At the Sonoma Ashram in California, Babaji, a monk of the Aghor Yoga tradition explained the significance of Shakti during the sacred observance of Navaratri. Shakti is described as the universal life force—the invisible, creative energy that permeates every action and molecule of existence. Without Shakti, even the smallest movement or breath is impossible. Revered as the Divine Mother, Shakti transcends name and form but is honored in rituals to help the mind focus and the heart open.
Navaratri, held twice a year during seasonal transitions, is seen as the most potent time to cultivate Shakti through Upasana (practice and worship). Babaji’s teaching emphasizes making a Sankalp—a sincere vow or determination—to either release negative habits or adopt life-affirming practices for nine days. Examples include simplifying meals, reducing sensory input, practicing silence, or dedicating extra time to meditation. These actions conserve energy that would otherwise leak through the senses, building an inner reservoir of Shakti.
Babaji stressed that Shakti Puja is not about external conquest but inner mastery. By affirming “I can” instead of “I can’t,” practitioners honor their own divine energy. Rituals such as lighting a lamp, offering a flower, or bowing to the Earth help open the heart, foster humility, and remind practitioners that all actions flow from Shakti. Observing Navaratri with devotion transforms ordinary life into sacred life, where every act becomes an offering to the Divine Mother within.
