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Witchvox Chapter: Traditions and Paths
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Article Specs
VxAcct: 276059
Article ID: 10180
Section: trads
Posted: October 23rd. 2005
Days Up: 1,491
Views: 5906 |
SHARANYA and The Sha'can Tradition of (R) evolutionary Shakta Tantra
by SHARANYA
Oh Blissful Dark Mother!
I sing to you! I call to you!
Show me Your sacred dance of
Death and Creation,
free me from all but love for You,
Teach me Your ways and I will follow!
-Bhagavati
History:
The Sha'can tradition was birthed from a desire to bridge the gap between Eastern Shakta Tantra and modern Witchcraft or Wicca. Ours is truly the path of the bhakta (or devotee) of the Divine who treasures the temple of this world as a vehicle for spiritual healing and ultimate bliss.
During an academic journey to India, Dr. Chandra Alexandre, a hereditary Witch, was brought to a Devi Mandir (goddess temple) in Puri (Orissa) , India. The pujari welcomed her. A priest of Kali, Shyam Sundar Dash recognized by her facial features and the fact that she was a foreigner, someone who he had been told by his guru would be a kindred spirit on the path. With this information, he offered to teach, as well as train her in the ancient practice and ways of Shakta Tantra. Later, she would receive diksha (initiation) into the Shakta tradition and the mysteries of Devi in the form of Maa Kali under his guidance. Chandra returned home and established the US Chapter of the Maabatakali Cultural Mission. Thus, SHARANYA and the Sha'can tradition were born.
SHARANYA means "sanctuary" in Sanskrit; and it here that we gather as Sha'cans and children of Maa, to worship the beauty in all life both sacred and profane.
Our Core Beliefs:
I. Sa'ham (She I am)
I am the Goddess manifest. I recognize Her in all Creation.
II. Remember all that is, was and ever will be.
Live the present moment, honor all the ancestors, respect the future generations. Time is not Linear.
III. Provoke, Invoke and Live the Divine Will.
Commit to transforming yourself, your community and the planet by doing the work of spirituality. Make your practice that of the awakened mystic in our time..
We are a community of life-affirming individuals devoted to the Goddess. We believe that such devotion can lead to positive transformation the world over. Succinctly put, Sha'can is spiritual philosophy that embraces radical non-duality, or a tripartite understanding of the Goddess as the One, the Many, and that which embraces or inter-relates them. We recognize the connection to a universal wholeness (which some call spirit or cosmic consciousness) , while at the same time aware of the validity of complementary forces (duality) and diversity in the world. The Goddess Kali Maa, we know as all of This; and we are all of Her divine creation. This means that in any ritual context, we engage the dance of Her energies manifest in Goddess and God, Shakti and Shiva, Earth and Cosmos, Life and Death.... and in the unifying power of Love.
We are dedicated to promoting the vision of the world as a global community, wherein all individual exist as a part of the divine matrix, each one necessary for the fulfillment of some viable goal.
We believe that the youth of our time also make a difference therefore education and the creation of a crucible in which they can safely evolve is part of our work. This means facilitating Rites Of Passage, especially for young girls and women to promote self-esteem, personal empowerment, and a sense of community.
We celebrate life in all its forms and seek to honor the Divine Creatrix in all Her many aspects and faces.
We believe and support:
- An understanding of the truths inherent in different perspectives.
- Awareness of the inter-relatedness of all things and beings.
- The relevance of our time of Spirit.
- A re-emergence of the Divine Feminine
- A quest to unpathologize the Sacred Masculine in all aspects of life
As a Tradition interested in helping to midwife the birthing of a new world view, Sha'cans also believe that informed action motivated by a deep all to spirit and by the trans-formational wisdom of both East and West, indigenous and post-modern, can aid in our process of breaking our of patriarchal constructs. We ask those interested in the path of Sha'can dedicate themselves to achieving awareness, compassion, regular practice, devotion and love. We are committed to bringing Eastern practices to Westerners with respect to their roots and lineage.
Role of Clergy:
Those interested in becoming practicing members of the tradition and possibly initiates are encouraged to sit in circle. This means that in addition to attending worship ceremonies, individuals are encouraged to follow a course of regular devotion and practice, learning some of the history, symbolism, ritual formats, and prayer methodologies of Sha'can. Participation in regular circle work for a year and a day under the supervision of an initiate (one serving at least within a Yogini Chakra) can prepare one for and lead to initiation within the tradition, as agreed upon by the individual and the circle members, with final recommendation and approval granted by the presiding initiate.
