Shakti practices
Stages of Embodiment ‘Quick’ Guide
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 1 Shakti Practices- Stages of Embodiment Quick Guide
Consider this your short cut the Divine.
I’ve compiled below a Quick Guide to refer to whenever you feel the need to engage with the Shak - or face of the Goddess- at any point during your prac ce. Any of the below prac ces are powerful tools to s r the pot for Fierce Miracles to arrive- and to rise.
For our purposes here, there are 5 ways to work with a par cular face of the Goddess:
1. Image- I’ve provided Shak images 2. Mantra- Mantra to use in your prac ces. More on this below 3. Body Movement- Sugges ons for how to move your body to viscerally feel the stage and begin to embody each Shak ’s energy 4. Music- Spo fy Playlists 5. Myth- Basic understandings of the myth for the Shak face for each stage.
Below we’ll break down each Stage of Embodiment into these categories for your quick reference when you need them
*A note about the Spo fy Playlists for Music- these are an ever-evolving project in service to The Unbridled Life. The best thing to do would be to subscribe to the list as I add and remove tracks all the me. A great way to mix things up. If you have sugges ons for the playlists, please send to me at [email protected] I’m always open to new music being added to the mix! First: a shakti invocation for anytime namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 2 If you sit down to connect with a Goddess and are not sure who to work with or just want to open the connec on, this mantra is a great entryway into Shak power. I o en find that when I use this mantra and repeat it several mes, I get clarity on who to work with, what is really happening in my life, and what stage is appropriate to work with at any me.
second: A word on release Practices Swaha Within the Tantric tradi on, the word “Swaha” is one of the most powerful to evoke. This is the word to use when you need to let things go, brush things off, move on, or just be done with the story, person or circumstance.
My favorite way to use this word is in a series of three: Swaha Swaha Swaha There are more advanced mantras that belong with this release mantra, but for now, use it whenever you feel stuck, frustrated, over it, angry or just need to let that shit go.
Swaha is o en associated with the goddess Kali and can be invoked with the mantra Kali eh swaha.
Whenever you are ready to release something or face a shadow, invoking Kali can bring her swi and benevolent ac on to this release.
I bring this up now at the beginning as there will come mes over the course of your journey where you are in one Stage of Embodiment, but feel it is me to move on- for whatever reason. Kali is the Divine Gatekeeper that helps you move from one stage to the next. While she does have her own stage- Purifica on- she shakes things up in the in-betweens by purifying you from one stage to the next. So use this mantra when you feel that urge to move, purify or shake up whatever is no longer serving you. Kali Eh Swaha!
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 3 third: A word on Mantra practice Mantra is o en described as the entry way for the Divine to enter your heart and be expressed through you voice in devo on to the Divine. Mantra has so many layers, and a study of the ancient language of Sanskrit reveals that these mantras are based on specific spiritual technologies to allow the Divine to infuse your very existence. Each le er, vowel, word and sounds has a specific frequency to tune into the face of the Divine you are devo ng to, which allows the Shak to rise in the very pores of your being.
Tradi onally, mantra is chanted in rounds of 108- a great purchase for yourself would be a mala that you can use to count these mantras within your own prac ce. There are many varia ons on the 108 rule. My sugges on: see what feels right to you each day, and honor that. Fourth: 40 Day Practices If you have determined that a certain Shak is the energy you really want to cul vate in your life, I highly recommend a 40 Day prac ce to her u lizing any of all of the below prac ces. Within several tradi ons, 40 days is a significant number that symbolizes commitment to change and to the process of awakening within you. By commi ng to a 40 Day prac ce of anything, you are commi ng to yourself and your own evolu on in the area you are working on. So if you feel called, engaging in a 40 Day prac ce to a face of the Shak (or any similar energy) will really help you in living fully your Stage of Embodiment and crea ng Fierce Miracles within.
Fifth: The Sacred Masculine- Shiva in the house Here’s the thing- whenever we are engaging with the feminine, it’s very important to give just as much energy and a en on to the masculine. Why? Balance.
