is given on the crown chakra or ajna chakra, sometimes on the back of the heart or hands. Energies run through us differently, and a blessing from the left hand of the Guru is different from the right hand.  Mudras, use of breath (for a particularly potent blessing occasionally the Guru blows into the chakra) are used to direct energy specifically. This is done intuitively by awareness not from an astral impulse. The position of kneeling to receive a blessing is the strongest mudra. If you cannot kneel then ask for a chair as we want you to be as comfortable as possible and certainly do not want anyone to hurt themselves or aggravate an injury.

 

During blessing get close so Guru does not get arm or back strain from stretching and as you kneel, avoid actually kneeling on the feet. Please be careful when you are getting up so as not to head-butt your guru (yes it has happened). Open the posture and release all mudras. Stop singing to receive blessings, think thank you and the energy gets stronger.

 

Mudras

A mudra is a body posture which changes the way energy flows around our body.  Mudras that are relevant to the devotional path include these:

 

• Kneeling to receive a blessing
• Placing the ajna chakra down onto the feet of the Guru
• Placing ones head below the level of the head of the Guru
• Thumb on index finger – energy flows to the crown chakra
• Thumb on middle finger - energy flows to the base chakra
• Open body posture – allows for better energetic flow and keeps all bodies open to the Guru
• Do not use mudras unless the Guru asks you to in sessions with Shakti Durga. Just keep an open body heart and mind so that the grace can flow strongly into you. By using the forefinger mudra you block the energy from entering the physical body. By using the middle finger mudra you block the energy from entering the subtle bodies. Just don’t unless instructed.

 

Bowing to Guru

The most potent energy from the Guru emerges from the Feet, which is why the practice of bowing to the feet of the Guru, placing ones ajna chakra onto the foot, is so popular.  They are not being subservient, they are being blessed! They are smart.

 

Sometimes the spiritual energy flowing from the feet of the guru is so strong the disciple will experience shaking of the body and emptiness of mind: they are not able to think. This is because the spiritual energy is so strong that it temporarily paralyses the mind by flicking the consciousness out of the astral field and into soul awareness. This is something that can take lifetimes of practice to achieve without help.

 

Bowing to the feet of Guru is not a right, it is a privilege. It is permitted when the student receives blessing from the Guru at a devotional gathering, but is not permitted at a Path of Ease and grace or Path of Harmony gathering. It is not etiquette to dive on the feet of the Guru just because they are walking past and this would result in chaos so please don’t.

 

It is never expected of anyone that they will bow to Guru if they do not feel it in their heart to do this. The bow is not for the benefit of the Guru, it is for the benefit of the student. The Guru has no need of people bowing or showing respect, however respect opens the door for copious spiritual energy to flow from the Teacher. If one is clairvoyant one can perceive streams of golden energy flowing from the feet of the Guru. For those who understand this tradition, one of the best places in the world to be is at the feet of ones Guru, bathing in the sublime love and bliss that emanates from them.

 

If the Guru is ‘lotus born’ (their chakras have transformed into generators of golden energy by means of a technical advanced and challenging initiation) then the golden energy is actually produced within the body of the Guru.

 

If the Guru is a lineage Guru, then the Guru is receptive to the golden energy flowing from their Guru who was lotus born, or the Guru’s Guru, and so on. It is possible for there to be more than one golden being in a lineage but this is very rare except in a Golden Age when many people have developed Golden bodies.

Christians feel the flow of energy from the “lotus born’ teacher Jesus, Buddhists from various ‘lotus born’ Buddha’s, including Padmasambaba, Hindus from Krishna or Ram and so on.

 

Many more people than these have had the ‘golden body’ initiation (same meaning as lotus born) and the public does not know their names. They serve humanity in their own way according to the needs of their society and customs.

 

In this school the energy flows from Shakti Durga and can be received through any of the Gurus who are lineage guru’s having been initiated by her in this life.  Most (almost all) have worked with Shakti Durga in previous incarnations and have attained high levels of spiritual development prior to this incarnation. Even some who are very young have tremendous spiritual energy. If you approach them respectfully that energy will very likely flow to you and you will most likely feel it. If you are disrespectful it will stop, like an automatic cut-off switch of divine design. One of the ways to speed the flow is to bow.

