To understand Shiva, one must transcend the confines of rational thought, beyond the transactional realm of Nama (name), Roopa (form), and Vyavahara (conduct). This is expansive not constrictive, it is inclusive not exclusive, as commonly understood by many.
In the realm of spiritual inquiry, the concept of Shiva Spandana—resonance with Shiva, the embodiment of omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence—stands as a powerful reminder that when we truly resonate with the pure amness that we all experience as the Spandana(throb), then we truly realise the inter-being of stillness and movement - Siva & Shakti in everything and anything; at all times and beyond.
Shiva-Spandana, or resonance, becomes our guiding light. Spandana is the dynamic, ever-present vibration that moves while remaining centered—a call to connect with our boundlessness which is possible only when one is centred. It is the inner throb of the universe, the pulse of Shiva, which, when acknowledged, shatters the confines of our identification with the body-mind-intellect and dissolves these boundaries that restrict us.
On the night of Shivaratri, we are reminded to break free from the chains of form and limitation. When the infinite is forced into a finite boundary, duality and suffering emerge. Only by returning to the center—our inner stillness—can we experience true expansion.
Our spiritual practices—whether through the chanting of Om Namah Shivaya or the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra —are not mere rituals. They are profound acts of diving deep into Nāda( sound)using bijaksharas or sounds found in the universe- we can dissolve all tamasic and rajasic vasanas (latent tendencies) to unveil our true boundless nature.. This is ANANDA.
When you are the entire chessboard, you are all the players on the chessboard, do you enjoy the game or are you worried about your king and queen then or will you enjoy the game?
If you realize that you are the entire universe, expansive at all times, Does that bring fear in you, greed in you, homo in you, threat from others in you, sense of death, fear, anxiety, greed, hatred? Is there any room for all of it when you are expansive into everything? And yet, you may still have the boundary of the body. Possible? Not possible.
In these moments of deep meditation and resonance, the entire universe becomes accessible, and the illusion of separation vanishes. We find that every element of the cosmos, every vibration, every atom, and every thought, is part of a grand, unifying dance. This dance is Shiva’s, where Shakti—the dynamic energy of creation—manifests in a symphony of infinite diversity. When we tap into this cosmic resonance, we break free from our limited identities, expanding our consciousness to embrace the totality of existence and express this unfathomable grandeur (vaibhavam) as Aishwaryam in one’s living.
The core idea is that the limitations we impose on ourselves prevent us from grasping the immense potential each of us hold within and are not biased by the tags of society based on beauty, power, wealth or position etc.
Spandana, or Resonance, is about being centered as we expand our awareness. On Shivaratri, we're reminded to break free from the boundaries we’ve created as just a body-mind phenomenon, which trap us in anxiety and pain, misery, fear, greed and instead reconnect to the infinite presence of Shiva - the totality- the Poornam..
To truly expand, we need to recognize the fundamental stillness, which is the substratum of everything, like space, and is the foundation for creation. Spandana, which means stillness and mobility, helps us access the Center of our existence.The symbol of infinity represents the infinite creation that needs an anchor of the Bindu(dot) that centers it.
Realizing this form of resonance frees us from limitations like fear and anxiety, drawing us closer to our expansive, infinite nature—the truth of Shiva. This shift requires intense inquiry and re-engineering of the mind.
To experience Shivatva to be that SHIVAM, we need to move beyond mundane and embrace the deep silence that echoes within all of us, awaiting to be discovered. It is this stillness which the wise refers to as Shiva, Self, Ishwara and when this stillness finds its expression through Karma, Bhakti, and Jnana yoga it can only be SHUBHAM for one and all. This is the real joy of divine expression that expresses itself as the Nattanam of Nataraja..
Unconditional Bhakti helps us expand to a boundaryless state much effortlessly, while centering ourselves in the world of limitless possibilities. The realization that everything we seek is already within us — waiting to be freed from the veils of distractions — leads to true freedom or liberation that all are seeking in the name of Sukham.
Continuous inquiry, shedding vasanas (mental impurities), and connection with the Guru allow us to break barriers and realize our true, expansive nature.
Let this SHIVARATRI be a call to awaken: to engage in continuous self-enquiry and to celebrate the stillness that is our true nature. For in that profound silence lies the potential to dissolve all boundaries, to experience the divine in every moment, and to live a life of limitless freedom and divine creativity!!.
CHIDANANDA ROOPA SHIVOHAM SHIVOHAM !!
Uttishta (wake up) Inquire, Awaken & Harmonize !!
All programs at EKAM INITIATIVE, are part of the process to tap in to this innate potential that each of us carries and express them forth in one’s unique way. This is Advaita, a space where division and duality transforms into harmony and oneness with the whole of existence, a state free from conflict internally and rhythm in life.
We encourage you to participate in these programs to experience this journey first-hand.
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