Shak is wonderful and epic in the force she can create in our lives. But without the masculine, the feminine can be unruly, out of control and downright too much. Imagine our body if we had no skeleton to give us structure. We would- literally and figura vely- be all over the place.
In order for the feminine to fully be in her power and effect change in our lives, we must create balance and structure.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 4 Remember this: When the lightening force of the Shak gets to be too much, turn to her consort Shiva and chant: Om Namah Shivaya
In whatever rounds or way that feels right to you. There is deeper work to do with the Lord of the Dance, but for today, this is a great start.
Star ng on the next page, I break down each of the Stages of Embodiment and a quick reference to the Shak Prac ces to engage with. Use this as an opportunity to come to when you need a different prac ce, or if on a given day you feel a different energy arise that needs support.
Use your intui on below. Trust who you are guided to. And allow Her to be your ally in every step of your adventure. The Call of the Goddess
1. Image: 2. mantra: Ganesha to remove any obstacles and invoke protection for moving forward with grace and ease
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 5 Invocation to Lord Ganesha- remover of obstacles and divine protector. Invoke him when embarking on any journey
3. Body movement- Shaking movements- either through dancing, while out in nature, in your home or in bed. More informa on will be found in the Stage Guide, but for now- allow your body to discharge any excess energy that may be built up in your system. With The Call o en comes change, body pain, accidents, ‘things that go wrong’ which add up in our body as excess energy and fear. Shaking is a natural response to discharge this energy to bring your body back to neutral so you can move forward.
4. music: The Call of the Goddess Spotify Playlist 5. myth- The mythology of The Call can be found in every movie, novel, memoir, myth- it’s that moment when the hero or heroine is faced with a choice- stay the same, or embark on the adventure. Perhaps there is loss, illness, or some other event that the heroine could either give up, or choose to take a stand and DO SOMETHING about it. They know in that moment- I would rather die (or just came close to it) than allow this to con nue on as it is. Hercules se ng out on his quest. Katniss volunteering for her sister. Jesus taking a stand in the Temple. The CEO qui ng her job to start a non-profit. The student staging a protest. These are all Calls of the Goddess- how did The Call show up for you?
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 6 Finding Courage: The Spiritual Warrior Durga
1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Durga: Om Dum Durgayai Yamaha
Om, I bow to the One who overcomes all difficulties
3. Body Movement Explore: Strength. Muscle Building. Warrior poses from a Yoga Prac ce. Weight- li ing. CrossFit. Archery. Kalari prac ces.
What of the above calls to you? This is likely where you will begin to really tap into your courage- in signing up for the class, taking the bow & arrow out to the shoo ng range, engaging in a strength training rou ne. By allowing your body to feel strong on the outside, you will open your heart up to feel strong on the inside.
4. Music
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 7 Spotify Playlist: Finding Courage
5. Myth Maa Durga is the original Braveheart- astride on her lion of truth. Ferocious love and compassion. Light and shadow. Blood and beauty. A true queen. A ger of strength and devo on. Cu ng away those things that threaten our sovereignty so we can fully step into the glory and light. The myths of Durga run wide and deep, and many of the energies you’ll find in the other archetypes are a part of her as well. She demands respect, but does so with a heart so full of love and joy that you can’t help but fall in love with her. To get a real feel for her now, imagine a queen on top of her lion/ ger, facing the fiercest demon that threatens her kingdom. As she slays him, she simultaneously sips her wine as if it’s no big deal. Because to be in your power means being in your truth- and when you are in your truth, anything is possible.
Commitment: The Creatrix parvati 1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Parvati Om Kleem Parvatiyei Namaha
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 8 Om, I bow to the One who commits to her path
3. Body Movement Parva teaches us the power of Commitment- to a partner, to the path, to ourselves. In this commitment, we are ablate merge the magic with the ordinary, the masculine with the feminine, the spiritual with the human. Like being placed in a centrifuge and spun all around to the point where all aspects merge with each other, we to can spin around and around to allow our bodies to experience this merging.
