How to Meditate on Shiva
Shiva is one of the principal deities in Hinduism, and is known as the patron of meditation and yoga. Regarded as the master of destruction, creation, and regeneration, Shiva can be thought of as beyond duality and form. While in essence he is formless and undefined cosmic consciousness, he can also be visualized as many incarnations or images. These include the meditator, the blessing (the karma yogi), the ego sacrificer, and the dancer. Meditating on Shiva by visualizing his manifestations and chanting mantras dedicated to him is a way of bowing to your own truest inner self and of awakening the third eye. Learn how to embrace your inner divinity and meditate on Shiva through breathing, visualizations, and by chanting mantras.
Prepare yourself and your space for meditation. Turn off your television and your cell phone, and eliminate other external distractions. Use a space in which you feel comfortable and free from the need to complete tasks and other stressors. Set aside designated time to meditate, preferably between twenty minutes and a couple hours, depending on your abilities and preferences.
- Wear comfortable clothes that are suitable for your space’s temperature. You’ll want to avoid being distracted by stiff clothing or by being too hot or too cold.
- Don’t allow birds chirping, cars driving by, and other unavoidable external sounds to interrupt your meditation. Being aware of the world and its interconnections can actually be beneficial to meditation.
- However, if you live in a location, such as by a subway stop or train track, where noise is dominating your thoughts, you should consider putting on music or a mantra recording, both of which are available on YouTube and other services.
Shiva Meditation – What Is It And What Are Its Benefits?
Shiva and meditation are inseparable. Don’t you think so? There is enough calendar art around portraying him as a deeply meditating seated mendicant to convince you so.
Well, that’s because he is the Lord of Meditation. Shiva Meditation is a process that replicates his intense stillness.
This meditation opens your third eye and enables your mind to function in the highest possible manner. It helps you master your mind and stop thoughts from affecting you.
Considered a life-changing process by great yogis, Shiva Meditation helps you become more evolved and conduct your everyday life in a meaningful manner.
Lord Shiva Meditation
The patron of yoga and meditation, Lord Shiva is considered by the followers of the Hindu religion as the main deity. Shiva is believed to be the guiding force behind all the creations, destruction’s and regeneration taking place in the world. His existence is beyond all the boundaries all the cultures. He is the only one hoc exits in various forms. He is that cosmic consciousness that cannot be defined and whose essence is formless. He has often been seen in many images like dancer, Mediator, the karma Yogi and ego sacrifices. He is the one who shows us the right path even in the worst of times and provides joy and serenity. Shiva meditation is one very effective technique of awakening your inner self and freeing yourself from all the boundaries of life. It is of paramount importance to all of us to learn to chant mantra, breath and visualise Shiva while practicing Shiva meditation.
Let’s explore more about meditating on Shiva and various benefits associated with Shiva meditation for once physical and emotional well being:
How to Meditate Upon Lord Shiva?
Saguna Meditation
Saguna meditation is meditation on a form. An archer first aims at a gross, big object. Then he takes up a medium object. Finally, he shoots at very small and minute objects. Even so, one should take to Saguna meditation to start with, and when the mind is trained and disciplined well, he can have Nirakara, Nirguna meditation. Saguna meditation is meditation on a concrete object. Saguna meditation is peculiarly pleasing the Bhakta, who loves to gaze on the peculiar form of his Ishtar. Sauna Upasana removes Vikshepa. For three or six months, practice Trataka on Siva’s picture.
Meditate on the mental picture of the Murti from half to two hours only in the Trikuti (space between the eyebrows). See and feel that the Lord is present in every object of the universe. When you meditate, mentally repeat the Mantra of the Deva ta, ‘Om Namah Sivaya’; think of the attributes of the Deity such as omnipresence, omnipotence and omniscience. Feel that Sattvic qualities from the Ishtam flow towards you. Feel that you possess these Sattvic qualities. This is Sattvic or Suddha Bhavana. You will have Darsana of your Ishtam in one or two years, if you are sincere in your Sadhana. Follow this plan. This will help concentration. Move the mind on the various parts of the Murti, the picture or idol of Lord Siva, and meditate. Sit upon your usual Asana. Repeat His name and think of His attributes like bliss, radiance, love, etc., gazing at His picture all the while. Then enthrone Him in the lotus of your heart or between your eyebrows amidst a blazing light. Now mentally think of His lotus-feet, offering your devout salutations. Take the mind to the elephant-skin worn round the waist, then to the necklace of Rudraksha beads, adorning His chest, and the beautiful blue hue of His throat (Nilakantha), serene countenance, radiating the majestic aura of profound meditations, the indrawn half-closed meditative eyes, the mysterious third eye in the center of the forehead. Next take the mind up to the matted locks, the cool crescent moon, and the sacred Ganga sprouting from the Jata. Rotate your mind on the trident (Trisula) in one hand, and then, the Damaru, in the other. Run your mind over the whole form till you complete all the details. Then fix your mind either on the face or upon the starting point (feet). Repeat the entire process again and again, as many times as you can. By constant practice, you will ultimately be established in meditation and have communion with Siva.
Lord Shiva Meditation Techniques for Healthy Life
Lord Shiva is the supreme God of Yoga. We can see take him to be the symbol of a victorious yogi. Shiva has cosmic consciousness which occurs in many forms. He has the incarnation as the peaceful Karma Yogi who sacrificed his ego when he came under Goddess Kali feet and also the dancer with the life as Nataraja.
Lord Shiva Meditation Techniques:
Following are Some Techniques to follow for Shiv Meditation:
- Breathe deeply and as you inhale and exhale try realizing about life.
- Fill the center every time with the in-breath and out-breath.
- When breath is all up and has been stopped or is all down and is stopped you will feel as universal pause. The sense of small disappears and this technique would be difficult for the impure.
- Feel the essence as light rays from center and up the vertebrae. It would raise a feeling of liveliness in you.
- Concentrate on your mind, stress on the area in between your eyebrows. Let your mind come before your thoughts.
- When you close your eyes, try and feel the inner sense of nature. Feel blessed with what you have with you.
- Be transformed by concentrating on the nerve which is as delicate as a lotus thread in the center of your spinal cord.
- Touch your eyeballs and feel lightness as a feather. This is when you will feel cosmos.
- Intone chant Om (a-u-m) slowly.
- Feel your body and soul with cosmic essence.=