Mahashivratri Guided Meditation with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Introduction to Meditation

• 💡 The session begins with chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" followed by a guided meditation.
• 📜 A story from the Puranas describes Brahma and Vishnu's inability to comprehend Shiva's vastness, leading to their surrender to a huge Shiva Lingam of light.
• 🌌 The universe is described as an expansion of energy, both manifest and unmanifest, with participants having a part of both within them.

Preparation and Initial Focus

• ✅ Participants are instructed to sit comfortably with a straight spine and closed eyes.
• ✨ The practice involves feeling cosmic energy from all directions, envisioning oneself within a pillar of light, like the Shiva Lingam.
• 🙏 The meditation encourages reposing in the energy of Lord Shiva with a pleasant mind and a smile.

Guided Chanting and Relaxation

• 🎶 The core practice involves chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" multiple times, accompanied by deep breaths.
• 🧘‍♂️ Participants are guided to let go of all efforts and relax, bringing attention to the floor and allowing the mind to spread.
• 🌬️ Further relaxation focuses on the naval region, maintaining a smile, and allowing every cell of the mind and brain to go into deep relaxation and expansion.

Expanding Awareness

• 🚀 Attention is then directed above the head to the space, feeling a pillar of energy descending from outer space.
• 🌌 The mind is encouraged to spread into the vast sky and cosmos, letting go of all efforts and the need to do or know anything.

Concluding the Practice

• 💖 Towards the end, participants are invited to offer any wishes at the feet of the Divine, trusting they will be fulfilled.
• 🧘‍♀️ The meditation concludes with deep breaths, gradually becoming aware of the body and surroundings, and then opening the eyes.