In a world fixated on the tangible, Sadhguru consecrated Dhyanalinga as a rare possibility to transcend the physical and transactional. This month marks 25 years since this powerful energy form was offered to humanity.
Here, Sadhguru sheds light on Linga Seva, an opportunity to immerse oneself in the presence of Dhyanalinga for five or eight days. Discover what it takes to truly receive its energies and shift from accumulation to dissolution.
Question: Namaskaram, Sadhguru. What is the significance of Linga Seva, and how can volunteers make the best use of these seven days inside the shrine for their spiritual growth? And how should one conduct himself or herself?
Sadhguru: It is good that you mentioned both genders, because not only in this culture but everywhere in the world, for thousands of years, women were never allowed into the shrine. You must appreciate and make use of this opportunity now that this is possible.
You are getting to touch an energy form like Dhyanalinga, and you are asking me about the benefit? In a certain way, you are touching Shiva himself, in an energy form. There is no physical body but everything else is there. Do not look for a benefit. The way is to simply die into it.
Seva means you want to dissolve into it. When you are asking, “What will I get?” you are turning it into a marketplace. “I washed the linga for seven days, Sadhguru. What will I get?” If you get something, you are an idiot. You must lose yourself in those seven days.
If you want to get something, you might take a few flowers from the mala and put them in your pocket when no one is looking. People do such things; some even tear off pieces of the cleaning cloths and stuff them into their pockets. What you take is not your quality. What you throw out is the nature of your life.
In Indian temples, it used to be required that at least half of one’s body be naked upon entry. Even today, in some temples, it is expected at least of men. Until about 40 years ago, both men and women entered temples in southern India partially unclothed. They were not infantile. Adults getting excited about that means they are still infantile in their minds.
Men and women in this part of the country went to temples and on the street with their upper body naked until a few decades ago. Even today, some older people in the villages leave their upper body uncovered. If it was hot, they would not wear anything. No one thought it was sexy. It was seen as normal. As people have become more “civilized,” they have also become more and more tightfisted, basic, and childish.
The idea of entering a temple with your upper body uncovered is that on an energetic and psychological level, you have nothing to protect or defend about yourself. You want to be open to and be taken over by the energies that are there. You do not think about what to take home.
If you are not taken by Dhyanalinga or Devi, but you go there to take something home, you will not know what it is. You may benefit in a small way. But where there is an ocean, taking only a teacup is a poor way to live.
Seva means to offer yourself. You do not do Linga Seva to get anything. You go there to lose yourself. That is what you should do.
