Navratri

Today is the start of ten most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar which will culminate in the festival of Dussera and then will be followed by Diwali. But while this is a time of joy, family, prosperity, and celebration, ironically enough the ten days of Navratri are also about a time of war. Whether it be the battle of Ram with Ravan or Durga annihilating the demons. And for that reason I can't think of a more relevant time than today to revisit what lies at the heart of this season. With all the natural and man made disasters that have struck the world so recently, we have to understand that peace and prosperity are not a given. We as humans must each find that strength in us to constantly fight the powers of destruction and  re-establish order and safety. If we don't cherish and guard our environment, or give heed to elements in society who are marginalized and need equality and fairness, they will fight back and will leave a trail of loss in their wake. So this Navratri, let us take a moment to reaffirm our responsibility to the people around us and to the delicately balanced world that we live in.