Nataraj- Full details

Nataraj- Full details :
The visual form of Nataraja has Shiva with four arms dancing within a circle of flames, lifting his left leg and standing on a dwarf, Apasmara, who symbolizes ignorance. His upper right hand holds the drum of creation, beating the pulse of the universe and also music for Shiva’s dance. The drum, called udukkai in Tamil, represents sound as the first element of an unfolding universe. In his upper left hand, Nataraja holds the fire of destruction, which according to Hindu mythology is the instrument of annihilation at the end of each cycle of creation. These two symbols, therefore, illustrate the intricate balance of the forces of creation and destruction in the universe.

The lower right hand is held in the abhaya pose, which literally means fear not, and signifying a gesture of grace and protection to righteous souls. The uplifted left leg signifies revealing grace that liberates souls from bondage. The lower left hand, meanwhile, which points to the uplifted leg in assurance that Shiva’s foot is a refuge for all true believers, and surrender to God is the path to liberation.

The ring of fire around the figure of Nataraja represents the manifest universe, while the lotus pedestal on which the entire image rests places this universe within the heart or consciousness of each person. The flowing hair of Lord Shiva in his dance symbolizes a rejection of society, showing Shiva as an ascetic. The figures of Ganges, crescent moon and skull are also usually found in Nataraja sculptures, and are common symbols of Lord Shiva. The snake around the waist of Nataraja represents the ‘kundalini,’ or divine force found in all beings.

The dance of Shiva represents His five divine activites, or panchakriya – shrishti (creation), sthiti (preservation), samhara (destruction), tirobhava (illusion), and anugraha (grace or salvation). It is a dual statement of stillness and motion, the static sculpture representing the intense activity of Lord Shiva. The stoic face of Lord Shiva represents his composure and neutrality, unaffected and above all forces.
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Credit: VINOD ARYA

Peace is absence of disturbance. The disturbance is due to the arising of thoughts in the individual, which is only the ego rising up from pure consciousness. To bring about peace means to be free from thoughts and to abide as pure consciousness. ― Sri Ramana Maharshi

Peace is absence of disturbance. The disturbance is due to the arising of thoughts in the individual, which is only the ego rising up from pure consciousness. To bring about peace means to be free from thoughts and to abide as pure consciousness.

― Sri Ramana Maharshi

To whomever emptiness is possible, All things are possible. To whomever emptiness is not possible, Nothing is possible. ― Nāgārjuna

To whomever emptiness is possible,
All things are possible.
To whomever emptiness is not possible,
Nothing is possible.
― Nāgārjuna

There is no greater ecstasy than to know who you are. — Osho

There is no
greater ecstasy
than to know
who you are.
— Osho

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled. ― Lao Tzu

If you look to others for
fulfillment, you will never be truly
fulfilled.
― Lao Tzu

I offer my humble salutations to Lord Mahesvara - who has a garland of serpents around the neck; who has three eyes; whose body is covered with ash (vibhuti); who is eternal; who is pure; who has the entire sky as His dress and who is embodies as the first letter Na.

नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय भस्माङ्गरागाय
महेश्वराय ।
नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगम्बराय तस्मै नकाराय
नम:शिवाय ॥ 1 ॥
Nagendra Haaraaya Thrilochanaaya
Bhasmaanga Raagaaya Maheshvaraay
Nityaaya Suddhaaya Digambaraaya
Tasmai Nakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya
Meaning : I offer my humble salutations to Lord
Mahesvara - who has a garland of serpents
around the neck; who has three eyes; whose
body is covered with ash (vibhuti); who is
eternal; who is pure; who has the entire sky as
His dress and who is embodies as the first letter
Na.

In the end, people will judge you anyway. Don't live your life impressing others. Live your life impressing yourself.

The lingam which grants desires and creates compassion

 The lingam worshipped by the highest gods and stages;
the lingam which grants desires and creates compassion;
the lingam which takes away the pride of Ravana (ego)
to that eternal Shiva-lingam, I bow 

Determined and devotional, he started doing Shiva pUja and surrendered himself completely to the Lord.

 The sage mRikaNDu did not have an offspring for quite a long time. He performed tapas to get the blessings of Lord shiva. God appeared in front of him. Now the sage had two choices - either a son indiscipline, cruel and dumb living for long or a son loving, intelligent and a gem of character living very short span of life. The sage chose the second one. His wife gave birth to a child mArkaNDEya, out of a boon from Lord Shiva, by which mArkaNDEya would be very intelligent but would live just for 16 years.

