The stillness of Shiva.

This past Saturday night was one of my all-time favorite nights of the year; Shivratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, a hindu deity known to be "the destroyer"  or one who brings about change and transformation.It's an especially prime night for deepening one's yoga and meditation practices, as Shiva is known to be the master meditator of all. The prayer for most yogi's and yogini's is to ask Shiva help open the eye of our human intellect by reminding us of our true identity---that we are souls, not bodies. And to help us rid ourselves of  inner negativities, ignorances and vices; just as mother nature dispels the darkness of night and ushers in a new dawn.

Since meditation doesn't come easy for many people, chanting through the night is pretty traditional. Chanting, also know as kirtan is "an ancient participatory music experience"  that really helps to quiet the mind and "carry us effortlessly to a place of quiet, to stillness".My family and I spent the evening at Dhyanyoga Centers from 9 pm- 6:30 am. My favorite part of the night was from midnight-4 a.m when our chanting was at it's peak and the devotion was definitely flowing. In those wee hours of the morning, it was lovely being in that quiet, still place inside of me that is so rejuvenating and transforming . It's in those deep, rich, still moments that you get a glimpse of Shiva and get to experience your true, joyful inner self.Kirtan is really an awesome tool for those on the yogic spiritual path. This excerpt from one of my favorite articles on kirtan, really sums it up:Kirtan helps the mind become quiet, and when the mind quiets, we can begin to perceive the mystical things, the sacred experiences, that are around us always. In the silence between the songs, when the song stops, you can feel something. And that something is you. There is no greater experience than the experience of one’s Self. And that vibration is always within you, that vibration is you. That’s the beauty of any chant experience-with little or no effort we can experience and enjoy the vibrations of peace, energy, healing and inspiration that are always within us. Dhyanyoga Center's will be starting it's spring program schedule with Shri Anandi Ma next week. If you're a devout meditator or someone just contemplating learning more about meditation...then I extend this invitation to you (see below for details). It'll definitely be a night that's a life changer; meditating in the presence of a master is truly a unique experience.------------------------------------------

Public Meditation Programs

March 15 and 16, 2013-------------------------------------------Shri Anandi Ma and Dileepji travel extensively in America, Europe and India offering free meditation programs. These evenings include chanting, meditation, and a talk on some aspect of Kundalini Maha Yoga. There is time to ask questions as well as an opportunity to meet Shri Anandi Ma personally. Participants are instructed in basic meditation and are given the opportunity to hear the mantrochar, a series of powerful mantras sung by the teachers in this lineage with the purpose of bringing the student into deeper states of meditation.Shri Dhyanyogi and Shri Anandi Ma invite you to “Come, Sit, Meditate, and Experience your true Self.”Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Chanting begins at 6:30 Program ends at 9:00 p.m.Pre-requisite: NoneFee: Free, Donations are welcome. March 17 — Shaktipat Initiation is given on this date and is offered by registration only.For more information, please email antioch-programs@dyc.org or call Jayshree Handel: +1 925-779-9660Dhyanyoga Centers-Antioch3306 Contra Loma BlvdAntioch, CA 94509