Daughters of Kali
Daughters of Kali™, also affectionately known as "DoK," is a year-long practice and learning circle in the Sha'can tradition with emphasis on Tantra and the honoring of Kali Maa, our beloved Dark Mother. The circle is open to both women and men. Minimum age for participation is 18 (younger students may be considered with application and parental/guardian consent). We meet monthly and participants are also sishya (students) in our online mystery school, Kali Vidya.
The 10th Chakra of DoK Begins in September 30, 2012.
DoK 2012-2013 Schedule of Meetings:
| WHEN: |
Meetings for the 10th Chakra of DoK (2012-2013) commence Sunday, September 30th, and are held for a year and a day every month, prior to public puja as per our calendar. All those in DoK are required to help set up and attend public puja. TIME: 10:30am.
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| COST: |
A $40 donation is requested; service offerings may be arranged. |
| WHERE: |
Monterey Heights location in San Francisco. Open pujas are held at the Cultural Integration Fellowship, 3rd Avenue at Fulton in San Francisco. Click here for a map and transportation information.
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| QUERIES & INFO: |
info@sharanya.org or 415-505-6840 |
At SHARANYA, we approach Maa with a deep commitment to Her homeland, respect, reverence and honor for Her Indian advocates, and a dedication to the creation of the Sha'can tradition as an appropriate manifestation of our love for Her in the West. Originally birthed into consciousness in India, She is now arising in contexts outside of South Asia and is helping to create, inspire and evolve new forms of worship. SHARANYA and our tradition is dedicated to honoring Her appropriately and reverently here in the western world.
"My DoK experience was profound and fulfilling. I gained not only ancient and mystical wisdom but also a family that became connected to me on the most deep, soulful and sacred level...."
One's dedication on this path as a Daughter of Kali involves study of Hinduism, Tantrick practice, Sanskrit, and the Old Religion. It can lead to initiation into Her mysteries within the lineage tradition of Sha'can, a tradition that is informed by both Tantra and the Craft and sits solidly as a Western Shakta Tantra relevant for those practicing outside of India today.
Adesh, Dear Initiates!
- Initiation of our 2011-12 circle of DoK (9th Chakra) took place on Friday, August 24th (2012) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Gitapriya, Tivra, Vibhutihi, Shuddha, and Chinnamasta for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.
- Rededication of Initiates (there was no 8th Chakra of DoK initiation) took place on Friday, September 9th (2011) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Purnamanaha, Bhaktashankari, Jayada, Balipriya, Jaratura, Satya, Mahesha and Haravallabha for their presence, devotion and open-hearted embrace of the Divine Mother.
- Initiation of our 2009-2010 circle of DoK (7th Chakra) took place on Friday, September 10th (2010) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Raktapa, Purnamanaha, Bhaktashankari, and Nitya, with thanks to community and all who have loved them and supported their work during the past year and a day!
- Initiation of our 2008-2009 circle of DoK took place on Friday, September 11th (2009) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Mahesha, Haravallabha, Duti, Satya, and Citra, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!
- Initiation of our 2007-2008 circle of DoK took place on Friday, September 5th (2008) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Jaratura, Jayada, Sanatani, Sarasvati, Anangarekha, and Balipriya, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!
- Initiation of our 2006-2007 circle of DoK took place on Friday, September 7th (2007) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Asha and Kumarirupadharini, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!
- Initiation of our 2005-2006 circle of DoK took place on Friday, September 1st (2006) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Shunyanivasini, Svadha, Kalabhairavi, Pavini, Durgatarini, Shreyasi, Ranapandita, and Maya, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!
- Initiation of our 2004-2005 circle of DoK took place on Friday, September 2nd (2005) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Punyadeha, Shashini, Svayambhupuspapuspini, and Bhaktisukhini, with thanks to community and all who have supported their work during the past year and a day!
- Initiation of our 2003-2004 circle of DoK took place on Friday, August 26th (2004) at 8:00pm. Jai Maa! to Bhagavati, Karuna, Sundari, and Kumari, with thanks to our ancestors, guides and the lineage for the support and love during the past year and a day!
If you're not in the Bay Area, join us online at
Kali Vidya: A Wisdom School for the Mysteries of Kali, Our Dark Mother!
