Honouring the Goddess!!

Let this be clear, said a tweet, 'No other religion allows you an image of a feminine divine'.  And yes the catholics can say Mother Mary, but she is not through who you go to heaven.  Others can say that we do not have a form. But, where do you see grown men bow to the image of a woman?

Not only that, the fiercest form of God is the feminine.  As is depicted in the following picture.  The description on the left gives an explanation.  She severs ignorance (depicted as a head) and bestows blessings of knowledge and light. 

And here, a depiction that God is half man half woman.  Here is a rendition of that in a dance form, a very popular form in fact. (whether or not you read the rest of the post, do watch this, just for its choreography). The main point of this dance is that it is the union of man and woman that brings about this creation.  And this union is celebration as Half-Man-Half-Woman.  During this entire dance, the dancers are acting as if they are one body.  Towards the end the two colors represent feminine and masculine. 


Yesterday (Friday, September 29, 2017) was the culmination of a nine day festival celebrating the feminine divine.  For nine straight days nine different Goddesses are honoured.  (aas you can tell, this post lay in drafts for over 3 years...such is life)

Credit: Pinterest

Here Watch this amazing performance by a woman who was suffering from cancer and used dance to heal.  The dance includes drawing an image of the Goddess with her dance movements. (Click here).

Here is another delightful video about staff at Kolkata airport celebrating the return of Goddess Durga to her abode!! Goddess Durga is invited into people's homes every year for 9 days. The house becomes a temple and celebrations ensue. After nine days there is celebration nas she returns to her abode. Even though many cry, for the Goddess is leaving. There is an entire ceremony of immersing the Goddess into a body of flowing water. (Click here for the video).

I will return to this post with more information (not enough time, but Hinduism is the only living religion and others that are its offshoots that considers the union man and woman as divine and not a sin). However, for now a quick note... one of my favourite memories from this day is to be showered with gifts from the entire neighbourhood--just for being a girl. Being the life energy, the one that brings forth creation. When I update the post, I will also point out the flaws in the modern understanding of feminism which is making her more masculine and more male like.

These are some of the many things I love about Hinduism. The honouring of wisdom of nature. The only religion with a massive focus on joy and celebration--with drums and dancing and treats and trumpets-- and it includes everything and everyone. People and animals and plants.

Think ecology. This is Hinduism.

M & M: Memories & Mementos--the Fragrant Corners

See the doiley on the right? with blue beads?  My mother made it for her trousseau. I brought it with me, the last time.  Mother keeps asking, 'Why do you want to keep it?" I tell her other than the fact that you made it, it was a part of my childhood.  It has a smell and a color that takes me back to when I did not even notice it.  When it was just an object in the house, getting dirty, getting ignored, falling off the table.  It seemed like it added clutter to our lives.  Today, it is resplendent --with memories and fragrant with the joys of a great childhood. 

Santas are removed, as is the reindeer.  Some lights stil remain but the table has been cleared for forthcoming spring. It is funny how fast it all goes. 

How fast life goes.  

But I wanted to upload one new image and some new words --for I have been reposting.  Even though one thing i have learnt from keeping this blog is that once you go beyond a certain number people are usually interested in re-reading an arritlce because they have forgotten.  Once you have put in the work--- it gets a life of its own.  There is enough material here--that If I put the time I could get at least 2 books out of.

But for now, I just want to focus on that beautiful doilley.  It brings me memories every time I go next ot the window to water the plants.  Also notice that pumice stone with a little green ribbon on it, next to the Buddha?  It was given to me by my friend when her son was born. Use it to pour aromatic oils.  My favourite ones? Jasmine and Rose and that is another reason, this corner is 'truly fragrant.'

I hope you create a corner in your house that brings back a whiff of memories every time you walk past it. 

 

Tjugondedag Knut: Breaking of the PapperKakkor Hus

 Shot in 2012, First published in 2012, then in 2020, here it is at the right time.  Tjugondagknut---20 days after Christmas: January 14-----

Tweet from Jan 13, 2019

First published on December 12, 2012--here it is again another Swedish Celebration. Tjugondag Knut--20 days after Christmas!!

For everything that is born, death is certain

                                                                                                Bhagwad Gita

L, building the pappor kakkor hus. December 2011

Tjugondedag Knut, which falls twenty days after Christmas is the day set to wrap up christmas and put all x-massy paraphernalia back in the boxes, and throw out the trees.  Tjugo dag, literally twenty days in Swedish, is the time allowed to enjoy the post christmas glow of lights.  L, my colleague reminded me that it was also the day when the papporkakor hus, the gingerbread houses were smashed and eaten. 

So, following are a few videos breaking of the pappor kakkor hus.   The christmas tree is shaken hard that day, the candies come down, the ginger bread house is broken.  Both candies and pieces of gingerbread house are eaten.  The house, people, mind and spirit are ready for spring.  

L takes pride in all these traditions and rituals.  I have learnt much from her.....

When you are new in a country, it is such a joy to have someone be so excited to share aspects of their culture that seem mundane to them.  Here E is asking if I am making a video or simply taking pictures..E is our newest faculty member. 

G, is another one who has helped me learn much about Swedish culture.  

Although this posting is very late, I can still feel a sense of 'newness' arriving as they smash the gingerbread house.  Happy Spring to you all....

Lysnna Lunch: Listening Lunch, A Time Capsule: Post 400!

Every thursday for the last 8 years I enter a time capsule

A small community of friends come together and read books, sections of books, short stories, essays and poetry.  Sometimes we get full-time and published authors, some people in the group have turned full time authors. But most of us, with our interest in reading and writing --write as a hobby and share the books that a we enjoy. 

Irina, a librarian at the university makes sue that there are always cookies and tea and coffee. People bring their own lunch.  Sometimes additional home made desserts for every one. So, there is much more than just 'juicy' stories to look forward to. 

Sometimes towards the end of the semester or before summer or during Christmas we will have special themes. 

This one was an Arabian Nights theme. 

Usually a large group shows up for the special sessions and many bring their own home made snacks. 

Irina, the person who started and has organised the group for the last decade will usually have some handicraft activity to keep her busy as she works on her craft.

 Can be knitting, crocheting, hand-sewing ....you name it.  

Ofen on special occasions we have seasonal fruits ---

And home made cookies. 

This one, as shared earlier, I remember was from our 'Arabian Nights' theme.  Here you see Turkish Delight.  Pink and Bright.  

This is Saamovar, an old 'technology' of keep heating water & keeping it warm. I once asked Irina to show it to my class on technology & culture.  Irina is from Estonia and speaks Estonian, Russian, Swedish and English.  All people in our group are at least bilingual if not multi-lingual.  So far the first language of people who have attended this group have been Swedish, English, German, Hindi, Czech, Tamil, Russian and French. 

Since most of these pictures are from Arabian Nights, you can notice the theme.  Carpets and rugs and tea and special sweets. 

Some people brought home made embroidered table cloths to create a mood, and others brought silk cushions from home and made a cozy corner. 

And here you See Irina in Turkey, wearing the dress she made by hand, most of it wass tacked and hemmed while listening to the stories read by the group members.

And don't think we stopped meeting in COVID times, here is a shot from our Zoom reading session. 

But wait, there was one special Xmas session. I missed it though. But asked for photographs.  Imagine reading and listening to stories in the  middle of a forest, with lamps and candles to decorate the lunch table ---and being served home made foods.  These pictures are taken around noon.

 

 

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Once again folks, I had deleted last year's post....

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May 2021 Be All Light and Bright

•  May 2021 Be All Light and Bright