Shakti’s Cave
written by Shiva at Mt Arunachala in India
I slowly climb the path upwards and with each step upwards by step inwards. There are many caves in the holy mountain, my mother, but there is only one that is the cave I desire tonight: the Cave of Shakti’s fire.
I arrive at the entrance of the cave, my destination. I remember that it is not about the destination but the journey. Above the cave’s entrance is a silver crescent moon, as I climb the final step twilight falls, Venus rises above the horizon, and the light of the full moon illuminates every rock and stone.
From within the cave shines a golden light, beckoning, inviting me to enter within. A sweet fragrance, divinity itself, perfumes the early night air, filling my being with welcoming delight.
***
Now I become a true Shiva self, to enter the temple cave as my realised God self. I bow down and enter within. Before me burns a fire and behind the fire on the other side stands the goddess Shakti, smiling, welcoming me with open hands and heart.
Before me appears a tiger skin on the floor. Shakti smiles and beckons me to sit down upon the skin. First I bow down, my forehead touching the floor, I thank her for welcoming me into the temple of my sacred sexual self.
My breathing is relaxed, deeply inhaling the fragrance of the goddess: frangipani, Jasmine, rose, sandalwood and musk. With each inhalation I become more and more intoxicated and yet my energy becomes more awake, alert, refreshed.
***
Shakti now holds a bell, she strikes it 3 times and each pure note resonates throughout my entire being. She disappears… I close my eyes, falling, falling deeply back into the oceanic depths of awareness that transcends all time and space.
Appearing to my left standing in the earth is my Shiva staff, my Trident. In my right hand appears my drum, and I start to make a slow steady beat.
Deeper and deeper I feel the depth of the beat, first in my heart, then beating through my whole body, rocking me gently backwards and forwards. I open my eyes…
The fire grows high, the flames rising, dancing, licking the roof of the cave.
to be continued ….