 

When there is a gathering it is appropriate to bow to the head of the lineage rather than to any of the other Guru’s although exceptions are Paramahamsa’s. 

 

Oneness

In many spiritual schools including ours, blessings are given to help the student to evolve and grow more rapidly. This does not imply a ‘one up, one down’ relationship. It is an opportunity to merge with each other. In Guru consciousness, we are one. Unity means oneness. There is no sense of you out there doing something to me in here, or me in here speaking to you out there. It is just the sensation of being as one. Speaker merges with listener, the hand that is blessing merges with the head that is receiving, there is only one of us.

If someone is getting a blessing and you wish it was you, then avoid feeling resentful. This will stop any of that blessing flowing to you. Instead, send love to the recipient of the blessing, and waves of energy will flow your way. Whenever there is something you want instead of reacting with jealousy or resentment, send blessing and you will get the energy of it flowing your way. This is a more efficient method of going with the flow and entering into the field of your hearts desire.

 

Humility

Humility is very important in both sides of the Guru relationship and while no one is perfect, even Guru’s, it is a primary virtue and value in our school, and the first Hallmark of Spiritual mastery in the seminar and book by the same name written by Shakti Durga. Humility on the part of the student reaps rich rewards and speeds our spiritual journey

 

Karmic Inheritance

Sometimes in any school students can become upset because other people appear to be receiving benefits or attention that they are not.  In a spiritual school, things occur precisely in accordance with our spiritual inheritance. If we have good karma, we join a spiritual school so early that we get to know the teacher, have face to face dialogue and the teacher has a personal relationship with us.  Other times the teacher does not know us personally, but knows our soul. The Guru is the teacher to our soul as well as to our personality. Blessings given by Guru may vest in future years in this life, or in future lifetimes. The guru continues to guide and protect us from one incarnation to the next, and draws us back to continue our education when the time is right. This is the Divine law of Grace in operation.

 

If someone is receiving a blessing, remember that when we rejoice with them, some of the energy flows from them to us. We are in a positive relationship with them. If we feel jealous or selfish about it, then we pull away from that person and none of the blessing will flow. If you would like what a spiritual aspirant is receiving, then send love. It is the fastest way of creating a pathway so that you can enjoy the intimacy or personal blessing that is being given.

 

At no time can any guru give you more than your karmic inheritance. It is up to you to develop grace so that you can be more receptive. Remember: Give, Forgive, Serve. One of the best ways to get the attention of a spiritual leader is to work in service to assist in the fruition of the projects which they are creating to assist humanity. Get involved!

 

Namaste

Namaste means: “I honour your divinity” and is a usual form of greeting at the Harmony Centre. It applies to everyone. It is the thought in the mind of the Guru during blessing.

 

Guru is Mirror    

Shakti Durga is a master of the tools taught within the Path of Ease and Grace, handles difference and conflict with peace and has an incisive and clear mind. She is love on legs. She is also aware that the Divine teaches with both the Carrot and the stick, and while this school is founded on compassion, occasionally a student will learn more from being ignored or reprimanded than they would by a smile and a hug. The guru is interested in the development of your soul and not in pandering to your ego.

 

Guru is one with God and thus is one with everything not just half of creation. Guru can be kind, unkind, interested, indifferent, calm, angry, accurate or inaccurate and in all of these things is our perfect mirror and calls forth our own karmic inheritance. Whatever you see in Guru is in you too. If you see love, enlightenment and peace, then this is within you. If you see fault this is in you too. Jesus said: why are you worrying about the splinter in your brother’s eye when you are ignoring the log within your own? Whatever you pull forth from Guru in your own relationship, whether you enjoy it or not, you can be sure that there will be grace in it. If you pay attention and look within, you will learn and grow.

