Maha Shivaratri Retreat

Maha Shivaratri (The Great Night of Shiva) is the most significant event of the Shaiva tradition.

According to the tradition, at this time, the consciousness aspect of existence (Shiva) reaches its absolute peak.

This event takes place yearly, each time on a different date according to the astrological placements.

The Yogis consider the time around this event, and especially the night itself as an important and auspicious opportunity, one when the Grace is particularly high, and the chance of reaching higher states of consciousness is greatly enhanced.

In the Tantric tradition, Shiva is the name given both to the Inexpressible Consciousness, the Transcendent, and the Absolute (the equivalent of the “One God” in the Western Traditions), as well as to the personal manifestation of the Divine in its masculine aspect.

The Mahashivaratri Retreat is intended to provide an opportunity to fully take advantage of this auspicious time by retreating from daily life into a more interiorised state, as well as through meditation, contemplation and yoga techniques, designed for activation of the Crown Chakra and the experience of the Divine. It is built for both riding the wave of grace in the days before the Maha Shivaratri night in order to achieve higher states of consciousness, as well as to build up for the grand peak of Maha Shivaratri. At that time, participants will be much more open and receptive to the Grace, with less distractions of mind, being used to meditation for long periods of time and having already deeply contemplated and connected to the different aspects of the Divine.

While Shiva or Paramashiva are names given to the representation of the Absolute, Pure, and Inexpressible Consciousness, the Tantric sages also allowed space for a personal aspect of it.

Along the ages, the personified figure of the Divine has been worshipped in different forms (points of view), each representing a different aspect of Divinity (Shiva). The retreat will be divided into 5 sessions, each one dedicated to a specific aspect of Shiva, and will include teachings and meditations built to expand one’s consciousness through the contemplation of this aspect.

The aspects introduced in the Mahashivaratri Retreat are:

1. Māyāvin – Shiva, as the Supreme Magician.
2. Paśupati – Shiva, as the Shepherd (the God of Grace).
3. Naṭarāja – Shiva, as the King of the Ultimate Dance (of Creation & Destruction).
4. Bhairava – Shiva, as the Mystical Night (the Frightful One).
5. Dakṣiṇāmūrti – Shiva, as the Great Guru (Teacher).

What will You Learn:

Techniques introduced in the Mahashivaratri Retreat are:

• Meditations with mantras, visualisations, and energies.
• Hatha Yoga and pranayama – 2 times a day.
• Practices from, Sri Vijnana Bhairava Tantra (the highest text of Kashmir Shaivism) including unique adaptations of Sufi Whirling techniques.

The penultimate day of the retreat will end at noon, enabling participants sufficient time to rest before the beginning of the full event, that shall commence in the evening, and which will be open for everyone to join.

Preparation and General Attitude:

In order to achieve the optimal effects, it is important for each participant to hold a strong attitude of interiorisation, detachment from external affairs and daily chores, alongside silence (mauna).  By keeping silence (not communicating with others) and by disconnecting from any other distractions (phone, internet, etc) the participants greatly reduce interferences of the mind, making the meditations easier to perform as well as more significant and deeper.  By keeping the mind clear, not mixing the energies with anything other than the retreat, and by committing to all the sessions, the participants also contribute to the group energy which in return gives a great support and a back-wind to all in their own efforts.

The silence is also an opportunity to preserve energy. For most, after a short getting-used-to, keeping the silence becomes a relaxation and gives a feeling of vacation and freedom.  

Recommendations:

1. Clear the days of the retreat of any chores and tasks
2. Maintain silence – reduce communication to the bare minimum
3. Not mixing with others outside of the retreat – delicious vegan Indian food will be offered in the retreat in order to support you in your detachment, preventing the need to order from restaurants. (Online participants: try to organise food for the duration of the retreat in advance)
4. Fasting on the day of Maha Shivaratri – it is recommended to fast on the day of Maha Shivaratri, or to eat light food if this supports your meditations better. Fruits will be provided on the last day, instead of a full lunch.
5. Not using your phone/computer/television – let people know in advance that you will not available and turn off your devices, reducing all the distracting impressions that interfere in meditation. Instead, in the breaks, it is recommended to rest, read spiritual books, meditate/contemplate and log your breakthroughs and realisations.
6. Participate in all the meditations of the retreat.  

Important: Those who cannot follow these recommendations due to other obligations and responsibilities are still very welcome in the retreat, doing the best under the conditions available to them.

By doing the best under whatever is currently available to you – you still open yourself and greatly maximise the effects of your effort.