Embodied Health

Denver Clark, C-IAYT, ERYT-500

Mother’s Day and the concept of motherhood can bring about complex feelings for many people. Perhaps you hope to become a mother, have fertility struggles, are a new mother searching for your own identity in a whirlwind of sleep-deprivation. Maybe you are missing your mother deeply after her passing or are estranged from your mother or are processing the realities of the mother you have against the mother you might have wanted. You may have a healthy relationship with your own mother or the concept of motherhood or not. Either way, the concept of the mother is multi-layered and filled with emotions and why shouldn’t it be – the mother is the reason we each exist. Our first home and the source of the cells that created us, for better or worse carrying generations of energetic vibration.

Exploring our relationship to our own mother and our perception of what mothering is or should be takes honesty, patience and courage. As a mater of fact, these are a few of the very traits passed down to us directly from the source mother herself, Shakti; the representation of the divine feminine.

The divine feminine:

 One way to examine motherhood is through the energy of the divine feminine. This energy is inherent in all beings. In yoga we call it Shakti. The word Shakti means power and Shakti is the counterpart to Shiva. Shiva is consciousness and the masculine energy of the universe and Shakti is action and the divine feminine.

These two energies come into play in the divine act of creation as Shakti inspires Shiva to move the universe forward with her power. Shakti stimulates Shiva. If Shiva is fire, Shakti is the power to burn. If Shiva is water, Shakti is the essence of wetness and coolness. Each of the Hundi gods has a feminine counterpart that provides the energy to accomplish their job; the driving force behind the magic.

All of reality is said to be Shakti’s dance. Shakti takes form as the biological processes of our body and is represented in every atom and dust speck in the universe.

Without shakti, nothing in this universe would happen. Shakti is the great mother. She is associated with birth, death, and rebirth cycles. Her nurturing and protective qualities make her a symbol of compassion, love, and strength, representing the ideals of motherhood.

Shakti has many faces and is said by some to have a hundred different names. These energies depict different intentions. A few are:

1. Kali – “The Black one,” representing Shakti’s fierce and powerful aspects; associated with radical change and dissolution of all forms into the void.
2. Durga – “Hard to concur,” representing to the warrior aspect of Shakti, linked with strength and protection. The empowering mother.
3. Parvati – “Mountain Lady.” The goddess of the sacred marriage, representing Shakti’s gentle and nurturing aspects; associated with fertility and motherhood.
4. Saraswati – “The flowing one,” The Goddess of language, learning, art and music; associated with knowledge and wisdom.
5. Lakshmi – “Fortune,” The goddess of wealth and prosperity; reminding us to pursue right livelihood and avoid hoarding and material fixation. To see abundance in all we have.

When we call upon these different energies of power, strength, compassion, creation and prosperity we are connecting to the energy of the divine feminine and embodying the ancient mother.

Giving birth:

There are many ways to give birth beyond the act of physically birthing a child. When we create art, produce things of value, and build and maintain sacred spaces for others to grow in we are connecting to our inner mother and the goddess Saraswati. Consider the projects, experiences, and communities you have given birth to in your lifetime and acknowledge your divine power to bring life into the world. This is a gift, and your unique manifestation of creativity makes the world a better place.

Cultivating compassion:

When we show compassion and love for others though karmic action we are connecting to our divine mother inside. Whether we are offering help to someone in need, taking time for self-care or simply sharing a kind word or smile, we ignite the compassionate mother within. This unconditional love and compassion create ripples that extend to others and gradually cover the world with love. The energy of nurturing allows us to become mothers to the world and to ourselves, healing past traumas and filling the spaces they left behind with peace. Consider the ways you share love and compassion for others and for yourself. You might even speak to a photo of your younger self and say the things you feel you needed to hear at that age, mothering yourself and bringing closure to your past.

Removing obstacles:

The power of the divine feminine gives us strength to forge ahead when things are difficult and rise above ignorance and anger, stepping into our most powerful selves. This strength and fire can be seen outwardly when we fight for justice, or it may burn quietly inside as we dig deep to take the next step forward through the storms of life. Think about how you might be tapping into your inner goddess Kali right now, roaring with fierce energy to clear the way for yourself and the ones you love. You may be loyally protecting the peace and well-being of yourself and others, riding the tiger of courage as the goddess Durga does. You are the brave warrior forging ahead through the fires of transformation. This too is the energy of the mother within.

Living with intention:

When we connect to our inner wisdom, bravely exploring our dark corners, finding our voice, and sharing it with the world, fearlessly with love, we are connecting to the mother within. By finding the mother inside and observing the places and people around us that invoke these energies, we are never alone, never mother-less. We are one with the divine feminine, forever embraced by the mother, connected eternally to unconditional love.

In honor of the mother within each of us, I wish you a peaceful and introspective Mother’s Day.