18 What Is Our Affirmation of Faith?§
Here our affirmation of faith is written in English, Tamil and Sanskrit. This simple statement contains many layers of truth. It is the ghee condensed from the curd, made from the milk of understanding.§
HIMALAYAN ACADEMY§
God Siva is Immanent Love and Transcendent Reality.” That is our affirmation in English. It summarizes the beliefs and doctrines of the Saivite Hindu religion. Immanent means “present throughout.” Transcendent means “beyond.” By repeating this affirmation, we assert that God is both manifest and unmanifest. He is present throughout the world and He also transcends it. He is personal Divine Love and impersonal Reality. We repeat “God Siva is Immanent Love and Transcendent Reality” when going to sleep and again while awakening. This statement brings us close to Siva and prepares us for the day. In Tamil it is Anbe Sivamayam, Satyame Parasivam. In the Sanskrit language it is Premaiva Sivamaya, Satyam eva Parasivah. In French it is Dieu Siva est Amour Omniprésent et Réalité Transcendante. We can use it like a mantra and recite it 108 times. We can write it down 108 or 1,008 times as a sadhana. Repeating this affirmation, we impress our mind with the ultimate truths of our religion so that these memories give us strength in times of distress, worldliness or anxiety. It reminds us that God’s immanent love protects and guides us. Through the day, it lifts our mind into useful thoughts and keeps us from harm’s way. Reciting this affirmation draws us into Siva consciousness. Other religions also have affirmations of faith. For example, Christians have the Apostle’s Creed and Muslims have the Shahada. Followers treasure their affirmations, repeating them often individually or as a group.§
GURUDEVA: God Siva is Immanent Love and Transcendent Reality” is what we have when we take the milk from the sacred cow of Saivism, separate out the cream, churn that cream to rich butter and boil that butter into a precious few drops of ghee.§