The conditions need to be just right in order for the experience to flourish, so we need to grow the experience by providing the right conditions in order for it to develop. Just as one who buys a packet of seeds needs to make sure that the conditions are right for the plants to grow to full maturity otherwise they will either not grow at all, or wither and die in their early stages of development.
Shakti is a unique experience in that no meditation methods need to be employed for it to work. Indeed, trying to make it work by using methods may well mask its manifestations and be counter-productive. What we need to do is to create the optimum conditions for Shakti to manifest, surrender to those manifestations by placing our full attention on them, then allow it to work on its own, we should be innocent bystanders watching the process develop, we should not interfere with the process in any way.
What are the preliminaries for practice?
The initiate should…
- Set aside a place in their home for meditation where they will not be disturbed.
- The initiate should preferably wear the same clothing for their sessions as Shakti impregnates itself into clothing and the environment.
- The clothing should be an over-garment – used ONLY for meditation sessions – such as a shawl or other article of clothing – even a light dressing gown might be considered.
- The garment(s) should be of a natural fibre – cotton, wool or silk. The clothing should be washed as little as possible so outer garments that do not come into contact with the skin are preferable.
- The seat should be the same cushion or chair with a cover too of a natural fibre. Incense, statues or whatever you need to remind you of meditation practice should be placed in your meditation area.
How should I practice?
There are on occasion some fortunate ones who respond to initiation in an intense manner. The shakti is easily felt and all the manifestations occur automatically regardless of what one is doing or where one is. However for most, initiation is a far more subtle event therefore we should take great care as to how we develop the experience.One should seat oneself so that the spine is straight (upright but not rigid), preferably with legs crossed and hands in lap (not on knees) the reason for this is that the torso should be able to move if required, if the hands are resting on the knees then the torso cannot move if need be.
As most of the experiences begin from the base of the spine and generate a gentle rotating or swaying, gaining in intensity to a powerful vibration, the spine should be set at a point where it can move freely forward, backward or sideways. You should most definitely not sit with your back resting against a wall or leaning on the back of a chair.
For many there is virtually no discernible movement at the outset until one develops a keen awareness for any micro-movements that may occur. For those that cannot sit cross-legged on the floor they should sit on a low table (coffee tables are ideal as long as they can take the weight) or sit forward on a firm chair, away from its back. If one needs a cushion it should be thin, there should be just enough padding for comfort. Sitting on your beds is not recommended as the padding is usually too thick. Too much padding makes it difficult to balance if the torso does start to move.
The initiate should also develop a heightened sensitivity to the whole body. The muscles should be relaxed enough so that if there are any automatic movements of the arms or other areas of the body, they should be able to move if they need to. A common occurrence (and mildly amusing) is that certain muscle groups in any part of the body will become visible (virtually stand up) and vibrate with great intensity, this may also happen with the facial muscles too. This is ‘normal’ for initiates to experience and will dissipate when Shakti has done its work in that area of the body.
How long should I practice for?
Practice should be for a minimum of thirty minutes, preferably an hour to an hour and a half, one should however listen carefully to one's body and not stress it unduly with prolonged sitting that may result in blood flow restrictions to the legs. Shaktipat is a practice in itself, that is once the manifestations begin there is no need for other methods as the awakened kundalini shakti will govern the session.
Where reactions to initiation are mild or not yet existent then one may use whatever methods one has used prior to initiation until the kundalini shakti takes effect. If one is currently using a certain practice there is no need to change it – as long as it does not interfere with the spontaneous movements that may arise, one should not combine other movement practices with a meditation controlled by shakti, if the initiate desires to use them they should be practised separately.
Mindfulness of the breathing in Buddhist practice (anapana sati) or watching the breathing in Hindu practice (so-ham japa or ajapa-japa) are perfectly acceptable forms of meditation that will allow the requisite physical and mental relaxation to occur. When the manifestations of kundalini shakti begin the attention may incorporate those movements as a general mindfulness on the current condition of the body. When kundalini manifests itself fully then all attention may be placed on the current manifestations, one should cease all attempts to control the session and allow kundalini shakti to do its work.
When should I practice?
Within reason, whenever possible. After a while the effects of the Kundalini Shakti doing its work may be felt at any time, even when sleeping one may awaken to find that certain mudras and kriyas or a variety of other manifestations have been working themselves out whilst you were asleep.How much control do I have in a Shaktipat meditation session?
One always has full control over a meditation session that involves Shakti. Regardless of whatever one is experiencing one can draw an end to the session if one wishes or one is time constrained. The initiate can set the clock for whatever time you choose and end the session at that time. It is however a good idea to allow the experiences to wind down before getting up and ending the session. For example, if one can only sit for thirty minutes one should end the practice after twenty five minutes and slowly take control back over the next five minutes. This will allow a smooth transfer back to normal daily awareness and the experiences will gradually draw to a close for that session.
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