Explore: Whirling Dervish prac ce (like the Sufi mys cs), Hula Hooping, Aerial Yoga with a lot of upside down poses
4. Music Commitment Spotify Playlist
5. Myth- Parva is tradi onally known as Shiva’s wife and consort. Their lovemaking was so epic that they could shake the world with their ecstasy, and in the swirling rapture of their embrace they merged as one- whole and complete in the combina on of all of their quali es. She is the embodiment of commitment, of merging of the two worlds- masculine/ feminine, ordinary/ magical. She has unwavering convic on, commits to her path without looking back, and creates the power of self-transforma on through her prac ces.
The Womb: The Great Mother bhuvaneshwari 1. Image:
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 9 2. Mantra invocational mantra for Bhuvaneshwari om hrim shrim klim bhuvaneshwarayai namaha
Om, I bow to the Goddess of infinite space and possibilities
3. Body Movement Being in The Womb is akin to being in and of the earth. Crea on through her nourishment. For this stage, being low and close to the ground, slow and fluid and subtle is the best way to tap into this energy. Yin Yoga & Restora ve Yoga are excellent gateways here to this earthy, deep stage. Connect to the ground. Let her feed you, take care of you, hold you. The Ocean (or any body of water, pool, or tub) is another excellent source of nourishment at this me. Float pods can do wonders- imagine that the water is the fluid of being back in the womb of your mother- float there, grow there, move in any direc on you can and feel the infinite possibili es available when you are fully supported.
4. Music: The Womb Spotify Playlist
5. Myth- Bhuvaneshwari is The Great Mother- and in that space, she can really be called upon at ANY me within your Heroine’s Odyssey, but par cularly while in The Womb stage. She is the holder of sacred space, there to facilitate any releasing or le ng go, any nourishment you need, any pain you need to transmute. She gives grace to all of us- all we need to do is call on her to be held. If you are doub ng your path or need help seeing the light, she can guide you as you release the shadows to be birthed into the light once again- as the divinely human being that you are.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 10 Initiation: The Phoenix sita
1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Sita Sita Ram Sita Ram Sita Ram Jaya Sita Ram
I Bow to Sita and Rama, the Divine Couple of mystical devotion- willing to endure anything for their love
3. Body Movement To tap into the energy of Ini a on, endurance sports are the epitome of devo on, willingness and trust in your body that it can withstand anything. Sign up for a marathon or 5k. Engage in long-distance swimming (which will also help soothe the heat of the fire). Anything event that has been a ‘bucket list’ item that you have been wai ng to accomplish. This is the me of trus ng your body that she can handle anything, and le ng her show you the strength and power she has.
4. Music: Initiation Spotify Playlist
5. Myth
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 11 Sita is the love of Lord Rama- incarna on of Krishna, exiled from his kingdom due to a trick by his brother. Rama falls in love with the most beau ful women in the world- Sita, who is then stolen by the kind of the demons. An epic adventure ensues to get Sita back- all the while she sits in the fire of longing and devo on, willing to endure the suffering and wait as long as it takes for her love to return. She is the embodiment of uncondi onal love, endurance, strength, devo on and unwavering compassion as she sits in the fire of transforma on- ready to be born again the regal Queen she is des ned for.
Shaktified: The Wild Woman lalita 1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Lalita
Ka e i la hrim ha sa ka la hrim sa ka la hrim
I invoke the power of insight, the power of action and the power of creative urge
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 12 3. Body Movement Ecsta c Dance is the name of the game when it comes to embodying Lalita. Sensual, ecsta c, bordering on orgasmic movement helps to rise the kundalini, shake out anything that is blocking your body’s access to high states of bliss and orgasm. That being said, sex and masturba on are also powerful tools to access her higher states of bliss. As you see above in one of the images, she is being supported by 4 male gods holding her and Shiva up. Lalita is the sexual priestess- if you were in this space, what other body movements would you welcome to tap into her high sexual arousal states?