About Daughters of Kali™
Let this year-long course, which can lead to initiation, be your own mythic journey into and out of the underworld. Let the Goddess of the Crossroads take your hand and guide you into an unfolding awareness of your Self as seen through Her eyes. These classes are powerful and transformative, and for many, this path is a truly empowering, life-affirming and life-changing experience. This is an opportunity for you to come together with others to learn, laugh and live the presence of the Divine.
Through Daughters of Kali, one gains an understanding of Kali and the goddesses of the Tantrick path. At each meeting, we work together using ritual, myth, lecture, readings, discussion, spiritual practices, and group work to deepen understanding of the Divine Female in historical, cultural and psycho-spiritual perspectives. In the spirit of the Sha'can tradition, in which mind, body, and spirit co-mingle in conscious creation, classes require commitment, outside reading, participation, and active engagement of Spirit in the day-to-day world.
In the Daughters of Kali circle, we recognize Spirit as the lantern, which, perhaps for reasons unknown, calls to you. Should the soft hearth-glow beckon and you acknowledge, we invite you to come! For it is not only the light that will beckon. It is the night and all that resides within and beyond that will welcome you in with graceful spirit. As you approach, learn and practice that which is true to Her heart, to your heart. Let the strong black arms of Kali Maa wrap snugly around you, offering guidance and protection. As this happens, know too that as all earth-bound spirits cast shadows, there will be a time you must confront your own...your own Shadow. A shadow, that which is neither light or dark, that which veils, that which can be deceiving, changing shape so constantly that it becomes nearly impossible to tell where the source actually originates.
Know that we recognize how on the path, events will likely place you in situations where Shadow is right in front of your face. Doing the work of Maa means that you allow yourself to see it. Though it has no eyes, you come to learn how Shadow sees. Though it has no fingers, no nervous system, no brain, you will come to understand how Shadow feels. Though it has no heart and can not emote, you will be given the determination, discernment and tools to prevail through Shadow. Should your first attempt at dissolving Shadow fail, community will support you. Our Divine Mother will then present you with another Shadow, and another, and another. They may be the same, they may be different, but they are all still Shadow. Just as any Mother does, She must sometimes push her children from the nest in order for them to learn how to fly.
In this, Kali Maa is a nurturing and endearing Mother. She is Goddess of all time and timelessness. She is the trinity in her essence. She is Earth, She is Air, She is Fire, She is Water. She is the breath that will move us, She will give us sight when we can't or refuse to see. Though, if we are stubborn, She may let us fall until we learn; and to the learning, She will cajole and inspire us. She will lead our eyes to the trees and remind us to listen to their song. She will give us Spirit to hear the symphony nature plays.
She is Kali Maa. She knew us as Her children before, and She welcomes us as Her children now; to devote our spirit to Her, to acknowledge, to surrender, to become, to evolve, to be. Come ready to engage the Mysteries!
DoK Program Outline
Baseline: (Months 1-3) These first months set the foundation for group work and individual practice. We establish the basics of the tradition and participants are introduced to ritual work with Kali Maa. An overview of philosophy, cosmology, and puja is provided. An introduction to the fundamental Tantric terms is offered and given context. Circle community building is essential (building trust, getting to know each other) during the first three months of our time together, as is making sure we're all on the same page regarding magickal or ritual work. Whether you come to DoK with a familiarity with ceremony (Hindu or otherwise) or not, everyone in DoK gradually comes to understand energy work as well as appropriate and respectful ways to approach Kali. Those in DoK also develop familiarity with traditional Tantric spiritual techniques and the evolving worship methods of the Sha'can tradition. Developing a relationship with one's mentor during this time helps facilitate the learning process and is strongly encouraged. Homework is also a component of all Daughters of Kali meetings, and while mandatory, there need be no stress around this part of the program. Homework is an opportunity to bring your creativity, curiosity, joy, and passion to the group. Required reading: Ajit Mookerjee's "Kali: The Feminine Force."
