Perceiving Shiva’s Extraordinary Force

 

This ancient mantra transcribed in the ancient Vedas, can be translated as- “Om, Salutations to the Self, Absolute Consciousness”, or “Greetings to That which I am capable of Realizing as my True Self.” The Tantric Shaivite traditions honor the murti (or image of) Shiva as a representation of Supreme Consciousness, as per these traditions, they are reflective of our innate nature. We are already That, and yet our man-made perceptions and concepts limit our understanding and contract our sense of self into something limited and finite.