Deep authentic human connection (including the inner relationship) is represented, not by the “love-struck” Romeo and Juliet, but rather by the primordial lovers symbolized in the cosmic dance of Shiva (divine masculine principle) and Shakti (divine feminine principle) from Hinduism. “Their love for each other is legendary, and their union brings peace, understanding, and exquisite bliss. It generates the full spectrum of existence, the ten thousand levels of manifestation” (Archita, 2017).
In Tantric cosmology, the divine couple symbolizes the primal forces of existence/being. They are the two manifestations of the divine Consciousness of Brahman (Cosmic Self). “There is no Shiva without Shakti, or Shakti without Shiva. The two […] in themselves are One” (Subramanian, 1998). Their union is an alchemical marriage between chaos and order. Shiva represents consciousness, while Shakti represents life energy.
At the dawn of creation duality came into existence together with a longing and compulsion to unite these polarities. Creation only springs forth from the unification of energy and consciousness. Energy and consciousness in isolation are barren. Until energy is impregnated with consciousness it is a “blind” force (chaos). Consciousness furnishes energy with purpose and form. This interconnectedness is depicted in Adi Shankara’s renowned hymn, Saundaryalahari (c. 800 CE): “If Shiva is united with Shakti, he is able to create. If he is not, he is incapable even of stirring” and his power remains dormant.
Clarissa Pinkola Estés (1992) wrote “… without Shakti, the personified feminine life force, Shiva, who encompasses the masculine ability to act, becomes a corpse. She is the life energy that animates the male principle, and the male principle in turn animates action in the world.” (p.309) Shiva symbolizes the image of Ultimate Reality – “The unchanging, unlimited and unswayable Observer”. Shakti is “She who cannot be contained” - untamed and limitless. She embodies vitality, movement and change. Shakti, as the motivating force behind the material universe, symbolizes the dynamic participatory act of creation.
Read more about their love story as a journey to wholeness http://archita1992.blogspot.com/2017/02/invitation-to-attend-wholeness-of-this.html
Written for @jungsouthernafrica
Image credit: www.templepurohit.com
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