Today's video has a blog that goes with it. Sending safety and strength to those in the path of Helene.
As I sit and write this from the safety of my home, I think of all who have lost so much from hurricane Helene. My generous prayers go out to you – including my sister in Florida and my dear yogi friend Rhonda in Asheville. The irony is that I am looking out my big studio window watching our pond overflow from the buckets of rain coming down, in anticipation of hurricane Kirk and tropical storm Lesley hitting Ireland. We are supposed to be filming this morning, but the storm is too loud to compete with my microphone. So I just watch in wonder and worry. The rain and wind continue to intensify. I am forever grateful that I feel safe and can stay warm and dry, but also recognize how powerless I am in the face of the the monster storm that has been brewing in the Atlantic.
This is my yoga today. The yoga of life, death and rebirth at play. The cycles that we have no control over – any more than we have control over our own impermanence. Blame climate change, living in a vulnerable place like a small island, whatever you want; it is easier to accept the trees dropping their leaves, or the new flowers opening as change because we are not afraid. And we celebrate birth in the spring lambs and humans alike, as they go unrecognized as change. But when transition is destruction, we are hardwired for fear and non-acceptance. Yoga is my path to acknowledge that something is dying and, therefore, changing, morphing, transitioning. I recognize it in every savasana.
There is also synchronicity in the yoga world in that we are celebrating the 9 nights of Navaratri. The past few nights are dedicated to the goddess Kali, “the black one”; arguably the most misunderstood goddess. Though there are numerous depictions of her, my go to is the four armed mother goddess sticking out her red tongue, wearing a garland of heads and a skirt of limbs. In tantra, she is the force that transcends life and death. She smashes things and protects at the same time. She is disorder and end but also stays within the lines. Having grown up Catholic, when I was first introduced to Kali, I thought of her as a kick-ass Mother Mary.
Maa Kali is a strict, focused business woman, but doesn’t put up with anyone hurting you. I think of her as the mother bear that goes about her day, unless you mess with her cubs. She may not be the soft, huggable type, but she is strong in her guidance to teach you use your energy wisely. And she wants you to feel safe. She can help you to release emotions like fear and anger.
Her job is to help you to do away with polarities – the epitome of the non-dual – to stop labeling emotions as good/bad, thoughts as positive/negative, the environment as change/stability, political beliefs as right/left, spirituality as dark/light, and transition as birth/death. In all depictions of Kali, the message is similar – we are dualistic by nature. The symbolism of her oddly chosen attire represents all the demons she kills to bring order back to the universe. She needs four hands to hold all that we are – creation and destruction. The left hands hold a sword and a severed head. The sword symbolizes higher knowledge. The head is the human ego that must be severed in order to accept the cycle of life and rebirth. Her right hands are often in a mudra of fearlessness and a gesture of blessing.
One of the meanings of Kali’s name is “force of time”. In this way, she is considered Mother Nature – creative, nurturing, destructive, and devouring. Most things in nature are capable of regenerating. A dying oak tree regenerates itself by dropping acorns. Wildland fires regrow woods faster than humans can plant them. The water of the seas, rivers and oceans continuously regenerates itself. A hurricane is a catastrophic force, but it is part of the water cycle. In tantra, the soul regenerates itself by assuming numerous earth suits again and again in what is called karma. In all cases, time is the ultimate destructor and creator and spares none. Time decays, destroys, takes lives, and invites us all to new beginnings.
Thank you for joining me for this practice to settle down and find strength in the recognition of the cycles of life and loss. It is dedicated to all who are suffering losses from hurricane Helene and those involved in renewal. You may chose to send them your thoughtful vibes, keep the practice to build your own strength, or send it to another.
Megan MacCarthy
Today's video has a blog that goes with it. Sending safety and strength to those in the path of Helene.
As I sit and write this from the safety of my home, I think of all who have lost so much from hurricane Helene. My generous prayers go out to you – including my sister in Florida and my dear yogi friend Rhonda in Asheville. The irony is that I am looking out my big studio window watching our pond overflow from the buckets of rain coming down, in anticipation of hurricane Kirk and tropical storm Lesley hitting Ireland. We are supposed to be filming this morning, but the storm is too loud to compete with my microphone. So I just watch in wonder and worry. The rain and wind continue to intensify. I am forever grateful that I feel safe and can stay warm and dry, but also recognize how powerless I am in the face of the the monster storm that has been brewing in the Atlantic.
This is my yoga today. The yoga of life, death and rebirth at play. The cycles that we have no control over – any more than we have control over our own impermanence. Blame climate change, living in a vulnerable place like a small island, whatever you want; it is easier to accept the trees dropping their leaves, or the new flowers opening as change because we are not afraid. And we celebrate birth in the spring lambs and humans alike, as they go unrecognized as change. But when transition is destruction, we are hardwired for fear and non-acceptance. Yoga is my path to acknowledge that something is dying and, therefore, changing, morphing, transitioning. I recognize it in every savasana.
There is also synchronicity in the yoga world in that we are celebrating the 9 nights of Navaratri. The past few nights are dedicated to the goddess Kali, “the black one”; arguably the most misunderstood goddess. Though there are numerous depictions of her, my go to is the four armed mother goddess sticking out her red tongue, wearing a garland of heads and a skirt of limbs. In tantra, she is the force that transcends life and death. She smashes things and protects at the same time. She is disorder and end but also stays within the lines. Having grown up Catholic, when I was first introduced to Kali, I thought of her as a kick-ass Mother Mary.
Maa Kali is a strict, focused business woman, but doesn’t put up with anyone hurting you. I think of her as the mother bear that goes about her day, unless you mess with her cubs. She may not be the soft, huggable type, but she is strong in her guidance to teach you use your energy wisely. And she wants you to feel safe. She can help you to release emotions like fear and anger.
Her job is to help you to do away with polarities – the epitome of the non-dual – to stop labeling emotions as good/bad, thoughts as positive/negative, the environment as change/stability, political beliefs as right/left, spirituality as dark/light, and transition as birth/death. In all depictions of Kali, the message is similar – we are dualistic by nature. The symbolism of her oddly chosen attire represents all the demons she kills to bring order back to the universe. She needs four hands to hold all that we are – creation and destruction. The left hands hold a sword and a severed head. The sword symbolizes higher knowledge. The head is the human ego that must be severed in order to accept the cycle of life and rebirth. Her right hands are often in a mudra of fearlessness and a gesture of blessing.
One of the meanings of Kali’s name is “force of time”. In this way, she is considered Mother Nature – creative, nurturing, destructive, and devouring. Most things in nature are capable of regenerating. A dying oak tree regenerates itself by dropping acorns. Wildland fires regrow woods faster than humans can plant them. The water of the seas, rivers and oceans continuously regenerates itself. A hurricane is a catastrophic force, but it is part of the water cycle. In tantra, the soul regenerates itself by assuming numerous earth suits again and again in what is called karma. In all cases, time is the ultimate destructor and creator and spares none. Time decays, destroys, takes lives, and invites us all to new beginnings.
Thank you for joining me for this practice to settle down and find strength in the recognition of the cycles of life and loss. It is dedicated to all who are suffering losses from hurricane Helene and those involved in renewal. You may chose to send them your thoughtful vibes, keep the practice to build your own strength, or send it to another.
Peace and Light, Megan
1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 39