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The
Union of Shiva & Shakti:
Awakening Your Consciousness
and Lifeforce Energy
Tantra
is an ancient system, born in India around 5000 B.C. Throughout time,
Tantric art has captured the images of the Hindu god Shiva and his
consort, the goddess Shakti, in ecstatic union. Shiva is recognized
as the embodiment of pure consciousness, and Shakti as the embodiment
of pure energy. The Hindus believed that through uniting with Shiva,
Shakti gave form to his spirit and created the universe.
Tantra
views the universe, in all its manifestations, as an act of love.
This is the meaning of the yab-yum images found in Buddhist iconography
where male and female Buddhas are united in sexual union. These pictures,
or thankas, are not literal. They represent inner realization and
the union of the male and female energies, of skillful means and wisdom,
bliss and space. It is our awakened state expressed in its most dynamic,
ecstatic form.
The
relationship between Shakti and Shiva is the dance of consciousness
and energy experienced within each of us, regardless of gender.
Your
inner Shakti is your lifeforce energy. The essence of feminine and
yin energy. From this essence comes forth wisdom, beauty, playful
energy, spaciousness, ability, creativity, and power. Shatki is the
Great Mother and matrix of creation and all manifestation. She is
the power that weaves the universe and manifests in all forms. The
perfection of wisdom. The tangible manifestation of energy through
the body and the senses.
Your
inner Shiva is your unique embodiment of awareness and consciousness.
Known as "lord of the dance," Shiva is the essence of masculine
and yang energy, the manifestation of presence, purpose, and skillful
means. Shiva is the Great Father, with ultimate compassion for all
beings. He represents transcendence, detachment, bliss, and the way
to ultimate liberation. Shiva is silent, eternal, the consciousness
that dwells beyond time and beyond death, in the eternal now. Your
inner Shiva is that ever-present neutral awareness that compassionately
witnesses all experience, and embraces all of life as expressions
of the Divine.
Together
in union, Shiva and Shakti merge and create the universe in all its
manifestations. Experienced in each of us, this is a union of male
and female energies, the direct experience of skillful means and wisdom.
You can open to this joyful dance between Shiva and Shakti, experienced
as two aspects of your self, and reflected in all living beings as
pleasure, beauty, happiness, and aliveness.
Balanced
and integrated, our inner Shiva and Shakti guide us through life as
a dynamic whole. We move forward with clear vision, yet we are willing
to trust and flow with whatever life brings us. As we become more
whole, our need to look outside of ourselves for love falls away.
We experience the sweetness of the tantric union of our inner man
and woman. From this place we can create more harmonious and ecstatic
relationships and more joy in our lives.
Namaste.
And be well!
