This past New Moon in Libra reminded me so important memory in my life. My daughter’s birthday is today October 6th. Now she is 12! Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated over nine nights, each day dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga. It starts on October 3rd and concludes on October 11th. Teruna was born during this Navratri. I am dedicating this story to Kim Kushner.
I got pregnant as soon as I was assigned to be a contracted-based worker from my previous company. It was perfect timing because I didn’t want to work full-time during my pregnancy. I started working as a volunteer at Open Center in NYC on a weekly basis as I had more free time.
During my 2nd trimester, I met Kim Kushner who was working there as a Visual Merchandiser for the bookstore. She asked and offered me to be my Doula for my entire pregnancy for free because she was trying to gain experience as a Doula at that time and I was her first client.
Looking back, it was such a blessing to have her in my pregnancy. She helped and educated me and my husband during my pregnancy and beyond.
Kim rented me her entire set of healing and relaxation music CDs for my bedtime and relaxation. One of the CDs I liked from her selection was “The Lover & the Beloved by Donna De Lory”. All her songs were in Sanskrit. Although I was practicing Yoga, I was neither a Yoga teacher nor planning to be a Yoga teacher at that time, but I thought the songs were beautiful. I was strongly attracted to “He Ma Durga” without knowing anything about Sanskrit or its meaning. The song caught my heart. I ended up listening to her songs for the rest of the pregnancy and in the labor room!
I didn’t think about the song or meaning until years later after we moved to NJ and I started Yoga Teacher Training. When I found out the meaning of the song or lyrics, I was deeply shocked and became very emotional.
He Ma Durga is a chant used to invoke the Mother Goddess Durga, who encompasses many incarnations such as Kali. The mantra honors the divine feminine in all of its manifestations and can help remove obstacles, protect the chanter, and awaken the power of divine mother.
As I wrote in my recent blog, I believe in Cosmic Connection. Everything happens for a reason. There may be a greater purpose or meaning that we just cannot understand or explain. For sure, Goddess Durga was protecting me and my beautiful daughter. I have to say I had a fantastic pregnancy and labor.
Happy 12th Birthday to my Libra daughter, Teruna!
I am forever grateful to my Doula and friend, Kim Kushner who guided us to receive a precious gift.
Jay Jai Ma Jay Ma Durga!!
