{"id":14692,"date":"2017-09-01T01:10:34","date_gmt":"2017-09-01T06:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=15286"},"modified":"2017-08-29T13:10:13","modified_gmt":"2017-08-29T18:10:13","slug":"she-who-is-all-the-goddess-of-ten-thousand-names-31","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2017\/09\/01\/she-who-is-all-the-goddess-of-ten-thousand-names-31\/","title":{"rendered":"She Who is All &#8211; The Goddess of Ten Thousand Names"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">KWAN YIN<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">(Lovingly dedicated to Bridget)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">In the past few weeks, it has become apparent that there is a large part of this country (US) that has completely opposite feelings than the rest of the country when it comes to race, culture, gender. There is a segment of the population that is now being open with their hatred for anyone different than they and they are encouraged from the highest office. In light of this, the Goddess that I have chosen for this month is Kwan Yin, She of Mercy and Compassion, which is how we should all deal with each other, even those with whom we may disagree.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">*******************************<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-15287\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/kwanyin1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"260\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>(Photo: Pinterest)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">&#8220;She is a boat, She is a light<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">High on a hill in dark of night.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is a wave, She is the deep,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is the dark where angels sleep<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">When all is still and peace abides,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She carries me, to the other side.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">&#8220;She Carries Me&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">by Jennifer Berezan<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe  id=\"_ytid_98943\"  width=\"960\" height=\"540\"  data-origwidth=\"960\" data-origheight=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tgDsmhqe51A?enablejsapi=1&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=0&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&rel=1&fs=1&playsinline=0&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1&disablekb=0&\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/figure><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Kwan Yin is a bodhisattva (Buddha in the making), who is now seen as a Goddess. While she is most revered in Asia, Her worship has gone beyond into the western world.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Her name translates to &#8220;she who hears the cries of the world&#8221;.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is one who has attained enlightenment and chose to stay until all of humankind has attained enlightenment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is a symbol of compassion and peace.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She banishes fear and hardship.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">As the Goddess of 10,000 hands and 10,000 eyes, she sees everything. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">(For a beautiful performance of Thousand Hand Kwan Yin from China, please watch: <\/span><\/span><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sTesehdHbqs\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sTesehdHbqs<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> )<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe  id=\"_ytid_55962\"  width=\"960\" height=\"720\"  data-origwidth=\"960\" data-origheight=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sTesehdHbqs?enablejsapi=1&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=0&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&rel=1&fs=1&playsinline=0&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1&disablekb=0&\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is the Goddess of love and care.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is a fertility Goddess, bringing children to those who want them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Her energy is that of the Divine Mother, which is the same as Mother Mary&#8217;s in Christianity and the beloved Isis in Egyptian mysteries.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She resides on P&#8217;u T&#8217;o Shan and answers every prayer sent to Her. She is gentle and one is assured of being free from physical and spiritual harm by saying Her name in prayer and meditation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is associated with the heart chakra, which is the center of our being.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-15288\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/kwanyin2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"234\" height=\"215\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Kwan Yin with a Willow Branch\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">(Photo: Pinterest)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is not associated with that chakra in terms of a romantic or sexual love, but a love and acceptance of ourselves and others.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She wears flowing robes and carries a vase with the waters of life, the dew of compassion, from which she blesses all souls. She carries pearls of enlightenment to see clearly and a willow branch to heal illness. She is also seen carrying a white lotus blossom. Each of Her hands is held in a specific mudra (yoga for hands). Her other symbols are the dove (peace) and scrolls containing dharma (sacred teachings).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is most revered in all of Asia, but Her worship has gone beyond and into the western world. She also goes by the names Kannon in Japan, Gwan-eum in Korea and Kuan Im in Thailand, among others.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">It is said that She began life as a princess named Maio Shun. The earth shook and She was enveloped in the smell of flowers when She was born, as Her mother had dreamt of the moon at the moment of her conception. It was known that She would be a goddess, however, Her parents, the king and queen, were disappointed as they had wanted a son.