As teachers, we are also usually life-long students.
I have come to a place on the path where i wish to deepen my sadhana, my daily spiritual disciplines.
One such way is to incorporate what we call on the traditional tantrik path, “deity yoga”. It is committing to developing a deeper relationship with an aspect of the One. Some people might call this “consulting their guides”.
A simple way to do this is to incorporate a puja (ritual offering routine) that specifically honors a particular deity. Ganesha is known to be the deity of “beginnings” and so, on the tantrik path, from what i understand, we start with Ganesha.
I have committed to 5 days of Ganesha puja and learning. Deity sadhana is not supposed to be simply a quick performative action in the morning (although I suppose it could be and better something than nothing!) The idea, is more about committing your entire being to that deity for the duration of your time commitment. Becoming interested in what that energy is by allowing it to communicate to us throughout the day.
In more ancient times, according to my current tantra teacher, Hareesh, Ganesha was considered more of a formidable tree or earth spirit. His name means “Lord of spirits" (like fae-folk or earthen variety). He is regarded as the "Remover of Obstacles". However, it is to be understood that he can also place obstaces on the path for our spiritual evolution. Hareesh says, starting about 1500 years ago, he became more of a gatekeeper and some propitiate him to negotiate with him about goals and outcomes.
Part of my first day of this Ganesha sadhana was reviewing a lesson from Hareesh. (Tomorrow, obviously ((jaja)) I will review part 2 of that lesson). It was surprising to consider that over the course of hundreds or thousands of years the ideas of a certain deity can morph. I have known Ganesha primarily as these three things for most of my previous tantra-yoga career: son of Shiva and Shakti (as Parvati), considered the “remover of obstacles,” and jolly with a big belly like U.S. Americans idea of “Santa.”
My job this week will be to document this process for future beings who wish to engage in their own Ganesha sadhana. This is an attempt at my being a friendly guide on the spiritual path. The method of deity sadhana can be used for deities of other pantheons.
The first message today? One apparently from ancient Ganesha. “Go outside and be in Nature”, and specifically to visit a certain tree. I wonder what comes through tomorrow ;)
