Maha Shivaratri & the Sacred Dream

Happy Shivaratri from R.R. Shakti, PhD.

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On this Indian holiday union of all duality is celebrated as the marriage of Shiva and Shakti, in her incarnation as Parvati (the daughter of the mountains). 
Therefore, Maha Shivaratri is a celebration of God/dess–the essence of God in Nature. 

While Shakti creates the manifest experience of embodied consciousness, Shiva is said to be lying in stillness, deep in a dream. When he awakens, the created universe dissolves into the unified experience of Pure Consciousness.

The marriage of Shiva and Shakti may be celebrated as an awakened awareness of Pure Consciousness while still embodied in the human experience.

This is Yoga: the realization of divinity on Earth and the sacredness in each and every moment. It is remembering the dream within the waking state and knowing the deep wisdom of your intrinsic wholeness. 

The March New Moon invites you to honor your dreams. They hold the deep wisdom of your unconscious mind and Visionary Heart. This month, in the Eleven Moons God/dess Odyssey, we are Dream Tending.
Below is a glimpse of the content from our Eleven Moons Spring Journal:

ASSOCIATION
Association with your dream image means connecting it with any recent events, scenes, ideas or feelings from your life or memories. This can be done using the method of “first thought, best thought,” whereby you allow an authentic and spontaneous association to arise. Write about these associations in the dream journal.

AMPLIFICATION
Amplification is a process of correlating dream images with mythic figures, archetypes, fairy tales, literature, movies, etc. There is no limit to this process. A single image can inspire many different correlations woven together in your imagination. 
 
ANIMATION
To animate the image, you bring it into the present moment and space. See the image as a living body, a separate entity. Witness what it does of its own accord. Notice how it moves, how it interacts with you, and how it makes you feel; writing all observations in your dream journal. You may wish to articulate the animation of your dream images conceptually or to explore the feeling of the image through painting, sound, and movement.

For a deeper exploration of Dream Tending, see Dr. Stephen Aizenstat's work at https://dreamtending.com/

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SOUL QUESTIONS & ACTION STEPS

1. Write about a image, theme, or event that has recurred in your dream life...or perhaps one that made a lasting impression on your psyche. 
2. Does your dream image relate to anything that is happening, or has happened, in your waking experience? It could be a recent event or a past circumstance. Allow yourself to honor your first thoughts about this. Dreams are speaking from your unconscious, irrational psyche, so try not to overly engage your rational mind. It will often diminish the deeper wisdom. 
3. Amplify the image by searching the internet or using a dream book to find any corresponding images from fiction or movies. Re-associate these archetypes within the context of your life. 
4. Animate the image by imagining it in the present moment and time. Ask it what it wants you to know or understand. 
5. Connect with me at anytime to help with the Dream Tending process. I am always happy to assist in any or all of the three stages. 
6. Draw, paint, sculpt, write poetry, make music, or dance the image. 
7. Share your favorite dream images, creative process, and/or contemplations (and the wisdoms they provide you) in the comments below.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELEVEN MOONS GOD/DESS ODYSSEY. 

ELEVEN MOONS

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About The Author

R.R. Shakti, PhD ​is a Contemplative Mythologist and Yoga Psychologist who holds a doctoral degree for her work in Mythology and Depth Psychology. Shakti is an international yoga teacher, ritual facilitator, speaker, and writer who presents a Tantrik approach to personal empowerment and social action. Through contemplative story-telling and mind/body practices, she offers a vision of deep peace and radical freedom. 
shakti@rrshakti.com