KALI MOONS: The Sugar Moon
Sugar Moon Book
Full Moon Practice:
Life Force Setting
Life Force Setting
Tara Invocation
Tara Mantra & Altar
Maitri
Tonglen
Ho'opono'pono
Hasta Mudras for Kapha
Conversation: Sister Science
Sugar Moon Book
The Sugar Moon Book
Your Sugar Moon Book is now available to download.
Click the cover image, below, to access the full copy!
Click the cover image, below, to access the full copy!
Full Moon Practice:
Life Force Setting
Life Force Setting
Life Force Setting
Wherever you set your prana (LIFE FORCE ENERGY)—that is where you will generate the most shakti (CREATIVE POWER).
In other words, if you are putting your attention on meaningless and Self-defeating things—like greed, worry, gossip, anger, shame, disappointment, attachment, etc. …you will generate power around those meaningless things. More of that feeling will grow.
Up to this point in our Eleven Moons journey, you have been invited to complete two stages of Creative Awakening:
Up to this point in our Eleven Moons journey, you have been invited to complete two stages of Creative Awakening:
- Courageously recognize your shadows.
- Cultivate compassion for your WHOLE BEING.
Are you ready to channel and amplify your prana (life force)? The Sugar Moon invites you to get clear about your values. What has your Visionary Heart been telling you? What will you focus on this year?
The word "shakti" means manifesting power. Shakti is the name for God/dess energy in its most creative expression of prana. In the Tantrik texts, She is the animating force–the manifesting power–expressed as YOU!
The springtime is sprouting with creative new beginnings. Similarly, you are now moving toward a new way of being/creating in the world. Adopt the archetypal power of one of the following Shakti archetypes.
Use the "Life Force Setting" form below to figure out which archetype is the most supportive for you, right now! Rate the values below to see where your Visionary Heart is leading you.
The word "shakti" means manifesting power. Shakti is the name for God/dess energy in its most creative expression of prana. In the Tantrik texts, She is the animating force–the manifesting power–expressed as YOU!
The springtime is sprouting with creative new beginnings. Similarly, you are now moving toward a new way of being/creating in the world. Adopt the archetypal power of one of the following Shakti archetypes.
Use the "Life Force Setting" form below to figure out which archetype is the most supportive for you, right now! Rate the values below to see where your Visionary Heart is leading you.
Once you have determined your Shakti archetype, join the Sugar Moon Community call so that we can take powerful, compassionate, and practical steps toward establishing your P.R.A.N.A. goal for this year..
P.R.A.N.A. is a super-fun acronym I made up for two reasons:
1. It is based on psychological methods for proven results in goal achievement.
2. I'm totally digging acronyms (I know, its a little geeky).
Curious?
Let's build your PRANA goal on the Community Call.
P.R.A.N.A. is a super-fun acronym I made up for two reasons:
1. It is based on psychological methods for proven results in goal achievement.
2. I'm totally digging acronyms (I know, its a little geeky).
Curious?
Let's build your PRANA goal on the Community Call.
Tara Invocation
Tara God/dess Invocation
(Please review your Sugar Moon Book for full content.)
Invoke the courageous compassion of the Tibetan Goddess, Tara, who is the archetype of refuge, healing, and unconditional Love.
First found in early Hinduism, Goddess Tara made her way to Tibetan Buddhism where she is still worshipped widely today. In fact, her immense popularity has led some scholars and devotees to suggest that Tibetan Buddhism should be called "Taraism." She is worshipped throughout Tibet, Nepal, and much of South-East Asia. She is closely related to Kwan Yin and Kwannon of China and Japan. The name, Tara, means "star." The goddess is said to have been born from the water, like Venus/Aphrodite in Greece and Rome and also like Lakshmi in India. In some Christian traditions, Mother Mary is also referred to as Stella Maris (Star of the Sea).
Feminine archetypes throughout the world are associated with the water and the sky, and the dual principles they represent. That is, in both the sky and the sea we find symbols of particularized form (waves, fish, stars, planets, etc...) within an immense expanse of formlessness. Therefore the sea and the sky both represent creation within the formless Infinite.
Feminine archetypes throughout the world are associated with the water and the sky, and the dual principles they represent. That is, in both the sky and the sea we find symbols of particularized form (waves, fish, stars, planets, etc...) within an immense expanse of formlessness. Therefore the sea and the sky both represent creation within the formless Infinite.
Although there are many incarnations of the goddess Tara, her two main forms are Green Tara and White Tara.
Learn the details of their symbolism in your Sugar Moon Book.
Learn the details of their symbolism in your Sugar Moon Book.
Tara Mantra & Altar
Tara Mantra & Altar
To build your Sugar Moon altar, you may replace (or add to) the images with a depiction of Tara, the Tibetan Goddess of Compassion (choose one that resonates with you) and a photograph of a person who reminds you of compassion.
