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9 Nights: A Journal
- Thread starter JustGeorge
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Spiderman
Veteran Member
Most precious, beautiful, pure, and strong Goddess and Mother Durga,
Please bless @JustGeorge , RF, every member of this forum, and all of humanity. Defend us in battle, especially help us fight the daily battle with ourselves.
Remove from us the sins, selfishness, vices, laziness, demons, and everything that prevents us from fully being diligent with our times and talents, to bring grace from Heaven and earth, to be the best versions of ourselves. Help us be enlightened and wise about how we spend our time. May we be instruments in thy hands for good in our world. And I know not what course others may take. But as for me, may I spend that time doing your will and serving you!
Please bless @JustGeorge , RF, every member of this forum, and all of humanity. Defend us in battle, especially help us fight the daily battle with ourselves.
Remove from us the sins, selfishness, vices, laziness, demons, and everything that prevents us from fully being diligent with our times and talents, to bring grace from Heaven and earth, to be the best versions of ourselves. Help us be enlightened and wise about how we spend our time. May we be instruments in thy hands for good in our world. And I know not what course others may take. But as for me, may I spend that time doing your will and serving you!
stvdv
Veteran Member
Thank you.I like it when you talk about Sai Baba!That's a splendid name too!
Sai Baba has made Spirituality easy for me, and do-able
Sai Baba means: Sai=Divine Mother + Baba=Divine Father
And in Hinduism, female is usually placed first, SB said
Like: Radha Krishna, Sita Rama,
Someone sent me this greeting: Maa Durga ke aashirwaad se apka jivan sukhmay ho, Iss Navratri pe hamari shubkamnayen aapke saath hai
Anyone know what it means?
Anyone know what it means?
Here is Durga's living room altar that we use for Navaratri:
The Crimson Universe
Active Member
Someone sent me this greeting: Maa Durga ke aashirwaad se apka jivan sukhmay ho, Iss Navratri pe hamari shubkamnayen aapke saath hai
Anyone know what it means?
Well, the word 'aashirwaad' means blessing. And 'jivan' means life. I'm not sure what the rest of it means. Perhaps someone else knows it better.
Well, the word 'aashirwaad' means blessing. And 'jivan' means life. I'm not sure what the rest of it means. Perhaps someone else knows it better.
Thanks for the help!
Spiderman
Veteran Member
The Crimson Universe
Active Member
Today was an interesting first day of Navaratri! With all the home construction, it didn't have quite the festive feel I was aiming for, but I still hung the decor, even if the house is all torn up.
I'm aiming to read the Devimahatmya during this time. I had a PT appointment today, and took it along to read while I waited. "om...aim.." I saw(and some commentary), and "aum aim hreem kleem chamundaye vichche" came into my mind. Its a mantra I haven't spoken since last year, and I'm surprised it was just on the tip of my tongue like that. I suppose Durga equipped me with it to use at this time... It made me feel connected with Her.
One thing I've pondered on some today is the role of 'mother', and primarily the idea of being mothered. While I am a mother to three, the idea of being mothered myself seems foreign to me. Yes, I have a mother... but our relationship wasn't/isn't typical. Please understand I'm not trying to degrade my mother here; I think she's a fine person, and we get along. But, she never really provided me with that maternal relationship. The thing is, I don't think it was on her. I don't think I know how to be mothered.
When I was growing up, she was decent enough. She provided us with what we needed, and she wasn't cruel. Really, she was laid back and humorous. But she was distant. And I was a weird kid. I wasn't a difficult kid typically, but I liked to analyze, question, and I was, much to my parents' disappointment, aloof. I liked to talk, but I didn't like to be touched. I would discuss worldly problems, but I kept my feelings to myself. I wasn't the daughter she wanted. And while I know she was proud of the grades I pulled, my artistic endeavors and in general being a well behaved student, she would have preferred something a little more...typical. I'm not sure if it was because I sensed this disappointment so young or what the issue was, but I never really let her mother me. We did have some 'mother-daughter' talks through the years... but it was flopped. I was the mother, and she was the daughter.
We talk occasionally now. Mom is a good person, but she is disinterested. Not just in me, but my sisters, and all her grandkids. Her life is at the bar, with her friends. That is what is most important to her(I don't think my middle son knew she existed until he was about 5). Aunts and uncles complain about her disinterest, but it is what it is. I wish her the best, and I know she has no ill feelings towards me. But sometimes when I contemplate on the 'Mother Goddess' figures, I feel a little lost. Because I don't know what it feels like.
