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Writings and Readings Blog

Madhu Bazaz Wangu

“When Apples Turn Red”

Posted on April 29, 2011
in Journaling
1 Comment

My husband and I were waiting for the arrival of Mokhta, our grandson, when we heard our daughter's car stop in the front of the house. I opened the front door and saw Mokhta already out of the car looking up at the crabapple tree. He turned toward us and after a moment's pause, started to run. Afraid that he might fall on the pavement, I walked briskly toward him and he jumped right into my open arms. I kissed him and hugged him tight; my love of four months was waiting, wanting to be expressed. I kissed his little hands, his silky head of hair, and his cheeks that were not as plump as they used to be when he was a baby. "We ate chocolate, Nani," He said as...

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Lessons Learnt IV: The Devi Gita

Posted on April 15, 2011
in Being in Nature, Reading
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Lesson Learnt IV: The Devi Gita Out of the four scriptures we have read so far the Devi Gita, the Song of the Goddess, is comparatively difficult to understand. But underneath the rough surface of this ritualistic, repetitive, and somewhat esoteric oyster are hidden pearls of wisdom. The Devi's teachings provide intellectual understanding and insight about the deep human concerns, the matters that link an individuals to their true Self. The Devi Gita portrays the goddess as all compassing. In it the male as well as female aspects of the Ultimate Reality are authenticated. Terrible as well as benign aspects of the Ultimate Reality are recognized. No caste is discriminated against. The scripture teachaes that each and every human being is worthy of the goddess worship. The Devi announces that all...

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The Devi Gita: Chapter Ten

Posted on March 25, 2011
in Meditation, Reading
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(THE GODDESS SETS FORTH THE PRELIMINARIES OF TANTRIC WORSHIP) 10. 1-5 The Goddess Spoke: Rising at dawn, one should call to mind the radiant lotus on the top of the head, shining like camphor. On that lotus one should recollect the form of One's own blessed guru, kindly disposed, adorned with shining ornaments, conjoined with his consort. The wise person will bow to them, and then calling to mind the coiled Goddess Kundalini, will reflect: "She shines brilliantly in her ascent; she appears like nectar in her descent; I take refuge in that woman who wanders along the middle channel in the form of bliss." Meditating in this manner, focusing on my form as infinite being, consciousness, and bliss that dwells in the internal flame, one should meditate on me. Next one should complete...

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The Devi Gita: Chapter Nine

Posted on March 18, 2011
in Meditation, Reading
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Vedic and Internal Forms of Goddess Worship (HIMALAYA QUERRIES THE GODDESS ABOUT THE RULES OF RITUAL WORSHIP; SHE OUTLINES THE BASIC TYPES) Himalaya said: 9. 1-6 O Goddess of the Gods, Great Ruler, Ocean of Compassion, Mother, Proclaim now in detail the proper manner of your worship. The Goddess Spoke: I shall explain the manner of worship, O King that pleases the Mother. Listen with great reverence, Best of Mountains. My worship is of two kinds: external and internal, the external also is said to be of two kinds: Vedic and Tantric. Vedic worship is also of two kinds, according to the type of image used, O Mountain. Vedic ritual is to be performed by Vaidikas-those initiated into the Vedas. Tantric ritual should be embraced by those initiated into Tantric lore. One who knows not this mystery regarding worship...

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The Devi Gita: Chapter Eight

Posted on February 24, 2011
in Meditation, Reading
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Chapter Eight (HIMALAYA ASKS ABOUT IMPORTANT PILGRIMAGE SITES, RITES AND FESTIVALS OF THE GODDESS: SHE RESPONDS BY STRESSING HER ALL PERVASIVE NATURE) Himalaya said: 8.1-4 O Ruler of the Gods, what scared dwelling places here on earth should one see? Which ones are preeminent, purifying, and most pleasing to the Goddess? What rites provide satisfaction, and also what festivals? Tell me all about these matters, Mother, where by a person becomes completely fulfilled. The Goddess spoke: Every site is my dwelling place is worth seeing, all moments are fit for observing rites, and festivals may be held on any occasion, for I pervade all times and places. Yet loving my devotees as I do, I shall be more specific. Listen attentively to my words, Mountain King. (THE GODDESS COMMENCES TO ENUMERATE HER SACRED DWELLING PLACES AND...

