The basic beej mantra or Om Namah Shivaya, the panchakshri, inspires elevation to the highest levels of consciousness.
Marking the beginning of Creation, it is also equated with the Nada Brahmn. Shiva, as the creator-destructor, is invoked through this mantra at the beginning of any austerity and through japa or meditation.
Shiva is synonymous with cosmic time as He symbolises the beginning of awareness, that which created the universe. The concept of maya or illusion is woven around it to distinguish the different levels of consciousness.
Remembering Shiva reciting the beej mantra and studying the Shiva Purana can lead the spiritual seeker to higher realms of awareness, aspiring to merge in the mahavakya, 'Shivoham', to the highest level of consciousness where the individual ego dissolves into the Absolute Self.
Sadhana is the acme of human life, as it constantly evolves towards perfection. Sadhana is spiritual movement consciously systematised, and once reaching equilibrium, reflects in everyday living and adherence to core values of life.
This, therefore, becomes a lifelong process. As the mind gains more maturity and leads to equipoise, sadhana builds into life a rich repertoire of guidelines which define the contours of living.
The spiritual seeker begins his search for truth with an inquisitive spirit. He signals to fellow travellers on the spiritual path the need to rise from the mediocrity which is contrived and false, when life's actual meaning is just experience.
Ignorance is the beginning of the quest for knowledge. From ignorance arises the impulse to know. The journey is arduous, tricky, at times painful.
But having begun it, with proper sadhana and swadhaya, there is no looking back. As silence stills the mind, the moment is transfused with radiance and dynamism.
Jivanmuktas, yogis, nitya-siddhas and chiranjivis — all spiritually evolved — have, with their energies, lent a helping hand to aspirants on the spiritual path.
They have cautioned that shortcuts are to be abjured on the spiritual journey. There should be no half measure, no stop gap.
Discipline is required of the aspirant in whatever state of conditioning he may be. The gradual inward progress is silent and unseen, like the quiet unfolding of a bud into a beautiful flower.
As it progresses further, personality traits get refined and many of life's mundane problems get addressed by force of will power and unshackled energy which builds up within.
The aspirant by imbibing Shiva-consciousness brings Shiva-Shakti together and forges cosmic creation within, silently guiding the ego to its eternal resting place, where it merges in absolute consciousness.
The Immanent is sublimated in the transcendental, and this takes place within the human being, as repository of Divine Will.
From the individual, it should transmit to all levels of society. Sri Aurobindo had prophesied that it would rest on India to provide spiritual leadership to the world.
That India has to be a spiritual India, comprising spiritual beings, united in their mission to rid the present-day world of ignorance, poverty and squalor.
The combined energies of spiritual teachers and realised masters, past and present, should guide us all towards that goal.