 

Guru is everywhere

Speaking with the body of the Guru is not the only way to get her attention. If you ask with reverence and an open heart (love), she will come to you and give you private instruction. Ask our senior initiates, and they will share with you stories of Shakti Durga being present with them in times of need or deep inquiry, anywhere, anytime.

 

Chair covers, scarf for meditation

Fabric becomes imbued with the spiritual energy of the person who has worn it.  When we meditate regularly wearing the same prayer shawl, sitting on the same rug or chair, or wearing the same sets of clothing builds up a supportive energy of the Shakti that filled it last time you used it. Members of our community generally use prayer shawls and have their own cushion for meditation for this reason.  Shakti Durga has her own chair because she is sensitive to psychic impressions and it is distracting and uncomfortable and takes focus off the class to fix this and as a courtesy to her we do not sit on her chair.

 

Please do not sit on other people meditation cushions or use their prayer shawls. Get your own and take care of them, placing them into a bag and reserving them for use in meditation and satsang is a good way to build up a positive charge that will help you when you are having a bad day and finding it difficult to connect.

 

White clothing for morning satsang

The sky will not fall in if you do not wear white in the mornings. It is just a symbol of the crown chakra, of Keter on the Tree of Life, of purity and consciousness. It  is a symbol of a desire to commune with the Divine world and not the physical world, which is such a riot of colour and contrast.  Wearing white has a slight effect of increasing the strength of our crown chakra, whereas red for instance, slightly improves our base chakra.

 

Indian clothing?

Shakti Durga often wears Salwar suits (Punjabi suits) which are of Indian design. The reason is that they are comfortable, colourful, elegant, practical, modest, economical and very suitable for spiritual teaching, dancing, sitting on the floor, meditation and so on. There is no spiritual significance in this choice.

 

Participants are encouraged to wear whatever neat casual comfortable practical clothing for meditation that they desire. Of importance is comfort and not having a restrictive belt or tight garment that creates bodily distraction or tension for the wearer.

 

Modesty is also appropriate for spiritual seminars and practices. We are not against mini skirts and plunging necklines, or see through garments, or figure hugging stuff but everything in its place and satsang is not the place for it. Focus ought be on the spiritual side of life and not distracted by the physical side.

 

Mala Beads

Mala beads are used for chanting and build up energy within them the more they are used. It is particularly auspicious to have your mala beads blessed by your Guru, and if your guru gives you mala beads this is very good. Chant from the big bead all the way around and back to the big bead but not over it: reverse the beads and go back the other way. The energy of the mala of chants becomes imbued into the beads and in particular into the big bead. Wearing the beads under clothing can assist one to retain a high vibration even during stressful or challenging times.

 

Silk bag for shawl

We often place our possessions into silk bags so that they do not take in the psychic impressions of the surroundings. This keeps the spiritual energy in our sacred items and this gives us a ‘leg up’ next time we use them

 

Incense

We use incense and also bells and sound, usually om, to cleanse the space in which meditation will occur. This is to remove psychic impressions and old stale thought forms.

 

Gemstones

Gemstones have the capacity to hold a lot of energy. In our school gemstones are used to store spiritual energy and many of our spiritual teachers wear them a lot. The efficacy of use of gemstones for holding energy can be tested by scanning. This is covered in IYS 2 and Dimensions of Wealth.

 

Respectfulness

Please be respectful of the space in meditation and satsang, and at all times it is appropriate to keep conversations outside and leave inside for quiet contemplation, prayer and meditation. Please do not leave your dirty tissues on the floor after meditation. Clear away your pillow and any personal items after class so that the space is clear and can easily be swept or energetically cleansed ready for the next class.

 

Spiritual Names

The name we were born with holds a vibration. The spiritual name we are given by our Guru holds a higher vibration. This can be tested by scanning the person using their birth name and then scan again when they use their spiritual name. The energy field will substantially expand when the spiritual name is used. The spiritual name is a mantra for use by the disciple and will help the person to embody the attributes of that particular facet of the Divine. 

 

The name given by Shakti Durga emerges from the soul of the student.  By using the spiritual name of the person we are calling forth the highest octave of the person. For instance, if you call Shakti Durga Kim she will answer but you will get Kim not Shakti Durga. Which level of her being do you wish to engage with?

