Gathering the forces of healing

Awakening the Goddess Within

At the beginning of the second chapter, we encounter a scene of deep despair — the Gods have been defeated by Mahishasura. But this defeat is more than just a loss in battle; their very roles, powers, and identities have been stripped away. They are helpless, disoriented, without direction. In their vulnerability, they turn to Shiva and Vishnu, and from this collective cry for help, a new force is born — the Goddess. Each God contributes a part of themselves: weapons, powers, attributes. And thus, She is formed — a composite of all that is life-affirming and potent. She sets forth to battle the Asuras.

When I reflect on my experience with depression, I recognize that time as my own personal encounter with Mahishasura. I didn’t want to get out of bed. I barely took care of myself. I had no desire to speak, to feel, or to engage with life. Everything felt dim and heavy. I would spend hours brooding, crying, replaying painful memories, and watching my self-worth crumble to nothing.

And yet, something within me endured. Perhaps the part of me that still held onto Goodness — the divine spark — began to call forth the Goddess. Through therapy, poetry, reading, writing, and healing practices, I slowly began to gather the energy I needed. Yoga helped. Walking helped. Each act, however small, was a gift offered to the emerging Shakti within. These resources, like the Gods’ gifts, became the weapons and strengths I needed to wage my inner war.

This chapter, for me, is about recognizing the depth of our sorrow, the weight of our patterns, and the need to prepare for transformation. The Goddess’s battle is a metaphor. The smaller Asuras — the minor tendencies, resistances, and defenses — must be faced first. Grief, disgust, anger, helplessness, and despair rise to the surface, much like the noise and bloodshed of war. These must be met before we can confront the deeper source of our suffering — our own Mahishasura.

Many speak of the spiritual path as one of joy and peace. And perhaps it is. But before that joy can be realized, we must shed our attachments, our illusions, our false identities. This is not an easy path. It is a path of fire, of facing the darkness within. But it is also a path of reclamation — of gathering all the life-giving forces inside us to awaken the Divine Feminine — Shakti — who leads the way.

So I ask you:

What is the power within you that will help you wage this war?