Knowing: The Fourth Shakti

This fall we’re diving into Tantric Yoga philosophy as applied to modern life. Even if you’re not a “yoga person” you may find that this philosophy has something to offer… come along for the ride. Four weeks ago we started our discussion of the five shaktis - innate powers we all have. We continue this week.

Consider everything you’ve ever known….

… The timetables and spelling words.  State capitals and political figures.  Historical dates, famous quotes, and how to get a good grade on a test.  The inner workings of how to do your job well.

Consider the places you know by heart - and the ones you know only in your imagination.

Consider, that you know when… it’s time to sleep. It’s time to eat. It’s time to make love. It’s time to play.

Consider each cell in your body and that it knows to be blood, gallbladder, eardrum.  It knows how to assimilate and eliminate.  You know walking, stretching, the placement of your hands on your yoga mat.  You know the taste of ripe mango, sour candy, sunscreen, your lover’s mouth.  The feel of warm sunshine, frozen toes, a skinned knee.

Consider the time you knew.  It’s time to leave the job, the relationship.  This is THE ONE.  Now is the time.

Consider who you know, and what you know of them…  Birthdays and special moments. Favorite colors and allergies.  The first time you met. The story of your connection.  

Consider the ancestors you know through memory… and the descendants you know through blessings.  

Consider the secrets you know…yours and others’.

Consider your emotions… grief and heartbreak.  Disgust and boredom. Ecstasy, Love, quiet contentment.  Shame, relief, gratitude.

Consider the things you know but you’ve forgotten you know.  Your second grade teacher.. where you put your keys for safe keeping… that you, like everyone, are worthy of Love, appreciation, and belonging.   

Consider what else you know, even if you’d rather not.

You know humanness.  

You are an encyclopedia of knowing, and so is everyone else.  Filled with knowing that only YOU know.  Knowledge you hold in your own way; your own special synthesis.  This great human experience is wrapped in a cloud of knowing.

The Power to Know

But HOW do you know? How can you be walking the planet knowing so very much?

You know, because you can… you have the Power to Know, Jnana Shakti.  Because Chiti knows, you know.  Put all of everything together and Chiti knows the totality of universes (Herself).  Each of us is a tiny part of that Absolute knowing.

Of course, you forget.  You cry “I don’t know” or even “I can’t know”.  But the promise of Jnana Shakti is that you have the Power to know.  If you want to find out, you have the power to do it. 

You don’t have the power to predict the future, of course - some things are unknowable until they are revealed (like: did I get the job?)  But in dark or confused times, stretch into your innate power of knowing and bring the light of knowledge into the darkness.

Start in the Unknown

Do not let “I don’t know” be an ending.  Let it be your beginning. 

Follow your iccha and your curiosity.  Let them take you to the unknown places within and without.  And even when you find what feels like the ultimate truth, know that there will still be more to know because the universe is always expanding… and so are you.

More than anything, lean into your jnana shakti and know the beauty of this human life in every breath you take.