Awareness...

Through the spine

Madhyanadi Madya Samstha Bisasutrabha roopaya
Dhyanantar Vyomaya Devya Taya Devah Prakashate

Nadis are subtle channels of energy that flow through the body. They are not something tangible that one can touch and see, but it is perceptible to those with subtle vision and can nevertheless be experienced. This technique mentioned by Shiva says, one can realise the supreme being if they sit down in a relaxed manner with the spine erect and focus the attention on the Sushumna Nadi that runs from the tip of the spine to the top of the head like a slender fibre of the lotus stem. Energy or Kundalini Shakti, which is nothing but one's awareness, flows through this space which is an experience of the stillness and silence of Shiva. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Vignana Bhairava Tantra - 30

Step by step

Kramadwaadashakam Samyag Dwadashaakshara Bheditam
Sthoolasookshma Parasthithyaa Muktwa Muktwantatah Shivaha

When the 12 centres of the energy in the body are experienced successively by chanting of the seed sounds or the Beeja Aksharas, one gets liberated of the bodies - gross, subtle and beyond and finally merges with Shiva - consciousness. The methods in which the mantras (sounds) can be chanted, may be learnt under the guidance of a Guru. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Worship

The deluded intellect

Aprabuddhamateenam Hi Eta Balavibheeshika
Matrumodakarvatsarvam Pravrutyarthamudahitam

*****

Consciousness - the state of Shiva has to be understood. Everyone cannot learn it directly. It is like trying to reach the terrace without climbing any staircase. The terrace contains space. To reach that space high above, one has to climb a stairway, constructed in space. The worship of Bhairava in name and form is like climbing stairs.


Shiva says that for those whose intellect is not fully developed, the various names and forms of God are given, watching their tendencies. The names and forms can be fierce or loving images, just as harsh words are used at times to frighten children or the mother cajoling the child into a discipline with sweets. The name and form of idol worship is meant to coax the person to meditate on consciousness with an idol placed before him.


- (Picture: With village children at Ukhimath, Himalayas). - Swahilya Shambavi.
(Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Tirumandiram, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Nothing

Neti Neti

Tatwato Na Navatmasau Shabdarashirna Bhairavaha

Nachasau Trishiro Devaha Nacha Shaktitrayathmakaha

To understand what consciousness is, it is necessary to know what consciousness is not. Shiva, the first teacher of Yoga, negates Devi's suppositions that the Bhairava's form or consciousness is the nine forms of energy which include the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, energy, sun and moon, the various mantras or sounds which are a garland of letters, the three patterns of energy flow - the Ida - feminine, Pingala - masculine and Sushumna - neutral or the three forms of creative forces - the Iccha Shakti - the energy of desire, the Kriya Shakthi - the energy of action and Gnana Shakthi - the energy of knowledge.

How much ever science probes the world outside, splitting the atom or watching outer space, it still continues to dabble with different forms of energy only. It does not touch consciousness which is the very being that supports all the search and research.

If the different forms of energy can be likened to a cell, Shiva, Bhairava or Consciousness can be likened to the being that observes the cell through the eyes and the microscope. Shiva is that being which writes this and reads it too. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Picture: You guessed it right! The lady far behind is the Statue of Liberty in the Atlantic Ocean near Manhattan, New York.)

(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Tirumandiram, Maha Shivaratri, Chicago Satsang, Himalayas, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)