Other Topics

Other Topics

Below is an overview of other topics that will be covered in the future on this website.

What is Shiva?

Shiva is the supreme cosmic principle, the supreme law of nature. It is also known as “brahman”, “sat-chit-ānanda”, and (in physics) the Unified Field. Technically speaking, this principle is named “Shiva-Shakti”, i.e. the union/unity of spirit/consciousness and matter/nature (also known as “Purusha” and “Prakriti”).

No Guru

The simple sādhana requires no guru or initiation. Everything necessary is provided in this website, and there are no secret esoteric teachings. If one needs specific spiritual guidance, one is free to seek out a qualified guru. If one wishes to learn meditation and yoga, there are many organizations which teach those.

Rudra Gayatri

This is a mantra one can chant as desired, to provide inspiration and guidance. We will provide audio and instruction in the future. Here is the mantra in Sanskrit: “tat-puruṣāya vidmahe, mahādevāya dhīmahi, tan-no rudraḥ pracodayāt”.
There are many Gayatri mantras and we will list the common ones on a future webpage.

Vedic Deities

The Vedic deities (Sanskrit “deva” or “devatā”) are personifications of the laws of nature which govern the human mind (both conscious and unconscious) and personality. Examples of deities include: Shiva, Vishnu, Devi/Shakti, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Hanuman, Indra, Surya, etc. Each deity has its own qualities, form, stotras, and mantras.
The concept of “ishta-devatā” refers to one’s chosen deity, i.e. that deity which is most useful for one’s development, at a given time. Thus, for any individual there might be a more optimal mantra than “Śivāya namaḥ”. This will be discussed on a future webpage, including how to select “ishta-devatā” with simple mantras that require no initiation.

An essential tool, not a panacea

A simple sādhana is an important tool for living. It doesn’t solve all problems, but it helps you get to work solving them, and helps you live in accordance with dharma.

Beyond dualism

The philosophical underpinnings of this project come from the “non-dual” teachings of Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism. In Western philosophy, the most similar teaching is “dual-aspect monism”, and in theology it’s “panentheism”. Understanding non-dual philosophy is very liberating. (However, it is not necessary to believe in non-dualism in order to practice the sādhana and get results from it.)

Eternal existence

Consciousness is eternal, as realized by the ancient Vedic seers. (For instance, Bhagavad Gita 2.12, “Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you … nor will we ever cease to be.”) Also, modern physicists (such as Max Tegmark, Brian Cox, and Sean Carroll) are beginning to realize that “you” are eternal and immortal, because the number of universes is infinite. So, materialists can no longer easily dismiss the idea of eternal existence.
For most people the prospect of consciousness existing forever is very difficult to come to terms with, but it needs to be done because the truth sets you free.

Eternal devotion of the Bhagavatam

The concept of eternal devotion is expounded in the Bhagavatam purana by such sages as Narada, Vyasa, and the Four Kumaras. The idea is that if one is an eternally existent being, then it makes sense to devote oneself “lifetime after lifetime” to God (who is one’s highest Self, and the Source of one’s own being). This devotion removes the vapidity and futility of eternal existence.

Protection (Sanskrit “kavacha”)

The period of 2020 through 2025 is likely to be turbulent and crisis-filled. As such, one is wise to have “kavacha” to give oneself some protection, beyond whatever preparations one can make to survive. In the future we will provide wearable “kavacha”, but for now we provide the audio of an important kavacha stotra which gives the protection of Mrityunjaya (“Victory over death”, a name of Shiva). You can download it from the Mrita-Sanjivani Kavacha page.

User Forum

The Shiva Boons sādhana will provide a moderated forum in the future, to allow users to ask and answer questions. The forum will help build a community of those who follow this sādhana.

App

The Shiva Boons sādhana will provide an “app” for smartphones and tablets. The app will provide useful support, including audio, selecting mantras for specific purposes, reminders, etc.

Audio and Video

Useful audio and video will be added to the website. Among other things, this will help users have good Sanskrit pronunciation of mantras.

Frequently Asked Questions

For questions about the simple sādhana itself, check out the FAQ page.

Let us know via the Contact page if there are any topics you would like to see expanded to full pages soon. We look forward to providing you with much interesting information in the future.

Thanks for reading.