Explore & Interpret: (Months 4-6) Every meeting will have a formal teaching period as well as an experiential component. As you gain knowledge and facility with a variety of specific practices, you will naturally begin to reconcile and integrate your own spiritual background(s) and cultural upbringing with Sha'can and Maa as you feel Her in your heart. Our work together during this time will especially help this unfold into your own unique expression of devotion. Spiritual technologies derived from authentic Tantric sadhana (spiritual discipline) will deepen your connection to the Divine. To facilitate implementation of learnings, you will partner with group members to create your own teaching ceremonies around various cycles of Devi's energy: Creation, Preservation, Destruction & Transformation. Incorporating mantra, mudra, nyasa and yantra (as well as other learned tantrick techniques), you will engage your sensibilities and understanding within the group during these meetings. Required reading: Elizabeth Usha Harding's "Kali: Black Goddess of Dakshineswar."
Ritual, Practice & Devotion: (Months 7-9) During this phase of our gatherings, our work will become more focused on practices and devotional techniques as well as their implementation in ritual. This will include taking a leadership role of some sort (of your choice) during public pujas. Your individual psycho-spiritual growth and development on the path will inform how we integrate teachings and spiral them together in service to the group's objectives. Satyananda's "Kali Puja" will strongly guide our work during these months as we especially focus on memorization of mantras and delve more deeply into the sounds of Sanskrit.
Deepening & Initiation: (Months 10-12) The last phase of Daughters of Kali, which leads to initiation should one desire, intensifies the practices of Tantra and embodied experience. Specifically for those choosing to be initiated within the tradition, individuals are encouraged to enter into contemplation and meditation on the spiritual significance that this passage will have for them. Initiates carry a new name and receive a mantra as a sign of their commitment and devotion to the Divine Mother, as well as their willingness to work within the Sha'can tradition.
Read on for FAQ and some recommended reading for those in DoK.
Additional Details...
For those wishing to join DoK for the 2010-2011 Chakra, please reserve your space in advance by phone or e-mail. All Daughters of Kali™ meetings run from 12:30 - 4:00pm and fall on the Sunday of our open community worship circle, our Kali Puja, which takes place at 5:30pm. All DoK members are expected to join in the preparations for our public pujas.
PLEASE NOTE that in order to join the Daughters of Kali group, you MUST attend an open circle. Open circles take place in July (by appointment) and August. It is highly recommended that you also join us for one of our community puja ceremonies to better understand the nature of our celebration and devotional tradition. More information can be found on our calendar. If you cannot attend the information session due to a schedule conflict, yet feel that you still want to join the group, please contact us at info@sharanya.org and explain your situation. We look forward to hearing from you.
The recommended donation for each class is $40. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds and all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permissible by law. In lieu of a monetary contribution, those requiring financial assistance may donate their service to community. Assistance with our website, newsletter, public discussion forum, advertising and other endeavors are welcome. Donations benefit the ongoing work of SHARANYA and support our current initiatives and the establishment of a public goddess temple in San Francisco. All SHARANYA community members serve as volunteers in Her name. We are grateful for those who contribute so much to making the community viable, sustainable, and allow it to thrive!
The Daughters of Kali program also teaches and supports those who wish to facilitate mentorship circles around rites of passage and coming of age for girls and boys. Click here to find out more!
You will be guided on this journey by our founder, by current initiates, and by those who are also on the journey with you.
Now Online...Kali Vidya!
For everyone in DoK, an online component of learning and community is required. This helps promote continuity between in-person meetings and is facilitated through our mystery school, Kali Vidya. Also, those of you not in the Bay Area may join us for a series of classes that you can work through independently or with your current worship circle. To register, or for additional details and answers to specific questions, please contact us
About the teacher...
Rashani Chandranath Alexandre (PhD, DMin, MBA) is the founder and executive director of SHARANYA: The Maa Batakali Cultural Mission, Inc. She joins with initiates in the tradition to lead Daughters of Kali and our online introduction to Sha'can and a Western Shakta Tantra. Learn more about how SHARANYA started with Chandra's first diksha (initiation) into the Shakta tradition at the Maa Batakali Cultural Mission (a mandir dedicated to Goddess Kali Maa) in Puri (Orissa), and her subsequent "Left-hand path" Tantrick initiation at Kamakhya in Assam.
Learn more about Sha'can, our tradition »
Learn more about SHARANYA: The Maa Batakali Cultural Mission, Inc. »
Learn more about the intricacies of temple etiquette and what some of our first Daughters of Kali wanted to know when they joined... »
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You may also join our discussion forum for all those interested in the Dark Goddesses. This is a more general place to talk about Her mysteries. Come explore what it means to be one of the Daughters of Kali™ first-hand!
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