Lalitamba was inspired by a pilgrimage through India. In 2004, we traveled from city to city in an effort to alleviate the suffering that comes from poverty, illness, and plain loss of hope. In India, the Divine Mother is called Lalitamba. She is looked to as the supporter of the universe. Lalitamba is a journal of liberation. Lalitamba 1 offers stories of emotional healing and personal growth. It opens with Samantha Holloway's short story "Melinda Miller's Laugh," the tale of a woman who is relieved of a long depression by the silver light of her own laughter. The compilation also includes an excerpt from Kate Niles' debut novel "The Basket Maker." The piece tells of two children who imagine a Navajo reservation out of the dank basement in which they live. Lalitamba 1 is also bold in its realism. Amira Salaam Amro's short story "November, 1989" tells of an estranged couple who rediscover their love for each other as they come to terms with the fact that their youngest son is dying of AIDS. The collection suggests that we make the most of our life and our loves in each moment. Stephen Kopel's poem "Intruder" jokingly compares his "minor hurts and major sorrows" to a house that needs rearranging. Barry Ballard's poem "The Silent Errand of Anything" describes learning how to forgive. The power of the collection is its underlying message that all we need to be at peace is here, now, in our own heart. Proceeds benefit Refuge, a holistic women's shelter. The journal is also donated to hospitals, prisons, and shelters throughout the country.

Lalitamba 1

Swamini Sri Lalitambika Devi (Editor)

Shyam (Editor)

Religion & Spirituality

Chintamani Books

Lalitamba is a journal for liberation that was inspired by a pilgrimage through India. In 2004, we traveled from village to village, seeking to alleviate the suffering that comes from poverty, illness, and plain loss of hope. In India, Lalitamba is a name for the Divine Mother. She is looked to as the supporter of the universe. 
In Lalitamba 3, poet-saint Bhau Kalchuri tells his story of learning to write devotional verse from spiritual master Meher Baba. His writings give us a rare glimpse into life close to the master, as well as insight into the ghazal, a form of poetry through which Sufi mystics expressed their longings and ecstasies. Others share poetry in praise of saints and gurus, as well as writings that explore the nature of creation, light, and presence. 
The collection explores not only our relationship with the Divine but also with each other. Fantasy writer Carol Emshwiller shares a story "The Meaning of the Fields," in which the narrator searches the mountains and a storybook town for true romance, only to stumble upon the boy nextdoor. J. Roman's moving tale "My Best Friend in Jail Is Gay" tells of two prison inmates whose friendship transforms their lives. M. L. Cordle offers an essay about her relationship with a locust tree that has been struck by lightning. 
The power and beauty of the collection is the realization that all we need to be free is here, now, within our own hearts. Shinjo Ito's cover image is titled, "Felicitations," or Be Happy. 
May all beings be happy and free from suffering. May we all live in peace together.
Proceeds benefit Refuge, a holistic women's shelter in New York City. The journal is also donated to hospitals, prisons, and shelters throughout the United States.

Lalitamba 3

Shyam

Swamini Sri Lalitambika Devi

Lalitamba was inspired by a pilgrimage through India. In 2004, we traveled from village to village, seeking to alleviate the suffering that comes from poverty, illness, and plain loss of hope. In India, the Divine Mother is called Lalitamba. She is looked to as the supporter of the universe. Lalitamba is a journal for liberation.Lalitamba 4 includes an interview with poet-translator Daniel Ladinsky. Known initially for his unique renderings of the fourteenth century Persian mystic Hafiz, Mr. Ladinsky is now internationally recognized for his deeply gifted renderings of Eastern and Western mystics. We are blessed to share in the ruby mine of his experience and insight, as well as several of his new poems. Writers from around the world contemplate themes of myth and dream, as well as alienation, relationship, and renewal. Lokanath offers a translation of the Sri Bala Sahasranama (a hymn in praise of the Goddess as an adolescent girl). This rare Tantric treasure reveals our inherent and limitless potential. Professor Sumalee Mahanarongchai writes on how to stay connected through compassion during difficult times. The issue also includes forty verses on superhero devotee Hanuman-ji, the Sri Hanuman Chalisa.Proceeds benefit Refuge, a holistic women's shelter in New York City. The journal is also donated to hospitals, prisons, and shelters throughout the United States.

