Being My Best

I'll be honest, I didn't want to chant to this deity. When you read on Laksmi, she is the perfect woman and wife, goddess of beauty , fertility and abundance. Less nuance than Sarasvati. But I have had her mantra going through my head for 5 days now. Specifically this version by Steve Gold. So here we are.

But I dug a little deeper , like read further down the wikipedia page and she isn't just about being "the ideal Hindu wife, exemplifying loyalty and devotion to her husband." 🤢 She is usually pictured with 4 hands which is supposed to represent the four aspects of human life. Dharma, Kama, artha and Moksha. So that is what we will talk about instead of being a subservient good woman.

Dharma is the idea that you live according to a set of ethical guidelines. The term is used across Indian religions including Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. For me it is following the yamas (non-harm, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation and non-possessiveness). When I choose my actions, thoughts and words with these in mind I am being my best self.

Kama is the idea of pleasure or enjoyment. With the caveat that one does not cling or seek these but sees them in everyday life. They are seen in nature, in small moments of joy, moments of connections. They sustain us. They ward off depression. And they are available to us anywhere when we are looking.

Artha is the pursuit of a meaningful livelihood. Be it work or hobbies or how you spend your time. It should fulfil you and give something back to the world at large.

Moksha is liberation. Reaching enlightenment, nirvana. That is the goal of incarnation, to reach that point where you no longer suffer and release your attachments and no longer take form. To me this means learning he lessons that life keeps handing you, to be ready for the be ready for the big letting go. To have no regrets of how you lived, or things you wish you had or hadn't said. To have loved openly and deeply, and let go of the stories that you used to understand the world. You begin to see the world as it is without a filter. You live and let live. You love unconditionally (while still setting boundaries). At the end of your life you are ready to let go.

So that is what I am going to lean into for this mantra this month. I recommend listening to the you tube link I shared, but if you really want my voice I have it recorded but am having technological difficulties and can't seem to upload it to the page. Sigh. So you’re stuck with Steve and not 108 repetitions.

Lakshmi "borrowed" from Wikipedia