Thursday, August 23, 2007

Divine Feminine Force

Divine Feminine Force
Shakti

The divine feminine goes by many names in many
spiritual traditions, but at the heart of nearly all of
these, Shakti can found. Hinduism specifically
recognized the dynamic and potent feminine power
that exists in all beings and deified it in the form of
a goddess. Shakti, however, is not merely a single
deity, playing a single role in the lives of
humankind. Rather, she represents the
fundamental creative force that is the root of all
creation in the universe. In art, Shakti has taken
on the outward appearance of many goddesses,
but her anthropomorphized form is far less
significant than the essential form she takes within
each of us. Shakti's presence in our lives can be
experienced in a deep and personal way, but we
must first reach out to her so that we can draw
upon the vital animating energy that is her gift to
us.

There is no one motive that drives all beings to
expend effort in the act of creation, which is
precisely why Shakti can be the embodiment of
power that is both constructive and destructive.
Giving substance to inspiration helps to restore
balance—sometimes by breaking matter or ideas
down into their base components and sometimes
by building them up into an object never before
seen in the world. Shakti energy is intense yet
multifaceted. It is simultaneously subtly
illuminating and darkly fierce. There is a
temptation among those touching the Shakti
within themselves to ignore those elements of this
powerful force that do not suit them. But to
disregard this energy is to reject the fact that the
elements of existence that are the most
transformative and life-affirming are often those
that are intensely challenging. If our aim is to
become consciously balanced, we must accept
the Shakti within as a unified whole rather than an
amalgamation of isolated qualities.

You have likely felt Shakti's touch in your soul,
even if you could not give the resultant feeling a
name. When the goddess turns her gaze toward
you, she recognizes the potential you embody,
and her gift to you is the inspiration that allows
you to realize that potential. Shakti exists in all
thought, feeling, and matter, which means that
you need only act upon your creative impulses to
connect with the feminine power that has been a
part of you since the universe's conception.

3 comments:

Brandi Reynolds said...

I knew a little about shakti but this is awesome! thank you!! I feel her...I really feel her :-)

Oceanshaman said...

father, mother, greater oneness of all that is, great spirit, god . . .

That's how I start out all my prayers . . .

Historical Wit said...

Great divine spirit of my ancestors, guide my blade so it strikes true...thats how I start my prayers, but I'm a samurai...my wife is how I channel shakti in and through my life, she is my all, my thought, my everything.