4. Music: Shaktified Spotify Playlist
5. Myth Lalita teaches us an important lesson: Heaven is here, right before our eyes. All we need to do is look within & open our eyes to the nirvana in the here and now. As Sally Kempton says of the 'Charming One'- Lalita's 'essence is divine beauty and whose gi is the bliss that arises when you are able, through her grace, to recognize that every pore of your body, every eyelash, every movement of thought or breath is an expression of her divine play'
She is, in many ways, that queen who can simultaneously hustle and laugh, conquer kingdoms (or hearts) just by shining brightly as herself in the world.
Grace. Fire. Rapture. Bliss. Power- in all the ways power can show up. The original Lover and Enchantress- capturing hearts through her inner cul va on of joy.
So tonight might I suggest: Turn on some music, light some candles, feel your body in all the ways she wants to move. No ce the details- of your skin, of your flow, of everything surrounding you in the room. Drive around your neighborhood and see the beauty in every detail of every plant, flower and tree. See your neighbors- really SEE them for the love each one of them possesses. Fall in love with the details.
Allow the beauty that surrounds you to become you. Become your inspira on and your fuel. Allow the ordinary to become the extraordinary simply by saying Yes.
And open your heart to the possibility that these things can transform your en re reality into a daily rapture of unlimited poten al. See her dancing on a stage in ero c seduc on, luring you in with her charm, beauty and grace, and see how her
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 13 kundalini rising can help you on your path to living full out your passions, visions and dreams.
Purification: The Liberator kali 1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Kali Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche Svaha
Om, wisdom, creative manifestation, transformative power and destroyer of demons- cut away my ignorance in offering to you
3. Body Movement: Kali likes to rage. Kali likes to sweat. Kali likes to get the blood pumping, sweat pouring, purifica on fully charged up. Dancing is one way to do this. Turn on some loud music- preferably metal or something that taps into your anger and rage- and let your body move with the beat. Why anger and rage? Because Kali is all about tapping into the ‘hidden’ emo ons that we are told are not good or ladylike- she
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 14 has no qualms about showing her fierce side and she’ll happily embody those emo ons that scare you. For women especially- we are told that to be bold or angry or fierce, that means one word: Bitch. But Kali teaches us that these emo ons are not only ok, but are necessary in our evolu on. So get angry. Roar like a lion. Thrash around the room. And allow her purifica on to take place.
4. Music: Purification Spotify Playlist
5. Myth: Perhaps the most misunderstood of them all- mistaken as bloodthirsty and revengeful, most fear the power of the divine fiery one. I know I denied her for a LONG me. Oh no, not invited to this party... But truth be told: in denying her, I invited chaos into my life by refusing her magic. Though something within me secretly longed for her. The confidence, the power, the force, the benevolence to take care of ma ers for the highest good of all and ul mate Libera on.
Willing to burn away anything holding us back from living as our most authen c selves. Willing to fully surrender ego and let go like no one else can.... Not to harm others, but rather to destroy the dragons & shadows lurking in your own heart.
Willing to stand in the heat of the fire- not to be burned by it, but rather to BECOME the flame itself.
All in order to give you the courage to step into your des ny, live your truth, and create from the genius that IS you- that only you and you alone can bring in your unique way.
Maha Kali isn't for the faint of heart, but let me tell you- the riches she bestows to those willing to walk with her are beyond what this world can even dream. Kali is the original Alchemist: turning, churning, and burning to create gold out of everything in your life.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 15 Redemption: The Madonnas Mary Magdalene 1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Mary Magdalene
I love you I’m Sorry Please Forgive Me Thank you
3. Body Movement: Redemp on is a Stage of Embodiment where movement begins to slow down. A er the ecstasy of Shak fied and the rage of Purifica on, the system starts to se le down and a sense of peace begins to come over you. You may be in a space of having some clean-up to do a er the fire storm of Kali.
For these reasons, Redemp on movement is more subtle. It’s dance, but slow inten onal, graceful and at mes- sad. Like a part of the ballet where the main
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 16 character moves slowly to clean up the pieces of her life that sca ered and collapsed.
