The teachings speak about ways for the seeker to experience the stillness of the ‘Self’, a ‘silent’ field upon which the ‘dynamism’ of our thoughts, feelings and emotions manifest. While our conscious attention is forever joined to a reality that changes and fluctuates through the flow of time, there is an unchanging ‘axis’ or ‘anchor’ that holds all of this together. There may be different ways by which we choose to orient ourselves to this axis. The practices of ‘asana’, ‘pranayama’ and ‘mantra’ are some of the tools and techniques that allow us to be awake to both – the joy of experiences outwardly and the power of silence inwardly.
The texts say:
“That reality which is Shivam – infinite silence;
which is Advaitam – the undivided;
is said to be Chaturtham, the fourth (state of consciousness).
~ The Mandukya Upanishad
An awareness of our mortality can often be a powerful reminder to take the time for some self-enquiry, as well as to explore deeper questions around the great dilemma of the ‘ephemeral’ vs. the ‘eternal’ that we are constantly presented with through the journey of life.
The veil between this realm and the higher realms is fragile. From my own experience, when I have sat by loved ones and comforted them as they transitioned in to the light, there has been the awareness of a powerful ‘dimension’ that opens as life energy is uplifted in to its subtle form. Being witness to this can be heartbreakingly difficult on a human level in that moment, and yet it changes one’s vision of life at a deep, profound state. The vision can never be the same again, especially when one has been ‘awake’ to the true nature of that experience. It is a great gift to present oneself to a loved one at such a time with love and tenderness, rather than with panic and fear.
Shiva (Mahadeva) is referred to as ‘Mrityunjaya’ or ‘One who is victorious over death’. When life is generous to us with health, beauty and wealth, and we enjoy their fruits, it is often unimaginable that this play of the elements will ever end.
Shiva reminds us that the ‘beginning, the middle and end’ are all contained within a stream of consciousness. Regardless of our human condition, we exist simultaneously in the physical and subtle realms. Often referred to as ‘Akasha’ or a kind of ‘sky’ due to its unchanging and eternal nature, within it we remain ever present to both, the dance of dynamism and the eternity of silence. The celebration of Shiva on Maha Shivaratri, is to rekindle a remembrance of our potential, as bearers of these two great polarities.
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