Often we take the miracle of life for granted. Where did all this life come from? How is it that these unique streams of energy formed into humans, flowers, fish, trees, oceans, puppies etc.? How is it that the universe pulses with the most grand harmony and precise cooperation? What is the organizing element that moves energy into form with such divine architecture? And where does the energy of a soul go once the forms falls away? The Buddhist saying, “Ask not what the ear can hear but by what source the ear CAN hear” invites us to wonder about the unseen source behind all things seen, the silent source beneath all sound, and the unmanifested source of all things manifested. In the Yoga path of wisdom this silent source is called Shiva. And Shakti represents the many ways we dance this unseen source into expression, exploration and infinite expansion.
The divine animating principle pervading the universe is Shiva (the guy chillin’ on the ground). The word Shiva literally means “that which is not”. Shiva represents unmanifested potential, the still quiet field of vibration shimmering with anticipation, waiting to be drawn into form. Shiva might be what quantum scientists call Dark Energy; the energy that all form rises from and returns to; the “E” in E=mc2. All that manifests rises from and is imbued with the pulsation of Shiva, It is from the constant pulse of Shiva’s offering that the universe continues to unfold. Shiva is eternal potential but nothing manifested. Shakti (dancing on Shiva’s tummy) is the creative drive that organizes the potential of Shiva into growing, expanding, waves of expression; like your life and the projects and offerings within your life. Hindu art often depicts Shiva lying in quiet meditation while Shakti rouses him with her dance. Shiva’s quiet stillness is the foundation of Shakti’s creative movement. Shiva never moves, but quietly watches Shakti dance.
You might think of Shiva as the sun and Shakti as rays of sunlight. Without the rays of light emanating from the sun, its light and warmth and energy could not expand outward. So Shiva (sun) needs Shakti (rays of sunshine) to take the sun’s potential into action. Without the sun’s still power, Shakti would have no source to draw from as she dances sunlight out into the cosmos. You might also think of Shiva as the strength and stillness of a tree’s trunk and roots. And Shakti as the growing, spreading branches that sway in the wind and offer flowers and fruits year after year. Without the steady stillness of the trunk and roots, the branches could not grow and expand. And without the growth and expansion of the branches, the truck and roots sit dormant. And so it is the quiet still source of our consciousness that is the source of all the creative manifestation we enjoy and share in our life time. Without connection to, without recognition of our source/Shiva, the dance of our lives (Shakti) can be come chaotic, fearful, and misdirected. Yoga is the experience of acknowledging, honoring and strengthening our connection to Source/Shiva so that our growth, our offering, our Shakti dance is free and joyful, healing and uplifting.