As the sickness of patriarchy keeps unleashing its power-hungry agenda, and the murky fog of forgetfulness, of disconnect and separation spreads among the humans, I reach, like I always do, for the ancient stories handed down to help us navigate through sticky landscapes like this—I remember the story of Lalita Devi and Her glorious Goddess army.

In the midst of their epic battle against the destructive, abusive, power-hungry Asura king and his gang, an invisible fog descended upon the Goddess camp. Slow and undetectable, it began to seep into the minds and hearts of the mighty Goddesses.

All of a sudden, they felt lethargic, uninspired and numb. They had forgotten their purpose, forgotten the sacred order of the world and forgotten what they were here to guard. The love and grace they once basked in with their sisters, the power and wisdom that surged through them, seemed like a silly dream.

What is the point anyway…
Maybe the asuras are not that bad…
Maybe I can go along with their plan…
Maybe even get ahead…
And what is the circle again, it all seems so far away…
Been there, done that, what’s next?…
Oh, I don’t have the energy …
Or the time…
What is the power of sisterhood,
of the Goddess, again?

Only two of the Goddesses, Dandanatha and Mantrini, could stay awake inside this powerful illusion. And with their superpowers of breath and sound, they managed to wake up their sisters from the trance, and the soul-suffocating fog retreated from the camp.

The Goddesses, now wide awake and connected with their wisdom and power again, created a circle. Because when held in the ancient power of circle—which is the blueprint of Divine order—they knew they were invincible and could withstand further attacks.

They not only managed to protect themselves, but would eventually end the devastating war, when the Great Goddess Lalita Devi pierced the Asura king with the arrow of Divine Love: a power no illusion can survive.

There are so many Shakti Keys in this story, but the three I want to emphasize here, are:

1. The attacks on the sacred, on the feminine, on Goddess herself, are most often incremental, and invisible at first.

2. If the Goddesses can find themselves swayed off their seat by forgetfulness and distraction, let’s not fool ourselves to believe that we are immune to the trance.

3. At this moment in time when the patriarchy is on a rampage in the world, it is not the time to turn our back on Goddess, and this is not the time to stop gathering in circle.

When I’m in the women’s circle, whether it is in our little precious Temple group that meets in my living room (it is our 20th anniversary this winter!), or if i’m traveling to practice with sisters elsewhere, I see breath and sound; wisdom, longing, freedom; connection, grief, beauty; devotion, creativity, peace. I see the forces that can withstand the vicious attack on the sacred; I see the medicine that can heal us all, that can help us wake up and remember.

The circle calls us home, holds us, and reminds us; in circle we are held in million-year-old wisdom.

With each sigh, with each tender touch, each roar, each truth spoken at last, we are woven further into sanity, into remembrance, into the harmony and right order of things.

Perhaps you sit firmly in your seat, wonderful, we need you, thank you! And know that we are many—millions—dedicated souls right next to you. I met many of you in the Shakti Dharma Path gathering in Zurich last month, it filled me with so much vision and hope. I bow.

If you have felt numb, anxious, confused, uncentered; if you have felt uninspired about the Goddess path, forgetful of the grace and strength of Goddess, the circle, and of your seat; if you keep postponing to show up until that elusive “later”, I pray my words here can support you to reconnect and remember.

I hope you can feel us, your sister aunties, next to you, and know that you never left the path, this is also the path, and that Goddess is always here, closer than your own breath.

Remember breath and sound, two superpowers you’ll always have with you.

Maybe you can go outside and make a simple mandala offering of remembrance and peace from the twigs and leaves on the ground.

Or perhaps gather a few sisters in your living room (or Zoom) for Temple practice.

Or put on music and dance while cooking dinner to feel and remember your body, Her temple.

Maybe you will sit in silence for 11 minutes, unplugging from the frenzy, and being a pocket of silence in the world.

Or simply light a candle for the world in the morning, and make that your simple, yet powerful contribution.

Even if you feel a bit uncertain, a bit resistant, a bit foggy, a bit distracted, you’ll always have your seat in the timeless circle. It is here to support you through the ups and downs, and twists and turns your path is taking you.

Know that I am here too, firmly in my seat, next to yours.

At Her lotus feet.
I’m right here,
breathing, humming,
guarding Goddess Wisdom,
Om Hreem Lalitayai Namaha!
Chameli

Resources to Stay Awake:

:: In the Women’s Temple Manual you will find inspiration for how to gather sisters for Temple circle and many practices. If you want to go deeper, we have made the comprehensive Women’s Temple Group Facilitator Training available as a self-study online course.

:: Here’s a guided meditation to support you in staying present and protected. Free of charge.

:: The Goddess Summer Ashram in Greece is a profound and life-changing re-orientation, re-alignment, re-membering of our Divine Source and the splendorous lineage of the Living Goddess. If you can, come!

:: Read: The Great Cosmic Mother by Monica Sjöö and Barbara Moor; Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer; If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie; Chalice and the Blade and Sacred Pleasure by Riane Einsler;
Women Who Run With the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés; The Alphabet Versus the Goddess by Dr. Leonard Shlain; See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur.

:: Listen (or dance) to our Temple Playlist

:: We are offering an introductory price for the Unlocking Ancient Goddess Codes, self-paced practice immersion. You will learn lots of mantra practices, and other Goddess practices that you can do at home.

:: If you long to have a spiritual Auntie in your pocket this spring, I am offering 1:1 mentoring.

:: Dive into one of our self-study sadhanas, or join me for the Lalita Devi sadhana coming up in April/May. See our full event calendar.

photo: © Bibbie Friman