Young child mArkaNDEya grew up learning the great scriptures, caring and loving, devotional towards God. His parents were very pleased with him. When he became 16, he found his parents weeping. He came to know that he would die at 16 and that was the cause of the gloom. Intelligent mArkanDeya realized that none other than the God, Who is beyond all the scopes of time and hailed as mRityuNJjaya - who conquered the death, can save him from the strong clutches of death. Determined and devotional, he started doing Shiva pUja and surrendered himself completely to the Lord. The yamadUtAs who came to take his life away were scared away by the flame of this young boy's devotion. As the the attendants couldn't take away his life, kAla the god of death, himself came. Young mArkaNDEya did not loose his devotion even in the crisis moment. He embraced the shiva liNgam. As kAla still tried to take away mArkaNDEya's life, the Lord appeared furious from the Shiva liNgam and kicked kAla to death!! He blessed the sincere devotion of the young boy and made mArkaNDEya to be in 16 always - deathless !

All the gods pleaded to Lord to show mercy on kAla. On their request, God gave kAla life back and ordered him not to disturb His devotees.  

Sati and Lord Shiva

Sati and Lord Shiva

Everything you experience is temporary.

The Divine Mother is the source of your well being, because you are here only for a little while. Everything you experience is temporary. Only the association with God is permanent and forever; and, since this is so, you must not be deluded by the temptations of the world so that you forget. The Creator can be known. The Master-Mistress of the universe who twinkles in the stars, whose life-throb is in every blade of grass, is the One you must find. That is the mos important thing in this world. You must seek the Beloved in the temple of silence. When your heart again and again, with unquenchable devotion and attention, cries to the Divine Mother, then you will find Her."

Om Namah Shivay.

ONLY THE BEE GETS THE HONEY

ONLY THE BEE GETS THE HONEY

One of the visitors was leaving the Ashram. He stood before Guruji with folded hands and prayed: "I am going far away. I do not know when I shall be coming back, and if at all I shall be allowed to see your holy face again in this life. I am so much less fortunate than those who have the benefit of your constant presence. How can you help me, a sinner in a distant corner of the world, unless you think of me? I implore you, give me a place in your mind."

Guruji replied: "A Jnani has no mind. How can one without a mind remember or even think? This man goes somewhere and I have to go there and look after him? Can I keep on remembering all these prayers? Well, I shall transmit your prayer to the Lord of the Universe. He will look after you. It is His business."

After the devotee departed, Guruji turned towards us and said: "People imagine that the devotees crowding around a Jnani get special favors from him. If a guru shows partiality, how can he be a Jnani? Is he so foolish as to be flattered by people's attendance on him and the service they do? Does distance matter? The guru is pleased with him only who gives himself up entirely, who abandons his ego forever. Such a man is taken care of wherever he may be. He need not pray. God looks after him unasked. The frog lives by the side of the fragrant lotus, but it is the bee who gets the honey."

Om Namah Shivay.

WHAT WE SEE WHEN WATCHING OTHERS DEPENDS ON OUR WINDOW THROUGH WHICH WE LOOK!

A young couple moved into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they were having their breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor putting out clothes to dry in sun. "That laundry is not clean.", she said. "She doesn't know how to wash clothes. Perhaps She needs to use a better soap", she added. Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time the neighbor would hang her wash to dry,the young woman would make the same comment. A month later,the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband "Look, she had learned to wash. The clothes look clean. I wonder who taught her this. " The husband said " I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows ."

LESSON OF THE STORY:
WHAT WE SEE WHEN WATCHING OTHERS DEPENDS ON OUR WINDOW THROUGH WHICH WE LOOK!

Om Namah Shivay.

Saints can be recognized by the following

Saints can be recognized by the following - 

(1) On association, conversing and meeting with that individual, if divine qualities come, if our interest and inclination towards God increases, and we progress on the spiritual path,

(2) He who does not desire any form of service whatsoever from us

(3) He who at all times, continues to do selflessly for our supreme good,

(4) He who in our eyes, is most knowledgeable on the subject of spirituality, he only is a saint for us. Also from a gross perspective, a way of recognizing a saint is that a real saint does not desire women or wealth, he does not want honor or fame, nor does he have any desire or craving left for any material things that are available.

