How I Came to Call My Blog "Becoming Ganga"

The name "Becoming Ganga" holds deep personal and spiritual significance for me. It all began during a pivotal moment in my yoga teacher training at Satchidananda Ashram when our entire class had the honor of having satsang with Swami Satchidananda. Little did anyone know this would be the last group to have that honor. On that powerful day, Swami Satchidananda called on each one of us individually and bestowed upon us our spiritual names. It sent chills up my spine when he said, “Ganga.”

At that time, I didn't fully understand the significance of the name "Ganga." The explanation I received from the teachers was that it meant "one who goes swiftly." That resonated with me because I felt an urgency in my life, a sense that I needed to hurry. In hindsight, I realized that part of this urgency stemmed from a feeling that I had wasted a lot of time on nonsense and things that didn’t really matter in this life.

As the years passed, I became more curious about the true meaning and depth of the name "Ganga." I knew it was more than just a name; it was a calling. One particular memory stands out during Navaratri, the nine nights of the goddess. A friend and mentor of sorts and I were chanting and offering puja every night. One of the chants we sang each night was the Mahisasura Mardini to Goddess Durga. Each night, I would reach a certain point in the chant and be overcome by emotion, starting to cry. She teased me and called it the "Ganga crying song." One night, she said, "If you begin to cry, I'm going to quietly step out so that you can really give in to it and complete whatever process you're in." Sure enough, I started to cry, and she left. I cried and cried without knowing why. As I was driving home, it dawned on me that I truly believed I had wasted valuable time in this life chasing things that don’t last or matter, and I felt a deep sadness around these choices.

One day, I had the opportunity to visit a client who lived in a beautiful house by the river, complete with a long walkway leading to a floating dock. She traveled regularly and generously allowed me to use the dock whenever I wished. Over the course of several months, I immersed myself in the process of becoming the river goddess, Ganga. Each visit to the dock was a time of connection and reflection. I connected deeply with the birds, the dolphins, the setting sun, and the rising moon. I lay on the dock, floating with the wake from passing boats, watching the clouds, and absorbing the essence of the river. It reminded me of the story of Siddhartha, who also found enlightenment through his connection with the river. It was through these numerous visits that I realized the name "Ganga" was not just a title but a process of becoming.

In 2022, I had the profound experience of a pilgrimage to Varanasi and staying on the banks of the Ganga at the Brijrama Palace. I was met by staff and taken on the river to the hotel. The next day, they closed the river due to the rising water level, which was a shame because we didn't get to go out on it again. However, I did watch as the local people gathered at the river in the morning to say their prayers and commune with each other. It was special to watch, unlike anything I had ever seen. I also attended the sunrise aarti to Ma Ganga. The elegance of the aarti is something to behold. The young men, or priests, I’m not sure which, looked so wonderful and reverent as they led this daily honoring of the Ganga. It was an amazing pilgrimage that deepened my connection to the river and its significance.

The Ganga River is deeply embedded in the culture and identity of the people of India. Whenever I use the name "Ganga" at a spiritual event, I often receive curious and sometimes reverent looks, acknowledging the profound cultural and spiritual weight the name carries.

"Becoming Ganga" is a journey of embodying the qualities and attributes that Ganga, the river goddess, represents. These attributes include forgiveness, purity, and the ability to cleanse and transform. It is an ongoing process of learning, growing, and evolving. My blog is an offering of compassion and support for others on their own journeys, inspired by the lessons and insights I have gained through my own path of becoming.

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Harnessing the Full Moon in Capricorn: A Fire Ceremony with Goddess Durga