Ganesha's Tongue

This morning I sat before the puja at our studio. I wanted a chance to deepen before the morning greetings.I longed for a chance to turn within before other minds would share their thoughts and my own thoughts would be filtered through the onslaught of otherness. I wanted the guidance of that which must be sought after, or at least made space for.

Once again I looked to Shiva Nataraja, I gazed at his hand of fearlessness, still strong, but not so outspoken this morning. I drank in remembered fragments of the mantras and mudras I have most recently received from my teacher. I held my heart open to my Ishta Devata, offering myself as the vehicle of her grace and requesting the removal, digestion, or transmutation of that which seems to be masking my intrinsic value. I held my heart open and willing as I passed over an image of Hanuman. This morning it was Ganesh who appeared to be most radiant and I heard, Shiva Nataraja's hand, Hanuman's heart and Ganesha's tongue. I was a bit taken aback by the latter. The teaching's frequently refer to his trunk and his tusk, to his elephant head, but this was something new for me to ponder and I had a visceral experience of an elephant's tongue. I had an aha about Ganesh loving sweets and his ability to savor the sweetness in life. Ahh, yes that would make a difference.

I sat for a while brimming with mantras, holding the particular mudra, most recently learned. I heard the words, let her into your heart and as I softened I felt an energetic pouring in, a soothing, healing wave of her grace. I knew that she was Sri, that I was Sri and that this was good. I knew that this was divine nectar once again offered, once again received. I felt grateful and reluctant to move on with the morning. I was happy to be there, to do the asana practice, to receive what my kalyana mitra (spiritual friend) had to offer. I hope my meditation enhanced the morning for others as well. One never really knows the full effect of such things. One only hopes.