Om Namah Shivay.

You who are without parts, ever blessed, the cause of universal destruction at the end of each round of creation, a source of perpetual delight to the pure of heart, slayer of the demon, foe of Lust, Tripura, consciousness and bliss personified, dispeller of delusion. Have mercy on me my Lord !

ॐ नमः शिवाय ! ॐ नमः शिवाय ! ॐ नमः शिवाय ! ॐ नमः शिवाय !

You who are without parts, ever blessed, the cause of universal destruction at the end of each round of creation, a source of perpetual delight to the pure of heart, slayer of the demon, foe of Lust, Tripura, consciousness and bliss personified, dispeller of delusion. Have mercy on me my Lord !

ॐ नमः शिवाय ! ॐ नमः शिवाय ! ॐ नमः शिवाय ! ॐ नमः शिवाय !

The Parents of all !

Lord Shiva and Parvati Ma with a lot of snakes! why have we put this picture in the folder of Shiv parivar? because Shivji is the Father of all!! He is the one God who accepts all! A passage from "The Yogi and the snake" to elaborate:

           " It was then, that the great yogi made an appearance in a mentation, the man had taken on the form of a snake, that being the nature of all beings as he had thought of last.

The yogi looked so serene and inviting, that the snake wanted to pour his heart out. All he could utter, was, ‘I am known to bite even those who feed me, so no one accepts me any more.’

Come! Wrap yourself around my neck in embrace, said the yogi. I am known to accept those who are shunned.

You ask for me to embrace you simply on the premise that I feel shunned? Asked the snake.

Yes, I ask everyone to embrace me, said the yogi. Everyone is shunned by someone else.The poor, for example, are shunned by the rich. The rich by the religious, some people shun themselves; even the spiritual are shunned by many. I am a lover to all.

But I may not be able to guarantee my nature, said the snake, sliding up to the yogi, I may still bite.

Not sure of yourself, said the yogi, but it is no matter, I am used to swallowing venom created by others. Don’t worry about your bites, they shall enable me to test my own nature from time to time.

You are all my own, he continued, snakes, pups, men, all. So, your bites serve as a test; do I have the capacity to understand why my own bite me in return? In fact your bites serve not only as a test, but also work as an arrangement."

"An arrangement?

You see, I have a habit of slipping into mystical inertia, a yoga nidra. So your bite, your provocation, if you wish to call it that serves as my invocation.

How, the snake wondered, could that be?

Ah, yes, said the yogi. Having done with creation. I leave the world to go on by its own directions, and remain absorbed in a transpersonal meditation.

Like a plane on autopilot? Asked the snake

Very much like that, answered the yogi. It takes the intense, probing meditation of man to stir me up; our energies get connected; man, at personal meditation level, and I, at transpersonal meditation level. This is how the Antarnag ‘in wokes’ the Antaryami, and I am here with you. You have been referring to your probe on God, as a bite to the creator have you not?

The snake nodded in affirmation.

Now, that someone has meditated deeply enough to stir me up, the arrangement begins. The serpents are bitting, the bells are ringing; things are stalling in the world again. I must answer the calls.

The pilot taking charge of the flight again? Asked the snake.

You will understand, what flight I talk of, said the yogi, but for now, let us begin with the skins you shed, and, you feel like a lost pup, do you? Such feelings have deep animistic significance, to understand which. I shall guide you.

And so began the most mystical journey of the snake."

Lord Shiva Nataraja!! different scenes, different Leelas. Same message. same blessing. Aum Namah Shivaya!!!

Lord Shiva Nataraja!! different scenes, different Leelas. Same message. same blessing. Aum Namah Shivaya!!!

Suitable time for Meditation, Jnana Marga, Illusion

D.: Which time is most suitable for meditation?

M.: What is time? 

D.: Tell me what it is! 

M.: Time is only an idea. There is only the Reality Whatever you think it is, it looks like that. If you call it time, it is time. If you call it existence, it is existence, and so on. After calling it time, you divide it into days and nights, months, years, hours, minutes, etc. Time is immaterial for the Path of Knowledge. But some of these rules and discipline are good for beginners.

D.: What is Jnana Marga?

