
Lord Shiva is regarded as the master of destruction, creation and regeneration, and is known as the patron of meditation and yoga. Shiva meditation is a way of bowing to your inner self and awakening your third eye.
Before you begin, it is important to find a quiet space where you can meditate without distractions. You should also wear comfortable clothing and stretch your body to release any tension.
Once you are ready, you can start by establishing your breathing. Focus on taking slow, controlled breaths, inhaling and exhaling to a count of four, and visualising light and energy filling your body.
Next, you can begin to visualise different forms of Shiva, such as Shiva the Winner, Shiva the strong Yogi, Shiva the egoless, and Shiva the Karma-Yogi. With each visualisation, you can set an intention or goal for yourself.
To connect more deeply with Shiva, you can chant mantras such as Om Namah Shivaya, which means I bow to Shiva or I connect myself with Shiva. You can also chant Om Shanti. Om Peace to conclude your meditation and clear your mind.
Shiva meditation is said to have many benefits, including improving focus, calming the mind, and increasing spiritual growth. It is a powerful practice that can help you connect with your inner self and find peace.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Stretch before you start | Legs, hips, back, shoulders, neck |
Wear comfortable clothes | Loose-fitting, suitable for the temperature |
Eliminate distractions | Turn off TV and phone, find a quiet space |
Time | 20 minutes to a couple of hours |
Sit comfortably | Cross-legged, on a chair, or with your back braced |
Establish your breathing | Inhale for 6, hold for 6, exhale for 6 |
Visualise Shiva | The winner, the strong Shiva, the egoless Shiva, the Hatha Yogi, the Karma-Yogi |
Chant mantras | "Om Namah Shivaya", "Shivo Ham", "Om Shanti. Om Peace" |
What You'll Learn
Shiva meditation helps you open your third eye and improves your mind's functioning
Shiva meditation is a powerful practice that can help you open your third eye and improve your mind's functioning. By focusing on Lord Shiva, the patron of meditation and yoga, you can bring stillness and clarity to your mind, enhancing your mental and spiritual well-being.
Opening the Third Eye
The third eye, also known as the Ajna chakra, is associated with intuition, clairvoyance, and superior consciousness. It is believed to be located between the eyebrows and is connected to the pineal gland, which is often referred to as the "third eye" in Yoga-Shastra. Shiva meditation aims to activate this pineal gland, leading to enhanced psychic abilities and a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Improving Mind Functioning
Shiva meditation helps to calm and focus the mind, improving its functioning. By controlling your thoughts and keeping away unsettling thoughts, you can make better decisions and react less to unnecessary issues. It enhances your memory, improves relationships, and helps you discover your life's purpose. Additionally, Shiva meditation can boost your confidence, provide stress relief, and even slow down the aging process.
Techniques for Shiva Meditation
- Find a quiet and comfortable space, free from distractions.
- Stretch your body to relieve tension, focusing on areas like the back, hips, and shoulders.
- Sit in a comfortable position, such as Sukhasana, Padmasana, or Vajrasana. Keep your back straight but relaxed.
- Establish a slow and conscious breathing pattern. Inhale for a count of 6, hold for 6, and exhale for 6. Focus on the movement of the air and visualize the life force filling your body.
- Visualize Lord Shiva in whichever form resonates with you—the cosmic dancer, the meditating monk, or Ardhanarishwara.
- Chant the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" to invoke Shiva's energy and merge with the divine.
- Rub your palms together and place them on your closed eyes to feel a sense of love and joy.
- Conclude the meditation by chanting "Om Shanti" and allowing your mind to clear.
Shiva meditation is a transformative practice that can lead to self-discovery and a deeper connection with the divine. By opening your third eye and improving your mind's functioning, you can enhance your spiritual growth and bring more clarity and calm into your life.
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Shiva is the master of destruction, creation, and regeneration
The Destroyer
Shiva is often depicted as the destroyer and is associated with death and destruction. He is said to be the "angry god," representing darkness and destruction. He is feared in Hinduism because of his connections with destruction. In his most common depiction, Shiva is a dark-skinned ascetic with a blue throat, matted hair adorned with a snake, and a crescent moon. He carries a trident, a serpent, and a drum, and his third eye has the power to incinerate any evil-doer.
