A quick tip when learning new mantras!

what you will need: pen and notebook(a 1 subject 8x10 wide rule about 70 sheets will work)

sometimes it helps when learning and chanting new mantra's in addition to the regular mantra sadhanna(ritual) to write them down over and over again as many times as will help you to retain and understand the mantra, say the mantra out loud or quietly in your mind as you write it.   At the same time think of your goals you wish to achieve with the mantra and the meaning of the mantra itself! do this right before you go to bed and place the notebook under your pillow as the psychic energy created from writing down the mantra and chanting it will be absorbed into your consciousness while you sleep.  At the end of the mantra Sadhanna you can tear out the pages that you have written the mantra on fold them into a triangle and burn them.(please do this in a safe place outside and away from flammable objects) by burning them you are releasing the psychic energy and allowing it to absorb further into your conscious surroundings.  you can use the same notebook over and over again but should only use it for one mantra at a time...

if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me at shri_saman_lee@shri-shiva-shaktinath.com or post a comment here! if you would like to make a donation please click on the golden "paypal" button to the right above "important links" your kind gift is greatly appreciated!! :)

what is Shri Shiva Shaktipath Tantra?

It is said that there are as many Tantric paths as there are stars in the sky and the Shri Shiva Shaktipath is  one of them! There are many misconceptions about Tantra especially here in the west. Many think that all Tantra is Sex magic, Sex Rituals and Sex yoga etc. And in the east it is often misunderstood as black magic.  Although that may apply to some paths, it is not a focus or part of the Shri Shiva Shaktipath.  The focus here is on Uniting Shiva and Shakti within and without, Supreme Consciousness and Pure Energy or Shakti.  On this path it is recognized that there is no line between white and black magic or good and evil and that all acts can Create, Preserve and Destroy all intertwines and coexist. You will become Conscious of Energy unbound and how to work with it to manifest your will and desires through ritual, magic and ceremony as well as through meditations.  Although this is not a religion it is recognized on this path that there are divine forces within all things and we are very much a part of it, Intelligent Energy. and we honor that Intelligent Energy, through ritual and ceremony as well as meditation.  We give them images and names to bring them to the realm of our minds understanding.  You will learn the Shri Shiva Shaktipath Tantra of Ganesh, The Shri Shiva Shaktipath Tantra of Shiva and Kali and the Shri Shiva Shaktipath Tantra of Bhairava! Tantra here is true magic, and a true magical path...all this you will learn and more on the Shri Shiva Shaktipath.

Lesson 4 Chanting of the Gayatri Mantra

Lesson 4 Chanting of the Gayatri Mantra.  The Gayatri Mantra is probably one of the oldest and most widely used Mantras! And is a very important mantra in Shri Shiva Shaktipath Tantra! This is the mantra that will activate and energize your inner light! an important step in becoming a Tantric Practioner or Priest! This light exsists within all that is was and shall be and exsists within you! it is pure energy! divine energy!

         Once you have completed a 48 day sadhanna performing the rituals in Lesson 2 and or Lesson 3
including the chanting of Lord Ganesh's Mantra "Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah" you have completed the first step in initiation onto the Shri Shiva Shaktipath! CONGRATULATIONS!! You are ready to begin Chanting of the Gayatri mantra! continue the rituals from Lesson 2 and or Lesson 3 daily as you have been for the past 48 days! after you have completed your ritual on a Tuesday begin recitation of the Gayatri Mantra and include this at the end of your daily sadhannas(rituals) in the same sitting. I recomend that you chant the Mantra 108 times each day for 40 days to gain siddhi of the mantra and should be accomplished before moving on to the next lesson. 

         it is also recomended that you chant the mantra out loud for as many times as it takes for you to be comfortable enough to chant it silently and perfectly in your mind(where its effect will be greater) Once you are comfortable, begin chanting the mantra silently in your mind starting on a Tuesday and begin your 40 day sadhanna.

