Introduction to Shiv Manas Puja Session-1

Shiv Manas Puja is a profound mental worship practice introduced by Adi Shankaracharya, where Lord Shiva is revered solely through the power of the mind and devotion. Unlike traditional rituals, this form of worship does not require any physical offerings, as it emphasizes inner purity, imagination, and the boundless capacity of mental devotion. Rooted in the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, it teaches that God and the soul are one, and through focused mental offerings—such as the Sodas Upachar (16 mental offerings)—a devotee can experience deep spiritual peace, divine love, and joy. With just five powerful verses, Shiv Manas Puja is a spiritual path that brings the divine within, highlighting the transformative power of inner worship over external ritual.

Transcription

 Spiritual Practice: An Ocean of Bliss and Connection

In Indian culture, our sages and spiritual masters have taught us that divine energy resides within every individual. This ocean of love and power surrounds us at all times, yet we remain unaware of it unless we awaken to it through spiritual practice.

The true purpose of yoga is to connect with this energy. The word "Yoga" itself means "union"—when we unite with this divine source, we begin to experience bliss in every moment. Conversely, when we are disconnected from this energy, we experience sorrow, pain, anger, and loneliness. It's like being thirsty while it rains all around us—we are unable to benefit from the abundance simply because we are not open to receiving it.

The Significance of Shiv Manas Puja

The sacred verses of Shiv Manas Puja provide a powerful path to connect with this divine energy. This prayer offers us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the ocean of bliss and love. Our sages understood that when we remain constantly connected to joy, our life energy remains fully charged and vibrant.

As a result, our words, our relationships, and every moment we live becomes an expression of that inner bliss.
When we feel joy, it naturally reflects in our actions and speech.
When we feel love, we express love.
And when we feel anger, we express anger.

Every emotion arises from our internal experience—and that experience becomes our expression.

The Connection Between Experience and Expression

Our common observation is that we tend to express what we feel. For example, when we feel anger, angry words come out naturally. However, sometimes the reverse can also be true—our expressions can influence and create new experiences within us.

For instance, even if we don't feel love at a certain moment, we can choose to express love. This is the essence of the phrase "Fake it till you make it"—keep expressing the emotion until it becomes a genuine experience.

This principle applies to our lives: sometimes, we may not be feeling a particular emotion, but by choosing to express it, we begin to truly feel it over time. That’s why expression holds its own unique importance in shaping our inner state.

Shiv Manas Puja: The Sixteen-Step Ritual to Attain Joy and Love

In Indian culture, spiritual practices help us connect with the inner sources of power, love, and bliss. One such deeply meaningful practice is the "Shodasha Upachara Puja Vidhi"—a traditional sixteen-step ritual designed to awaken spiritual energy within us. This method is a vital part of our cultural heritage and enables us to experience inner peace, divine love, and strength.

Shodasha Upachara Puja: A Spiritual Recipe

Just as we follow a recipe to prepare a delicious meal, there is also a spiritual "recipe" to experience inner joy and power. This is known as the Shodasha Upachara Puja, a ritual that includes 16 sacred steps, each offering a way to connect more deeply with divine love and strength.

By sincerely following these steps, we invite devotion and energy into our lives. Our sages and spiritual masters designed this puja not merely as a ritual, but as a method to awaken the divine force within.

It’s much like a well-tested recipe—when followed correctly, the result is assured. In this case, the result is the experience of spiritual energy, love, and deep inner peace.

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