M.: Concentration of the mind is in a way common to both Knowledge and Yoga. Yoga aims at union of the individual with the universal, the Reality. This Reality cannot be new. It must exist even now, and it does exist. Therefore the Path of Knowledge tries to find out how viyoga (separation) came about. The separation is from the Reality only.

D.: What is illusion?

M.: To whom is the illusion? Find it out. Then illusion will vanish.

Generally people want to know about illusion and do not examine to whom it is. It is foolish. Illusion is outside and unknown. But the seeker is considered to be known and is inside. Find out what is immediate, intimate, instead of trying to find out what is distant and unknown.

Om Namah Shivay.

Awesome Nepal

Awesome Nepal

This song for everyone.

What does Shiva look like?

What does Shiva look like?

In his representations as a man, Shiva always has a blue face and throat. Strictly speaking his body is white, but images often show him with a blue body too. 
Shiva is represented with the following features:
1 ) A THIRD EYE:---

The extra eye represents the wisdom and insight that Shiva has. It is also believed to be the source of his untamed energy. On one occasion, when Shiva was distracted in the midst of worship by the love god, Kama, Shiva opened his third eye in anger. Kama was consumed by the fire that poured forth, and only returned to life when Parvati intervened.
2 ) A COBRA NECKLACE :--

This signifies Shiva's power over the most dangerous creatures in the world. Some traditions also say that the snake represents Shiva's power of destruction and recreation. The snake sheds its skin to make way for new, smooth skin.
3) THE VIBHUTI :-------

The vibhuti are three lines drawn horizontally across the forehead in white ash. They represent Shiva's all-pervading nature, his superhuman power and wealth. Also, they cover up his powerful third eye. Members of Shaivism often draw vibhuti lines across their forehead.
4) THE TRIDENT:-----

The three-pronged trident represents the three functions of the Hindu triumvirate.
While other gods are depicted in lavish surroundings, Shiva is dressed in simple animal skin and in austere settings, usually in a yogic position. Parvati, whenever she is present, is always at the side of Shiva. Their relationship is one of equality.
Even though Shiva is the destroyer, he is usually represented as smiling and tranquil.
5) OTHER REPRESENATIONS

Shiva is sometimes represented as half man, half woman. His figure is split half way down the body, one half showing his body and the second half that of Parvati's.
Shiva is also represented by Shiva linga. This is a phallic statue, representing the raw power of Shiva and his masculinity. Hindus believe it represents the seed of the universe, demonstrating Shiva's quality of creation. Worshippers of Shiva celebrate Mahashivratri, a festival at which the Shiva linga is bathed in water, milk and honey and worshipped

SHAKTHI

   Shakthi was born as pArvati, the daughter of the king of Himalayas. As a young child, She was not interested in playing like the other children. She was more inclined towards meditating on Lord Shiva in the mountains. She desired to marry Lord shiva. For that she wanted to perform austerity in the snow covered himalayas. Her parents hesitated, but finally had to subdue to the determination of pArvati. pArvati performed austerity from an ashram. Lord Shiva who was happy with Her worship, came as an old devotee to her place. pArvati offered Her respect to the Old bhakta of Her Beloved Lord. Now, He tried to convince Her that She shouldn't waste Her youth doing tapas, but should enjoy life getting married ! He further suggested that She could get married to Him, instead of desiring for Lord shiva Who dances in the cemeteries and wears skulls and bones! pArvati, without knowing that He is God Himself, got very angry on hearing the Old man's words and told Him that She showed Him respect only because He seemed like a devotee and She would not want to hear any little blasphemy of God further. She asked the Old Man to leave the place immediately. The Lord, pleased with Her determination and devotion, revealed who He is. pArvati was surprised and begged the pardon of God. However God had accepted Her scolding as the most pleasant hailing. Didn't it come from a very deep love for God ?! He gave Her the boon She yearned for - getting married to Her.

The himalayan king's family was delighted to see their beloved daughter's wedding. The region was decorated and shining with prosperity. The young beautiful pArvati was decorated with chosen best ornaments for the wedding. Now came the Groom - Lord shiva - to the wedding place - on an old bull, with skull and bone ornaments, with the skin of the tiger as the clothing, accompanied by the roar of the bUta gaNas !! The mother of pArvati mEnai fainted to see the groom in such a form for her sweet daughter, softer than the flowers. Now the Lord changed to the form, glittering in a beautiful wedding robe - with golden ornaments and splendid clothing! When mEnai woke up and saw the Groom she was thrilled to see such a beautiful form and was very pleased that He is "the suitable" groom for her daughter. The play of the Lord has no bounds ! mEnai saw only the external appearance of the Groom. Other than the great pArvati who knows the glory of that Groom ?! The enchanting Lord in the wedding robe got married to the Daughter of the mountains and this form of God is called kalyANa sundharar.   