  How to Chant the Gayatri mantra:

Aum bhur bhuvah svaha

tat savitur varenyam

bhargo devasya dhimahi

dhiyo yo nah pracdayaat

pronunsciation:

OM BUR BOOV AH SVA HA

TUT SAW VEE TUR VA REN YUM

BARGO DAVE AWS YA DEE MA HEE

DEE YO YO NAH PRAW CHO DIE YACHT

you can use the same mala you have been using to chant the Ganesh mantra and follow the Mantra Jappa instructions from Lesson 2 and or Lesson 3 if you have any questions or concerns about this or any of the other posts and Lessons please feel free to contact me by commenting here or send me an email shri_saman_lee@shri-shiva-shaktinath.com if you would like to make a donation please click on the golden paypal "Donate" button to the right above important links! your kind gift is greatly appreciated!! Blessings! :)



Meet Shri Saman Lee :)

       Shri Saman Lee is the High Priest of The Shri Shiva Shaktinath Tantric Priesthood Order! and has been practicing Shri Shiva Shaktipath Tantra since 2005 and has been an initiated Tantric Priest since 2008.  Prior to 2005 Shri Saman Lee was a practicing Shaivite Hindu and studied through the online courses from Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami of the Himalayan Academy as well as through his own research, personal study and meditation.  Shri Saman Lee has always has had an interest in Eastern Philosophy, Magic, Ritual, Ceremony and the Occult.  Even at a young age, where he would tell the fortunes of his friends through a simple child's game of reading cards :) Early on in his life he felt an energy in all things that connected the entire universe! This spiritual energy is the core of every thing! and Shri Shiva Shaktipath Tantra gave Shri Saman Lee what he needed to discover and work with that Energy, without the contradictions of idle philosophys and scriptures.  Experience is what its all about and now Shri Saman Lee offers that experience to you through Shri Shiva Shaktinaths online School of Tantra.

A note from Shri Saman Lee: "Welcome To Shri Shiva Shaktinaths online school of Tantra!  I hope you will enjoy your experience.  It has always been my personal philosophy, that great knowledge should be shared with those who seek it,  And that is what this is all about! If you have any questions,  or would just like to say hi, please feel free to contact me shri_saman_lee@shri-shiva-shaktinath.com and I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible. Blessings to you!"- Shri Saman Lee

Prasadam

Prasadam is food that has been offered in Araati's or Puja's(prayer rituals) and can be eatin and shared after the ritual, this internalizes the blessings! Usually the one performing the ritual will offer the prasadam to the others who have attended.

new promotional video for our online school of Tantra!

Holy days and festivals of Lord Ganesh!

Ganesh's holy day every week is Tuesday! all sadhannas and rituals associated with Ganesh should begin on this day!

Ganesh also has a holy day which only occurs a few times a year known as Ganesh Chauth which occurs on the 4th day after the new moon and is only observed if this day falls on a Tuesday! the next one for 2011 occurs on November 29th

Ganesh's Main Festival is Ganesh Chauthurthi Ganesh's Birthday! according to myth this is the time in which Lord Ganesh was born into existence! and falls in the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period or 4th day after the new moon). This typically comes sometime between 20th of August and 15th of September. The festival lasts for 10 days and is celebrated with much grandeur and festivities! it kicks off the festival season in India! usually people will set up a special shrine in a central location in the home just for this festival at the center of that shrine a colorful clay image of Lord Ganesh! that is worshiped with ritual, offerings and songs, music and dance for the entire 10 day festival on the last day it is tradition to submerge the image in a natural body of water which symblizes his return to the cosmos! this year Ganesh Chauturthi begins on September 2nd 2011...

Pancha Ganapati is a western festival for Ganesh it is a gift giving festival that was started so Hindu immigrants could join in the festivities of the Western worlds holiday season, especially the children! and is celebrated for 5 days from the 21 through the 25th of December! a shrine with Lord Ganesh as Pancha Ganapati(Lord Ganesh with 5 heads) is set up in a central main spot in the home(like the Christmas tree) and decorated with many colors and twinkling lights! or a new popular shrine is the western tradition of a Christmas tree decorated with symbols and images of Lord Ganesh with a 5 pointed star at the top! each day Ganesha puja is performed and gifts are placed at the shrine or placed under the tree; gifts for friends, family members, co workers and neighbors! as well as the poor and charitable gifts! it is also a custom during this time to volunteer or give gifts to family's and children in need! as Ganesh Favours Charity! on the last day the family's gifts are opened and enjoyed!:)

even though this is a non Hindu path its still fun to enjoy in Lord Ganesh's Hindu Festivals and recognize his holy days associated with Hindu tradition!! for a Tantric these are important times  in which Rituals associated with Lord Ganesh will surely produce desired results! if you would like to make a donation please click on the golden paypal "Donate" button to the right of the blog above important links! Your kind gift is greatly appreciated! :)

Lesson 3

LESSON 3 (Shri Ganesha Araati with Sanskrit pronunciation)

I recomend that you perform the English version from Lesson 2 a few times to where you are pretty comfortable performing the ritual before moving on to this lesson. I would also recomend that you start out small as in using some english chants and some sanskrit and add more and more till you are performing the entire ritual using sanskrit pronunciation! once you have it down I would perform the ritual for a consistant 48 days not only to assist in gaining siddhi of Lord Ganesh but to also familiarize yourself with sanskrit pronunciation!

