Hello! Some questions.

[SomeRandom]

Honestly didn't know about only the "initiated" being allowed a Linga. They seem to be everywhere and no one I know cares about initiation unless it pertains specifically to their familial pride/tradition. I assume it's a sect quirk.
I would advise against initation for now. You are learning to walk, do not run yet. Who knows what the future holds. But finding a Guru would be helpful to you.
Here are some mantras for you.

Shiva Mantra List | List of Lord Shiva Mantra

Shiva is very dear to me, we understand him as looking stern but with a very soft open heart, willing to forgive easily those who show him devotion. So my advice is to love him, he may have a wild side but his love is vast and he is one of the friendlier forms. But He does not take arrogance well. Your sect (if you wish to choose one) depends on how many rules you wish to follow, really.

 

[Jainarayan]

I'm thinking of possibly ways to perform my puja to Lord Shiva, thank you so much for your response. It's good to know that theres not one way but rather my own.

About halfway down the page of this link, my go-to for a puja example Super Simple Daily Puja after the photo of the lady at her shrine is the write-up for this little puja.

Also from that page, some more links:

Here are some suggested daily pujas I’ve found:

• http://jayakula.org/pdf/simpledailypuja.pdf (The transliteration of the prayers for this one are…strange. I haven’t seen this system before and it isn’t intuitive how to read it.)
• http://yajurvedaustralasia-resources.info/downloads/puja/simple-daily-puja/
• How to Have a Puja at Home | Howcast
• How to do a simple Hindu Puja at home? “There are several wrong notions regarding Hindu Pujas. There are people who scare others by pointing out that is not correct or it should not be done. You should not fall prey to such wrong information. What is important is devotion not showy and elaborate rituals.”
• How to Do Ganesh Puja

 

[TravisJC]

Again, thank you for those who have responded.

I would advise against initation for now. You are learning to walk, do not run yet.

I asked only because I did not want to anger Lord Shiva if having a lingam in home wasn't good. I want to take this a step at a time and simply learn everyday, slowly and slowly.

Your sect (if you wish to choose one) depends on how many rules you wish to follow, really.

Is there a page I can reference to find these rules you speak of?

About halfway down the page of this link, my go-to for a puja example Super Simple Daily Puja after the photo of the lady at her shrine is the write-up for this little puja.

Thank you referencing so many simple pujas to me, these are going to wonders as I start my journey with Santana Dharma. Thank you so much.

 

[Aupmanyav]

In my view a lingam is a murthy, so I don't know what you mean here by murthy?

Agree. See Sanskrit Dictionary for Spoken Sanskrit and Sanskrit Dictionary for Spoken Sanskrit. 'MUrta' is embodiment, settling in a particular form, whether it is a lingam or a sculpture, it does not make much difference.

For us, it's Shakti in all forms doing that sort of thing, so we never worship Shakti independently of Shiva. But that's just us. Personally, I would never worship 'fierce' forms of anything, other than Bhairava, and I'm a bit careful around that.

Oh, not to worry, we have 'Shanta Bhairavas' and 'Shanta Durgas'. Shanta = Peaceful
shanta bhairava - Google Search

I asked only because I did not want to anger Lord Shiva if having a lingam in home wasn't good.

Shiva is NEVER angry. He is a friend, he is fun. He is not a jealous God.

 

[SomeRandom]

I asked only because I did not want to anger Lord Shiva if having a lingam in home wasn't good. I want to take this a step at a time and simply learn everyday, slowly and slowly.

Very hard to anger Lord Shiva, really. He's pretty chill and quite forgiving.

s there a page I can reference to find these rules you speak of?

ehh, maybe? I don't know. "Rules" and "differences" are kind of not that spoken of. We all just sort of do our thing. There's no real "authority" except the Vedas and even then. Blind obedience is an option, but ehh. I prefer to question things. There's also probably about a thousand or so variations on the hundreds of schools in Hinduism. And then there's the variations on the variations.
But I guess here's a starter pack.
Shaivism - Wikipedia

 

[Vinayaka]

Shiva is NEVER angry. He is a friend, he is fun. He is not a jealous God.

Why I'm a Saivite.

 

[Kirran]

Of course different people experience Shiva differently, but I have never understood people who talk of Shiva as a tamasic God and this kind of thing. Shiva is profound silence and innocence.

 

[Vinayaka]

Of course different people experience Shiva differently, but I have never understood people who talk of Shiva as a tamasic God and this kind of thing. Shiva is profound silence and innocence.

Puranic Hinduism.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Of course different people experience Shiva differently, but I have never understood people who talk of Shiva as a tamasic God and this kind of thing. Shiva is profound silence and innocence.

Vaishnava jealousy in some cases. You know better. Being a Rama and Krishna bhakta, I am a Vaishnava also. To me, all these and the Mother are equally lovable. Travis, love all, though you may have your Ishta (First love, the chosen deity).

 

[Islington]

Welcome,

I am learning as well! It's intimidating, isn't it? When we read much and then start understanding that there are Rituals and Stuff To Be Said in a certain manner...

And then we freak out and think "but what if I do it wroooooong?" "What if I offend ..?" "What if ?" (and by this time, I was rolling around in the room like an idiot)

But you don't. You won't. Dear Lord Shiva will accept your deep love and respect no matter how you present it to Him.
The lingam is only the channel, the medium. Shiva isn't (only) in the lingam. He is everywhere and most of all in your heart.

It's simple truth but I often have to remind myself of this.

 

[Jainarayan]

Speaking of angering the gods, it's actually very hard to do. If we think about it, in the scriptures it's usually only the non-mortals (asuras, rakshasas) who threaten the stability and dharma of the world that invite the gods' wrath and are killed or otherwise destroyed. Even then they are usually redeemed and get salvation for one reason or another. Though I'm sure there's been a mortal or three that really worked hard at getting a god ticked off. So unless someone sets out to deliberately disrespect or anger the gods, I'm not sure it's something to worry about.

 

[TravisJC]

But you don't. You won't. Dear Lord Shiva will accept your deep love and respect no matter how you present it to Him.
The lingam is only the channel, the medium. Shiva isn't (only) in the lingam. He is everywhere and most of all in your heart.

I think since I am so new to Hinduism I assumed that I would definitely messing things up, but of course not intentionally! It is good to know that Lord Shiva will understand that I will make these mistakes and not be angered!

So unless someone sets out to deliberately disrespect or anger the gods, I'm not sure it's something to worry about.

Only love for Lord Shiva!

Travis, love all, though you may have your Ishta (First love, the chosen deity).

I have plenty of love for the other deities!