Downward Facing Blog

Tonight and tomorrow your thoughts are magnified 1000X 

According to the hindu calendar, once a year on the new moon in the month of “Maagha” (similar sound to the name for Ma-ka-ra for the Thai name for this month of March) occurs “the night of Shiva” or what is called “MahaShivaratri”

The tradition is to fast from grains or fast completely from food, stay up all night and chant OM NAMAH SHIVAYA. Some people also drink Bhang Lassis which is basically low-quality ganja mixed into a yogurt drink. I think it may be difficult to chant with concentration while stoned so I will skip that, but it’s said that it’s Shiva’s favorite drink/pastime.

If you’re in Bangkok, Wat Kaek goes off with Puja every 3 hours all night long. Basically you and a group of people follow the brahmin priests while they chant longer mantras (usually from the Shiva Rudram) and pour milk, ghee, honey, and flowers atop the Shiva Lingam and yoni which represents the male aspect of consciousness (lingam) and the feminine aspect of power (yoni)

Shiva is the representation of pure witness consciousness within. At the highest level, parashiva is the merging of Shakti (energy/feminine) and Shiva (consciousness).

The way I see it is, OM NAMAH SHIVAYA - Give respect, in the name of (namah) consciousness (Shivaya). Simply pull back within, offer your thoughts and actions, and food of all kinds as offerings to your own divine nature, your own consciousness within.  I’m not sure if I’ll be able to stay up all night, I’m kind of into waking up early.. but I will be chanting in my mind all day long. Or at the minimum, think positive thoughts that you wish to carry forth into the universe. Perhaps you wish to manifest some change in your life… focus strongly today, especially tonight. Or perhaps you just want to offer your thoughts as yogic tapas, offering to the agni- the flame of consciousness.

Lovies, Adrian Cox