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Speaking and Writing Schedule

Posted on February 24, 2011
in Being in Nature
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Dear Readers, Below is my speaking and writing-with-other-writers schedule until June 2011. I look forward to seeing you at one or all of the following events. What has Writing to do with Meditation? A Three-Part Lecture Series: March 3, April 7 & May 5 This writing workshop teaches what it means to write meditatively and how to learn the discipline. Sponsored by Northland Public Library For further Information Call: 412-366-8100 Registration at: http://www.northlandlibrary.org Pennwriters Mindful Writers Group The goal of the Mindful Writers Group is to write with the whole self-mind, heart and body. Starting on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 the Mindful Writers will meet every Wednesday from 9:30 to 12:30 at Eat'nPark. Please join Mindful Writers Group Homepage on Yahoo.com. Writing Meditation: A Pennwriters Workshop A Writing Meditation Workshop will be presented at the Pennwriters Annual Conference. The conference will be...

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The Devi Gita: Chapter Seven

Posted on February 11, 2011
in Meditation, Reading
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Instruction in the Yoga of Devotion HIMALAYA INQUIRES ABOUT THE PATH OF DEVOTION, AND THE GODDESS INDICATES THE EASE OF THIS YOGA. 7.1 Himalaya Spoke: Describe the path of devotion that focuses on you, O Mother. By such devotion, supreme knowledge easily develops in the ordinary person filled with passions. 7. 2-3 The Goddess Spoke: There are three well-known paths leading to liberation, Mountain King: the yoga of action, the yoga of knowledge, and the yoga of devotion, my good sir. Of these three the latter is the easiest to practice in all respects, appealing naturally to the heart without distressing the body or mind. THE GODDESS DESCRIBES THE FIRST THREE GRADES OF DEVOTION ACCORDING TO THE THREE GUNAS OR QUALITIES OF NATURE 7. 4-10 Devotion as practiced by human beings is of three kinds, in accord with the qualities...

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The Devi Gita: Chapter Six

Posted on January 17, 2011
in Meditation, Reading
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The Goal of the Yogas: The Knowledge of Brahman THE SUMMARY OF THE GOAL OF THE YOGIC DISCIPLINES 6. 1. Cultivating the Yogas just described, one should meditate on me as the true form of Brahman with sincere devotion, assuming the proper posture, O King. 6. 2-14 It (Brahman) is manifest, well fixed, pervading the hearts of beings, indeed; it is the great foundation. Thereupon all that moves, breathes, and blinks is established. Know that as existent and nonexistence, as the most desirable, as supreme, as beyond the understanding of humankind. What is luminous, what is smaller than the small, in which the worlds and their inhabitants are rooted, This is the imperishable Brahman; it is the life principle, speech, and mind. This is the real, the immortal; know, good sir, that this is what...

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The Devi Gita: Chapter Five

Posted on January 17, 2011
in Meditation, Reading
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Instruction in Kundalini Yoga HIMALAYA INQUIRES ABOUT YOGA 5.1 O Great Queen, describe that yoga with all its limbs which bestows supreme understanding, So that by practicing it, I may become fit to see the truth. THE GODDESS GIVES BRIEF DEFINITION 5. 2-5 The goal of yoga is not found in the heavens, nor on earth, nor in the underworld, But in the union of the individual soul and the supreme Self; thus do skilled adepts define yoga. Impending the practice of yoga are the obstacles, said to be six, O Faultless One. They are designated as desire and anger, greed and delusion, arrogance and jealousy. Adept yogis use the limbs of yoga to break through these obstacles and to reach the goal of union. Restraint and observance, followed by posture, breathe control, withdrawing the senses, concentration, meditation and finally...

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Happy New Year!

Posted on January 17, 2011
in Being in Nature
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Dear Readers, Happy New Year! The festivities of November and December are over. The earth has gone dormant under white, silver and black. The trees are bare, the birds have stopped their chorus, puddles of grey grass peek through the melted snow and the sunlight is faint. Life has faded to a dreamlike state from where creative ideas emerge. Muses awake. There is hardly a better time to write. These days when I am in the thick of writing, warmth glows within that is beyond any ordinary emotion. Writing lulls me and draws me within. One of the many treasures of my life as a writer (and meditator) is being steeped in silence and solitude during winter months -- away from noise and fast paced life. Through unhurried writing and sitting, I...

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