Shiva: The Seeker’s Path

An Excerpt From Sadhguru’s Teachings

The word “Shiva” means — “that which is not.”

In other words, “that which transcends all existence.”

Today, modern science has also begun to speak in similar way:

For example, in an atom, more than 99.99% is empty space,

and less than 1% consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Thus, when you transcend your material nature,

you become a “Shiva” —

which means you are “nothing.”

Yet this “nothing” is precisely the most potent dimension of existence,

because everything is born from the womb of nothingness.

What you call “everything” actually makes up only about 1% of existence.

In India, we do not believe in so-called “knowledge” or “learning” —

we believe in experience — inner experience.

That is why, for a long time, this wisdom was transmitted orally,

and only in recent times has it been written down.

In Indian culture, there is actually no such thing as “religion” in the strict sense,

but only the spiritual path.

Because religion requires belief,

whereas the spiritual path requires inquiry, seeking.

If you walk the spiritual path, we call you a seeker;

if you follow a religion, we call you a believer.

So-called “belief”

means you do not know something,

but because an “authority” said so, you choose to believe.

However, in Eastern culture — especially in India’s spiritual tradition —

Truth is the only authority.

Authority is never the truth.

This is the essence of Eastern mysticism and the spiritual tradition:

You are always a seeker,

never a blind believer.