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Her father insisted that she marry and she refused. Because she was so innocent and gentle, not eating the flesh of animals, she was known as the Maiden with the Heart of the Buddha. Due to her refusal, her father made her do the dirtiest and hardest chores around the castle. She requested to go to a nunnery and he agreed but first, went to the abbey and told the nuns to treat her as badly as possible. At the Temple of the White Bird, she felt weighed down by her chores but did them cheerily nevertheless. The Master of Heaven sent animals to help her.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">When she still refused to marry, her father sent soldiers to the nunnery with orders to kill all of the nuns. The soldiers set the nunnery aflame and all of the nuns blamed Maio Shun and they turned on her. She pricked her mouth and spit out blood which turned into enormous rain clouds from which torrential rain came to put out the fire.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">The King brought her back to the castle for execution. The executioner&#8217;s sword broke, his spear dissolved and he did the deed by choking her. A tiger came and stole her dead body away, putting an immortality pill in her mouth. When she came back to life, she meditated, strengthening her nature as a Bodhisattva.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Her father became ill and no one could cure him. A monk came and told the king that if he could find someone who would willingly sacrifice and eye and an arm, that a medicine could be made from them. The monk also told him where such a person could be found. The King sent a messenger to the nearby mountain and, of course, it was his daughter, who willingly gave up both arms and both eyes. The king was cured and went to the mountain with the queen to thank this person. When he saw it was his daughter, he begged her forgiveness. She then ascended to become the Thousand Armed and Thousand Eyed Kwan Yin.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">It is said that her name chanted repeatedly becomes a prayer, and she hears and listens to all of the prayers sent to her.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Another of Her creation stories says that She was born from Buddha&#8217;s eye. There are several myths of Her beginning Her life as a male, Avalokitesvara, but it is as the female Kwan Yn that She is most beloved<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Her mantra is OM MANI PADME HUM &#8211; The Jewel is in the Heart of the Lotus.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Om &#8211; seed sound of the Universe<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Mani &#8211; Jewel<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Padme &#8211; Lotus<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Hum &#8211; represents that which is constant and immovable<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">*******************************<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><u>GUIDED MEDITATION<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-15291\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/kwanyin3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"259\" height=\"194\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">(Photo: Pinterest)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Bring yourself lying down on the floor. Close your eyes and take several deep inhales\/exhales.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Transport yourself to a field near the waters where white lotus blossoms bloom. See yourself there, walking leisurely enjoying the sight of these beautiful flowers. Smell the heady scent as your roam aimlessly, enjoying the beauty of this place.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">You find a clearing and sit down, enjoying the peace and calm. You allow yourself to lie down on your back.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">You look up and see that it is the night of the full moon. She looks larger than you have ever seen her, surrounded by the stars, in a velvety black sky. You gaze at the moon, mesmerized by her beauty, which draws you in. The moon seems to expand and grow brighter and you feel her energy filling you and you feel as if you are floating above Mother Earth.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">As the moon expands, you notice that a shape begins to take form. As it becomes clearer, you see that it is Kwan Yin descending from the sky and surrounded by the light of the moon. She brings herself amongst the lotus blossoms surrounding you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She looks at you and smiles. You begin to chant her name and she nods. She comes closer and hovers a few inches of the ground. She extends her hands to cup around your head and above your crown chakra.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">You feel an energy enter you that you have not felt before. You feel yourself filling with her love, for you and for all of humankind. She fills you with the compassion and mercy that she feels toward everyone and she shares this feeling with you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">The light that surrounds her begins to surround you. You feel lighter, calmer, more accepting of what you perceive to be your own inadequacies, the things about yourself you do not like. You have more compassion for yourself, and feel yourself healing all of those little areas that have brought you emotional pain. This acceptance, this compassion grows within you to embrace all of the people in the world, accepting them, as well, and sending this energy out to heal all of them and blessing them with the light that has been so beautifully shared with you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">You feel her take her hands away from your head. While you miss the feeling, you also know that what she has given you, will always be with you. You have surrendered yourself to her and you will never be the same. When you open your eyes, She is gone.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">You take a moment, remembering all that has happened and then you turn to, once again, walk near the lotus blossoms, picking one to bring with you as you return home, returning to yourself.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">****************************<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-15479\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/SusanMorgaine.