Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri
is a festival that honors Lord Shiva. Devotees of Lord Shiva stay awake all
night on this auspicious night of Shivratri. Some perform poojas, chant Vedic
mantras, practice sadhana and meditation. These sacred practices bestow a sense
of peace and oneness within us and with the world.
There
are many stories around Shiva. While each of these stories is meaningful,sheds lights on the significance of Mahashivratri.
He says, Shiva is not a person, but the very energy on which the entire
creation rests. This energy pervades the entire universe and is present within
every living being. This energy is called the Shiva Tattva.
Meaning of Mahashivratri
Ratri means ‘night’
and also 'to take refuge.' Shivratri is the night we take refuge in our spirit
i.e., Shiva. It is the time to celebrate the soul or consciousness within.
During Mahashivratri, we practice sadhana
and take refuge in the divine consciousness. There are two ways to do this:
meditation (sadhana)
and surrender. Surrender is having the faith that there is a divine power that
is taking care of us. Sadhana
and surrender bring peace and solace to us and help us to experience the true
significance of Mahashivratri.
Symbolism of Lord Shiva
Lord
Shiva is considered the soul of everything. There is no difference between our
soul and Lord Shiva. Since Lord Shiva symbolizes truth, peace, beauty, and
infinity, He represents the essence of our soul as well. It is what we are made
of. When we worship Lord Shiva, we recognize these higher qualities within
ourselves.
Understanding Shiva Tattva
Mahashivratri
is a time to celebrate the Shiva Tattva. Spiritual seekers and devotees of Lord
Shiva meditate and rejoice in the Shiva energy.
Shiva
represents our soul, and Tattva is a principle or truth. This is that time of
year when we rest in the truth or principle of our soul. It means we are
seeking higher truths of life that are lying within us.
It
is believed that Mahashivratri is a time for sadhana, deep rest for the body,
mind, and ego. A deep rest that awakens a devotee to the highest knowledge of
the Shiva Tattva.
Mahashivratri & the importance of sadhana
“When
one has access to mystical realms through deep sadhana and detachment to the
material world, one is able to experience the Ananda Tandava. There are
multiple dimensions of existence. One who has gained entry to the subtle realms
of creation will find that the dance of Shiva is happening in a ceaseless
continuum. This blissful dance of the cosmic rhythm can be enjoyed only after
transcending the body, mind, intellect and ego complex.”
Deep connection: Mahashivratri & sadhana
According
to Indian astrology, there are certain days and time frames in a year that are
conducive to spiritual growth and meditation. Mahashivratri is one such day.
Meditation
gives access to something beyond the scope of the mind and intellect. There is
a point during meditation when we experience space: a space of nothingness and
love. This experience takes us to the fourth level of consciousness that is
also called Shiva.
Shivratri for a spiritual seeker
Mahashivratri is the day
when the Shiva Tattva is believed to come in contact with the earth. It is said
that our consciousness or aura is, generally, ten inches above the material
ground. On this day, this consciousness descends and touches the earth element.
It is a good time for our inner consciousness to come alive within our body.
That is why a spiritual seeker has a special significance for Mahashivratri. It
is the wedding of the material with the spiritual.
Experience
Mahashivratri celebrations with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on March 4, 2019,
at The Art of Living International Center, Bengaluru, India.
Deep connection: Mahashivratri & sadhana
According
to Indian astrology, there are certain days and time frames in a year that are
conducive to spiritual growth and meditation. Mahashivratri is one such day.
Meditation
gives access to something beyond the scope of the mind and intellect. There is
a point during meditation when we experience space: a space of nothingness and
love. This experience takes us to the fourth level of consciousness that is
also called Shiva.
Shivratri for a spiritual seeker
Mahashivratri is the day
when the Shiva Tattva is believed to come in contact with the earth. It is said
that our consciousness or aura is, generally, ten inches above the material
ground. On this day, this consciousness descends and touches the earth element.
It is a good time for our inner consciousness to come alive within our body.
That is why a spiritual seeker has a special significance for Mahashivratri. It
is the wedding of the material with the spiritual.
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