Everything is Shakti

In March 2022, I attended a 12-day online program called Paramashivoham Level 3 conducted by my Guru, HDH Bhagavan Nithyananda Paramashivam (fondly known as Swamiji). Daily the participants received different initiations into super conscious mutation that were so powerful.

One particular initiation happened on Day 6 when Swamiji initiated all the participants into the super conscious mutation of Shakti (the Manifest). He said” “Everything is Shakti” – Everything is nothing but an expression of Shakti.

The entire world is nothing but a manifestation of the cosmic spirit (Purusha) and its substance (Prakrithi). Every form, subtle and gross, is nothing but the cosmic principle in an assumed or derived state – that is why the enlightened beings declared that everything is Shakti.

From the work of a great Siddha, Thirumoolar in his book, he wrote: “She assumes a million, million forms” ~ Thirumanthiram, Verse 1102.

“One who enters the state of shakti has the feeling of identification with Shiva, without division. Then one verily becomes like the form of Shiva. In this context, it is said that Shakti is the face of Shiva” ~ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra Sutra 20.

“Just as space, direction and form are revealed by the flame of a candle or the rays of the sun, similarly Shiva is revealed by the medium of Shakti, oh dear one” ~ Vijnana Bhairava Tantra Sutra 21.

Prakrithi, the cosmic substance is the divine feminine consciousness that is responsible everything we see and experience – family, country, inner space etc.

In the microcosm (human body), when she expresses as space element, it is inner space. When she expresses as air element, it is wind (vayu) or prana shakti. When she expresses as fire element, it is digestive fire (Jathara Agni). When she expresses as water element, it is fluid like blood and interstitial fluid. When she expresses as earth element, it is flesh and bones. The same 5 elements in the Cosmos can be found in our body.

As a Yogini, this initiation started to manifest in this body in different aspects of my existence. For example, my morning yoga sadhana (practice) had transformed into a dance of Shakti. As I tuned into my presence, I was able to experience the prana shakti – the life energy as an intelligent energy moving the body gracefully. The yoga practice then became a play of flow of life with 5 elements of Cosmos – expanding and retracting, yielding and rebounding, reaching out and coiling back. In this divine play, there was no thought, only movements as the manifest form of Shakti (matter) dancing with Paramashiva (energy). To me, this is the highest form of Yoga – an ecstatic dance as a celebration of my very Existence and blissful nature.

The sage Patanjali said in Yoga Sutra 97, Chapter 2, Verse 46 – Sthira Sukam Aasana, meaning the way in which you tune yourself to the Cosmos should be stable, sturdy and comfortable for you. This requires one to find that stability, comfort, ease-ness in one’s body. When this state is experienced, you will find intense joy living in this body. It is also a huge completion with your own body.  You will have a body you enjoy and love to be in. So much healing happens to the biological clock and you develop the most graceful body in which you are happy to live in. Swamiji said having a body in which you can truly celebrate you is real BEAUTY.  I think I finally understood the true meaning of beauty and grace as per Hinduism.

When she expresses as creative energy, it becomes 64 arts (kalas) of Vedic culture like singing, dance, playing instruments, archery, painting, garland making, theatrical, cooking, problem solving etc.  When she is in oneness with Paramashiva (the Unmanifest), she becomes extraordinary powers (Shaktis). When a woman develops chastity to the oneness, she literally becomes Shakti.

This knowing opens up so many hidden dimensions in me which I can’t help but just celebrate my infinite possibilities and powers as an embodiment of Shakti. Namaste.