 

Crying

It is not regarded as a problem if people are crying in satsang. If people are crying it could well be because they are experiencing ecstasy and they do not need hugging at that stage, please just respect their space. Senior disciples are also able to look after themselves and so please leave them be. This is not cold hearted it is actually helpful and respectful. All initiates ought to avoid rushing to hug each other during satsang because there is so much support in the energetic field of the room, that it is less necessary to hug than in other situations.  Healers are also available and can help as directed by the guru who is running the program. We are not against hugging (in fact we are pro-hug) but when having a spiritual experience during satsang is not the time. The energy of the spiritual aspirant needs to be their own and their Guru will assist automatically if the student calls inwardly for them.

 

Body shaking

When the spiritual energy is strong, the body can begin to shake or vibrate. This is natural and is nothing to fear. It will stop when the energy stops or when the blockage is released.  It is a natural form of purification. The more purification we do, the less the body moves during the presence of strong Shakti.  In some religions the shaking of the body in Divine ecstatic states is part of the norm: Quakers got their name from this. 

 

Time for Satsang

At our retreats there is a program of events, but the primary program that we follow is the Divine program as enunciated by Shakti Durga. The program is subject to change at any time as the dance of Nataraj requires. Satsang may finish earlier or later than the appointed hour. If you have had enough, you are free to leave the meditation room at any time and we just ask that you honour those who are meditating by leaving quietly.

 

Caring for the body of the Guru

In all Eastern traditions it is the responsibility of the devotee to ensure the physical comfort and wellbeing of the Guru, as the Guru provides for the spiritual wellbeing of the disciple. This is a joy and a privilege, and results in the transmission of huge karmic grace to the disciple. The Guru will generally allow others to do things that they could do themselves so as to allow the opportunity for grace.  Many students have experienced personal breakthrough’s after providing services to look after Shakti Durga. This story is commonly heard in various traditions.  The ‘body of the Guru’ also includes the physical temples or community meeting places that have been established and blessed by the Guru for use of the community. Caring for them also gives rise to tremendous spiritual grace. Thus, helping at a Harmony Centre is better for you than you could imagine!

 

Cup of Tea?

            You will notice devotees ensuring that the Guru has water and a hot beverage throughout the day. Sometimes the Guru forgets the body and forgets to drink and so the disciples remind and sometimes have to hold the cup because the Guru has expanded beyond the body. This kindness to the Guru is practical also in the sense that during breaks and other times there can be lots of people wishing to speak with the Guru who does not have time to stand in line and make their own beverage unless they cut short discussions with people to attend to the body.

 

Sitting Close

The strongest energy flows from the body of the Guru and radiates outwards through the aura of the Guru, which may be several kilometres in diameter. Usually the senior disciples are given the privilege of sitting closest to the Guru. The reason for this is that they have worked consistently with the Guru over time and often over many lifetimes, play leadership roles within the ashram of the Guru, are used to the spiritual energy and will not be overwhelmed by it as newer students may be. Further, the awareness of the Guru is also conditioned by the consciousness of those sitting most proximate to them.  This is fine, but means that higher teachings will be less readily forthcoming unless the students most closely seated can handle them.  The level of instruction is regulated by the level of development of the group.  In many spiritual schools there is a grading system and when Kim was being trained by her first Guru, she was always seated at the back of the hall. This did not bother her in the slightest, as she felt grateful and happy to be in the same room as her Guru, and because of her devotion, the energy was very powerful no matter where she was. Within Shanti Mission there is no formal seating system used in meditation or satsang, however devotees ought to show respect for the Guru’s within the school by offering them a seat closest to the front. The fact of making this offer will change the karmic future of the more junior devotee, who in turn in years to come will be accorded the same respect and consideration when they take their places as senior disciples.

