Rise of Goddess Consciousness: Shakti Worship
The Sanskrit term 'Shakti' means 'power'. There is a supreme power behind this universe that is expressed in many varied ways. Heat, light, lightning - all these are expressions of just that power.
Shakti is the creator of the universe. The universe is her form. She is the foundation of the world and forms of the body. Shakti is the form of all things that live and move in the world. There is no jewel rarer than her, no condition superior to her!
Not many people have the grace to perform true Shakti worship. Shakti has manifested in various forms like Durga, Kali, Lakshmi, Saraswati and so on. Shakti represents 3 potencies and they are Itcha Shakti, Kriya Shakti and Jnana Shakti.
As the whole world is under the influences of these energies, every human possesses these 3 Shaktis or powers:
1. Itcha Shakti is the will power, the desire or motivation which relates to the Mind.
2. Kriya Shakti is the power of action, the ability to act for the fulfillment of the desire that relates to physical body
3. Jnana Shakti is the power of knowledge, the capacity to know and recognize, which relates to the soul (Atma)
These 3 powers esoterically manifest in yourself as follows. There is the one you think you are (physical body), the one others think you are (mind) and the one you really are (principle of the soul or 'atma'). Everyone is essentially divine, but is unable to understand this by the very nature of being human.
The concept of Shakti is also connected with Goddess Durga and Goddess Kali. Durga represents the power of the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness in the creation. Durga, also called Divine Mother, protects mankind from evil and misery by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger and ego. Kali is the fierce form of Parvati. She is a fierce protector and upholder of Dharma, although seemingly cruel at times.
The Tamil month of Thai (Mid January to Mid February) has a great significance for Shakti worship especially the 4 Fridays that falls during this month.
Transform your ltcha Shakti into longing for God.
Convert Kriya Shakti into a force for doing divine actions.
Sublimate your Jnana Shakti into divinity itself.