"I had an epiphany. I highly recommend them."

[dreamer_easy]

The Indian goddess Durga is heavily armed, rides a man-eating tiger or lion, and is typically depicted in the midst of a butchering a demon. Despite this excitingly gory context, Durga's face is generally composed, calm, and smiling - not a hair out of place. This has long puzzled me. At LACMA earlier this year, I saw this stunning Javanese Durga;

Comments

[acelightning]

Among Durga's many titles is "The Unassailable Fortress" - She is not only a defender and protector, She is the very principle of protection itself. One of the reasons She is always calm, even in the midst of slaying demons, is because She cannot be defeated, and She knows it.

The things you fear, the things that shatter your mind with anxiety, are demons of illusion. Become like Durga, the Unassailable Fortress, and know that the demons cannot defeat you. When they brandish their weapons shout "Booga-booga! Look how frightening we are!", reply to them with Durga's calm, silent, knowing smile... and they will vanish like wisps of vapor blown away by the breezes of morning.

[dreamer_easy]

(As I post this, E.S. Posthumus' track "Unstoppable" has just come on.)

Dear demons,

[acelightning]

I was trying to edit that comment, and I got sidetracked trying to determine what foods Durga prefers. Alas, since I can't read Hindi script, all I could figure out is that She likes chapattis (a rather simple fried bread) and a sweet, milky rice pudding flavored with cardamom.

Anyway, She is depicted as riding a lion or tiger, and She is also associated with domestic cats. She never loses Her sense of humor (and She is fond of ribald sexual humor, or "dirty jokes"). Her great festival is called Navaratri or Durga Puja, and it's one of the major holidays for Hindus all over the world, particularly Bengalis. This year, Durga Puja runs from October 7 to October 17, and I'm sure there are celebrations in every Australian city. Maybe you'll get a chance to know Her better during Her celebration...

Polar bears with chainsaws...

[stuberrymuffin]

...are teh bomb! (Do kids still say teh these days? Just seen Scott Pilgrim with my mate Lauren so I've gone slightly retro.) Go metaphorical polar bear with a chainsaw go!

[lillibet]

I had never heard of Durga when I visited an exhibit of ancient art from Cambodia at the National Gallery in 1997. It was a stunning exhibit, but the image that really stuck with me was this one:

[dreamer_easy]

Oh, that is stunning. Because we can't see what she's looking at or what she's about to do, she seems to contain all potential - all power. There's a faceless "nature goddess" at LACMA who has some of the same quality.

I'm mindful that the worship of Durga is a living tradition from another culture. Neo-Pagans have an unhappy history of pinching stuff from other people and distorting it while declaring themselves experts. I hope I can stick with the attitude of the song I paraphrased in the OP.

[bodlon]

Fortunately, I know exactly what to do: I have a bunch of tools for stealing anxiety's thunder. I just need to quit procrastinating and put them to work.

One of the people I write with likes to say that procrastination is fear. Being likewise prone to anxiety in ways that stop me doing all kinds of things, I think it's pretty apt.

[lferion]

I hear you.

And I am absolutely sure that Mother Durga has your back.

*Sends love & blessings*

[dreamer_easy]

With that many arms, she's got my back, front, and sides. :D

[murasaki_1966]

Wonderful. Glad to hear it.

PS We miss you at the Con.