Adding this last part as a question and answer.
Quote:
Shiva has been my guru for many years, but these explanations or not so much use. Shiva is an energy of consciousness that if you meditate on, surrender to, merge with and so in ... will take you into consciousness.
The structural descriptions are on limited use, what use would you make of them?
If you get a fine traditional painting of Shiva and simply merge with it, meditate with it and so on. Everything else is a waste of time.
In general humans might let go of their need to understand cosmology and prioritise entering the light, it is vastly more important.
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Yes, the explanations won't be of any use unless we are initiated by a qualified master. Even pictures or paintings will be of no use without initiation or shaktipat. Shiva is not just energy. Shakti or the energy descends from Shiva in various forms. Shiva is like the 'One' that emerged out of the Dao. This one then splits into the two polarities of Shiva and Shakti. One is like the container of everything there is and the other is the contained or the entire substance of the universe (Shiva = 'I' and Shakti = 'This').
At the same time Shiva is also a being and a deity. Not everyone can just simply merge with Shiva. It is the 3rd divine act of Shiva (Tirodhana) that voluntarily conceals our true nature and makes us into a (divided) limited sentient being. First this person (the limited sentient being) needs initiation (shaktipat/augraha) from a guru or divine being, which is nothing but the act of Shiva described as 'anugraha', undoing the earlier act of concealment. Those with open crown and has reached the light level through such divine grace, can connect and merge with Shiva or Shakti or other divine beings and deities. This is the deity and guru yoga practiced in some of the hindu and buddhist tantric traditions. Everyone can pray with a picture. But, such prayers with paintings or pictures happen entirely in duality and has very little value. Because most people have not expanded enough to come out of their individual shell, they won't be able to access the other dimensions and beings. Some with 3rd eye open may be able to see things and even do astral travel to other places. This still happens in duality. Even those with 3rd eye open and do astral travel cannot merge with Shiva or other deities. In order to truly merge, one must first become one with everything there is, go beyond the local body and mind and reach the light state.
Master (Guru) is the means in Kashmir Shaivism, as clearly stated in the Shiva Sutras. It is the master who needs to initiate and establish the connection with Shiva. Sometimes it is done directly (for highest yogis), some other times with the entire mind or being as the mantra and finally with the external word mantras (Anavopaya) for those that are inferior with strong worldly attachments and desires and still have a lot of ground to cover.
gururupayah // (sutra 2.6)
The master (guru) is the means.
After getting initiated by the master, finally the yogi becomes like Shiva as stated in the Siva Sutras below. This is the goal.
Sivatulyo jayate //
He becomes just like Siva.