OM NAMA SHIVAYA

(ॐ)

I am far away 
I am missing you
those memories are still rolling 
I find you under vast tree
I see you high up in the sky
(Just imagine and realize your lovable one you can see your own in the God's created world)

(ॐ)

OM NAMA SHIVAYA

Devi Parvati in worship of her Lord Shiva did the most incredible and Flawless selfless Tapasya.

Devi Parvati in worship of her Lord Shiva did the most incredible and Flawless selfless Tapasya.
At the culmination, she realised she is non separate from Him, such realisation is called SATCHITANANDA:
What this darkness,
what this light?
Plays of passion,
and what, is right?
breathing betwixt duality and pairs,
what,
she broods, is this maze?
earthgrown and foot firm
mindful yet, of above, beyond,
and
inner gaze.
Who am I ?
It intensifies.
In such stillness,
comes the flight,
who am I ?
Satchitananda,
I am even the sky !

{Adapted from Naam Roop A -Tribute to the Divine, by shail gulhati}

Aum is the Symbol of the unmanifest Shivji.

Aum is the Symbol of the unmanifest Shivji.
Lord Shiva is the embodiment of the manifest Aum.
This is what Aum Namah Shivaya means to me !
(shail gulhati)

About Lord Shiva

About Lord Shiva

Shiva (Sanskrit: Auspicious One) is one of the main deities of Hinduism that is worshipped as the paramount lord by the Shaivaite sects of India. 

In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is regarded as the representation of the Supreme Being. He is known as the third element in the Hindu Trinity(Trimurti), the other two members being Lord Brahma - the creator and Lord Vishnu - the protector. Shiva is the destructive form of the Almighty. As the cycle of destruction and recreation is always in a circle, Shiva’s primary responsibility is maintaining the life cycle. Scholars say, as the Mahakaal, Shiva destroys and dissolves everything into nothingness but as Shankara, he also reproduces that which has been destroyed and dissolved. His symbol of Lingam or the phallus represents this reproductive power.

Lord Shiva is also considered to be the most unique of all Hindu gods and also the God of all. A great ascetic, Shiva is the only godhead who is forever in deep meditation, totally absorbed in contemplation in His abode, Kailaasa Mountain in the great Himalaya. Lord Shiva is also said to be inseparable from Shakti - Parvati the daughter of Himavaan - Haimavati. There is no Shiva without Shakti and no Shakti without Shiva, the two are one - or the absolute state of being.

Shiva is often shown with many faces, as creator, destroyer and preserver in total command of the cosmos. He contains both good and evil. He is moody, free of inhibitions, easy to please, protector of the down trodden, and has the power to alter the laws of destiny. Thus, it is Lord Shiva is known as the God of mercy and kindness. He protects his devotees from all evil that are always around us. He blesses his followers with grace, knowledge and peace.

Shiva as Ardhanareeswara
Lord Shiva is said to be half man and half woman. In the full figure of Siva the male and female principles are united. Shiva Linga - the symbol of Lord Shiva which consists of both Lingam (phallus) and yoni (the female organ) represent the totality of his nature and the totality of all created existence.

Appearance and Attributes of Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva is shown either in meditating or in the form of a Dancing God Nataraj where his dance is to the beat and rhythm of creation. He is also shown in sculptures with many hands. One pair of hands, for example, represents the balance between life and death. Shiva is 'tri netra' or three eyed, and is 'neela kantha' - blue-necked (having consumed poison to save the world from destruction). Besides, there are a lot many attributes associated with Lord Shiva. Here is a brief description of some of the important symbols that depict Lord Shiva. Each of his depiction signifies a different aspect of his Supreme Being.

Unclad body covered with ashes: This form of Lord Shiva depicts that Lord Shiva’s presence is much higher than this physical phenomenon. According to some scholars, Shiva’s body smeared with cemetery ash points to the philosophy of the life and death and the fact that death is the ultimate reality of the life.