Ganesha Arati

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah                                    

(OM SHREE GUN NAY SHY A NA MA)                                               

I Salute the Lord and Remover of obstacles                          

Om Sri Gurubhyo Namah                                                                 

(OM SHREE GIR ROO BE YO NA MA)

I Salute The Guru

Om Sri Saraswatyei Namah                                                                  

(OM SHREE SARAH SWAT YAY NA MA)

I salute the Goddess who is seated upon the tongue guiding speech

Om Sri Kula Devatabhyo Namah                        

(OM SHREE DAVE AW TAW BE YO NA MA)

I Salute the Family Gods and Goddess’s

Om Sri Ishta Devatabhyo Namah

(OM SHREE EESH TAW DAVE AW TAW BE YO NA MA)

I Salute my personal Gods and Godess’s

                 
Om Sri Mata Pitribyham Namah

(OM SHREE MAW TAW PEE TREE BE YA HUM NA MA)

I Salute the God who is the form of father and

the Goddess who is the form of Mother

                     

24 great names of Vishnu:

Om Sri Keshavaya Swaha(sip water)

(OM SHREE KESHA VIE YA SWA HA)

Transcendental wisdom

Om Sri Narayanaya Swaha(sip water)

(OM SHREE NARAW YAWN NIE YA SWA HA)

Ultimate Beatification

Om Sri Madhavaya Swaha(sip water)

(OM SHEE MUD HA VIE YA SWA HA)

Noble prosperity

Om Sri Govindaya Namah

(OM SHREE GO VIN DIE YA NA MA)
Remove Obstacles

Om Sri Vishnave Namah

(OM SHREE VEESH NAW VAY NA MA)

Universal Consciousness

Om Sri Madhusudanaya Namah
(OM SHREE MUD WHO SOO DAWN NIE YA NA MA)
eliminates the selfish ego

Om Sri Trivikramaya Namah

(OM SHREE TREE VEE KRUM MY YA NA MA)
know the three worlds

Om Sri Vamanaya Namah
(OM SHREE VAW MA NIE YA NA MA)
Obtain humility and natural virtue

Om Sri Sridharaya Namah

(OM SHREE SHREED HAR RIE YA NA MA)
obtain spiritual and material wealth

Om Sri Hrishikeshaya Namah
(OM SHREE HREE SHEE KESH EYE YA NA MA)
Controle the five senses

Om Sri Padmanabhaya Namah
(OM SHREE POD MAW NAWB HI YA NA MA)
Blossoming of the navel lotus

Om Sri Damodaraya Namah
(OM SHREE DAW MOE DAR RIE YA NA MA)
God revealed  in preferred form

Om Sri Sankarshanaya Namah
(OM SHREE SON KAR SHAW NIE YA NA MA)
Principle of attraction blossoms

Om Sri Vasudevaya Namah
(OM SHREE VAW SOO DAVE EYE YA NA MA)
All Pervadeing one

Om Sri Pradyumaya Namah
(OM SHREE PROD YOU MY YA NA MA)
Becoming the Divine Heir

Om Sri Aniruddhaya Namah

(OM SHREE AW NEE RUDE HI YA NA MA)

light of god shines through you

Om Sri Purushothamaya Namah

(OM SHREE PURU SHOW TA HA MY YA NA MA)

God revealed through the transcendental person.

