What is Mahashivratri? Why is it so important, and how will it help non-religious and godless people? How to celebrate spiritually?

Mahashivratri marks the darkest night 

of  the month.

We humans are part of the universal energy, and the influence of planetary energy on our lives and mental states is believed in Vedic traditions. Many cultures largely believe in the lunar calendar and celebrate special days such as full moons and new moons. I have observed that lunar energy greatly affects human beings as a whole. Especially during new moons and full moons, people tend to behave differently. If you ask individuals who work in bars, hospitals, or the police force, they often report similar experiences: people are more prone to erratic behaviour,    violence, accidents, and a loss of sensory control during these times. With our busy lives, many of us may not even pay attention to these natural rhythms and refuse to accept that we are part of nature, walking around like emotional time bombs.

 

How do you turn mythology to your advantage to understand the truth? Before we delve into that, let's try to understand what Shivaratri is and why it's so important for yogic culture. Here, we're not delving into any mythological stories; rather, we're examining how it can benefit us as humans without looking through a religious microscope. Regardless of your religious beliefs, as human beings, it can aid us, and that's all we're interested in.

Acknowledging these natural cycles can provide an opportunity for those who have been neglecting themselves entirely and for those seeking a spiritual path to find more balance, to let go of their ego, and to look inward to cleanse mental clutter, physical toxins, and limited sensory engagement. Days like these can be used as opportunities to cleanse yourself holistically, which wellness programs can provide, unless you're ready to align your energy with nature and accept the fact that you are a coexistent part of this universe, not a superhero. So, use these days to cleanse your energy.

What is Shivratri?

Shivratri happens on the fourteenth day of each month's lunar cycle or the day before the new moon. Among the twelve Shivratri days in a year, Mahashivratri, which occurs in February-March, is the most spiritually important. On this night, there's a natural increase in energy within people due to the position of the northern hemisphere of the planet. According to Vedic tradition, it's a day when nature pushes individuals towards their spiritual peak. To make the most of this, a nightlong festival is observed. A key part of this festival is staying awake with an upright spine all night, allowing the natural energy to flow freely.

 What is Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri marks the darkest night of the month. Just as we have Christmas in the midst of extreme winter, Mahashivratri comes as a way for our wise ancestors to support mental health during challenging times. It's a time to reset our minds and align ourselves with universal energy.

Looking at these festivals from a mental health perspective, they offer clever ways to connect and bond with the energy around us. Let's leverage these celebrations to strengthen our mental well-being.

According to the lunar calendar, Shivratri is observed as the darkest day of the month. Celebrating Shivratri can occur monthly, with Mahashivratri being a particularly significant occasion.

Mahashivratri celebrates darkness, reminding us that within darkness, we find our inner light. It's a time for introspection and relaxation of our senses, allowing us to experience emptiness and nothingness (the word "Shiv" means "nothing" in simple terms). While darkness may induce anxiety in some, celebrations with joy, music, dance, and lights help alleviate these feelings. These rituals hold significance in the process.

Significance of Mahashivratri

Light represents happiness and joy, but it can vanish at any moment. However, if we can create internal light within ourselves, it becomes our strength, unshakeable by any dark or challenging situation, unless we let our own thoughts undermine it.

Many unfortunate events around us, such as war and power games, stem from the frustration and greed of individuals who cannot find inner light. They remain perpetually in darkness, manipulating and dividing the life energy around them in an attempt to create light within themselves, which ultimately fails. It's time for us to awaken and realize how to remain simple and joyful beings, cherishing every small thing around us.

To achieve this, we must cleanse the negativity we accumulate within ourselves daily from work, societal pressures, and interactions with others. So, how do we use this special day to cleanse ourselves? It should be a regular practice to cleanse your body and mind, but many people believe they are superior beings and do not need any cleansing. They prefer to walk around like frustrated emotional beings. However, sensible humans like to work on themselves regularly. If not, then at least use this special day to help yourself because we are part of the universe and aligning with universal energy is important for our well-being.

 

Celebrating Mahashivratri – for Non-Yogis

Now, let's talk about celebrating Mahashivratri 

 A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleansing Yourself for those who may not believe in rituals. Here, we aim to cleanse our internal system through fasting and purify our minds through meditation, breathing exercises, and chanting.

We also seek to withdraw our senses from unnecessary engagement with the external world to minimize unnecessary perceptions and impressions. This is what we typically teach people to learn through authentic yoga, not just focusing on physical movements (asanas). These instructions are not intended for experienced yogis who already have their own practice.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleansing Yourself

1.   Cleanse Your Environment: Clean your surroundings, create a calm and pleasant atmosphere with pleasant scents, and withdraw from daily troubles and ego games.

2.    Wake Up Early: Rise at least by 6 a.m., preferably before sunrise, or for spiritual seekers, even as early as 3:30 a.m.

3.    Express Gratitude: As you wake up, express gratitude for being alive and well.

4.    Cleanse Your Body: Take a thorough shower from head to toe. While showering, chant a mantra or simply    enjoy the sensation of water flowing over your body, feeling thankful for the experience.

5.    Wear Fresh Clothes: Put on fresh clothes while continuing to chant a mantra or the universal sound of "Om" in your mind. Stay focused on the present moment and enjoy every action you take.

6.    Breathing Practice: Sit down for 3 minutes and focus on your breath. Practice breathing out slowly  through your nose to release any accumulated carbon dioxide in your system. This can create space for more oxygen and clear your thoughts.

7.     Alternate Nostril Breathing: Practice alternate nostril breathing for 12 minutes to balance your energy flow. Start by closing your right nostril and breathing in through your left nostril, then alternate for a total of 12 round.

8.      Meditation and Concentration: Light a lamp or candle if you wish and find a comfortable seated position. Concentrate on your third eye or the light source, focusing your mind and closing your eyes. Chant a  mantra or simply focus on the light to connect with your inner joy.

9.      Mindful Eating: Throughout the day, eat only vegetarian, home-cooked meals or fruits and milk. If fasting, ensure you drink enough warm water and limit your food intake.

10.  Remain Silent: Limit unnecessary conversation and engage your senses in silence or spiritual activities like chanting or listening to calming music or nature sounds.

11.  Meditation and Spiritual Practice: Spend the day meditating, chanting, or engaging in spiritual practices. Remain awake until midnight, focusing on cleansing your energy and connecting with nature.

By following these steps, you can cleanse your energy and clear your mind and body on this special day of Mhashivratri.  Embrace the opportunity to connect with nature and create light within yourself, even on the darkest night of the moon.

After 6 p.m., refrain from eating and opt for warm water or fruits instead. Experienced fasters can continue fasting and incorporate practices like pranayama and meditation.

Stay awake until midnight, dedicating your time solely to meditation, chanting, or engaging in activities that bring you spiritual peace, such as listening to calming music or reading spiritual literature.

For those fasting, try to remain silent and minimize sensory engagement. Close your eyes and focus on your inner energy, limiting conversation and using your mouth more for chanting. Enjoy the silence or nature sounds and focus on regulating your breath and eating less.

These practices will help cleanse your energy and clear mental and physical clutter. Take this special day for yourself and give yourself a break to enjoy the natural energy and connect with nature. Create a peaceful environment in your home with pleasant scents and let your senses withdraw from daily troubles and ego games, allowing some light to shine within you on this darkest moon day.

 

 

 

.

.

.