Worshiped in both orthodox Hindu and Tantric folds, Goddess Durga is a goddess of strength, courage, and justice. She is the embodiment of Shakti, the creative dynamic energy or power that animates and pervades existence. While her myth, qualities and iconography do not radically change within the various sects in which we find her in South Asia, her Shakta Tantric expression as a Goddess of Paradox and Invincible Power and as the Remover of Fear and Difficulty can teach us much about navigating the complex terrain of emotions that are triggered through every encounter and experience.
Tantra is a living philosophy that has ancient roots in earth-based, shamanic culture. While there are over 64 schools of Tantra, we can look to tantric tenets; specifically, in the female-centered Shakta tradition (circa 1500 BCE–700 CE) that challenge the status quo, question authority, and teach us to draw from an internal sense of spiritual power in order to face and transform suffering. Ultimately,...
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Amazzone, L. (2014). Durga. In: Leeming, D.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6086-2_9057
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