Shiva and Shakti: Connection with the divine male and female in all of us

Within the universe and within our own body and mind, there is a balance of opposing forces; Light and dark, hot and cold, heavy and bright, movement and silence and so on. The old wisdom of Ayurveda understands that life consists of these opposites and that finding an equilibrium between them is the key to a healthy physical and mental state. Ayurveda is a system with the still older line of tantra, that should lead the practitioner to understand himself on spiritual, mental, emotional and physical levels. The word "tantra" itself can be translated as "interwoven" and refers to the need for the polarities of life; Bright and dark, yin and Yang and male and female to weave together to create wholeness.

It is this "weaving together" that is supposed to play a role in creating the world that we know today. When Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati (also known as Shakti) united, their energy was interwoven and the universe was born. Through this birth we can see the balance from day and night, summer and winter, water and fire in front of our eyes. In addition to these polarities that exist in nature, there is a divine male and female energy in all of us. Name it "yin and yang", "sun and moon" or "male and female"; These two opposing forces that make up the wholeness of what it means to be a person. This interweaving of male and female is formed in the ardhanarishvara ; A half male and half female being consisting of Shiva and Shakti, which are divided equally in the middle. If there was ever a symbol of "equality", the old texts had found it out very early! The earliest known illustrations of this form date from the first century AD and show how inseparable the opposing energies of male and female are and can be found in every part of nature. Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman or identify very differently, there are aspects of these divine energies that we can adjust to every day to find more balance in mind and body and to celebrate Shiva and Shakti in all of us. Read three perspectives and practices to promote this awareness.

left right

In many yoga exercises, the left and the right side of the body are devoted to the two types of energy. The right side of the body is the traditional male side, while the left side is connected to femininity. On the right is the pingala nadi, wearing a channel prana or "life energy" from the base of the spine through each of the chakras to the top of the head. The pingala nadi represents the sun, warmth, fiery energy and stimulation, and we can actually improve these energies in our own body and mind by practicing Surya bhedana, or "right nostril". When inhaling mainly through the right nostril, the blood circulation increases, the body temperature increases, cortisol and blood pressure increase and the heart rate increases. All of these reactions show that the breathing of the right nostril hole affects the sympathetic nervous system (the "fighting or flight" page of the nervous system) and puts the body into a state of vigilance and willingness - useful if you need a thrust of motivation and energy, or to compensate for lethargic, low conditions.

The left channel linked to Ida nadi, a channel that is devoted to female energy on the left side of the body and also runs from the coccyx through the chakras and combines pingala nadi on the top. In breathing mainly through the left nostril (a technique that is known as "chandra bhedana" or "moon-activating" breath)- combined with Ida Nadi- the sympathetic or "rest and digestive side" of the nervous system is activated, which reduces blood pressure and body, calming down the stress level and reduction of fear. This type of breathing also sends blood to the right brain, combined with creative thinking, daydreaming and emotions.

If you approach a situation that may require more Shiva energy, practice breathing your right nostril, and when your Shakti energy is needed, practice breathing your left nostril. A simple way to compensate for the two energies is to practice regularly nadi Shodhana, or "alternating nasal breathing".

To practice this, join your right nostril and breathe in through the left, then exclude your left nostril and breathe out through the right. Then breathe in through the right nostril, close the right nostril and breathe out through the left. In the truest sense of the word, breathe through "alternative" nostrils to compensate for the brain and compensate for the energy of the body.

yin & yang seasonal & daily cycles

Every season contains a certain amount of Shiva yang and Shaktis yin energy. In the northern hemisphere, spring and summer are traditionally a time of "building up Yang-Energie", which is associated with our ability to manifest and act in the world, put ideas into practice and to enjoy the "fiery" side of ourselves. In autumn and winter, the Yin energy, which encourages us to turn inwards, maintain our body and mind and to leave space and time for regeneration creative energy.

If we move through the year on a linear way - without recognizing the need to respect and follow the fluctuations of Yin and Yang as well as the male and female energy, which increases and falls, we start to live from the orientation towards nature. This is the time when exhaustion, stress and illness can occur. This is a clear message to realign our body and mind with the rhythms of the world around us. To adapt to the different rhythms of nature and how your Shiva and Shakti energy affects us, it is useful to maintain a relationship and connection to the sun (traditionally Shiva aspect) and to the moon (Shakti-Planet).

To get in the mood for the sun, start to observe the sunrise and sunset as often as possible. Perhaps this is one of the oldest rituals that people have ever had, and it is a wonderful way to return to our more original, more instinctive self and to help the body clock return to a healthy rhythm.

To connect with the moon, watch the changing moon phases and consider how the moon affects its own energy level. Many of us may recognize that a full moon can increase the emotions very much, and this is a good time to think about letting go of things that you have recorded in the last cycle. A new moon is a time for deep calm and self -observation, planning and self -care.

Try these techniques in the next few months to compensate for your Shiva and Shakti energy and to combine these powerful counter -forces in order to cultivate a state of abundance in mind and body.