Siva Sutra - Disciplining the Mind
Baba Sri Siva:
One common problem in the practice of any meditational exercise is disciplining the mind. The mind has no natural ability to stay focused on one particular thought. The thought may be a sound, like a mantra, or an object like a flame or a figure. The mind naturally keeps moving away from thought to thought.

If one observes the process, there are two forces of the mind simultaneously acting. One is the "attentional mind" and the other is the "monkey mind", that keeps running in different directions. During meditation everyone observes this process. It is the attentional mind that puts you back on the mantra or the flame on which you are meditating. The attentional mind periodically kicks in to check the drifting mind.

Neither the attentional mind nor the drifting monkey mind is under your control. The attentional mind however, expresses your willpower to be in control. But you are seldom in absolute control of your will. The drifting mind is totally frivolous. You have no control over it at all. This does not mean that the drifting mind is lawless. It keeps thinking predominately a few thoughts that are important to you. Generally speaking these thoughts revolve around your bills, money, career, and relationship. Fear of failure and uncertainty about the future are like the two legs of the drifting mind.

Siva teaches a mantra to regulate both the attentional mind and the drifting mind. The mantra is "bijavadhanam." I have already introduced this mantra to you. "Bijavadhanam" means paying constant attention to the seed.

The seed is the primordial thought. It is indeed the first expression of life or consciousness. I cannot completely explicate the depth of the mantra "bijavadhanam". I can only tell you that this mantra can fix your mind. The mind force is a current that flows through your breath, the brain, and the chakras in the subtle body. This mind force comes from Akash, the sky element.

Keep reciting the mantra. You will see miracles happening. "Bijavadhanam" is not like any other mantra, which denotes an object other than the mind. "Bijavadhanam" is the mantra for the totality of consciousness. The practice of "bijavadhanam" will serve to strengthen your experience of the primordial sound, "Om Nama Sivaya".

When you say "bijavadhanam" you will see the mind remaining relatively stable. It will still keep moving. But then over a period of time you will see that you are gaining more control. The sound "bija" will take you to the first thought of the first human being. "Avadhanam" will fix your mind in the first thought. The purpose of the sound "avadhanam", which means attention, is to conquer time. Avadhanam will dissolve the drifting mind. The movement of the drifting mind creates time. When the mind does not drift, time ends. You will be timeless and blissful.

Siva says that you have to do this meditation with utmost ease. You should not fight with the attentional mind nor the drifting mind. You simply sit. Say "bijavadhanam" a few times, and let go of everything. At this point you stop meditating. You simply observe everything in an effortless way. Accept everything that is happening to you, but do not be a party to the process. There is nothing good, nothing bad. There is nothing superior nor inferior. Accept everything; abandon everything.

When you have such receptivity then you will fall into Samadhi. You will then participate and live the mindless mind of Siva. You can do this meditation lying down on your bed as well.

Rituals to Perform on Sivaratri

Prayer Groups

Baba Sri Siva encouraged us to join together as groups to chant Om Nama Sivaya to Siva throughout the evening of Sivaratri. You are welcome to attend prayers at a local temple, although Baba particularly emphasized the importance of being together in groups.

Pour Milk Over the Siva Linga

Every hour, throughout the night, pour milk over the Siva Linga as you chant Om Nama Sivaya. Baba Sri Siva has noted that it would be good to drink at least a little of the milk poured over the Siva Linga at some point during your Sivaratri prayers, if you are able to drink milk. The rest you may pour down the sink or outside in a place where no one steps.

Show Camphor Light Before Baba Sri Siva's Picture

Every hour, light some camphor and show it to Sri Siva's picture as you offer your prayers. You should also regularly do this ritual each hour at home, especially in evenings and on weekends when time is more available. Camphor can be found in local Indian and specialty shops. If you cannot find camphor, regular candlelight is a good alternative.

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Poojas are now available to be performed on your behalf at Baba Sri Siva's temple in India.

Poojas are a feast or an offering. At Baba Sri Siva's Temple, Poojas can be ordered to invoke blessings for: the 9-Planets, the 27 Birth Stars, Pradosham (twice monthly), and "Specific Purpose Poojas" for Lakshmi (Wealth and Prosperity), Saraswati (Good Education and Knowledge), Vaidyahatha (Health Problems), Ganesha (Overcoming General Obstacles), Durga (Relationship/Marriage Problems), Garbambiga (Fertility Problems and Normal Pregnancy/Delivery), and Muruga (Litigation and Legal Problems).

The Poojas are offered in the form of archanas and abishekams (special ritual offerings of flowers, fruits, scented powder, oil, milk, honey, rose water, ghee, etc.). All rituals are performed by priests personally chosen by Baba and according to His strict guidelines/instructions. Full descriptions of each Pooja can be found on the Vaaak Store.

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