The Truth About Kali April 3, 2008

Many students in the Yoga tradition are given a ’spiritual nickname’ by their teacher. This is usually a Sanskrit word, perhaps the name of a Hindu deity. My teacher, Gopal, gave me the name Kali. Kali, in my understanding, is the goddess of truth…the destroyer of ignorance and inauthenticity. She is the one who cuts through all the bulls*it with people and will not stand for anything less than consciousness and awareness. Kali has been widely misinterpreted in the west as ferocious and evil. I have done a lot of research on the internet and have found only one article so far that describes her true nature, while putting into perspective the vicious and fierce part of her being. Check it out.

thespacebetween

At some point or another, you have heard or seen the names and images of popular Hindu gods (i.e. the cover of Jimi Hendrix: Axis Bold As Love…a bunch are on there!). Notice that the word ‘god’ in this context is not capitalized. That is because in the Hindu religion, these ‘gods’ are not the one true God that they pray to. Hinduism, contrary to what many believe, is a monotheistic religion. These secondary deities are merely characters that help represent different aspects of the human condition. They were created out of the universal need to understand what it means to be pure consciousness, playing “human being” this time around.

thespacebetween

When I started working with Gopal, I couldn’t wait for the day when I got, what I called, “my Indian name.” I knew when that happened then I would be well on my way to spiritual enlightenment! If I was a good enough yogi, then I would be rewarded with a special name, just like the other yogis I knew. The name Kali, came out of a conversation with Gopal about what I should go dressed as for Halloween. I think he suggested Kali because of her wild appearance…wide blood-shot eyes, tongue sticking out, one hand holding a bloody sword, the other a freshly cut off head, and a string of skulls around her neck…what a costume that would be! And then oddly enough, the name stuck. That was it??? The moment I’ve been waiting for??? That’s my name? Kali? I was disappointed because I had never heard of Kali before…was she even cool?

thespacebetween

Getting that name was only the beginning. See, when you get your “Indian name”, you then have to actually start living up to what that name entails. The names we are given by our teachers are not because we are being that already, it is because the nature of that name is what is at our essence, underneath all the crap we have employed our whole lives to keep that true nature from shining through.

thespacebetween

So, as the first real post on my blog, I thought it would be appropriate to share more about my nickname, and the truth about Kali. Now I actually have to go out and be that powerful goddess…be careful what you wish for!