Jata (Matted Hair): The flow of his matted hair represents Shiva as the Lord of Wind or Vayu, who is the subtle form of breath present in all living beings. Thus it is Shiva which is the lifeline for all living being. He is Pashupatinath.

Sacred Ganga: The holiest of the holy rivers, Ganga flows from the matted hair of Shiva. According to alegend, Shiva allowed an outlet to the great river to traverse the earth and bring purifying water to human being. Ganga also denotes fertility - one of the creative aspects of the Rudra.

The Third Eye: Lord Shiva is known as the three eyed Lord or Tryambaka Deva. The sun is his right eye, the moon left while the third eye of Shiva on his forehead is the eye of wisdom. It is the eye that looks beyond the obvious. The third eye can search evil from anywhere and destroys it completely.

Half-Open Eyes: The half-open eyes show that the universes cycle in process. When the eyes are completely closed it signifies the dissolvent of the universe and when it is completely open a new cycle of creation begins.

Crescent: Shiva bears on his head the crescent of the panchami (fifth day) moon. This is placed near the fiery third eye and this shows the power of Soma, the sacrificial offering, which is the representative of moon. It means that Shiva possesses the power of procreation along with the power of destruction. The moon is also a measure of time, thus Crescent also represent his control over time.

The Cobra Necklace: This suggests that Shiva is beyond the powers of death and is often the sole support in case of distress. He swallowed the poison kalketu for the wellbeing of the Universe. The deadly cobra represents that “death” aspect that Shiva has thoroughly conquered. The cobras around his neck also represent the dormant energy, called Kundalini, the serpent power. The snake curled three times around the neck of Lord Shiva depicts the past, present and future time. The snake looking in the right direction of Lord Shiva signifies that the Lord's perpetual laws of reason and justice preserve natural order in the universe.

The Vibhuti: Vibhuti is a three line of ashes drawn on the forehead that signifies the Immortality of the soul and manifested glory of the Lord.

Tiger Skin: Lord Shiva is shown sitting on or wearing a tiger skin. The tiger is the vehicle of Shakti, the Goddess of power and force. Shiva is beyond and above any kind of force. He is the master of Shakti. The tiger skin that he wears symbolizes victory over every force. Tiger also represent lust. Thus sitting on Tiger skin, Shiva indicates that he has conquered lust.

The Elephant & Deer Skin: Shiva also wears elephant skins. Elephants represent pride. Wearing elephant skin, Shiva indicates that he has conquered pride. Similarly deer represent the flickering mind. Shiva wears deer skin which indicates that he has controlled the mind perfectly.

Rudraksha Necklace: ‘Rudra’ is the other name of Shiva. It also means strict or uncompromising and ‘aksha’ means eye. Rudraksha, the necklace worn by Lord Shiva shows that he is firm about his cosmic laws and to maintain law and order in the universe. The necklace has 108 beads, which symbolize the elements used in the creation of the world.

Damaru (Drum): A small drum with two sides alienated from each other by a thin neck-like structure represents the two utterly different states of existence, unclear and clear. When a damaru is shaken, the sound formed denotes Nada, the cosmic sound of AUM, which can be heard during deep meditation.

Trishul (Trident): A three-branched trident shown adjoining to Lord Shiva symbolizes His three fundamental powers will, action and knowledge. As a weapon the trident represents the instrument of punishment to the evil doer on all the three planes - spiritual, subtle and physical.

Nandi, the Bull: Nandi is said to be the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The bull represents both power and ignorance. Lord Shiva's use of the bull as his vehicle expresses the idea that He removes ignorance and bequeaths power of wisdom on His followers.

Why is my mind always talking? Is this self-talk essential or unessential?

Why is my mind always talking? Is this self-talk essential or unessential?

Our minds are constantly dominating our lives. We are entrapped by our minds and they become our enemies. Mind has a self-talk mechanism. Having compulsive thoughts is a psychological disorder.

As we have not raised the level of our consciousness, our mind keeps on chattering.

Do this exercise; just as a tiger waits and watches out for its prey, wait and watch out for thoughts that arise. At this moment shut your eyes, and observe the first, second and the third thought in that order. Do it right now.

You will observe that no thoughts arise. When you are alert, thoughts do not arise. In the space of alertness, your ‘presence’ is more conscious. When our ‘presence’ has less consciousness, there are more thoughts.

