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Writings and Readings Blog

Madhu Bazaz Wangu

Viewing Goddess Images

Posted on June 18, 2008
in Journaling
2 Comments

The Hindu Great Goddess, Devi is depicted in paintings and sculptures in her many forms. Her art depictions as well as popular posters distinctively express her erotic, maternal and terrible powers. Each of her images holds emblems in the hands, wears a crown and jewels in coiffure, jewelry around the fingers, neck, wrists and ankles and is attired in luxurious garb (except goddess Kali who is depicted in the nude). In order for us to authentically understand the meanings of Devi’s visual manifestations we need to know their myths and symbols and become acquainted with the religion and culture in which they belong. Once we reach that threshold, viewing them will not only give us pleasure but also their meanings will empower us, the onlookers. We can view the...

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Eastern Scriptures: As I Understand Them

Posted on June 16, 2008
in Being in Nature, Reading
1 Comment

I have come to believe that there is so much practical wisdom in world scriptures (the ones I have studied) that they have answers for almost all of our present problems and dilemmas. There is, however, a deep-rooted male bias in these books (except Tao-te Ching which has almost none). The obvious example would be the Ultimate Reality or Supreme Being referred to as "He." Goddess is positioned either at a lower hierarchical level than God or is seemingly not significant. This hierarchy also reflects in traditional households where father is the authoritative figure and mother functions as a mediator between the father and children. I keep such biases in mind when I read the sacred books and glean the practical wisdom from them. I wish their points of view...

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Thirty-Third Chapter

Posted on June 13, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
1 Comment

Thirty-Third Chapter: Tao-te Ching He who knows others has knowledge. He who knows himself has wisdom. He who conquers others requires force. He who conquers himself needs strength. He who is content with what he has is truly rich. He who acts with vigor lives long. He who is one with the Tao lives forever. As I Understand It: If you are a person with power and position you may think that you know other people well. But if you turn your gaze within you will see the world with a new light. Rather than trying to understand other people, understand yourself. Replace the power you think you have over others with the inherent power you have within. Instead of fretting over why some people upset you, explore why you get upset. Remain in touch with sensations that distress...

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Thirty-Second Chapter

Posted on June 7, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
1 Comment

Thirty-Second Chapter: Tao-te Ching Tao is eternal. It has no name. Though simple and subtle, none in the world can master it. If kings and barons could harness named things, they would obey. Heaven and earth would drip sweet dew. Everyone would live in harmony, not by official command, but by their own goodness. When the Tao is divided into 10,000 things, it gets complicated. Know when to stop. Stop naming. Avoid peril. Rivers and streams are born of the ocean, and all creation is born of the Tao. Just as rivers and streams flow back to become the sea. 10,000 things flow back to the Tao. # As I Understand It: The Tao energy that courses through us all is good. If you follow its goodness life is simple. Simple and subtle is spiritual. But how do you live a life that...

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Thirty-first Chapter

Posted on May 30, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
1 Comment

Thirty-first Chapter: Tao-te Ching Weapons are the tools of violence. Those who possess Tao never use them. Good ruler detests them. When a ruler's higher nature guides him, it is good omen. When a ruler's lower nature guides him, it is a bad omen. Weapons are the instruments of evil, not the tools of a good ruler. He uses them only as a last resort. Peace is dearest to his heart. Even when he is victorious in war, he finds no cause for rejoicing. He who takes delight in victory is the slaughterer of men. He who delights in the slaughter will not prevail upon the world. With the slaughter of the multitude, let us weep with sorrow and grief. Every victory is a funeral; let us observe the funeral ceremonies. # As I Understand It: None of the religious...

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Thirtieth Chapter: Tao Te Ching

Posted on May 23, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
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Thirtieth Chapter: Tao-te Ching The sage, who is attuned to Tao, warns the ruler against the use of arms for conquest. Weapons often turn upon the wielder. Wherever armies are stationed, briers and thorns grow. Great wars are always followed by famine. A good general stops when he achieves his purpose. He does not parade his victory. He does not boast his ability. He does not feel proud. He rather regrets that he has not been able to prevent the war. He must never think of conquering others by force. Whatever strains with force will soon decay. Because it is contrary to the Tao. Whatever is not attuned to the Way of Tao will soon perish. # As I understand it: Living a conflict free existence is in harmony with the Tao. Force creates a counterforce and this exchange goes on...

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Twenty-Ninth Chapter

Posted on May 15, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
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Twenty-Ninth Chapter: Tao-te Ching Do you think that you can take over the universe and improve it? I do not believe that it can be done. Universe is a totality in itself. It cannot be improved or controlled. Trying to control leads to ruin. Trying to grasp leads to loss. Let your life unfold naturally. Know that it too is complete in itself. There is time for being ahead. And there is time for being behind. A time for being in motion and a time for being at rest. A time for being strong and a time for being exhausted. A time for being safe and a time for being in danger. The sage discards the extreme, the extravagant, and the excessive. For him all of life is a movement toward perfection. # As I understand it: What has happened...

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Twenty-Eighth Chapter: Tao-te Ching

Posted on May 9, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
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Twenty-Eighth Chapter: Tao-te Ching He who knows the male (active force) and keeps to the female (passive force) Becomes humble like the deep valley of the world. Being the valley of the world, He will never depart from eternal virtue, And become like a child again. He who knows the white (glory) and yet keeps to the black (humility) Becomes model for the world. He will not err and move eternally in the path of virtue, To be the fountain of the world is To live the life of eternal virtue. And when the uncarved block is carved Its original qualities are lost. The sage preserves his original qualities so he can govern. The virtuous leader governs the least. # As I understand it: The Self, that has balanced its opposites, is humble like a lowly valley. Her power never fades and she is childlike. Sage...

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Twenty-Seventh Chapter: Tao-te Ching

Posted on May 2, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
0 Comments

Twenty-Seventh Chapter: Tao-te Ching A wise traveler leaves no trace. A speaker of truth has no flaws. Generosity keeps no account. The door he shuts needs no bolts, yet cannot be opened. The knot he ties needs no rope, yet cannot be untied. Like the sage help all beings impartially, rejecting no one. Waste no opportunity, abandon no one. This is called following the Way. The good man is the bad man's teacher. The bad is the good man's job. If the teacher is not respected, And the student not cared for, Confusion will arise, however clever one is. This is the great mystery. # As I understand it: The sage's complete trust in himself and in his inner Tao changes his outlook on life. He lives by an inner light. He speaks the truth, leaves no tracks behind and is always...

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Feeling The Distance Goddesses Once Again

Posted on May 1, 2008
in Journaling
1 Comment

In the mid seventies when I arrived in the United States I heard people call Marilyn Monroe a goddess but Virgin Mary who had all the characteristics of being a goddess was denied that status. To me things seemed upside down. In India, I did not pay much attention to goddesses, but they were everywhere. Friends and family talked about the efficacious power (Sakti) of the Great Goddess (Devi). The many energies of Devi in the form of various goddesses is a common belief. During yearly festivals I viewed, with much interest, their graceful iconographic forms. The celebrations of Navaratra, Shivratri and Diwali brought to focus the images aflame with exquisite grace as well as sinister inelegance. The goddess myths and images awoke feelings of aesthetic delight and mystery. When I...

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