Also add white flower petals to your altar. The color white is associated with healing and compassion, as are diamonds, rose quartz, pink tourmaline, and/or emeralds. All of these may be added to your altar to create a beautiful expression of celebration and to remember deep Self-Love. Begin with the invocation and honoring of the elements. Follow with a mantra to invite the Tara archetype.
Also add white flower petals to your altar. The color white is associated with healing and compassion, as are diamonds, rose quartz, pink tourmaline, and/or emeralds. All of these may be added to your altar to create a beautiful expression of celebration and to remember deep Self-Love. Begin with the invocation and honoring of the elements. Follow with a mantra to invite the Tara archetype.
The central Buddhist Tara Ritual is open to non-initiates and may be freely practiced by anyone who approaches with the intention of invoking the courage and compassion of the goddess archetype for personal healing and protection as well as for healing within our world. At the core of the ritual is the mantra:
OM Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha
Pronounced Aum Tah-ray Tew-tah-ray Tew-ray Svah-ha.
This mantra may be chanted for your self and also as a prayer for others. It is a powerful way to prepare your mind for the practice of Tonglen, which becomes a dynamic somatic prayer for anyone who is suffering. You will be introduced to Tonglen meditation later this month as we release, with courage, into deep compassion.
OM Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha
Pronounced Aum Tah-ray Tew-tah-ray Tew-ray Svah-ha.
- Tare is the invocation of Tara (to bring your minds attention to the symbol of compassion)
- Tuttare is associated with the liberation from dangers, both external and internal. Rather than thinking of this as a superstitious approach, however, it is truly more a psycho-spiritual invocation. When you chant "Tuttare" you can chose to release your mind from the dangers (or limitations) that come from attachment and aversion.
- Ture is associated with liberation from illness and disease. You can imagine sending nurturing and healing affirmation throughout your entire being.
- In the video below, I chant with the Sanskrit pronunciation of Svaha, which means something like "amen," "aho," or "so be it." (Svaha is sometimes pronounced Soha in Tibetan traditions.)
This mantra may be chanted for your self and also as a prayer for others. It is a powerful way to prepare your mind for the practice of Tonglen, which becomes a dynamic somatic prayer for anyone who is suffering. You will be introduced to Tonglen meditation later this month as we release, with courage, into deep compassion.
Maitri
Maitri
(Please review your Sugar Moon Book for full content.)
Maitri, or unconditional friendship with your self, is the basis of compassion.
This week, the Sugar Moon invites you to cultivate an unconditional friendship with your whole Self. Maitri is the Tibetan Buddhist practice of unconditional Self-love. With compassion for your self, you can extend fierce compassion to the world and awaken your creative life force power.
PRACTICE: Mindfulness Meditation
(Please wait 30 seconds for audio to load.)
Mindfulness meditation is one of the simplest, and most challenging practices, because the intention is to become awake to your experience in this very moment. The challenge is to stay with your mind and body, without trying to escape them. It is an act of bravery—a training of staying with your present experience, no matter what arises, without prejudice or judgement. It is a practice of cultivating unconditional friendship with yourself. This is the Mindfulness Awareness Practice similar to the manner taught by Pema Chödrön.
- Sit comfortably but uplifted, upright, and dignified. The posture is symbolic of bravery and open-heartedness.
- Keep your eyes open, in soft focus on the space just about 6 feet in front of you.
- Become aware of your body, starting with the soles of your feet and slowly scan your body to the top of your head. Notice any areas of tension and stop for a moment to honor that sensation before moving on to the next part. Move to the top of your head and then scan back down to your feet. Take time to feel your body. Resist the urge to judge your sensation, or to even think about what you are feeling. This is a practice for grounding yourself in your body. Simply become aware of the sensations.
- Shift your awareness to your breath. Become aware of the breath going in and out.
- Bring your awareness back again and again to the breath.
- Focus your attention on the out-breath, following your exhalation as it goes out into space.
- When you realize that your mind has wondered and you have begun to formulate thoughts, simply (and without judgement) say to yourself “thinking” and then bring your awareness back to your out breath.
Soul Questions & Action Steps
- Practice Warrior Vinyasa every morning this week.
- Practice mindfulness meditation every evening this week for at least 10 minutes.
- What happens when you sit in stillness for 10 minutes? Do you try to escape your experience in one way or another (by tuning into a show, checking your emails, or calling a friend, etc.)?
- What sensations arise when you sit with yourself for 10 minutes? Practice being aware of sensation, without letting it disturb you. Come back to your breath instead.
- What emotions arise when you sit with yourself for 10 minutes? Practice holding those emotions with loving kindness; without adding thoughts of commentary.