Slow dance, ballet, hiking of quiet trails in the woods, yin yoga and other forms of slow, close to the ground, almost mourning-like movements are best. Allow you heart to bleed. Allows to your soul to cry. Allow the release of forgiveness of yourself and others to flow through your body and seep out of your pores however they need to.
4. Music: Redemption Spotify Playlist 5. Myth The greatest mythology for Redemp on that I know of is that of Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary. The two great loves of Jesus. Yes there are equivalents in Tantric tradi on. But these two embody Redemp on so perfectly that there is no need to search further for their truth and wisdom.
Imagine a love so vast, so great, that you could forgive the men who killed your son/ lover. Imagine a love so great that a man like Jesus could not only forgive Mary Magdalene for her ‘sins’ but could invite her to be his wife and lover as well. Imagine a life where anything we’re done to harm others has the power to be forgiven, even the greatest hurts and deepest sorrows.
This is the res ng spot of The Madonnas, and the beau ful space of Redemp on. Where in your life are you s ll seeking forgiveness- of yourself, of others. From yourself, from others. Can you have the courage to forgive so you can be set free?
The secret to Redemp on- Uncondi onal Love. For yourself and for those who have hurt you. Unlock this, and you unlock your freedom.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 17 The Great Mystery: The Shaman chinnamasta 1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Chinnamasta
om aim hrim shrim vajra-vairochanyai hum hum phat svaha
i bow to the beauty and transformation that comes from the thunderbolt lightening of spiritual awakening
3. Body Movement Here is the thing about being in The Great Mystery- it’s a me of No-thing-ness. Of going into the cave and making friends with the darkness. It’s a metaphorical going underground- allowing yourself to be buried so you may rise. With that in
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 18 mind, big body movement while in The Great Mystery can- and o en does- feel like just too much.
So for this Stage of Embodiment, it’s a me of great going inward. No cing the subtle changes within your own energe c body. Facing your darkest shadows deep down within. It’s a me to rest. To conserve your energy for the massive shi s that will be happening inside. It’s a me to BE.
If you feel your body must move, I recommend: light walks, restora ve yoga, stretching in bed, medita ng with the snake in your sacrum and asking her to guide any movement your body needs. Allow the shi s and changes to take place. Allow your body to enjoy the freedom of dissolu on and dissolving into the abyss.
4. Music: The Great Mystery Spotify Playlist 5. Myth The Great Mystery is one of the oldest and most celebrated myths of our culture- yet we fear it for ourselves. The Resurrec on of Jesus. The resurrec on of Horus. The Mysteries at Eleusis which celebrate Persephone’s annual journey to the underworld. And countless other myths that involve the theme of the arrival of a savior, sacrifice for the greater good, death, incuba on underground, and rebirth into glory. It’s one of those myths that is recounted by almost every faith and religion on earth.
The myth of Chinnamasta is just one of such myths. Tantric mythology has countless versions of how this great goddess and mother, in an act of ul mate service to her hungry daughters, cut off her own head and allowed them to drink of the blood pouring from her veins in her neck. The blood was enough to feed her hungry girls, and the feed back herself to bring her back to life, more glorious than ever. This is just the p of the iceberg on her legend which we’ll explore more in- depth during this stage. But for now, focus on the themes of: radical acts of self- sacrifice, sudden spiritual awakening from the depths of darkness, egoless states of nothingness, going outside of your comfort zone.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 19 Devotion: Aphrodite Rising radha 1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Radha
Om radha krishnaya namaha Manifesting as the lovers Radha and Krishna, allows you to drop into the state of the sexual priestess to call in the divine to the couple and elevate you to an enhanced state of intimacy and love
3. Body Movement What sort of image does the word Devo on conjure up in you? When you think of a woman, fully devoted and in love with life, with nature, with her partner, and perhaps most importantly- with her body- how do you think she moves? How does she sway her hips, open her curves, and honor her body in complete devo on and trust?