Initiation:
For those choosing to be initiated within the tradition, taking of a name and making a Statement of Faith are the hallmarks of this next passage. Individuals are encouraged to enter into contemplation and meditation on the spiritual significance that initiation will have, making the choice to do so in full confidence of their decision. Initiates carry a chosen name as a sign of their commitment, devotion, and willingness to work on their spiritual path. Initiates willingly carry responsibility for the preservation of the tradition, and for promoting the aims and objectives of SHARANYA to the utmost of their abilities. Although this responsibility is not codified, the responsibility is real and fully based upon the needs, interests, and objectives of both the initiate and the guiding community spirit. Initiates have an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills working within Daughters of Kali, a worship and study circle that facilitates rites of passage and community work, especially with teenagers. After initiation, individuals have further opportunities within the faith for developing their commitment to the Divine according to our beliefs and practices.
Yogini Chakra:
After initiation, individuals may request admittance to the Yogini Chakra. This circle is a manifest expression of deeper commitment to the tradition and faith. It is considered the first step towards pursuing ordination, a much longer and more involved process to which initiates must dedicate themselves over the course of, at a minimum, three years. Application for membership requires that in addition to expressing an earnest desire to further spiritual practice with demonstrable dedication to the path, an individual must obtain the support of another initiate willing to act as mentor.
Matrika Chakra:
Entry to the Matrika Chakra is predicated upon successful completion of tenure within the Yogini Chakra and based upon application and approval by committee. When approved, individuals are accepted and granted status within this circle at the Ceremony of Elders. They must complete, at a minimum, six months before requesting Apprenticeship. The primary work of the Matrika Chakra is to augment deepening ritual knowledge with mentoring responsibilities and ministerial assistance. Individuals within this circle must also complete a community service project based on MBCM's aims and objectives as approved by committee, prove proficiency in ritual work that includes the creation of a commitment or rite of passage ceremony for submission to the tradition's Twilight Book of Ritual and Prayer, mastery of devanagiri script, and commitment to memory of the Kali Gayatri and other mantras for use in worship (puja) services
Apprentice:
After a minimum of two years, those whose inclination takes them to seek ordination are required to submit application for Apprenticeship. Apprentices work under the direct supervision of a Rashani (the title of ordained clergy within Sha'can) , with responsibility for ministerial activities (including community outreach and support, liturgical enhancements as permitted, and ritual preparation and assistance) , as well as service within the structure of initiation and ordination, and dedication to the service project of one's choice; among other things.
Rashani:
Rashani is the title of ordained clergy within Sha'can. A Rashani is a fully-fledged minister of the faith, with the power to initiate community members, perform rites of passage, solemnize life event ceremonies, certify as meeting required criteria all articles for submission and possible addition to the Twilight Book of Ritual and Prayer pending Liturgical Oversight Committee review and approval, serve as officiant at all rites and rituals, perform puja ceremonies, participate on ordination committees, and otherwise carry out the religious function of MBCM. Additionally, a Rashani may participate in the activities of the Inner Council, serving on committees related to the administrative functioning of the corporation, and may be nominated for membership within the Inner Council. A Rashani is expected to promote fully the aims and objectives of MBCM, including but not limited to service and community work, spiritual and educational projects, and the overall growth of community.
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Holydays:
We worship the traditional Wheel of the Year as well as several additional holydays:
- October-November: Diwali and Kali Puja
- May 23: Dark Goddess Festival-Sarah's day
- July 22:Feast of the Queen-Mary Magdalenes day
- August 15: The Radical Union-Dark Virgins day
- September-November: Navaratri
Ways of Worship
As Bhakti's, we worship through deep love and devotion for the Divine. We combine sacred mantras, traditional Tantric and Hindu ritual, kirtan (ecstatic chanting) and mediation to commune with the Divine as Maa Kali. Our offerings include monthly public Puja in our temple sanctuary, our annual Kali Puja in November, pilgrimages to India and beyond, teaching circles and community outreach.
We are a growing Tradition, community and organization dedicated to the uplifting and re-emergence of the Goddess. We seek to pave the way for a future without duality, a future where all that is sacred is honored and where She is known to all.
Jai Mata Ki Jai Jai!!
Contact information:SHARANYA
(415) 505-6840
www.sharanya.org
Footnotes:
www.sharanya.org
About SHARANYA:
http://www.maabatakali.org/about.php4
Kali Vidya: An Online Wisdom School Dedicated to Her Mysteries...
www.KaliVidya.org
Copyright: SHARANYA is a unique 501 (c) 3 religious organization and devi mandir, we kindly ask that you do not misuse or misrepresent the information we are happy to offer.
ABOUT...
SHARANYA
Location: San Francisco, California
Website: www.sharanya.org>www.sharanya.org
Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE
Email Me... (No, I have NOT opted to receive Pagan Invites! Please do NOT send me anonymous invites to groups, sales and events.)
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