Many of us are familiar with the very cute looking elephant headed deity, but do you really understand what he, Ganesha, is all about? Have you considered reasons why it might feel relevant to have a murti (a statue) or a picture of him in your home?
The ancient sages in India were very wise in realising that unless the many aspects of the divine were made up into interesting and relatable (but sometimes crazy) stories people may not be interested. As a result, in hindu mythology these gods and goddesses all have specific qualities/elements of magic. These divine elements are all aspects of our own consciousness that we can invoke and raise to the surface of our own being in order to enhance our own lives.
It is Ganesha’s birthday on Saturday 7th September
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival in India that begins on his birthday and runs for 10 days, so there is still a window of opportunity if you wish to connect to this auspicious time and bring some of the wonders of Ganesha into your life.
The 9 Sacred Wonders of Ganesha
Vedic culture recognises 108 as the number of the wholeness of existence. Any derivative of that number is also seen as sacred so here are 9 sacred wonders of Ganesha & how we can bring these aspects to the forefront of our existence this sept in Jivamukti.
Balance
Representing the perfect equilibrium between Power & Beauty and between Force & Kindness. Call upon Ganesha for Balance in your life. He also enables us to find the perfect balance between living in our human existence and honouring our divine self. In our practice we spend time with both our physical incarnation during asana (posture) practice & dropping into our divine nature in meditation.
Stability & Nurture
Often life can throw us into situations that induce fear and anxiety. Ganesha sits at the root of our body, at an energetic vortex known as Muladhara where he resides with the nurturing energy of his mother Parvati. Invoking him will help to make you feel more grounded and supported. We connect to our Earth energy via asana (postures) that activate neuromuscular activity in the legs and feet stimulating muladhara (root) energy.
New Beginnings
Beginning a new project, starting a new job, moving home, embarking on a new adventure. Ganesha symbolises auspicious beginnings and is believed to grant us luck in all our new endeavours. September is often recognised as a fresh start & new beginnings & time where we make new commitments to ourselves to begin again in terms of healthy lifestyle & exercise. Why not begin or pick up your yoga practice again this sept.
Wisdom & Intellect
Ganesha is also known as Ganapati. ‘Ga’ symbolises Buddhi (intellect) and ‘na’ symbolises vijnana (wisdom). Our yoga practice persistently seeks to remove the veils of our ignorance & forgetfulness through knowledge & wisdom of our true nature revealing the Truth within our heart space (Hridayakasha) that in unchanging.
Obstacle Remover
Ganesha’s large size represents his metaphysical ability to remove obstacles in his devotees’ lives. Just by the very nature of committing to our practice we begin to witness a shift in our perspective giving us a far greater view, so that obstacles that once seemed impassable now seem insignificant.
Control
Our ego can run riot if we let it. Ganesha’s vehicle of choice, the mouse, represents the ego. So it is said that the one who controls his ego has Ganesha consciousness. Throughout the year we touch on various subjects which enable us to see and understand the workings of the ahamkara (ego)
Discrimination & Strength
Ganesha’s trunk symbolises that the wise person has both great strength and fine discrimination. As our practice develops and the ahamkara begins to soften we become better able to discern what supports us both on & off the yoga mat.
Non-Duality
Duality is the screen keeping us from realising our real Self, atma which is beyond body and mind. Ganesha’s broken tusk symbolises that a wise person is beyond duality. Having studied with 3 top tantric scholars the essence of my teaching is always steeped in non dual shiva tantra.
Discernment & Deep Listening
With both Ganesha’s eyes symbolising discernment and ears symbolising deep listening. These qualities enable us to only focus upon and listen to that which helps us on our journey home to Ganesha’s father Shiva (unbounded awareness) at Sahasrara chakra, the crown of the head. Yoga enables us to not only listen to our selves & what our body/mind/true nature is saying but also an ability to listen to & provide an open space for others.
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा
(Salutations to Sri Ganesha) Who has a Curved Trunk,
Who has a Large Body and Whose Splendour is similar to a Million Suns;
O Deva, Please Make my Undertakings Free of Obstacles,
By extending Your Blessings in All my Works, Always.
2. Use a mala 108 beads and repeat the Japa mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha. Short for time? Just repeat the bija (seed) mantra GUM on its own 108 times which also encompasses the full meaning of the previous mantra which invokes all of the above blessings of Ganesha.
3. Meditate with awareness to the legs and the feet
These areas are governed by Muladhara the vortex of energy at the root of the body where Ganesha resides.
4. Light a candle and some incense next to a picture or murti of Ganesha and sit with Ganesha mudra.
* Bring left hand to heart space, turn the palm to face away from the chest, thumb points down.
* Place right hand palm on top of left palm.
* Lock the fingers together by curling the four fingers on each hand.
* Settle the awareness on the physical aspects of the heart chakra, the shoulders, the chest, the upper back, arms, hands, fingers & thumbs let that be your sole focus (dharana)
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