Om Sri Adhokshajaya Namah

(OM SHREE ODD HOKE SHAW JIE YA NA MA)

the third eye opens

Om Sri Narasimhaya Namah
(OM SHREE NAR RAW SIM HI YA NA MA)
Evil propensities destroyed

Om Sri Achyutaya Namah

(OM SHREE AWCH YOO TIE YA NA MA)
Invincibility blossoms

Om Sri Janardanaya Namah

(OM SHREE JON ARE DONE EYE YA NA MA)
See God in everything

Om Sri Upendraya Namah

(OM SHREE OO PEN DRY YA NA MA)
your Lordship blossoms

Om Sri Haraye Namah

(OM SHREE HAR RIE YAY NA MA)                                                      
Supreme bliss

Om Sri Krishnaya Namah
(OM SHREE KREESH NIE YA NA MA)
Krishna the divine

sprinkle water on yourself and on the image of Ganesh with a flower or leaf.

Foot bath:

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah padyam samarpayami
(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA POD YUM SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the lord of obstacles and
offer water to wash your holy feet.

Water for washing hands and mouth:

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah acamaniyam samarpayami

(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA AWCH AH MAWN EE YUM SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles and

offer water to wash your hands and mouth.

Scented Oil:

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah udvartana samarpayami

(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA OOD VAR TAW NA SUMMAR PIE YA MEE)

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles with

this offering of scented oil.

Rudraksha Mala:

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah Rudraksha malam samarpayami

(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA RUDE ROCK SHAW MA LUM SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of a Rudraksha mala.

Mala:

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah malam samarpayami
(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA MA LUM SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles
with this offering of a mala.

Ornaments:

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah alankaran samarpayami
(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA AW LAWN KAR RUN SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles
with this offering of ornaments.

Clothing:

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah vastram samarpayami
(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA VAW STRUM SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles
with this offering of fine clothing.
 
Flower Garland:
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah pushpamalam samarpayami
(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA PUSH PAW MA LUM SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles
with this offering of a flower garland.
Wrist mala:
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah manibandha malam samarpayami
(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA MAW NEE BOND HA MA LUM SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles
with this offering of a mala for your wrist.

Crown:

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah zekhara samarpayami
(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA ZECK HAR RAW SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles
with this offering of crown for your head.

Flower:

ete gandhapushpe Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
(EH TAY GAWN’D HA PUSH PAY OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA)
with this offering of flowers we bow to Lord Ganapati,
the Lord of obstacles. (say for each flower offering)

Incense:
wave incense around deity and chant the following mantra:
esa dhupah om gam ganapataye namah
(EH SHAW DOO PAW OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles
with this offering incense

Dipa/Light:
(Light candle and gently wave in front of deity in a clockwise circular motion and say the following prayer)

Esa dipah om gam ganapataye namah
(EH SHAW DEE PAW OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles
with this offering of light.

Food:

(sprinkle water with your right hand over all food offerings while saying the following prayer and offer food:)

Om Gam Ganapataye namah naivedyam samarpayami

(OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA NIE VED YUM SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles
with this offering of food.

Rice:
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah aksatam samarpayami
(OM SHREE GUM GAWN A POT EYE YAY YA NA MA AWK SHAW TOM SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles with this offering of rice.

Japa:

Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah(108 times)

and then meditate on the presence of the God.

::Ganesh Mantras and Jappa instructions::

the first one is the most simple and a single syllable
it is Ganesh’s Bija Mantra “GAM” pronounced Gum
like chewing gum we recommend u begin chanting
this mantra first 108 times each day for atleast 40 days
and then move on to his main mantra...the Next Mantra
 is Ganesh’s main Mantra it is:
 “AUM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAH “
pronounced Om gum gawn a pot eye yay na ma...this
is a most powerful mantra and will ensure the blessings
of Lord Ganesh. he is the lord of obstacles, the lord of
education, the gate keeper! He will bring with him
blessings of Good Fortune, Good luck And Success!!

::how to chant::
for best results we recommend you sit down at a quite
time in a quiet place facing west it does not matter how
you sit as long as you are comfortable and relaxed. with
your eyes closed and holding the mala in your right hand
as in the picture, in between your
thumb and middle finger. say the
mantra for each bead on the mala
while pulling the beads toward
yourself and down starting with
the first bead just after the guru
bead and stop just before the guru
bead, do not count the guru bead....for a total of 108 chants
you may chant the mantra out loud or quietly in your mind.
try to pick a time during the day at which you can do this
activity at the same time each day......May the blessings
of Lord Ganesh be upon you!!
Waveing of the Light:
chant the following mantra 3 times while waveing the main Dipa or Araati Lamp infront of the deity in a circular pattern going clockwise:

Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe

Vakratundaya Dhimahi
Tanno Dantih Pracodayaat
(OM EH KAW DAWN TIE YA VEED MA HAY
VA KRAW TOON DIE YA DEE MA HEE
TAWN NO DAWN TEE PRAW CHO DIE YACHT)
We devote our thought to the one-tusked Lord.
We meditate upon Him who has a curved trunk.
May the tusked One grant us increase

Flower:

ete gandhapushpe Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
(EH TAY GAWN’D HA PUSH PAY OM GUM GAWN NA POT EYE YAY NA MA)
with this offering of flowers we bow to Lord Ganapati,
the Lord of obstacles. (say for each flower offering)

Concluding Mantras:

Twameva Mata Chapita Twameva
Twameva Bandhu-scha Sakah Twameva
Twameva Vidya Dravinam Twameva
Twameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva
(TWAA MAY VAW MA TA CHAW PEETA TWAA MAY VAW
TWAA MAY VAW BOND WHO SH CHA SOCK AW TWAA MAY VAW
TWAA MAY VAW VEED YA DRAW VEE NAWM TWAA MAY VAW
TWAA MAY VAW SAR VAWM MA MA DAVE AW DAVE AW)
You are Father You are Mother
you are Relative and Friend
you are wisdom and wealth
you are everything, Oh God Supreme

Kayena Vacha Mana-sendri Yairva
Budhyatma-nava Prikriti Swabhavat
Karomi Yad yet Sakalam Parasmai
Narayana-yei Ti Samarpayami
(KIE YAY NAW VAW CHAW MAW NA SEND REE YAIR VAW
BOOD HE YACHT MA NA VAW PREE KREE TEE SWAB HA VAWT
KAR OM ME YAWD YET SOCK KALL UM PAR AWS MY
NAR EYE AWN AW YAY TEE SUM MAR PIE YA MEE)
Everything which I may have
done through thought, word
or deed, through habit or Karma,
I offer to you, Lord of all forms

Om Asatoma Sad Gamaya
Tama Soma Jyothir Gamaya
Mrit-yorma Amrritam Gamaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
(OM AW SAW TOW MA SOD GUM EYE YA
TAW MA SOMA JOY TEER GUM EYE YA
MRIT YOUR MA AWM RIT AWM GUM EYE YA
OM SHAWN TEE SHAWN TEE SHAWN TEE)
Lead us from unreality to reality
From darkness to light
From death to immortality
Om shanti shanti shanti
 
Wave Main dipa or Araati Lamp in front of Deity and sing or chant;
Jaya Jaya Ganesha pronounced Jie ya Jie ya Gun nay sha

if you have any questions please leave a comment or send me an email shri_saman_lee@shri-shiva-shaktinath.com please view Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 as well as Lesson 1 and 2(extra) as well as the Lesson 2 ritual video for further instructions and examples! JAI GANESHA! if you would like to make a Donation please click the paypal "Donate" button to the right above "important links". Your kind gift is greatly appreciated! Thank you...

Lesson 2 Ritual video

Shri Saman Lee Performing Shri Ganesha Araati in English with "AUM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAH" mantra.  please refer to Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 as well as example photos in Lesson 1 and 2 (extra) if you have any questions or concerns please leave a comment or contact by email shri_saman_lee@shri-shiva-shaktinath.com if you would like to make a donation please click on the pay pal donate button to the right above important links! your kind gift is greatly appreciated! JAI GANESHA!!

Lesson 1 and 2(extra)

here is an example picture of an offering tray! the items on the tray include; Uncooked Rice, Raisens, Sugar milk with a sprinkle of nutmeg, two dixie cups of water one for offering and one for drinking and washing hands and feet of Ganesh, incense, scented oil and some flower blossoms.

Here is a picture of the alter with offerings, lighters and printed Araati before ritual..

Technical Difficulties

ok so due to "technical difficulties" I was unable to post the english Shri Ganesha araati video and example pics of offering trays. I will have them posted within the next couple days! so please accept my apologies. Apparently technology is not perfect ;) Next Tuesday Lesson 3 - Shri Ganesha Araati with Sanskrit Transliteration and proper pronunciation of Mantras!

