Welcome to this mirror meditation inspired by the Nirvana Shatakam,
The shloka for self-realization,
Written thousands of years ago by the sage Aryan Karacharya.
My name is Beth and I'll be guiding you.
To prepare,
Please sit in front of a mirror.
Position yourself so that you can see your whole body and easily look into your own eyes throughout this meditation.
Low or dim light is best.
A candle or a salt lamp work well.
Now that you're settled in place,
As you gaze in the mirror,
Turn your attention toward your breath.
Effortlessly deepen and even the inhalation and the exhalation as you connect softly with your own eyes.
Release any body tension.
Relax and release expectations of the judging mind.
Simply allow your experience to unfold.
You may simply listen as the words float through you,
Or you may allow each phrase to echo in your own mind.
Continue to breathe fully,
Deeply,
Softly,
And keep eye contact with yourself,
But you may rest your eyes at any point if you need to.
Throughout this meditation,
I invite you to form the Shiv Mudra.
Place your hands in your lap,
Your left hand under your right.
With your right hand,
Form a fist on top of your left hand,
The thumb projecting upward.
Rest your hands in front of your abdomen.
Here we go.
I am neither mind nor intelligence,
Nor ego,
Nor thought,
Nor am I the ears and their hearing,
The skin,
Nor touching,
Tongue,
Or tasting,
The nose,
Nor the act of smelling,
Nor the eyes,
Or their seeing.
I am neither earth,
Nor sky,
Nor fire,
Or water,
But I am Shiva,
The all-pervading consciousness.
Shiva I am.
I am not the breath,
Nor the five elements,
Neither the physical body,
The energy body,
The mental body,
Not even the wisdom body,
Nor bliss body,
Nor the spirit.
I am neither speech,
The actions of hands and feet,
Nor anybody.
I am the ever-pure consciousness.
I am Shiva.
Shiva.
I have no friends or enemies,
Neither greed,
Nor delusion.
Neither have I pride,
Nor feelings of envy and jealousy.
I have no duty,
No desire for wealth,
Lust,
Or liberation.
All-pervading freedom.
Shiva I am.
Shiva I am.
Shiva I am.
Never have I good deeds,
Nor sin,
Pleasures,
Nor sorrows.
Neither have I holy chants,
Or holy water,
Or holy books,
Or fire sacrifice.
I am neither food,
Nor the one who consumes the food,
But I am Shiva,
The all-pervading.
I am Shiva.
Shiva.
Shiva.
Shiva.
I do not have death,
Or doubt,
Or distinction of caste.
I have neither father,
Nor mother,
Or even birth.
And I do not have relations,
Teachers,
Or students.
For I am Shiva,
The pure and eternal consciousness.
I am Shiva.
Shiva I am.
Shivoham.
Shivoham.
I am without any variation,
And without form,
But present everywhere.
I am both behind and beyond the perception of the senses.
Having no attachments,
I am not in need of freedom,
And I am beyond.
For I am Shiva and the all-pervading,
Eternal knowing.
Shiva.
Please rub the palms of your hands together.
When they're warm,
Place your cupped hands over your eyes.
Allow a few deep breaths.
Now,
Gently open your eyes and lower your hands to prayer in front of your heart.
Bow to yourself.
That concludes this meditation.