- As you move through your day, notice how often you experience moments of self-righteousness (this can include even the slightest feeling of being “right.” Also notice how often you experience embarrassment throughout the average day; including any moments of self-judgement.
- Commit to cultivating Maitri: an unconditional acceptance, friendship, and Love for yourself that remains steadfast beyond feelings of judgement or praise.
Tonglen
Tonglen & Transmutation of Suffering
(Please review your Sugar Moon Book for full content.)
Tonglen is an alchemical practice—a transmutation of suffering by standing in the shoes of all difficulty, all pain, all humanity and meeting it with unconditional Love.
Last week, I introduced the concept of Maitri: unconditional friendship with your self.
Maitri is embracing your shadows with lack of judgement, prejudice, or deception. It is realizing a Love so pervasive, it can include all those shadows and remain radiant with unconditional light.
With the true cultivation of Maitri, compassion begins to dawn on you like a rising sun. It provides an opportunity to honor the shared humanity of the world. You recognize that the emotions inside you are felt by everyone, everywhere. When you are able to be with all those emotions, including jealously, anger, sadness, shame, fear, regret…and on and on…without judgement, you can touch into the raw humanness that we all share.
The practice of Tonglen was brought from Indonesia to Tibet in the 10th century by an Indian sage named Atisha. It was presented by Chogyam Trungpa at Naropa University in Boulder.
My teacher, Pema Chodron, now offers this practice as an important teaching for our current times. The underlying teaching is the use of difficult circumstances to bring a realization of one’s true nature as whole and beautiful. It is recognizing and facing painful experiences as a means to spiritual awakening.
A transformative energy can be realized when you allow yourself to surrender into the full experience of humanness, instead of struggling against difficulty, or creating limiting narratives around your pain. There becomes an awakening of your compassionate heart—a kinship with all sentient beings.
Tonglen is an alchemical practice—a transmutation of suffering by standing in the shoes of all difficulty, all pain, all humanity and meeting it with unconditional Love.
Maitri is embracing your shadows with lack of judgement, prejudice, or deception. It is realizing a Love so pervasive, it can include all those shadows and remain radiant with unconditional light.
With the true cultivation of Maitri, compassion begins to dawn on you like a rising sun. It provides an opportunity to honor the shared humanity of the world. You recognize that the emotions inside you are felt by everyone, everywhere. When you are able to be with all those emotions, including jealously, anger, sadness, shame, fear, regret…and on and on…without judgement, you can touch into the raw humanness that we all share.
The practice of Tonglen was brought from Indonesia to Tibet in the 10th century by an Indian sage named Atisha. It was presented by Chogyam Trungpa at Naropa University in Boulder.
My teacher, Pema Chodron, now offers this practice as an important teaching for our current times. The underlying teaching is the use of difficult circumstances to bring a realization of one’s true nature as whole and beautiful. It is recognizing and facing painful experiences as a means to spiritual awakening.
A transformative energy can be realized when you allow yourself to surrender into the full experience of humanness, instead of struggling against difficulty, or creating limiting narratives around your pain. There becomes an awakening of your compassionate heart—a kinship with all sentient beings.
Tonglen is an alchemical practice—a transmutation of suffering by standing in the shoes of all difficulty, all pain, all humanity and meeting it with unconditional Love.
PRACTICE: Guided Tonglen Meditation
(Please wait 30 seconds for audio to load.)
Soul Questions & Action Steps
- Connect with your support partner this week to talk about Maitri.
- How are you befriending yourself in new and unconditional ways this year?
- Is the Tonglen practice easy, or difficult, for you?
- Why?
Ho'opono'pono
Ho’o’pono’pono & Psychic Cleanse
(Please review your Sugar Moon Book for full content.)
Ho'oponopono Meditation is a practice of cleansing your Psychological “Data.”
This week is about superpowers, and with the practice of Ho’oponopono, meditation becomes essentially a supernatural activity—a dynamic prayer—an offering of social service.
Nataraja, one of my beloved teachers at Naropa University, first introduced me to the miraculous practice of Ho’oponopono and the doctor who brought this work, from Hawaiian origins, into mainstream awareness. Dr. Hew Len is a therapist who cured an entire ward of criminally insane patients, without ever meeting any of them or spending a moment in the same room.
He reviewed each of the patients’ files, and then he healed them by healing himself.
Nataraja, one of my beloved teachers at Naropa University, first introduced me to the miraculous practice of Ho’oponopono and the doctor who brought this work, from Hawaiian origins, into mainstream awareness. Dr. Hew Len is a therapist who cured an entire ward of criminally insane patients, without ever meeting any of them or spending a moment in the same room.
He reviewed each of the patients’ files, and then he healed them by healing himself.
He healed the part of himself that “created” them.