Lalitamba 4

Homolka, Florence

A testament to the strength of love, Grief is a compassionate guide during difficult times. Here, Swamini Sri Lalitambika Devi shares an intimate portrait of life and mind, as she cared for a loved one who was dying. The journal she kept during this time explores the natural feelings of sorrow that arise, as well as ways to find meaning and stay centered in faith, when someone we love is at the end of life. The book shares insights on making difficult treatment decisions, staying present with suffering, and deciding what to do when there is nothing more that can be done. As this death called into question the purpose of her life, she also contemplates spirituality in the midst of daily living, and how the ordinary being awakens. The teachings offered are profound, moving, and courageous. Swaminiji offers this journey as shared experience to support patients, families, and caretakers during times of loss. In her strength and steadfast wisdom, she brings forth glimpses of the infinite.

Grief: A Path of Loss and Light

Devi, Swamini Sri Lalitambika

Lalitamba was inspired by a pilgrimage through India. In early 2004, we traveled from village to village, seeking to alleviate the suffering that comes from poverty, illness, and plain loss of hope. The name "Lalitamba" means Divine Mother. In India, she is looked to as the supporter of the universe.Lalitambais a journal for liberation.
Lalitamba 5 includes translation and commentary by Coleman Barks, as well as Haiku-inspired poetry by Sensei Gregory Hosho Abels and devotional verse by Janine Canan. 
An interview with Jayanta Mahapatra offers a glimpse into the life and inspiration of one of today s most beloved Indian English poets. Meanwhile, painter Pat Lipsky shares her thoughts on Proust, stained glass windows, and jazz. 
"One thing also will help you. You just write from the level and tilt to a little higher level. If you can, go towards God . . . That should be our goal. Don't you think so?" 
--Jayanta Mahapatra

Lalitamba 5

Devi, Sri Lalitambika

The Lotus Within is a companion guide to inner peace. A tapestry of folklore, poetry, wisdom, and prayer, it includes teachings that have been collected from Swamini Sri Lalitambika Devi's early outreach work in New York City. These thoughts have been shared in psychiatric wards, recovery units, prisons, and shelters, with people whose courage continues to inspire. This heartfelt volume transcends tradition, culture, and time. Its gentle words will awaken any sincere seeker to the limitless potential for joy that lives in the heart.

The Lotus Within: A Simple Guide to Inner Peace

Self-Help

Devi, Sadhviji Sri Lalitambika

Personal Transformation

Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, award-winning poet Guy R. Beining has been called a Beat poet as well as a language poet, though he maintains that his work defies school or label. In this ninth full-length collection, Beining explores the surreal landscape of dreams and the tensions of waking to a new kind of truth. He states, “I stencil thoughts, one over the other, turning the side-show of the mind to words that try to tunnel out of this freak reality, this possum light we live in.” His writings hold an inherent wisdom that comes to life for the reader of any generation through the interplay of sound and image.

The Silence of My Room

Literature & Fiction

Beining, Guy R.

Poetry

Swami Pranavananda vowed at a young age to awaken. In a jungle swamp opposite the cremation grounds of his Bengali village, he placed his asana. When he arose illumined, he returned to the village and offered the Ten Divine Messages. These first teachings are unique in that the Acharyadeva both posed the questions and answered them. With the blessings of Swami Parameshananda, Swamini Sri Lalitambika Devi offers a contemporary interpretation of these seminal teachings, revealing the true purpose of life and how to succeed on the spiritual journey.

Ten Divine Messages

Sri Lalitambika Devi, Swamini

Hinduism

The Ganga Review is a journal of international writings for liberation. The journal was inspired by a pilgrimage throughIndia. The journal is named for the fabled river which manifests as Divine Mother.

Ganga Review 2022

Mukunda, Shyam

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