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"186\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Helvetica, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"><b>Susan Morgaine<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"> is a Daughter of the Goddess, Witch, Writer<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">, <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Teacher<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">, Healer, <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Yogini<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">. <\/span><\/span><\/span> <span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She is a monthly columnist with <\/span><\/span><\/span><u><a href=\"http:\/\/PaganPages.org\/\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">PaganPages.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"> Her writings can be found in The Girl God Anthologies, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u201c<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Whatever Works: Feminists of Faith Speak<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u201d <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u201c<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">Jesus, Mohammed and the Goddess<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">, as well as Mago Publications <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u201c<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">She Rises, Volume 2, and &#8220;Celebrating Seasons of the Goddess&#8221;. She has also been published in <a href=\"http:\/\/jareeda.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jareeda<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sagewoman.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SageWoman<\/a> magazines. She is a Certified Women<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"fr-FR\">\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">s Empowerment Coach\/Facilitator through Imagine A Woman International, founded by Patricia Lynn Reilly. She has long been involved in Goddess Spirituality and Feminism, teaching classes and workshops, including Priestessing Red Tents within MA and RI. She is entering her 20th year teaching Kundalini Yoga and Meditation, being a Certified instructor through the Kundalini Research Institute, as well as being a Reiki Master. She is a member of the Sisterhood of Avalon. She can be found at <\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mysticalshores.wordpress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">https:\/\/mysticalshores.wordpress.com\/ <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\"> and her email is <\/span><\/span><\/span><u><a href=\"mailto:MysticalShores@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span lang=\"en-US\">MysticalShores@gmail.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<iframe style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=paganpages-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=1507848633&amp;asins=1507848633&amp;linkId=d0336a03139980b419ed22df544d5074&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=paganpages-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=1523305576&amp;asins=1523305576&amp;linkId=3a655a3c074f9f1d532f5a2ba11984a7&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>KWAN YIN (Lovingly dedicated to Bridget) &nbsp; In the past few weeks, it has become apparent that there is a large part of this country (US) that has completely opposite feelings than the rest of the country when it comes to race, culture, gender. There is a segment of the population that is now being open with their hatred for anyone different than they and they are encouraged from the highest office. In light of this, the Goddess that I have chosen for this month is Kwan Yin, She of Mercy and Compassion, which is how we should all deal with each other, even those with whom we may disagree. &nbsp; ******************************* &nbsp; (Photo: Pinterest) &nbsp; &#8220;She is a boat, She is a light High on a hill in dark of night. She is a wave, She is the deep, She is the dark where angels sleep When all is still and peace abides, She carries me, to the other side.&#8221; &#8220;She Carries Me&#8221; by Jennifer Berezan Kwan Yin is a bodhisattva (Buddha in the making), who is now seen as a Goddess. While she is most revered in Asia, Her worship has gone beyond into the western world. &nbsp; Her name translates to &#8220;she who hears the cries of the world&#8221;. &nbsp; She is one who has attained enlightenment and chose to stay until all of humankind has attained enlightenment. &nbsp; She is a symbol of compassion and peace. &nbsp; She banishes fear and hardship. &nbsp; As the Goddess of 10,000 hands and 10,000 eyes, she sees everything. (For a beautiful performance of Thousand Hand Kwan Yin from China, please watch: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sTesehdHbqs ) &nbsp; &nbsp; She is the Goddess of love and care. &nbsp; She is a fertility Goddess, bringing children to those who want them. &nbsp; Her energy is that of the Divine Mother, which is the same as Mother Mary&#8217;s in Christianity and the beloved Isis in Egyptian mysteries. &nbsp; She resides on P&#8217;u T&#8217;o Shan and answers every prayer sent to Her. She is gentle and one is assured of being free from physical and spiritual harm by saying Her name in prayer and meditation. &nbsp; She is associated with the heart chakra, which is the center of our being. &nbsp; Kwan Yin with a Willow Branch\u00a0(Photo: Pinterest) &nbsp; She is not associated with that chakra in terms of a romantic or sexual love, but a love and acceptance of ourselves and others. &nbsp; She wears flowing robes and carries a vase with the waters of life, the dew of compassion, from which she blesses all souls. She carries pearls of enlightenment to see clearly and a willow branch to heal illness. She is also seen carrying a white lotus blossom. Each of Her hands is held in a specific mudra (yoga for hands). Her other symbols are the dove (peace) and scrolls containing dharma (sacred teachings). &nbsp; She is most revered in all of Asia, but Her worship has gone beyond and into the western world. She also goes by the names Kannon in Japan, Gwan-eum in Korea and Kuan Im in Thailand, among others. &nbsp; It is said that She began life as a princess named Maio Shun. The earth shook and She was enveloped in the smell of flowers when She was born, as Her mother