(cue crickets.)
This seems like a far-fetched idea and I had a really, really hard time with it at first.
... until I applied a few, more commonly approached, concepts to the equation:
O.k. so let that settle.
Now, according to Dr. Hew Len, what happens in your own mind affects what happens outside of it, because there really is no such thing as “out there”—everything happens within the constructs of mind. Every person you meet and everything that happens is an aspect of your Self. You think it’s “out there”, but there is no “out there,” or at least no perceptible “out there” ...without your psyche to process your experiences.
This seems like a far-fetched idea and I had a really, really hard time with it at first.
... until I applied a few, more commonly approached, concepts to the equation:
- Everyone is ultimately capable of both good and bad behavior, right?
- Everything we experience in life, we experience with our minds. ie: Senses are experienced through psycho-somatic functions—everything we see, hear, feel, etc. Preferences are determined by the mind. Thoughts—judgements and choices—are then made by the mind.
- In the words of Dr. Wayne Dyer, “You see it when you believe it.” That means, our perspective and perceptions actually do influence the “outside” world around us, for good or for bad.
O.k. so let that settle.
Now, according to Dr. Hew Len, what happens in your own mind affects what happens outside of it, because there really is no such thing as “out there”—everything happens within the constructs of mind. Every person you meet and everything that happens is an aspect of your Self. You think it’s “out there”, but there is no “out there,” or at least no perceptible “out there” ...without your psyche to process your experiences.
“I know what you're thinking, 'cause right now I'm thinking the same thing. Actually, I've been thinking it ever since I got here: Why oh why didn't I take the BLUE pill?”
–Cypher, The Matrix
–Cypher, The Matrix
Mind-boggling, right?!
...but also very valuable for empowering us to take full responsibility for the data in our minds and the way it effects our world.
It is the Ho’oponopono teaching that you are responsible for everything that comes to your attention and all the thoughts you have about that phenomenon. Everything you hear on the news, for instance, is your responsibility. Everything that you see happening in the lives of your neighbors, friends, loved ones...enemies...is an extension of your Self.
There is no “other,” only projected ideas of “otherness.”
This means that through acceptance, Love, and forgiveness, you are able to cleanse the data of your mind. Change the way it lives within you and, in turn, you transform the world.
Ho'opononpono Meditation can be practiced in a general way as described in your Spring Journal. It can also be practiced using a specific person. In the practice, below, I invite you to extend unconditional compassion to someone who needs your support or forgiveness.
...but also very valuable for empowering us to take full responsibility for the data in our minds and the way it effects our world.
It is the Ho’oponopono teaching that you are responsible for everything that comes to your attention and all the thoughts you have about that phenomenon. Everything you hear on the news, for instance, is your responsibility. Everything that you see happening in the lives of your neighbors, friends, loved ones...enemies...is an extension of your Self.
There is no “other,” only projected ideas of “otherness.”
This means that through acceptance, Love, and forgiveness, you are able to cleanse the data of your mind. Change the way it lives within you and, in turn, you transform the world.
Ho'opononpono Meditation can be practiced in a general way as described in your Spring Journal. It can also be practiced using a specific person. In the practice, below, I invite you to extend unconditional compassion to someone who needs your support or forgiveness.
PRACTICE: Guided Ho'o'pono'pono Practice
Soul Question
How did it go?
Hasta Mudras for Kapha
Kapha Balancing Mudras
WATCH: Introduction to Hasta Mudras
Please allow 30 seconds for the videos to load.
WATCH: Hasta Mudras for Balancing Kapha Dosha
Conversation: Sister Science
AYURVEDA & SELF CARE
w/ Sister Science
Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences. Together, they can completely change your life. Watch as Dhyana and Syama Masla explain what an Ayurvedic lifestyle actually is all about.
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For best video streaming, please be sure you have a strong internet signal and that all other applications are closed.
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Dhyana & Syama Masla
Raised on the path of Bhakti, Syama and Dhyana are founders of YogaVeda; the Yoga Alliance certified school for uniting the philosophy, lifestyle, and sciences of Bhakti Yoga & Ayurveda.
Dhyana is an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor & Lifestyle Consultant and Syama is trained under Divya Alter in the art and science of Ayurvedic cooking. Based in New York City, these sisters are the directors of Yoga at the Bhakti Center, as well as founders of Stanton Street Yoga in the lower east side of Manhattan. They lead 200//300 hour teacher trainings, retreats, workshops, and pilgrimages world wide. |
Stewed Applesfor a healthy digestive fire
SERVES 2
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What questions do you have for Dhyana & Syama?
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ABOUT R.R. Shakti, PhDR.R. Shakti, PhD is a Mythologist and Depth Psychologist who facilitates embodied ritual for deeper meaning and human connection.
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