The month of Shravan arrives and a change begins to appear in the atmosphere. Water is offered at Shiva temples, the sound of “Om Namah Shivaya” is heard, people observe fasts, perform worship, and adopt some rules and restraint in their lives.

One question should be asked to oneself: Is Shiva only in the temple? If Shiva is only in the temple, then when we come out of the temple after worship, where is Shiva? This is the very question from where the real experiential practice of Shiva begins.

Shiva is not merely to be worshipped. The Shiva principle has to be understood. Shiva is not merely to be understood either. The Shiva principle has to be experienced. And the Shiva principle is not merely to be experienced. It has to be expressed in one’s own life. This is the practice of Shravan.

Who is Shiva? We see Shiva in many forms. He is a yogi. He is a sannyasi. He is a householder. He is Bholanath. He is Mahakal. He is Nataraj. He is Neelkanth. Why are these different forms in one personality? Because Shiva is not the name of a particular personality. Shiva is a principle.

The meaning of Shiva is: benevolent, auspicious.

Therefore, whatever thoughts, whatever feelings and whatever actions in life take us from unrest to peace, from ignorance to knowledge, from bondage to freedom, from selfishness to service, and from ego to surrender, therein lies the expression of the Shiva principle.

From this perspective, in Shravan we should not ask, “What should I offer to Shiva?” We should also ask, “How do I bring Shiva into my life?”

Shiva’s Silence: Training of the Mind

What is Shiva’s Most Beautiful Form?

Meditating Shiva. The world around is moving. Changes are taking place. Creation is happening, it is disappearing. Circumstances are changing. But Shiva remains established in his centre. This is the teaching of yoga.

In life, circumstances will not go according to us. People will not behave according to us. The family will not behave according to us. Society will not behave according to us. The world will not behave according to us.

Yet we want everything to happen according to our wishes. And when it does not happen? Anger. Disappointment. Stress. Complaints. Blame. We say, “That person disturbed me.” In reality, the other person merely said some words or performed some action. The reaction of unrest arose within our own mind.

Meditating Shiva tells us: Before changing the situation, look at your reaction.

This is the psychological practice of Shravan. For one month, observe one of your reactions. If you get angry quickly, observe the anger. If you have a habit of complaining, observe the complaint. If you have a habit of criticising, observe the criticism. If you expect too much from others,........

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