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 20 In this stage, movement of the body is very sensual and playful. Laughter, slow curvy movements, sexual gestures, absolute freedom in love and lust for life come through. When you find yourself in the Devo on Stage of Embodiment, play with these ideas as truly let your body take the lead. A end S Factor classes or Belly Dancing. Imagine you are a Sexual Priestess- how would she move on a daily basis to feel the full power of her sexuality, sensuality, and body so she can fully show up with her lover. How would Aphrodite move as she plays on the beach naked and free?
This is the dance of Sringara Rasa- the way love moves. For each of us it is different, as your love moves in only the way that you can. Whatever you imagined- do that. In only the way that you can. And feel the rhythm that moves you.
4. Music: Devotion Spotify Playlist 5. Myth Radha is the goddess of roman c longing, ero c fantasies, and ecsta c states of sexual desire. She is the equivalent of Aphrodite, Venus, Isis as the sexual priestess who heals through her extreme love and devo on to her lover, her equal, her counterpart- Krishna. She is the embodiment of the supreme lover who wishes only to merge with her Beloved- over and over and over again, at whatever costs. In fact, she can at mes be so lost in this devo on and desire, that she sees nothing else and wants of nothing else but to be one with Him. But- it is through this desire and heat that she feels for the Beloved that can power the en re Universe and make everything she touches as sweet as chocolate and as rich as gold.
“Real Love Risks Everything” is the name of the game with Radha, and it is not just her devo on to the Beloved partner, but her devo on to the beloved within YOU that gives her the greatest potency. Dance with your Devo on to your inner most sanctums, get lost in the wild ecstasy of journeying within your own soul, become one with the rapture of your deepest longings, and you will know Radha and her secret bliss.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 21 The Fall to Grace/ Leap of Faith: The Crone dhumavati
1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Dhumavati
dhum dhum dhumavati swaha
Smoke, smoke, the one who is made of smoke- i salute her
Round of 108 to Dhumavati
3. Body Movement Imagine you were 90 years old, and life has played out it’s course and you are s ll moving and grooving with the best of them. You have no regrets. You’ve played hard and you’ve followed your heart. You know- without a shadow of a doubt- that every step you take and every choice you make leads you to exactly where you need to be. You trust your body, you trust your longings, you trust everything you are drawn to do.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 22 So at 90 years old, feeling amazing and full of all of the life experiences you’ve had, you know: You have nothing to lose.
With nothing to lose, how does your body want to move? She moves u er abandon of course- dancing like no one is watching. Singing without a care in the world. Going on epic adventures that she knows she can handle. Jumping out of airplanes. Tes ng her limits again and again. Why? Because she knows- when the me comes to return to the great above, it will come. And in the mean me, let loose, have some fun, and enjoy every last drip of life that you have le .
And that is the explora on for Leap of Faith- taste every last drop of nectar of life, and do the things you’ve always wanted to do. No more fear. Complete trust.
4. Music: Leap of Faith Spotify Playlist 5. Myth Within Tantric mythology, Dhumava is the crone of the goddesses- she’s been there, done that, experienced it all, and knows that everything always happens for the highest good. Many would choose to avoid her- she is the goddess of disappointment and loss as well. But within that lies the magic of her medicine- she teaches us that no ma er what life throws our way- heartache, loss, disappointment, tragedy, solitude, mourning, bankruptcy, sickness…. no ma er what bad or seemingly tragic the circumstance, you s ll are alive. You s ll have the precious gi of living, of being, or experiencing the nectar of the blessings that come from the circumstances that try us the most. She helps us let go of the ego, let go of a achments, and find compassion for ourselves as we traverse this journey called life.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 23 Miracles: The Mystic lakshmi 1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Lakshmi
om shrim maha lakshmyai namaha
i bow to the goddess of good fortune
3. Body Movement “Let the beauty that you love be what you do. There are a million ways to kneel and kiss the ground”~ Rumi
“The sun never says to the earth ‘You owe me’. Look what happens with a love like that? It lights the whole sky”~ Hafiz
This loves, is the movement of miracles. Being so enraptured with life, with the divine, with the earth and with everything in existence, that everything that flows forth from you feels like the most miraculous thing that could ever happen. Mys cs throughout me have an in mate love affair with all that is. It’s almost like- they are in a constant state of conjugal bliss, as if their en re being is merged in a sensual dance of beauty and love like nothing else imaginable. And so it is here, in the Miracles stage, that body movement flows from that place of making love with divine.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 24 Sex itself is an excellent prac ce here- either with yourself or a partner. Or both. In fact, a 40 day prac ce of Radical Self-Love is perhaps the best ‘exercise’ to fully invoke the Miracles Stage of Embodiment. If you have a partner, this is in addi on to any sexual ac vity with your partner- this is about learning the subtle art of turning yourself on and merging with the divine in orgasmic bliss.
