Wholeness Is Limiting—Possibilities Emerge When We're in Pieces Everyone experiences brokenness at some point in their lives—a romantic relationship fails, a job ends, a dream dies, an illness emerges. During these times it is easy to focus on our human frailty and to want nothing more than to be whole again. But what are we missing when we overlook the ugliness, fear, anger and vulnerability of being in pieces? The Nityas, or the Eternal Moon Phase Goddesses of Tantric philosophy, teach us that we miss the empowerment of the full human experience and the growth that comes from renewing ourselves again and again. This introduction to Tantric mythology as a contemporary resource for personal and spiritual growth guides you to reach into your pain and ask the larger questions about your relationships, not only with your lover but also with your community and with yourself. Each goddess prompts you to explore some aspect of relationship, such as loneliness, true love, equality, instinct, learning from the other, and learning to be alone. In seeking answers to these questions—supported by yogic wisdom, modern research into psychology and sociology, and nightly meditation and journaling practices—you will find empowerment in discovering who you are and what you truly desire.

Table of Contents:
Prologue: Lying Broken Introduction: Nityas—The Eternal Moon Phase Goddesses Part One: Desire First Night Kamesvari Nitya—The Goddess of Loneliness: Discovering Loneliness as a Source of Power Second Night Bhagamalini Nitya—The Goddess of Disruptive Desire: When Desire Ruins Everything (and That's a Very Good Thing) Third Night Klinna Nitya—The Goddess of Embodiment: The Healing Power of Sex, Sweat, and Tears Fourth Night Bherunda Nitya—The Goddess of Vulnerability: The Hidden Power of Vulnerability Fifth Night Vahnivasini Nitya—The Goddess of Choice: A Call to Action: Learning to Make Our Own Choices Part Two: Connection Sixth Night Vajresvari Nitya—The Goddess of Intoxication: The Intoxication (and Danger) of Passionate Love Seventh Night Shivaduti Nitya—The Goddess of Equality: Loving the Self, Loving the Other: Communication in Relationship Eighth Night Tvarita Nitya—The Goddess of Instinct: Tapping into the Secrets of Our Own Wild Instincts Ninth Night Kulasundari Nitya—The Goddess of Learning: Learning the Love Stories (and Learning to Love) Tenth Night Nitya Nitya—The Goddess of the Death Light: Life Lessons from Death Part Three: Separation Eleventh Night Nilapataka Nitya—The Goddess of the Blue: The Nectar of Adversity Twelfth Night Vijaya Nitya—The Goddess of Ugliness: The Value (and Power) of Ugliness Thirteenth Night Sarvamangala Nitya—The Goddess of Freedom: Finding Freedom in Boundaries Fourteenth Night Jvalamalini Nitya—The Goddess of Breakups: Fiercely Protecting the Treasures of Being Alone Fifteenth Night Citra Nitya—The Goddess of Storytelling: Becoming the Artists of Our Own Lives Part Four: Play Sixteenth Night Lalita—The Goddess of Playfulness: The Dance of Connection and Separation Epilogue Acknowledgments Notes Suggestions for Further Reading