• 19SEP

    Shiva and Shakti Mantra Workshop The Great Consciousness and Energy of the Universe

    Presenter ~ Satyabhama (Margalo Ashley-Farrand) Vedic Priest and widow of Namadeva Acharya (Thomas Ashley-Farrand ~ Renowned teacher and author of numerous books and CDs on Sanskrit Mantra)

    Shiva & Shakti Puja ~ Sept. 19, 2014 ~ 7:00 -10:00 p.m. {$35.00 to attend Puja ONLY}

    Shiva & Shakti Workshop ~ Sept. 20-21, 2014 ~ 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    Workshop & Puja Early Bird Fee: $200.00 before Aug. 30/14 & $225.00 after this date.

    (Please send postdated Aug. 30/14 cheque addressed to “Harmony Yoga Pilates Studio”to reserve your spot).

    The ancient rishis of eons past and present-day sages worship the Great Feminine.  It is She who powers and empowers everything and everyone. There is no dispute about this among all the diverse Eastern paths to spiritual and material attainment.   There are many stories of Shiva and his Shakti in the Shiva Purana.  Satyabhama will tell the story of Shiva and Sati, Shiva and Parvati, and of Lord Shiva and his many lilas.

    The approach to the Divine is different in the Shaivite traditions.   Shiva and his consort by her various names are not as personal and approachable as they are in the Vaishnavite traditions. The Shaivite approach to the Divine, both male and female, leans more towards getting to enlightenment than most Vaishnavite worship, which also has an emphasis on the practical problems of life.

    The story of the Creation of the Manifest Universe by Sada Shiva will be told.  The Shiva Tattva will be explained along with the Shaiva Siddhanta Philosophy.  The Philosophy of the Symbols of Shiva’s snake, his vehicle, his worship will be told.  Shiva as Lord Nataraja who dances the universe out of manifestation will be explained.  The Shakti Yoga Philosophy will also be taught.  Shiva Yoga Sadhana will be described.  Rudra will be explained as the historical origin of Shiva worship, as the name Shiva does not appear in the Vedas.

    The aspect of Shiva which is Consciousness, the formless Divine, with Shakti which is the creative aspect of the divine will be described.  Like Narayana, which is a unitary being with his shakti, Maha Lakshmi, Sada Shiva is never separated from his shakti and is often depicted as half male and half female.  This formless aspect is quite different from the Rudra aspect, the matted-haired ascetic.

    The two sons of the Divine Couple will be introduced, Ganesha and Subramanya.

    A Shiva Puja will be performed with all symbology and the addition of a Shakti Astottara.

    Attendees will learn:

    • A variety of known and esoteric Shiva and Shakti mantras.
    • The meaning and worship of the yoni-lingam and the honoring of particular kinds of linga.
    • A Lakshmi Mantra used by the great Brahma Rishi Vasista.
    • Mantras for Ganesha.
    • Mantras for Subramanya, Kartikeya.
    • Shiva Mantras for becoming a Siddha or Perfected Being will be taught.
    • Satyabhama will teach the Maha Mrityunjaya Spiritual Discipline.