4. Music: Miracles Spotify Playlist 5. Myth The mythology of Lakshmi comes from The Churning of the Ocean of Consciousness- Once Indra, the ruler of the gods, lost his kingdom due to the disrespect he showed toward a sage, Durvasa. He approached Lord Vishnu who advised him to seek the help of the demons to churn the ocean of milk (consciousness) so that he and the devas (gods) could partake in the amrita (ambrosia) which would make them immortal- thus helping them regain their lost kingdom.
As per his advice, the devas approached the demon (asuras) and they all agreed to churn the ocean of milk which represented consciousness. They sought the help of Mount Mandhara and the great snake Vasuki (who sits around Shiva’s neck) for this purpose.
Vasuki, the snake god, was used as the rope and Mandhara, the mountain, as the churning s ck to churn the ocean. While they were churning this great ocean, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a tortoise and held the Mandhara from sinking. While the churning was going on, several wonderful objects came out of the ocean {including the Goddess Lakshmi who we are working with in this program.}
The first to come out was halaha, the deadly poison, which threatened to enjulf the worlds and destroy them. While no one was willing to accept the poison, Lord Shiva came forward to accept it. He swallowed it and Parva (his wife) pressed his neck as he swallowed it and prevented it from going into his stomach. Thus, the poison remained there suck for eternity in his neck, neither going up into his mind nor going down into his stomach. This is why you some mes will hear Shiva called “Lord Blue Throat” or Neelakantha.
Then came Kamadhenu (the wish fulfilling cow), Ucchaisrava (the white horse), Airavata (the white elephant), Kaustubhamani (a rare diamond), Kalpavriksha (the wish fulfilling tree), Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth and beauty), Sure or Varuni (the goddess of wine) and finally Dhanvantari (the divine physician)- with the
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 25 vessel of Amrita in his skillful hands. These objects- except the last- were divided between the devas and demons.
It was out of consciousness that the goddess of beauty and abundance was born- and therefore it is through her that we can access the nectar, or ambrosia, of immortality and complete merging with the Divine.
Service: The Visionary saraswati 1. Image:
2. Mantra invocational mantra for Saraswati om aim hrim saraswatyai namaha
i bow to the flowing one whose essence is wisdom
3. Body Movement When in the Service Stage of Embodiment, everything becomes about being in the flow. Think of the women who so embodied integrated self-awareness and being in service to who she serves- life appears effortless, easy, as if each turn and
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 26 move is med so perfectly she doesn’t have think about what she needs to do next- she just does it.
We can simulate this state to feel this fully with a body prac ce I call ‘Crea ng Space for Serendipity- It’s simple yet profound. Set aside space in your calendar either weekly or daily that you can commit to- be it an hour, 2 hours or full days. In these designated spaces, turn off your phone and set out on a walk. It can be in an urban se ng or nature. While you walk, listen closely to where you are drawn to going. Turn right when you hear to turn right. Walk into the shop or cafe that catches your eye. Sing to yourself or record your thoughts to listen to later. Keep your body moving- it is in the space of being in the flow and moving your body simultaneously that wisdom and ideas arise. If you are drawn to speak with someone or sit down to write, do so- but here is the key- only if your intui on tells you to do so. Be in complete service to yourself and your ever unfolding, and see what visions begin to come to life before your very eyes.
