Facing Our Demons & Embracing Our Divinity

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What is the true nature of humanity?

Are we innately good or hardwired for harming?

How do I make sense of a tradition which honors beauty while much of the world seems so ugly?

Why, if the Divine Mother is benevolent, is there so much suffering?

Why do we struggle so much with our inner demons while being taught to embrace our divinity?

How can we establish a lasting peace between the warring factions inside our minds?

Can the Goddess really help us establish peace in both our inner and outer reality?

How do I invoke Her presence and draw her close to me?

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The Devīmāhātmyam, a seminal text of the Śakta Tradition, addresses the perennial questions of the nature of the universe, humankind, and divinity. It whispers through the ages of the wisdom and insight of our spiritual ancestors.

In its words we sense their delight in nature's bounty and horror at humanity’s destructive fury; their recognition of the Devī and the demon in every heart; and their understanding that everything in our experience is an expression of a greater reality— a reality we know as the Divine Mother.

In this course we will immerse ourselves in study of this ancient text, discovering within it an archetype of the ageless drama which unfolds to this day inside every mind and heart, and employing it as practice for facilitating greater courage, compassion, and capacity.

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The Devīmāhātmyam

Facing Our Demons & Embracing our Divinity

Guided by Natalie Backman

with Special Guest Teacher Shivā Tigunait, PhD

A Weekend of Live Interactive Study, Practice, Conversation & Community

From the comfort of your own living space

18 - 20 September, 2026

Plumb the depths of the Devīmāhātmyam to absorb the spiritual potency of these Sanskrit verses as awakened Mantra. Invite the Goddess into every facet of your life—every fiber of your being.

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Itinerary

Session One | Friday, 18 September  — 17:00 - 20:00 CET

Welcome & Why Are We Here?

Introduction to Durgā Devī

Meeting the Devī through Mantra

Session Two | Saturday, 19 September — 13:00 - 15:00 CET

The Devīmahātmyām | Historical & Cultural Context

The Devīmahātmyām |Origins & Structure of the text

Session Three | Saturday, 19 September — 17:00 - 20:00 CET

The Devīmahātmyām | The Legends of the Devī

Mahākālī, Mahālakshmī, Mahāsarasvatī—and Us

Session Four | Sunday, 20 September — 10:00 - 11:30 CET

Invoking the Devī | A Complete Practice of Tantric Haṭha Yoga

Session Five | Sunday, 20 September — 13:00 - 15:00 CET

Svādhyāya | Facing your Demons & Embracing your Divinity

 Personal Mythology | Composing your own ‘Hero’s Journey’

Session Six | Sunday, 20 September — 17:00 - 20:00 CET

A Specific Mantric Application for Navarātrī and Beyond

Prayers & Praise to Devī | Concluding Ritual

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Aligned Offerings

WE RISE | invoking the goddess

40-day Group Sādhanā of Mantra & Meditation

Guided by Natalie

21 September - 30 October

Navarātrī | Nine Nights with the Goddess

Celebrating Maa in Practice & Community

Hosted by Nine Unique Devis of the Śri Vidya Tradition

11 - 19 October