Shiva: The Power of Transformation Within

by Christopher Shaw, Co-Founder ArcherShaw

“Shiva is not outside of us. He is the Creator, the Destroyer, and everything in between — the pulse of life itself. To know Shiva is to know the power already alive within your own breath, your own heart, your own presence.”

At ArcherShaw, we often speak of awakening, devotion, and the sacred path of union. One of the most timeless guides in this journey is Shiva — the ancient yogi, the cosmic dancer, the liberator.

Shiva is a central deity of Hinduism, revered across millennia as the force of ultimate transformation. In the great trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, he is often called The Destroyer. Yet to see him only this way is incomplete. Shiva is the Creator, the Destroyer, and everything in between — the stillness at the beginning, the fire of change, and the spaciousness that holds it all.

Symbols of the Eternal Yogi

Tradition depicts him with a third eye, symbolizing higher vision; a serpent around his neck, showing fearlessness; and a trident, representing his power over the cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution. At times he is the serene yogi, seated in perfect stillness atop the Himalayas. At other times, he is the ecstatic dancer (Nataraja), whose movements represent the eternal rhythm of life, death, and rebirth.

“Shiva is not an idea. He is an experience.”

The Shiva Within

But beyond the symbols, Shiva is not separate from us. He lives within. He is the stillness inside your breath, the fire of transformation in your heart, and the fearless presence that arises when you let go of what is false. To walk with Shiva is not to worship something outside yourself, but to awaken the Shiva within — that part of you that is sovereign, unshakable, and free.

For men on the spiritual path, Shiva represents the masculine in its highest form: rooted, spacious, powerful, and devoted to truth. Yet his presence is never complete without Shakti, the divine feminine. Together they show us the dance of polarity, love, and union — a mirror for our own sacred relationships.

Why Shiva Matters in Our Work

In our work at ArcherShaw, we call upon Shiva as both guide and mirror. He reminds us that transformation is not always gentle — sometimes it is fierce, like fire burning away what we’ve outgrown. And yet always, it is in service to awakening, to love, to freedom.

“Shiva is the energy in you that creates, transforms, and dissolves — the power that helps you let go, wake up, and live free.”

A Practice to Connect with Shiva

If you wish to invite Shiva’s presence into your life, you can begin simply:

1. Sit comfortably and close your eyes.

2. Take three deep breaths, releasing tension with each exhale.

3. Place your hand on your heart, and silently repeat the mantra:

Om Namah Shivaya

(I honor the divine presence within me)

Repeat this mantra as many times as feels right. Allow the vibration to open you to stillness, clarity, and strength.

Om Namah Shivaya!

Love and infinite blessings,

Christopher