 

Fluttering Eyes

When we start to leave astral consciousness and connect with the Shakti of our souls, the heart chakra activates. This then activates meridians which flow upwards to the eyes and which join the ajna chakra. The ajna chakra generally controls the eyes, and also our relationship to the will of the Divine. Fluttering eyes might look a bit funny but it is a sign that the person is changing vibration rapidly, and also changing vehicles, from the astral body to the soul body. 

 

Sometimes the teacher might have eyes that turn completely upwards to the Divine. This is because the spiritual energy is so strong and the soul is running the vehicle (body) rather than the ego running it. This makes it a bit hard to do things like walk or pick up a glass of water (you can’t see too well with your eyeballs turned upwards) but it makes it very easy to perceive the Divine and embody Divine grace. There is generally spiritual ecstasy going on during this experience.

 

This is not something that ought be forced, however in the Jewish tradition as well as in Yoga, certain practices exist which coax the body to get used to this and actively encourage it.

I am sooooo tired

When spiritual energy becomes very strong, it can cause drowsiness in the body. This is normal and happens in our seminars and retreats. In older traditions including some Buddhist schools, yawning was considered the height of disrespect to the teacher. The teacher would usually leave the room at that stage. Why? Because the students were full, what is the point of trying to put more into a cup that is already overflowing?  It is unlikely that our Guru’s will leave the room and they will not be offended by yawning and tiredness however it is likely that this will provoke the teacher to get the class up and moving, dancing, walking or finding other activities which will allow for the spiritual energy to be processed by the body so that more can be given later. The movement is part of the program and it is for your benefit that you take part. Do not use the time to sneak off for a cigarette or make tea or have a chat. The exercise is important to the capacity to benefit from the transmission of spiritual energy so please don’t just pay lip service to it or ignore it: get the blood flowing.

 

Jesus when he was in the garden on retreat before the events leading to his crucifixion had to keep waking up his disciples. They were not actually falling asleep in the normal way, they were just unable to handle the voltage of energy that Jesus was pulling into his body and they were spiritually congested.

 

Where has my brain gone?

When in the presence of genuine Guru’s it is often the case that we feel awe or mental absence. It can be hard to formulate sentences and to speak very much or to think clearly, particularly when they are standing right next to you or you have just done satsang with them. That is because the powerful Shakti is flowing from the Guru into your being, propelling you out of your usual astral consciousness and into pure awareness. It can be a little disconcerting at first, and sometimes if our self esteem is not so good we can feel a bit silly because we cannot think of anything to say to the teacher, even though yesterday at home we had 500 questions to ask!  The best idea is to write down your questions so that your mind does not have to work when in the presence of the Guru. There will be opportunities to ask questions so be prepared.

 

When to be still

If a Guru is invoking or in the middle of a prayer, this is not the time to be entering and leaving the room, or to be ferreting around in your handbag looking for your glasses. Just be still, and attune your consciousness to what is happening. It will not take long, and after the prayer or invocation is complete you can resume your activity. If you walk into the room and perceive that the teacher is invoking, as a courtesy, just stand completely still and wait until it is finished before moving further into the room.

 

Chanting

We do a lot of singing during our meditations and satsangs. It is a joyous thing and feel free to sing from the heart and join in. The quality of the voice is less important than the heart and feeling.  If directed by a guru to listen, then don’t sing along just be ready to receive the energy that will be given to you via the sound.   Chanting is a high vibrational activity that will uplift your being and create natural cleansing of the energy field.  By singing the names of God over and over again we move out of our minds and into our hearts and the expansion of consciousness is profound.

 

Why Sanskrit?

The chants we use are mainly in Sanskrit. This language was actually designed by Rishis, who are Vedic saints. The language was all to do with the inner plane and states of Divine consciousness. Many of the terms have no translatable meaning in any other language.  By using the original Sanskrit versions we are tuning into the high vibration in which they were written. We gain more advantage from these high vibrational sounds than when we translate the meaning into English.

 

Be on time

It is regarded as disrespectful to be late for classes. Please take responsibility for your relationship with time and be on time. Thank you xx

 

What is an ashram?

