Date: March 1, 2022
Time: 7:30PM - 8:30PM EST (USA)
Location: Online via Zoom
To receive Zoom link please register ONCE on our booking page.
Chanting: Words will be screen-shared via Zoom.
About Maha Shivaratri
The “Great Night of Shiva”, Maha Shivaratri, is a festival that is celebrated with great devotion in the Indian subcontinent and amongst yogis worldwide. Unlike other festivals which tend to happen during the day and with much fanfare, Shivaratri is a more solemn affair that typically includes fasting, meditation, chanting and keeping vigil throughout the night.
Why so?
Shivaratri is said to be the night that Shiva awoke to his pure state in this material plane, as such becoming the Aadi Yogi or first Yogi, an illumined One and guide for all. He became Pure Consciousness—not wanting for anything, nor needing to renounce anything, as He merged with All that Is.
On Shivaratri we look to align ourselves with the qualities and the state of Shiva— pure, open, without pretention, spontaneous, and ever creative, fully in the flow of life.
We practice self control through fasting and meditation, learning to ride the waves of like and dislike, self-doubt, and sleep.
Through the chanting of Shiva’s mantras we not only attune ourselves to the 'channel’ of Shiva, we also invoke the mantra as a Kavach, or protective shield against suffering & ignorance. This protection is not just for those that chant, but for all of creation.
We look forward to have you join in our free community Maha Shivaratri Celebration this March 1st @ 7.30pm EST (USA). Young, old, familiar with mantra or not, in good or ill health, all are welcome. Shiva-- with his matted dreadlocked hair, body covered in ash, and entourage of odd-looking rejects—sees through all “imperfections” to our true nature. We need not be perfect to sit with Shiva. Come as you are.
“O Shiva! you are my Self. My mind is Parvati. My Pranas are your servants. My body is your house. My actions in this world are your worship. My sleep is Samadhi. My walk is circumambulation of you. My speech is your prayer. Thus do I offer all that I am to you.”