4. Music: Service Spotify Playlist 5. Myth Saraswa is the goddess of flow, of wisdom, of crea vity, and of drawing outside the lines to the beat of her own rhythm. She is, as Sally Kempton says, the ‘cosmic downloader’ and mother of innova on who gives us access to the inspira on to fuel our wildest dreams. Ideas and visions come from her, and it is through her that we manifest our physical reality- through our words, through our dreams, through our visions and through our thoughts.
There are many tales of Saraswa in legend and myth, but one of my favorite ways to work with her mythology is to ask her- how did you manifest into reality, and see what wild and amazing story she bestows on you tell you of her secrets and songs.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 27 Alchemical Freedom: The High Priestess wild card 1. Image:
2. mantra invocational mantra for the Soma of Bliss, the Ambrosia, the nectar of life fully realized om som somaya namaha
3. Wild Card When you find yourself in Alchemical Freedom, the world is at your finger ps- literally anything you dream or desire can be created in an instant. It is in the Stage of Embodiment that you truly learn to dance with the masculine and feminine energies and the power you have to invoke whatever experience you speak into reality. This is where the human merges with the divine, and where you are the High Priestess of both the Spiritual and the Physical Realms.
For this reason, in this stage, ALL mantra is appropriate. ALL goddesses are relevant. ALL archetypes are at play- because here, you are living fully in the experience of ONENESS.
So work with whatever mantra you feel called to, and allow that energy to penetrate every ounce of your being.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 28 4. body movement Just like Mantra, while in this stage, all movement is on the table. Personally, what I have found the most beau ful for this stage is Fire Dancing or other Flow Arts. What do I mean by Flow Arts? Flow Arts are movements that help the body learn to move with the energy around you, so you can be in sync with the flow of life and the universe. The more in the flow you feel, the more you realize that surrender and merging with the divine force is the key to turning metal into gold.
Fire dancing is just one powerful example, and I only recommend exploring this with a qualified teacher (Celeste Verdugo in Long Beach, CA is amazing). Part of arriving at Alchemical Freedom is reaching a state where the fire of life, passion, invita on, etc no longer scares you, but rather fuels you. As you learn to dance with that fire, you learn that even though it seems out of your control, the more you surrender and dance with it, the more it dances right back with you. And of course, the fire is a metaphor for life- as we dance with life and transmute all that it gives us into the gold, the more we experience true freedom.
If fire dancing isn’t your thing, any movement that simulates this is a great explora on: hula hooping, Trance Dance, poi, mar al arts, tai chi, and similar forms of movement.
5. music: Alchemical Freedom Spotify Playlist 6. myth There are countless myths that recount the power of si ng in the tapas, or fire, of our devo on to transmute our darkness and shadows into light. We will explore much of this in the Stage Guide as the mythology is rich and dense. But for now, know this- Alchemical Freedom IS the point of The Heroine’s Journey- to realize that all of life’s experiences, all of the ba les we’ve fought and the depths we’ve explored, lead to this place of GOLD- thoroughly transformed by the power of our experiences able to merge fully with the divine in the act of ul mate embodiment.
A note on Denial & Spiritual Bypass
music: Denial Spotify Playlist and Spiritual Bypass Spotify Playlist
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 29 Denial and Spiritual Bypass are ‘tricky’ stages within the Heroine’s Odyssey. In both these stages, presence of the divine feels almost non-existent, but in very different ways. So for this stage if you find yourself here- simply ask for guidance, listen to the whispers, and keep yourself open to whoever or whatever wants to show up for you. These are the mes to reach out for help, seek a teacher you trust, have sessions, and find the strength to keep going, even when everything in you wants to run and hide. That’s exactly the point, and it’s when you push through that desire and keep walking anyway, that the treasure you seek will be revealed to you.
2017 Copyright Jen Blackstock and The Unbridled Life 30