On one particular of the darkest nights in February or March on the new moon, there is a celebration to honor Shiva, the Hindu God of Destruction known as Maha Shivaratri, or the “Evening of Shiva”. On this night individuals collect at the Hanuman temple in Taos, committed to Neem Karoli Baba, or Maharaji as he is lovingly identified, to “destroy” aspects of self no longer advantageous. This tiny adobe temple is set in a neighborhood not far from the Taos plaza. The grounds are tranquil and the developing appears like any other residence in the area. The silence that pervades this sacred space sets the tone for deep meditation and ecstatic chanting!
I reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico and am blessed to be within driving distance of the Hanuman Temple, a Neem Karoli Baba Ashram located in Taos. The celebration is coming up soon and as I create this, I gaze upon a image that I took at last year’s Maha Shivaratri. The picture is of the the altar devoted to Shiva. There is a quite big Hanuman statue, the monkey god, who represents the ultimate devotee, in the Taos ashram. He is a reminder to me to live my life with much more dedication, devotion and enjoy. As I prepare myself for the coming occasion, I reflect on the final year of my life. Have I lived with integrity and discrimination? What is it that I would like to shed a snake’s skin?
The celebration starts at sunset and ends as the sun rises. Several folks will quick beforehand in order to acquire a boon or blessing from Shiva. The rapidly is broken following the 1st round of the ceremony. There are five rounds all through the evening, with prasad, a fruit or sweet, offered at the end of every single round. Within it is contained the blessings from the ritual and is eaten by each and every participant.
The entire ceremony is an active spiritual meditation. In the course of every single round there are offerings created to Shiva and poured over the Shiva lingam, an egg-shaped stone that represents inventive manifestation, the male aspect of getting. Photos of Neem Karoli Baba and other Hindu deities appear on and seem to come alive with the participation of all involved. Their presence is felt deeply. I see a twinkle in Maharaji’s eye as if he approves of my prayers! Every round and supplying has its own significance. Shiva mantras are repeated and sung which puts the mind in a deep state of meditation.
There is delicious chai supplied throughout the evening, I believe to hold everybody awake and alert. I am grateful for this and drink it in to stimulate, warm and comfort me! The small adobe ashram is full to the brim with men and women from the surrounding area. Each and every person comes for their own motives, some supplying flowers and gifts to the altar. I come to simply offer you myself. At some point for the duration of the celebration there is a break in which a whole meal is provided to the devotees. Even with this break there is a strong feeling of silence, prayer and devotion.
Quickly the subsequent round starts as we chant into the early hours of the morning. The hours of 2-5am are sacred as the veil among the worlds is said to thin. It is at this time that I truly drop in to the meditation. Diverse folks lead us all in the mantras and there is a feeling of comprehensive surrender and utter devotion. Some folks really feel waves of ecstasy and dance joyously with newly discovered power. I remain seated as the mantras consume me.
As the sun starts to rise and the ceremony comes to a close, I sense a presence within me. I feel Shiva with joy in my heart. I really feel renewed and awake, as even though I have been burned by way of the sacred fires, metaphorically speaking. Even even though the chanting ends it continues to echo in my thoughts as I leave the temple with to the sound of ringing bells. The drive property seems surreal as I really feel the warmth of the day enter my getting and watch the landscape adjust from the higher desert of Taos by way of the Rio Grande river valley into the city of Santa Fe. The 90 minutes go by in a flash and I enter back in to my ordinary, daily life with the vibration of the prayers resounding within me and a feeling a freshness and new beginnings upon me.
The single word “OM” produces the sound and vibration which enables you to feel at a single with the nature. Chanting this sound cleans your aura, removes all negative things from your thoughts, boosts self self-assurance and increases concentration. One particular who chants OM every day develops divine qualities such as compassion, truth, really like, purity, patience, and courage. Vibrations of OM boost your endorphins level which improves your mood and you feel refreshed and relaxed.
Throughout the course of reciting you will experience the thoughts, breath, sound and vibration of mantra flowing simultaneously. This harmonization has stunning effect which aids to hold the thoughts calm and physique relaxed.
The specific version of OM with 528 Hz frequency is known for its ultra calming effects on mind and body
Morning meditation is the best way to begin but you can do it any time anywhere. Chant OM aloud or silently. Chant as lengthy as you feel like chanting.
Om chanting is not only beneficial for the chanter but also helps to transform our planet, sends out a stronger constructive vibration in the surrounding and magnifying the healing impact.
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