Causes do not set nature into motion; rather, they remove obstacles, allowing nature to move by itself. This is like a farmer breaking down a barrier to let water flow.
(As hindrances are removed by causes, nature penetrates effortlessly.)
—Patañjali yoga-sūtras 4.3, Swami Hariharananda Aranya
Greetings Friends and Supporters,
For each of our magical operations, we establish the initial conditions and appeal to the surrounding forces to remember us and our intentions. Then, we step aside—allowing Ganga Ma, the local deities, the Planets, and the Stars to have mercy upon us, to shine their light gently upon these gestures, so that these objects may be charged with the most uplifting currents to carry us through our lives.
Our magical operation known as BATHED took place on Mauni Amavasya, Kumbh Mela's most tender, quiet, and subtle bathing day. Mauni means "silent" or "one who observes silence." It was also the lunar new year.
We began before sunrise, at a moment both mystical and mildly cold, our boat floating in the bosom of the great Ganga Ma, facing northeast. Our altar was adorned with herbs, prayers, flowers, and light. Our minds were focused, our hearts open—tuned into the currents of Her waters, the Moon, the Grahas, the Gurus, the Devas, and the spirits.
Our root practice: to charge the 108 Limited Edition T-shirts.
Our Magical Altar Coins and uniquely chosen Rudrakshas were carefully tended to—rinsed, immersed, and bathed in Ma Ganga’s waters, absorbing the pristine charge of this potent New Moon and Lunar New Year, the Year of the Wood Snake.
Our main intention was the washing away of impurities—releasing them to Ma, who carries them, perhaps, into the eternal ethers. With each talismanic immersion, mantras echoed, prayers took flight, and receptive emptiness was filled with the first rays of dawn.
This project is not only a commemoration of the 10th and 20th anniversaries of previous Gently Down endeavors—it is a direct response to the times we are living in. It is an engagement with the Tower, as aspects of our personal and collective lives fall apart. The very purpose of these objects is to return new light to us all, allowing inspiration and guidance to be received as we look up from these dark places. We felt called to accelerate the release of limiting beliefs, stagnant energies, and the remnants of destruction.
And so, we turned to the river—opening ourselves to its reflection of our own inner light.
Varanasi is said to be a mirror of the universe itself—a sacred passage from the macrocosm (heaven) to the mesocosm (earth). The layout of the city, its temples, and the waters of Ganga Ma form a microcosm of divine order, embodying and reflecting the relationship between the cosmos and human existence. In this spirit, we act as conduits—letting go of all that no longer serves us or the mutual support of others.
Our next ritual, BEATEN, has also been completed. Stay tuned for news on this.
You can still claim one of these consecrated artifacts and become part of this ongoing journey of mutual light, guidance, and inspiration. If you feel called to flow along with us while this process unfolds in real time, immerse yourself NOW!
With reverence and river-soaked gratitude,
Barry & Spiros
Gently Down Project
https://gentlydown.bsky.social
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