An ashram is usually referring to a place of education, where a spiritual community pursues Divine oneness under the guidance of a particular spiritual teacher or Guru. The more precise definition is that an ashram is a mission or project which is led by a Master and which involves many people of varying levels of spiritual development. Within an ashram everyone is valued and whatever their level of attainment might be, they are treated as a future spiritual Master. Our Harmony Centres may be the ‘body’ of the Ashram but the Ashram is also the vision, mission and goals of the Master, and the community who come together to play their part in the unfolding plan, which in Shanti Mission.

 

Sacred Objects

A picture or statue of a deity or Guru is just a picture until it is blessed. Then, it contains the Shakti (spiritual power) of the Guru and can be used as a tool for the student to help focus their attention and energy upon the task of their own liberation and enlightenment.  Blessed photos of Shakti Durga and other Guru’s have been known to animate and ‘talk’ (literally, just like in Harry Potter) to devotees about the issues that are troubling them. This only works if there is devotion in the heart of the student, because otherwise the phone line is not plugged into them. Without the devotion and love, there can not be receptivity to the oceanic assistance that is available from the Guru, whose consciousness is one with the Divine. This is why Jesus told his Disciples that they needed to believe in him. Without the faith and belief, the conduit for receipt of his blessings was missing. He was also telling them that he could not help those who did not believe in him. It is the same with every guru.

 

The idea is not to worship the object, but to use the object as a tool through which spiritual energy can be channelled. It is a tool for Divine worship. When we pay respect to the Guru it is the Divine within the Guru and not the physical form of the Guru to which we show devotion.

 

Care for the Alter and Sacred Items

During our retreat and at our Harmony Centres, our alters contain living spirit. They are capable of issuing blessing because of the will of Shakti durga and if you are respectful and caring of the alters they will be a tool to support you. If you approach with reverence, they will respond with energy and blessing, if you approach with disinterest, cynicism, ridicule, ambivalence or lack of care, then you will receive nothing.

 

Reverence

Reverence is a way in which we start to tune into the subtle and important things in life. It is one of the virtues. Reverence is about discovering the divinity in all people, things and situations. It is an approach whereby we pay attention to what we are doing, to the people that we are with and to the tasks at hand.

 

Reverence is of most benefit to the person being reverent. A place in which reverence is practiced will become imbued with that energy, as will objects that we handle with reverence, and even our relationships will improve if we bring the virtue of reverence to bear within them.

 

Aarti

This is a sacred tradition using the energy of a candle to honour the Guru. By giving love and honouring the Guru we inadvertently attract the love and grace of the Guru. Aarti will be demonstrated during retreats and during any devotional seminars.

 

Generally speaking there is a song that is sung while the flame is rotated either to the living body of the Guru or to a blessed photograph which holds the energy of the Guru. Like most spiritual practices it gets more potent the more we do it.

 

Why Vegetarian Food

We ask that you observe Vegetarianism during the retreat so as to avoid being weighted down by heavy meat foods.  Meat of necessity holds the energy of the beast that lived, and the emotions of that animal at death. It holds a karmic debt in that we have ended the life of another being to feed ourselves. While this is minimal if the meat is actually necessary to sustain our lives, it is greater if we simply chose to eat meat because we like the taste or because we are accustomed to it. 

 

As a general rule we advise that you follow a vegetarian diet while on a rapid path of spiritual development, as the energies of the spiritual realm can clash rather painfully with the energies in your body if it is full of dead animal matter and energy.  I once had a student in a class which was doing advanced practices and which had been advised to abstain from meat. She became very ill and no diagnosis could be found. When I looked at her intuitively I could perceive the food she had been eating and suggested that she either stop eating meat or stop attending the class. She stopped attending the class. I would have stopped eating meat.

 

Shakti Durga has been mainly vegetarian for 13 years (occasional fish) and eating as little animal flesh as possible is a manner of being devoted in an ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence) way towards the animal kingdom.  There does come a time when we are so spiritually strong that we can transmute energies including the energy of death in food, and in the last two years

Shakti Durga has achieved that level but still prefers to respect the animal kingdom as much as possible by avoiding eating them unless there is no other option or a medical reason to eat it.

 

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