had dreamt of the moon at the moment of her conception. It was known that She would be a goddess, however, Her parents, the king and queen, were disappointed as they had wanted a son. &nbsp; Her father insisted that she marry and she refused. Because she was so innocent and gentle, not eating the flesh of animals, she was known as the Maiden with the Heart of the Buddha. Due to her refusal, her father made her do the dirtiest and hardest chores around the castle. She requested to go to a nunnery and he agreed but first, went to the abbey and told the nuns to treat her as badly as possible. At the Temple of the White Bird, she felt weighed down by her chores but did them cheerily nevertheless. The Master of Heaven sent animals to help her. &nbsp; When she still refused to marry, her father sent soldiers to the nunnery with orders to kill all of the nuns. The soldiers set the nunnery aflame and all of the nuns blamed Maio Shun and they turned on her. She pricked her mouth and spit out blood which turned into enormous rain clouds from which torrential rain came to put out the fire. &nbsp; The King brought her back to the castle for execution. The executioner&#8217;s sword broke, his spear dissolved and he did the deed by choking her. A tiger came and stole her dead body away, putting an immortality pill in her mouth. When she came back to life, she meditated, strengthening her nature as a Bodhisattva. &nbsp; Her father became ill and no one could cure him. A monk came and told the king that if he could find someone who would willingly sacrifice and eye and an arm, that a medicine could be made from them. The monk also told him where such a person could be found. The King sent a messenger to the nearby mountain and, of course, it was his daughter, who willingly gave up both arms and both eyes. The king was cured and went to the mountain with the queen to thank this person. When he saw it was his daughter, he begged her forgiveness. She then ascended to become the Thousand Armed and Thousand Eyed Kwan Yin. &nbsp; It is said that her name chanted repeatedly becomes a prayer, and she hears and listens to all of the prayers sent to her. &nbsp; Another of Her creation stories says that She was born from Buddha&#8217;s eye. There are several myths of Her beginning Her life as a male, Avalokitesvara, but it is as the female Kwan Yn that She is most beloved &nbsp; Her mantra is OM MANI PADME HUM &#8211; The Jewel is in the Heart of the Lotus. &nbsp; Om &#8211; seed sound of the Universe Mani &#8211; Jewel Padme &#8211; Lotus Hum &#8211; represents that which is constant and immovable &nbsp; ******************************* GUIDED MEDITATION (Photo: Pinterest) &nbsp; Bring yourself lying down on the floor. Close your eyes and take several deep inhales\/exhales. Transport yourself to a field near the waters where white lotus blossoms bloom. See yourself there, walking leisurely enjoying the sight of these beautiful flowers. Smell the heady scent as your roam aimlessly, enjoying the beauty of this place. You find a clearing and sit down, enjoying the peace and calm. You allow yourself to lie down on your back. You look up and see that it is the night of the full moon. She looks larger than you have ever seen her, surrounded by the stars, in a velvety black sky. You gaze at the moon, mesmerized by her beauty, which draws you in. The moon seems to expand and grow brighter and you feel her energy filling you and you feel as if you are floating above Mother Earth. As the moon expands, you notice that a shape begins to take form. As it becomes clearer, you see that it is Kwan Yin descending from the sky and surrounded by the light of the moon. She brings herself amongst the lotus blossoms surrounding you. She looks at you and smiles. You begin to chant her name and she nods. She comes closer and hovers a few inches of the ground. She extends her hands to cup around your head and above your crown chakra. You feel an energy enter you that you have not felt before. You feel yourself filling with her love, for you and for all of humankind. She fills you with the compassion and mercy that she feels toward everyone and she shares this feeling with you. The light that surrounds her begins to surround you. You feel lighter, calmer, more accepting of what you perceive to be your own inadequacies, the things about yourself you do not like. You have more compassion for yourself, and feel yourself healing all of those little areas that have brought you emotional pain. This acceptance, this compassion grows within you to embrace all of the people in the world, accepting them, as well, and sending this energy out to heal all of them and blessing them with the light that has been so beautifully shared with you. You feel her take her hands away from your head. While you miss the feeling, you also know that what she has given you, will always be with you. You have surrendered yourself to her and you will never be the same. When you open your eyes, She is gone. You take a moment, remembering all that has happened and then you turn to, once again, walk near the lotus blossoms, picking one to bring with you as you return home, returning to yourself. **************************** About the Author: &nbsp; &nbsp; Susan Morgaine is a Daughter of the Goddess, Witch, Writer, Teacher, Healer, and Yogini. She is a monthly columnist with PaganPages.org Her writings can be found in The Girl God Anthologies, \u201cWhatever Works: Feminists of Faith Speak\u201d and \u201cJesus, Mohammed and the Goddess\u201d, as well as Mago Publications \u201cShe Rises, Volume 2, and &#8220;Celebrating Seasons of the Goddess&#8221;. She has also been published in Jareeda and SageWoman magazines. She is a Certified Women\u2019s Empowerment Coach\/Facilitator through Imagine A Woman International, founded by Patricia Lynn Reilly. She has long been involved in Goddess Spirituality and Feminism, teaching classes and workshops, including Priestessing Red Tents within MA and RI. She is entering her 20th year teaching Kundalini Yoga and Meditation, being a Certified instructor through the Kundalini Research Institute, as well as being a Reiki Master. She is a member of the Sisterhood of Avalon. She can be found at https:\/\/mysticalshores.wordpress.com\/ and her email is MysticalShores@gmail.com &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":212,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/212"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14692"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14692\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}