Lesson 2(How to perform a Shri Ganesha Prayer ritual in english)

Namaste,
sorry that I am posting this late in the day but here is the instructions on how to perform your very own Shri Ganesha Prayer Ritual known  as an "Araati or Aarti" Last Tuesday Lesson 1was given discussing how to set up and prepare for your new Shri Ganesha Shrine and what type of offerings would be appropriate as well what type of mala you would need and where to obtain your own Shri Ganesha Ritual mala! if you have any questions about this or past lessons please leave a comment or send me an email shri_saman_lee@shri-shiva-shaktinath.com

Lesson 2

early in the morning at sunrise, at 12 noon or early in the evening at sunset(the time at which you can perform this prayer ritual is not of huge importance as long as you pick a time that you can do this ritual at the same time every day, the times I listed are just prefered times but everyones daily schedual is not the same and it may not be possible for you to perform ritual at prefered times listed so the time you choose is really up to you!) so after a calming bath or shower, dress in clean light comfortable clothing! should be red in color. prepare your offerings and arrange them on your large plate or serving tray.  items to be placed on tray should include the following 1 stick of incense, at least 4 red flowers, dried fruit(or raisens)placed in to paper confection cups, sugar milk(made with a teaspoon of sugar) placed into small dixie cups, two dixie cups of water, adornments for ganesh; flower garlands, malas etc... refer to Lesson 1 for full list of appropriate offerings and tools( it is not required to offer all items listed in the lessons or the actual ritual the only items you should have every time are water, food offering, incense, candle(light), and flowers.) you will also need a lighter or matches to light the candle and incense. with your tray of offerings and ritual items sit in a comfortable position(cross legged or what is most comfortable and a position you will be able to meditate in. keep eveything within easy reach and do not place the offering tray or lighters on alter when you make the individual offerings durring the ritual you can place them individually onto the alter as they are being offered ok you are ready to begin! :)

you may want to print the actual ritual

Ganesha Arati

(Ring the bell for each salutation)

I Salute the Lord and Remover of Obstacles

I Salute The Guru

I Salute the Goddess who is seated upon the tongue guiding speech

I Salute the Family Gods and Goddess’s

I Salute my personal Gods and Godess’s

I Salute the God who is the form of father and

the Goddess who is the form of Mother

24 great aspects of Vishnu:

I Salute Transcendental wisdom, I am one with God(sip water)

I Salute Ultimate Beatification, I am one with God(sip water)

I Salute Noble prosperity, I am one with God (sip water)

I Salute the Removal of Obstacles

I Salute Universal Consciousness

I Salute the Elimination of the selfish ego

I Salute the knowing the three worlds

I Salute the Obtainment of humility and natural virtue

I Salute the Obtainment of spiritual and material wealth

I Salute the Control of the five senses

I Salute the Blossoming of the navel lotus

I Salute God revealed in preferred form

I Salute the Principle of attraction blossoming

I Salute the All Pervadeing one

I Salute Becoming the Divine Heir

I Salute the light of god shining through us

I Salute God revealed through the transcendental person.

I Salute the opening of the third eye

I Salute the destruction of Evil propensities

I Salute the blossoming of Invincibility

I Salute Seeing God in everything

I Salute your Lordship blossoming

I Salute Supreme bliss

I Salute Krishna the divine

sprinkle water on yourself and on the image of lord Ganesh with a flower or leaf.

Foot bath:(dip your right middle finger into the water and touch Lord Ganesh’s feet)

om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the lord of obstacles and

offer water to wash your holy feet.

Water for washing hands and mouth:(dip your right middle finger into the water and touch Lord Ganesh’s hands and mouth)

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles and

offer water to wash your hands and mouth.

Scented Oil:(place a small amount of scented oil on your right middle finger and touch Lord Ganesh’s hands feet and third eye. If using a yantra DO NOT touch yantra with scented oil)

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles with

this offering of scented oil.

Rudraksha Mala:

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of a Rudraksha mala.

Mala:

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of a mala.

Ornaments:

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of ornaments.

Clothing:

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of fine clothing.

Ornaments:

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of ornaments.

Flower Garland:

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of a flower garland.

Wrist mala:

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of a mala for your wrist.

Crown:

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of crown for your head.

Flower:

with this offering of flowers we bow to Lord Ganapati,

the Lord of obstacles. (say for each flower offering)

Incense:

(wave incense around deity and chant the following mantra:)

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering incense

Candle/Light:

(Light candle and gently wave in front of deity in a clockwise circular motion and say the following prayer:)

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of light.