The Creator
As the god of creation, Shiva is associated with fertility, growth, and regeneration. He is also known as the creator of dance and is believed to have created the first 16 rhythmic syllables from which the Sanskrit language was born. His dance is believed to sustain the cosmos, and when he finishes, this universe will end, and a new one will begin.
The Regenerator
Shiva is regarded as a reproductive power, restoring what has been dissolved. He is represented as the linga or phallus, a symbol of regeneration. As the lord of yoga, Shiva is said to have given rise to 84 lakh asanas. Shiva meditation helps open the third eye and promotes smooth mind functioning, allowing one to regain control of their mind and keep unsettling thoughts at bay.
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Shiva is beyond duality and form
Shiva is a complex deity with multiple forms and names, and is regarded as the master of destruction, creation, and regeneration. While essentially formless and undefined, he can be visualised in many incarnations, including the meditator, the blessing (the karma yogi), the ego sacrificer, and the dancer.
Shiva reflects the supreme truth beyond relative truth and falsehood, being and non-being, good and evil. He is the Supreme Being, embracing our world on both sides, above, below, and in the centre, yet standing infinitely beyond it. He is One, yet all; everything and nothing, within and outside of all things, and unlimited by anything.
Shiva is a non-dual deity, portrayed as a dispassionate yogi with powerful passions and a beautiful and powerful wife. He is the God of Love, taking us beyond suffering, but also causing us pain. Shiva awakens a higher awareness in us, but to do this, he must first take us beyond our preconceptions, making us see the darkness of ignorance in our lives and society. Shiva represents our higher Self, but to reach it, we must allow our ego, attachments, and opinions to be dissolved, giving up our ordinary sense of self.
Shiva is challenging to grasp, and his reality is not meant to be easily understood or presented simply. To contact the reality of Shiva, we must face our doubts and difficulties, learning to move beyond them with steadiness, insight, and grace. We must recognise the limitations of the mind and its particularised knowledge, which cannot grasp the whole.
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Shiva is the patron of meditation and yoga
Shiva is known as "The Destroyer" within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver. In the Shaivite tradition, Shiva is the Supreme Lord who creates, protects and transforms the universe. In the Shakta tradition, the Goddess, or Devi, is described as the one supreme, yet Shiva is revered along with Vishnu and Brahma. In Tantric Shaivism, Shiva is the inert ground of all being which, together with Shakti, the creative power of being, forms all of consciousness.
Shiva is known as the primal Atman (soul) of the universe. He is depicted as both benevolent and fearsome. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash. He is also depicted as a householder with his wife Parvati and his two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya. In his fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons.
Shiva is also known as Adiyogi Shiva, the first Yogi. The iconography of Shiva includes the serpent king Vasuki around his neck, the adorning crescent moon, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the third eye on his forehead (the eye that turns everything in front of it into ashes when opened), the trishula or trident as his weapon, and the damaru drum. He is also worshipped in the aniconic form of lingam.
Shiva is a pan-Hindu deity, revered widely by Hindus, in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and other countries.
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Shiva meditation helps you take control of your mind and thoughts
Shiva is the Lord of Meditation and is always depicted in a deep meditative state. Shiva meditation helps you replicate his absolute stillness and achieve a state of tranquility. It is said to help you evolve as a person, improve mindfulness, and conduct your daily life more meaningfully.
Shiva meditation involves focusing on your breath and the centre of your eyebrows to attain awareness and inner peace. It helps you keep away thoughts that unsettle you and gain a single-pointed focus.
- Create a dedicated meditation space that is clean, peaceful, and free from distractions.
- Establish a routine and stick to it. Start with a few minutes every day and gradually increase the duration.
- Choose a technique that feels right for you. Shiva's 112 meditation techniques, known as Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, can be a great place to start.
- Seek guidance from experienced meditators or join supportive communities to deepen your practice.
Shiva meditation is a powerful tool to help you take control of your mind and thoughts, leading to improved mental well-being and spiritual growth.
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