After puja/making offerings this evening, I spend some time just pondering my relationship with Her. I am comfortable with my role as mother. I found myself a mother younger than I expected I'd be, but I fell into the role with ease. Why is it so easy for me to care for others, but why is it so hard for me to be cared for? During this time, I vow to work on opening my heart, and allowing myself to be 'mothered'. Because what better mother is there than Durga?
I'm aiming to read the Devimahatmya during this time. I had a PT appointment today, and took it along to read while I waited. "om...aim.." I saw(and some commentary), and "aum aim hreem kleem chamundaye vichche" came into my mind. Its a mantra I haven't spoken since last year, and I'm surprised it was just on the tip of my tongue like that. I suppose Durga equipped me with it to use at this time... It made me feel connected with Her.
One thing I've pondered on some today is the role of 'mother', and primarily the idea of being mothered. While I am a mother to three, the idea of being mothered myself seems foreign to me. Yes, I have a mother... but our relationship wasn't/isn't typical. Please understand I'm not trying to degrade my mother here; I think she's a fine person, and we get along. But, she never really provided me with that maternal relationship. The thing is, I don't think it was on her. I don't think I know how to be mothered.
When I was growing up, she was decent enough. She provided us with what we needed, and she wasn't cruel. Really, she was laid back and humorous. But she was distant. And I was a weird kid. I wasn't a difficult kid typically, but I liked to analyze, question, and I was, much to my parents' disappointment, aloof. I liked to talk, but I didn't like to be touched. I would discuss worldly problems, but I kept my feelings to myself. I wasn't the daughter she wanted. And while I know she was proud of the grades I pulled, my artistic endeavors and in general being a well behaved student, she would have preferred something a little more...typical. I'm not sure if it was because I sensed this disappointment so young or what the issue was, but I never really let her mother me. We did have some 'mother-daughter' talks through the years... but it was flopped. I was the mother, and she was the daughter.
We talk occasionally now. Mom is a good person, but she is disinterested. Not just in me, but my sisters, and all her grandkids. Her life is at the bar, with her friends. That is what is most important to her(I don't think my middle son knew she existed until he was about 5). Aunts and uncles complain about her disinterest, but it is what it is. I wish her the best, and I know she has no ill feelings towards me. But sometimes when I contemplate on the 'Mother Goddess' figures, I feel a little lost. Because I don't know what it feels like.
After puja/making offerings this evening, I spend some time just pondering my relationship with Her. I am comfortable with my role as mother. I found myself a mother younger than I expected I'd be, but I fell into the role with ease. Why is it so easy for me to care for others, but why is it so hard for me to be cared for? During this time, I vow to work on opening my heart, and allowing myself to be 'mothered'. Because what better mother is there than Durga?
I presume the confusion is due to how some people reckon the timing of days. The tithi that is Aśvina śukla pakṣa 1 apparenty began on the 6th of October. I think the method for determining the tithi in its start and length has something to do with the measurement of the degrees of the moon and sun from each other. On the other hand, if we treat each day as a 24 hour solar day that begins at sunrise, Aśvina śukla pakṣa 1 begins on the 7th of October at sunrise. I currently use the latter method because I am unaffiliated and unscrupulous.
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Spiderman
Veteran Member
No better Mother than Durga.
Certainly not in the Hindu faith.Is your biological Mother an alcoholic?
My relationship with my mother was terrible. I hated her and she did a lot to destroy my life and corrupt the family and our morals and minds at young ages.
She has changed a lot.
I will ask Durga to help you learn how to be mothered. Do you feel like you were ever "Fathered"?
It was hard for me to know what it feels like to be mothered. I guess I just had to repeatedly experience it with the blessed Virgin Mary, the Capitol Hill Queens, and yes, with Durga as well. I learned they were mothering me, through intense convictions, followed by coincidences that were confirmations that those convictions were more than confirmation-bias or delusion.
I don't know what or how Durga wants to Mother you. You will have to find that out yourself. Pray for the grace to see and understand that mystery. Being a mother is an amazing thing.
She is now. She wasn't when I was growing up, though. She divorced my dad(with good reason) when I was 17. I just moved out and went my own way at that time. After a short period of time, she married an alcoholic, and then she became one herself. She isn't really a nasty one, though. She just gets silly when she drinks, sits at the bar, socializes, goes home and plays online games and falls asleep.
I'm sorry you went through that... mothers don't always realize the power they hold, and do miserable things like that. I hope the changes were for the better.
Nope. I didn't get along with my dad until I was in my late 20s(maybe even early 30s). He was a nasty person when I was growing up, though he realized he needed to amend his ways after my mom left him.