Food:

(sprinkle water with your right hand over all food offerings while saying the following prayer and offer food:)

Om we bow to Lord Ganapati, the Lord of obstacles

with this offering of food.

Japa:

Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah(108 times)

and then meditate on the presence of the God.

::Ganesh Mantras and Jappa instructions::

the first one is the most simple and a single syllable

it is Ganesh’s Bija Mantra “GAM” pronounced Gum

like chewing gum we recommend u begin chanting

this mantra first 108 times each day for at least 40 days

and then move on to his main mantra...the Next Mantra

 is Ganesh’s main Mantra it is:

 “AUM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAH “

pronounced Om gum gawn a pot eye yay na ma...this

is a most powerful mantra and will ensure the blessings

of Lord Ganesh. he is the lord of obstacles, the lord of

education, the gate keeper! He will bring with him

blessings of Good Fortune, Good luck And Success!!

::how to chant::

for best results we recommend you sit down at a quite

time in a quiet place facing west it does not matter how

you sit as long as you are comfortable and relaxed. with

your eyes closed and holding the mala in your right hand

in between the tips of your thumb and middle finger. say the

mantra for each bead on the mala while pulling the beads toward

yourself and down starting with the first bead just after the guru

bead and stop just before the guru bead, do not count the guru bead....for a total of 108 chants

you may chant the mantra out loud or quietly in your mind.

Waveing of the Light:

(Wave the candle in a clockwise circular motion in front of Ganesh and chant the following mantra out loud 3 times)

Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah

Flower:

with this offering of flowers we bow to Lord Ganapati,

the Lord of obstacles.

Concluding Prayer:

You are Father You are Mother

you are Relative and Friend

you are wisdom and wealth

you are everything, Oh God Supreme

Everything which I may have

done through thought, word

or deed, through habit or Karma,

I offer to you, Lord of all forms

Lead us from unreality to reality

From darkness to light

From death to immortality

Om shanti shanti shanti(pronounced OM SHAWN TEE, SHAWN TEE, SHAWN TEE)

Wave Main dipa or Araati Lamp in front of Deity and sing or chant;

Jaya Jaya Ganesha pronounced Jie ya Jie ya Gun nay sha

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

perform this ritual daily or atleast offer a flower daily and do jappa of the Mantra, and offer the full ritual every tuesday. continueing this for 48 days will give you Siddhi of Lord Ganesh! and you will have completed the first part of intiation onto the path. its that simple!! :) If you have any questions or concerns about this ritual please feel free to contact me either by leaving a comment or through email shri_saman_lee@shri-shiva-shaktinath.com tomorrow Weds the 13th of July 2011 I will post a video of this prayer ritual being performed from start to finish in english and some example pics of offering trays!! AUM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAH!! may the blessings of Lord Ganesh be upon you..

Cool Ganesh fact for the day!!

Lord Ganesh Is the gate keeper he is the mediator between this world and the spiritual world! only he can open the door for us to commune with the many other Gods and Goddess's as well as open the gate for our desires to manifest in this world, as he is also Lord over the Physical plain and the God who is seated upon the Earth.  And he is known in almost every spiritual tradition! In Voodoo he is known as Papa legba, in Santeria he is known as Ellegua and so on... he is the ruler of the five elements and stands at the crossroads with his five amazing heads each one representing one of the five elements of which all things manifest! his symbol an upright pointed star like a pentagram each point representing an element and is the Tantric symbol for the Earth of which he is Lord.

Lesson 1

Lesson one will provide the information for setting up a proper Shri Ganesha Shrine! so that you can perform your own Araati! an Araati is a simple invocation ceremony that will propitiate Lord Ganesh to Bestow his blessings and grace upon the practitioner.