Hence when the mind is constantly talking, it indicates that your level of consciousness has not increased. More thoughts are a symptom of being less conscious.

Consciously use your self-talk when required and when not required learn to be inwardly empty.

Om Namah Shivay.

Only Do Those Things That Give You Deep Satisfaction

Only Do Those Things That Give You Deep Satisfaction :

Whether or not you believe in life after death, this life should be something meaningful for you; the way you spent time should make you feel genuine satisfaction. If you use time cheating and bullying, you might get some sort of satisfaction but that would be very short-lived – for in the long run, even a non-believer gets some sort of doubt; you feel some sort of uneasiness…That’s why I am saying, only do those things that give you deep satisfaction. That’s living a meaningful life. Just money will not give you real satisfaction. Only greed increases, for you always want more and more. Cultivate a more compassionate attitude and that will give you genuine satisfaction.

Om Namah Shivay.

Only He has the right to judge and He is merciful.

There is a category of faith seekers or faith holders who are still caught up in the transaction of give and take, though, in a different manner. Remember, we are not judging anybody or their faith or purity. To judge goes against everything spiritual and even humane. Only He has the right to judge and He is merciful.

The person believes that because he or she has faith in God/ Master, miracles are not only possible, but also guaranteed. They do not get upset when tough times come. They do not get shattered when fatal illnesses enter their life or the life of near and dear ones. They do not get paranoid when financial bankruptcy knocks at their door. They are certain, as confident as the sun shall rise in the east and set in the west, that their God or Master will pull them through the crisis with everything intact.

Their usual mantra is ‘I have full faith in my Master that He /She will take care of this problem... I have full faith in my God that this incurable disease will be cured.... I have complete faith that my Master will resolve this financial crisis.’ They even go to the extent of saying, ‘this is not my problem, this is my Master’s problem and I know He /She will take of it and I have full faith in my prayers and I will sail through this issue’.

What the person is trying to tell the Master or God is that, ‘because I have full faith in You, You better take care of my problems’ or ‘don’t let my faith down’. It is like treating your Master /God / Prayers like an astral waiter. It’s like telling your Master that as ‘I have invested my time and energy by having faith, You better not let me down’. They are sure that their trust in their Master will resolve all issues.

Om Namah Shivay.

Lord Shiva. The cosmic dancer, the One Universal play

Lord Shiva. The cosmic dancer, the One Universal play, who is also the player and the played. Bom Bhole Nath shiva Nataraja, king of our heart.

Shaivism is about exploring things and discovering.

It was when I was meditating that I have reached my enlightenment. The core is to be ever open to evolving in terms of knowledge. I do not quote scriptures, I go out and discover it.

Many people seek enlightenment by talking to gurus who quote scriptures. People who quote scriptures are not gurus, they're scholars. A guru is one who has travelled through the forest and returns with his insight. A scholar will only point to a map written 5,000 years ago. Things change, people change, and scriptures are written for the appropriate people of their time.

Shaivism is about exploring things and discovering. That is your next step.

Parvati’s committed devotion is but a paradigm of the inevitable union between male and female played on the immense plane of supreme divinity. She is the soul of us all searching for god, which is but destined to meet and unite with him.

Just as water and its flavor (rasa) can never exist apart, likewise Purusha and Prakriti never remain disassociated from each other.’ (Bhagavata Purana: 3.27.18)

Parvati’s committed devotion is but a paradigm of the inevitable union between male and female played on the immense plane of supreme divinity. She is the soul of us all searching for god, which is but destined to meet and unite with him.

Calling god ‘him’ does not denote that he is male or a gender bias. The union envisaged above can however happen only in terms comprehendible to us. Thus the supreme reality, attributeless and genderless, has to be brought down to the scale we can relate to. The Nirguna has to be conceived as Saguna. This is the highest we can reach, and it is sufficient, being the paramount goal of human life, this union of Purusha with Prakriti. For this Shiva, the formless, the infinite contemplating infinity, has to be brought out from his inner ecstasy, and indeed, all the beauty, need, and aspiration of this world has to take form (of Parvati) in order to take up its right place on the lap of god. The only requirement being pure and complete surrender, and indeed Shiva destroys only Kama, the desire polluting the devotee’s relationship with divinity, but never the devotee himself.

Om Namah Shivay.