For as long as I remember, I kinda took care of myself. My parents provided me with material goods and needs, but for mental support and moral guidance, I kind of had my own compass.
I'm glad you had these experiences, and that you found the mother you needed in them.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Yeah, I do. For half my life, I was a theist.@Aupmanyav Atleast you see the beauty in Gods/Godesses even though you don't believe in them.
Even the idea is beautiful for those who need support and that is the majority.
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
IMHO, the problem is a bit cultural. In our part of the world with joint families, mother or a grand mother is the fulcrum. My son may disregard me but will never disregard his mother. I have my paternal rights but perhaps will never exercise it, she rules day and night, even over me. So, Mother Durga (or Mothers Parvati or Lakshmi) is where we finally find refuge.
While joint families don't happen so much over here, I think the idea of 'mother as center of home' does occur occasionally. My uncle(he is my great uncle, actually) talks about his mother(who is long gone) in this light. I think it happened more in the past than it does now, but honestly, those who speak of it speak favorably.
I read once(I wish I could remember what book it was in) that Navaratri was the time in which Parvati returned to her home, so she could have a 9 day break from Shiva's [bad habits] and eccentric ways. I couldn't help it; I just cracked up. I guess I never thought about whether or not it would be difficult to live with Shiva!
I live in a circus. With home construction going on over months, and having bathroom facilities, things have become even more nuts. I remembered this little quip, and wondered what it would be like to have a 9 day break myself! I'm not sure I could even conceive of such a thing. Recently, a family friend watched the kids on my birthday for a few hours so my husband and I could share a meal without the kids. It sounded nice, but then.... I didn't know what to do. Once we ate... then what? What does one do when not wrestling alligators and taming lions? I believe I've become institutionalized in a way... and I wonder if when Parvati returns home, if she gets a little bit of shock, too.
Its evening here, and I'm coming to the end of my second day without food. Honestly, I'm not hungry yet. But about mid-day, I got a roaring headache, wobbly legs and my brain started farting out. I figured I better have some juice(and I did so). I later made a smoothie when the headache started coming back, and have felt fine since. Actually, the pain I am prone to getting in the gut has disappeared. I'm looking forward to an extended fast improving my general health.
I live in a circus. With home construction going on over months, and having bathroom facilities, things have become even more nuts. I remembered this little quip, and wondered what it would be like to have a 9 day break myself! I'm not sure I could even conceive of such a thing. Recently, a family friend watched the kids on my birthday for a few hours so my husband and I could share a meal without the kids. It sounded nice, but then.... I didn't know what to do. Once we ate... then what? What does one do when not wrestling alligators and taming lions? I believe I've become institutionalized in a way... and I wonder if when Parvati returns home, if she gets a little bit of shock, too.
Its evening here, and I'm coming to the end of my second day without food. Honestly, I'm not hungry yet. But about mid-day, I got a roaring headache, wobbly legs and my brain started farting out. I figured I better have some juice(and I did so). I later made a smoothie when the headache started coming back, and have felt fine since. Actually, the pain I am prone to getting in the gut has disappeared. I'm looking forward to an extended fast improving my general health.
Today was the big fight.
Fasting got rough, and I finally felt hungry. I also felt the urge to 'stress eat' as things kind of fell apart around me. People around me acted in abrasive, thoughtless and inappropriate ways(though I'll admit Ares was very well behaved today!), and I struggled with their behavior on physical, emotional, and mental levels. I felt like I was battling my own Mahishasura.
So much of life is a fight. I feel like I'm in frequent battle; with circumstances, with those who would bring ill, and against my own baser urges. Some things aren't worth fighting for(which is why I tend to be sparse in the debate section), but others are worth it(like fighting to assure my kids have a relevant education). Sometimes its hard to know what to fight for, and what to let be. And sometimes, its just plain tiring.
Fasting got rough, and I finally felt hungry. I also felt the urge to 'stress eat' as things kind of fell apart around me. People around me acted in abrasive, thoughtless and inappropriate ways(though I'll admit Ares was very well behaved today!), and I struggled with their behavior on physical, emotional, and mental levels. I felt like I was battling my own Mahishasura.
So much of life is a fight. I feel like I'm in frequent battle; with circumstances, with those who would bring ill, and against my own baser urges. Some things aren't worth fighting for(which is why I tend to be sparse in the debate section), but others are worth it(like fighting to assure my kids have a relevant education). Sometimes its hard to know what to fight for, and what to let be. And sometimes, its just plain tiring.