Daughters of Kali

In the Daughters of Kali circle, we learn and practice, strengthening and seeking that which is true on Her path. Come ready to engage the Mysteries! Participation in Kali Vidya is a requirement of this program.

Baseline: (Months 1-3) These first months set the foundation for group work and individual practice. We establish the basics of the tradition and participants are introduced to ritual work with Kali Maa. An overview of philosophy, cosmology, and puja is provided. An introduction to the fundamental Tantric terms is offered and given context. Circle community building is essential (building trust, getting to know each other) during the first three months of our time together, as is making sure we’re all on the same page regarding magickal or ritual work. Whether you come to DoK with a familiarity with ceremony (Hindu or otherwise) or not, everyone in DoK gradually comes to understand energy work as well as appropriate and respectful ways to approach Kali. Those in DoK also develop familiarity with traditional Tantric spiritual techniques and the evolving worship methods of the Sha’can tradition. Developing a relationship with one’s mentor during this time helps facilitate the learning process and is strongly encouraged. Homework is also a component of all Daughters of Kali meetings, and while mandatory, there need be no stress around this part of the program. Homework is an opportunity to bring your creativity, curiosity, joy, and passion to the group. Required reading: Ajit Mookerjee’s “Kali: The Feminine Force.”

Explore & Interpret: (Months 4-6) Every meeting will have a formal teaching period as well as an experiential component. As you gain knowledge and facility with a variety of specific practices, you will naturally begin to reconcile and integrate your own spiritual background(s) and cultural upbringing with Sha’can and Maa as you feel Her in your heart. Our work together during this time will especially help this unfold into your own unique expression of devotion. Spiritual technologies derived from authentic Tantric sadhana (spiritual discipline) will deepen your connection to the Divine. To facilitate implementation of learnings, you will partner with group members to create your own teaching ceremonies around various cycles of Devi’s energy: Creation, Preservation, Destruction & Transformation. Incorporating mantra, mudra, nyasa and yantra (as well as other learned tantrick techniques), you will engage your sensibilities and understanding within the group during these meetings. Required reading: Elizabeth Usha Harding’s “Kali: Black Goddess of Dakshineswar.”

Ritual, Practice & Devotion: (Months 7-9) During this phase of our gatherings, our work will become more focused on practices and devotional techniques as well as their implementation in ritual. This will include taking a leadership role of some sort (of your choice) during public pujas. Your individual psycho-spiritual growth and development on the path will inform how we integrate teachings and spiral them together in service to the group’s objectives. Satyananda’s “Kali Puja” will strongly guide our work during these months as we especially focus on memorization of mantras and delve more deeply into the sounds of Sanskrit.

Deepening & Initiation: (Months 10-12) The last phase of Daughters of Kali, which leads to initiation should one desire to seek that blessing, intensifies the practices of Tantra and embodied experience. Specifically for those choosing to be initiated within the tradition, individuals are encouraged to enter into contemplation and meditation on the spiritual significance that this passage will have for them. Initiates carry a new name and receive a mantra as a sign of their commitment and devotion to the Divine Mother, as well as their willingness to work within the Sha’can tradition.