Shiva Shakti

Thanks to Bruce for this inspirational and enlightening day on the subject of Shaivism.

Anyone who knows Bruce and his love of India and its culture will not find it surprising that the knowledge he shared with us on the day was jam packed with wisdom, great healing was received through the Mantras and meditations that he led.

He started by dispelling the misconceptions we had of "Shiva The Destroyer" as we viewed a wonderful poster depicting Kali Devi standing victoriously over Yogi Shiva. He went on to explain how everything comes from the Divine Cosmic Three Eyed One. Blue from having consumed poison to save the world, he is everything. One of the phrases used was "He, She and It".

The legends we then heard, Bruce explained, were a means of teaching and inspiring people and helping them to make decisions in circumstances that arise in their lives, just as our Ancestors used our own legends before they were embellished as entertainment for modern readers. We heard how Shiva Brought Vishnu and Bramha into existence, forming the Hindu Trinity. After this story we were told about Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva and two of their sons, including the story of why Ganesh has the head of an elephant and is the one who should always be approached first in worship according to Shaivism and others.

For me, these truly amazing stories have widened the path ahead and I can't wait to learn more but the day didn't stop there, we had a huge discussion on our hands as we tried to come to terms with qualities of acceptance and how we can make it a part of our everyday lives. Many of the items used in Hindu worship were explained to us and still there was more...

We Learned about Om, ( AUM:-) ) and the significance of 108 as Bruce told us about Mantras. He then taught us the first one of the day which we did recite 108 times, entering straight into a meditation on its completion. We did one of these twice on the day. The first in the Morning and another in the afternoon and it was explained to us that the sounds made were given to create the right vibrations to bring about changes for the needs of people who chant, listen or just happen to find themselves in the location even some time after the Mantra is completed.

Everyone enjoyed the day so much that even after this they didn't let a very willing Bruce get away easily. He finished on a Healing Mantra that was very long and complicated and many chanted this too, the full 108 times. It was amazing how many of the students picked it up so quickly and just as amazing was the warm, healing serenity that the energy of the workshop took on.

You can see from what I have written here that this was a full on day and yet it is just the small part of everything that that touched me, delivered and taken on in such a gentle and graceful way. In closing I also have to say that everyone who was there brought their own energy in presence, helping to make it a perfect day.

Thanks again Bruce and I look forward to the next one.

Blessings of Acceptance

Todd