Shiva That Which is Not Is The All Powerful Source Of Life
According to Sadhguru, Shiva is described as ‘that which is not.’ He explains that everything we perceive through our senses is a form of existence, something that ‘is.’ But Shiva is beyond these perceivable forms, existing in a formless, timeless, and spaceless dimension, hence referred to as ‘Shiva That Which Is Not.’
So, the human intellect, conditioned to perceive only that which ‘is,’ may find it challenging to comprehend Shiva. To truly understand Shiva, one would have to go beyond the limited capacities of the human mind and experience a higher dimension of perception – which is the objective of various yogic practices.
In other words, Shiva is not something to be comprehended intellectually but something to be experienced existentially. That’s why, in the yogic culture, Shiva is often revered not as a God but as the Adi Yogi or the first yogi – the originator of yoga, which is seen as a method to go beyond the limitations of the mind and experience the ultimate reality.
Shiva That Which Is Not As Swayambhu
“Swayambhu” in Sanskrit translates to “self-manifested” or “that which is created by its own accord.” When referring to Shiva as Swayambhu, it implies that Shiva is not a being that came into existence due to the processes of birth or creation that apply to most forms of life. Instead, Shiva is seen as a timeless, formless dimension that manifests itself. This aspect is closely aligned with the concept of Shiva, as presented by Sadhguru. Shiva is not a deity or a divine figure but a principle or a dimension of existence representing the formless, infinite reality beyond our sensory perceptions.
Describing Shiva as Swayambhu is a way to denote his self-manifested, self-existent nature. He is not created or born but simply is. The formless reality that Shiva represents did not come into being or reach its end; it simply always has been and always will be.
Space And Time
In many spiritual and philosophical systems, the concepts of space and time are given deep significance, often depicted as fundamental aspects of existence from which all life originates. This depiction is seen in various forms in different traditions.
“Space” is considered the passive, feminine, and nurturing aspect of existence, often represented by the Yoni in Indian spiritual traditions. It is akin to a womb, an infinite void that holds the potential for all creation but is itself formless, silent, and unchanging. It is the boundless backdrop against which all changes occur, the canvas on which the dance of life unfolds. It is the space where creation happens, where life begins and ends. In Yogic terms, it is often called “Akash” or “ether.”
“Time,” on the other hand, is seen as the active, masculine aspect represented by the Linga. Time is the dynamism of existence, the force that drives change and transformation. It is the ongoing, ceaseless flow of moments, a current that carries life from birth to death, from potential to actuality. Time is also seen as a destroyer in many traditions – as it moves, it transforms and ultimately dissolves all forms. In Yogic terms, time is often referred to as “Kaal.”
In Sadhguru’s philosophy, the dance between this passive space and active time, the interaction between the static, unchanging reality and the dynamic flow of life, gives rise to the manifold forms of existence. This interplay is often symbolically represented by the union of the Linga and the Yoni, embodying the principles of Shiva (the masculine) and Shakti (the feminine).
In Hindi, “Maha” translates to “great” or “supreme,” and as mentioned earlier, “Kaal” means “time.” When these terms are combined, “Mahakaal” refers to the “Great Time” or “Beyond Time.”
Shiva, referred to as Mahakaal, signifies his transcendence beyond time and space. As the ultimate reality or absolute, Shiva exists beyond time’s constraints, yet he pervades it completely. He is both the creator and the destroyer, embodying the cyclic nature of creation and dissolution that happens with time.
Shiva as Mahakaal represents this concept of time’s unstoppable, eternal flow and the eventual reality of death and dissolution, reinforcing the transient nature of physical existence.
Masculine And Feminine For Shiva That Which Is Not
The concepts of masculine and feminine aren’t restricted to biological sex, but instead represent fundamental dualistic principles of existence. When Sadhguru talks about the masculine and feminine, he often associates the masculine with the unchanging, eternal aspects of existence (time, consciousness), and the feminine with the dynamic, changing aspects of existence (space, matter, energy).
According to this interpretation, time could be seen as a masculine aspect, as it represents the constant, unchanging flow, whereas space is seen as the feminine aspect, providing the field or womb where creation and change occur. This does not mean that time is literally male, or space is literally female, but rather these are metaphorical representations to help understand the different dimensions of existence.
Just like Shiva (representing the masculine principle of pure consciousness or time) and Shakti (representing the feminine principle of energy or space), time and space are two aspects of the same reality. This conception is about the union and interplay of these two principles, the static and dynamic, leading to the manifestation of the universe as we know it.
The masculine-feminine dichotomy is just one way of conceptualizing the diverse aspects of existence and should not be understood in a limited or literal sense.
Shiva And Shakti
Shiva and Shakti are two primary aspects of existence according to Indian spiritual traditions. They are commonly personified as male and female deities in Hinduism, but their significance goes far beyond these anthropomorphic representations.
Shiva represents the unchanging consciousness or the cosmic masculine principle, while Shakti is the dynamic energy or the cosmic feminine principle that drives creation and transformation. Together, they embody the interplay of dynamic and static, energy and consciousness, creation and dissolution, which underlies the entire universe.
To elaborate, Shiva, often referred to as “that which is not,” represents the passive, formless, and non-material reality. He is often symbolized by the Linga, which is an ellipsoid representation of the infinite, formless cosmic consciousness. As per Sadhguru, the Linga symbolizes boundlessness, representing Shiva’s formless nature.
On the other hand, Shakti is seen as the active energy of existence. She is the primal cosmic power that manifests everything in the universe. She is all that is seen and perceived, the physical reality and the material world. In iconography, Shakti is often depicted as the divine mother or the goddess responsible for creation, preservation, and destruction. She represents the play of energy and matter in the universe.
These two concepts do not exist independently but are two facets of the same reality, similar to how energy and matter are two forms of the same underlying reality in physics. The union of Shiva and Shakti symbolizes the non-dualistic nature of existence, where the material and the spiritual, the physical and the metaphysical, and the form and the formless are not separate but aspects of the same ultimate reality.
This interplay of Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (energy) gives rise to myriad forms of existence. In various spiritual practices, the goal is to realize this underlying unity, often symbolized by the union of Shiva and Shakti, leading to a state of oneness or enlightenment.