Step 1 - You will need to find the perfect Image of Lord Ganesh that you will want to have at the center of your new shrine or alter, they can be made out of stone, metal or clay and even gemstones or roots if you do not wish to invest in a Murthi(statue) you can simply frame your favorite picture of Lord Ganesh and place a thin sheet of copper behind it inside the frame(copper rolls can be obtained at most craft and hardware stores) here is list of some reliable online Stores that sell Ganesh statues:

http://www.sacredsource.com/Ganesh/products/55/

http://www.mas-india.com/ganesh.html

http://lotus-sculpture.stores.yahoo.net/ganesh-hindu-god-lord-ganapati-ganesha-remover-obstacles-elephant-statue.html we have purchased two Beautiful custom made Granite Murthis from this store I highly recomend Lotus Sculpture

Statues of Lord Ganesh can be found at many shops online this is just a list of the ones we have dealt with directly. Statues of Ganesh can also be found at local pagan and new age shops as well as some Asian inspired home decorating stores. I would suggest picking out one that will last a lifetime and one that you will be able to perform Abhishekam(ritual bath) on. usually clays and woods are not ideal for ritual bathing once you have found the perfect Image of Lord Ganesh you can move on to step 2

Step 2  - Find the perfect spot in your home for your new Shri Ganesha Shrine! pick a quite spot in your home that you will not have interruptions or be disturbed while performing your rituals and that will be out of the way of pets and small children. you will want to pick a spot so that when you sit before it you will be facing west and Lord Ganesh will be facing east. you will want to place your shrine onto a sturdy non flamable surface such as a table, box or shelf. large enough to hold your ritual items and Image of Lord Ganesh as well as your offerings. cover it with a clean non flammable red cloth or simply paint the top of it red.(if painting it you can decorate it with symbols related to Lord Ganesh)place the image of Lord Ganesh at the center of the alter or shrine.

Step 3 - Ritual items that you will need to perform your Araati, Sweet smelling incense, red or white candle(glass encased blank or plain Novena or prayer candles are the most economical and safest to use), a metal serving tray or large plate big enough to hold your offerings, small confection cups to hold your dry food items, small dixie cups to hold your liquid items,a small hand held bell, and some red flowers(the most economical and appropriate way to do this is to buy some nice silk flowers that you can reuse each day replace them when they have become worn and dirty), 1 or 4 coins of any denomination( you can reuse these each day as well), some adornments to decorate Lord Ganesh's image; made out of gold, silver, copper, garnet, or coral, red aventurine or red sandalwood, red mardi gras beads, or red beads of any material, and a red or multi colored floral garland that you can make yourself by stringing the flowers of real flowers or silk flowers or simply go to any party store and find a nice red lei of flowers that you can cut and tie to fit your image of lord ganesh. if your murthi is large enough you can also dress your murthi by simply draping some nice decorative red non flammable cloth around the image of Lord Ganesh!

Step 3 - Food offerings made To Lord Ganesh should include the following; Grains of uncooked rice, dried fruits or simply raisins,water and some milk mixed with a teaspoon of sugar .

Step 4 - you will need a mala(rosary/prayer beads) 108 count should be a Hindu Tantric traditional style mala with knots in between the beads and can be made out of the following materials, Red aventurine(ideal for beginners), red coral, red garnet, red jade, copper, red cats eye and red sandalwood, and quartz crystal.  Red garnet, Quartz crystal, red jade  and red cats eye are probably the most economical way to go as you will be able to use these mala's later on for shakti rituals as well. Appropriate mala's can be found at our online Tantra Emporium on Etsy.com at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShriShivaShaktinath mala's can sometimes be found locally at new age and pagan shops as well. if the mala is not made well or traditionally it may not work as well or last as long.

Example pic:

If you have any questions concerning Lesson 1 please feel free to comment or contact me by email shri_saman_lee@shri-shiva-shaktinath.com I will do my best to respond within 24 hours! Lesson 2 will be given next Tuesday and will give instructions on how to perform an appropriate Shri Ganesha Araati in English and using a Sanskrit Ganesh mantra for meditation or jappa.  In the meantime each day I will post various facts on Lord Ganesh and how he is viewed according to Shri Shiva Shaktinath Tantra....If you would like to make a donation please click on the pay pal donate button to the right of our blog and thank you in advance for your kind gift! each gift ensures we can continue our online School of Tantra

AUM SHANTI 

Welcome the first day of Shri Shiva Shaktinaths online school of Tantra!

Shri Ganesh Araati for July 5th 2011 Please view to recieve Darshan(blessings of Lord ganesh)

Tomorrow the 5th of July!

Tomorrow Tuesday the 5th of July we officially begin our online school of Tantra! each day will begin with an Araati to Lord Ganesh! Tomorrows course will deal with how to properly set up a Shri Shiva Shakti path Shrine for Lord Ganesh! and what you will need to begin your Sadhannas unto Lord Ganesh! Hope eveyone in America is having a Great 4th of July Holiday!!