Early this morning, I felt inspired to listen to a meditation I created about 2 years ago. It is a Kali meditation, and for those of you who may not be familiar with the Goddess Kali, here is some background.
Kali’s symbolism
Unlike most Hindu goddesses – who are depicted as fair-skinned, with a serene countenance, wearing a saree, and adorned with resplendent jewelry- Kali (from Sanskrit meaning black) is usually portrayed as bare-breasted, dark-complexioned with unkempt hair flowing everywhere, wearing a skirt made of severed hands, and a necklace made of skulls or decapitated heads. If that’s not formidable enough, Kali dances upon the body of her consort, Shiva, and brandishes a bloody sword in one of her four hands while carrying a severed head in the other. Kali is a warrior goddess with her tongue sticking out, apparently ready to lick the blood of demons
How can Kali help us in releasing this year?
Despite her fearful countenance, Kali is a great friend and ally to those on a spiritual, self-reflective path. Her bloody sword is not to frighten but assure us that she is ready to swiftly cut away all those egoic tendencies that bind us to pain and suffering. The decapitated heads symbolize the thinking, I know mind – that convinces us that we heal via logical, intellect-based plans. This creates blocks to a deeper listening to the True Self. Kali is here to divorce us from that egoic intellect – so we can hold spaciousness for the deeper wisdom within which can help steer our lives in the direction of greater peace, love, and happiness.
To step into the energy of this new decade that begins with 2020, we need clarity, focus, determination, and single-mindedness of purpose. Here is where I invoke the goddess Kali to be my mighty companion and to grant me this warrior spirit; she helps me to trust and be fearless in releasing all that no longer serves. Kali embodies transformation that brings about revolutionary change that dissolves outdated societal, personal, and interpersonal structures or relationships. Kali is the goddess of freedom- on all levels.
Sally Kempton is a contemporary American spiritual teacher of the Hindu goddess tradition. Sally counsels that Kali is “not a goddess to take lightly” because when she “erupts in your life, Kali will cut away whatever is extraneous.” Kali insists on “melting us to the bone.” In essence, Kali is a “massive love-force that literally is death to the ego.”
Questions for reflection
What is that you need to release so you can fully honor the gifts that you want to receive and extend in the new year?
What is stirring inside you that is ripe for birth yet you need to let go of the clutter from the old so there can be spaciousness to hold this new creation?
What support do you need to allow yourself this inner and outer transformation?
What is one small step you can take to move in this direction?
Kali meditation
I created this meditation about 2 years ago when I felt drawn to Kali as my mighty companion to help me move through difficult emotions such as anger. However, as I listened to this meditation this morning, I felt it was perfect to help release this year and create space for the new. May this meditation support your moving into 2020 as well so you may enjoy greater hope, peace, joy, and love.
Kali image source: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kaliposter1940s.jpg;
