Shaktipat Diksha

Shaktipat is a process that raises kundalini in a natural, spontaneous way. It gives the new initiate tangible proof of its activity by allowing one to have experiences that creates ongoing, lasting spiritual effects.

Soon after initiation it usually takes only a brief period of time for the new initiate to grow the experience where Shakti can be felt working in the background all of the day and night, when awake, dreaming or sleeping the effects can be experienced continuously. The more one makes oneself available for Shakti to do its work, the stronger the experiences become.

As the experience of initiation and its development are unique I am offering free ongoing guidance and support for all initiates through The Initiate Community since 2011. Support is available on the Discussion and support community.

Why Seek Initiation

Shakti is the most natural and spontaneous part of who we are at our deepest level. It is not a foreign force or power. Initiation is simply a re-introduction to that natural, fundamental intelligence.

Much has been made of some of the quite phenomenal, almost spectacular symptoms of initiation, however none of these are the reason why initiation is - or should be sought. They are just indicators that the process is underway.

There has been much written about how difficult the mind is to control and how slippery it can be. In manual paths of self effort the mind pretends to enjoy meditation only to spoil the results by continuous distracting ventures into anything else but the purpose of one's practice. What started off as meditation often turns into an opportunity to complete our shopping list, review our day, imagine what we should have said in our conversations etc.

The reason the seeker chooses Shaktipat as his or her path is that it is a way of controlling the mind's distractions and allowing it to sink in its source naturally and spontaneously without the initiate needing to do anything to bring this about other than to allow the process to work on its own. The initiate then finds his mind naturally drawn to peace, calm and tranquility. The initiate is changed from within, without effort.

When spiritual manifestations take place other levels of consciousness open up to the vision - this is a matter of experience, not belief. As the transcendental aspect takes over all duality ceases as the "I" and "Other" notions cease.

At first, time needs to be set aside for Shakti to be effective, but shortly after one does so Shakti can be felt working on one all of the day and night, in the waking, dreaming and deep sleep states, not just in hours of practice but continuously in some form or another - no manual path can do this. The more sensitive one becomes to the process, the more obvious the process becomes.

Shakti and Shaktipat

What Is Shakti?

In Hindu philosophy Shakti is represented as the consort of Shiva, Shakti is inseparable from Shiva. It could be said that Shiva is the universe, Shakti is the living intelligence embedded within the universe. It is the work of Shakti to awaken Kundalini and guide the kundalini through the chakras to its final goal by its own perfect means.

It is said that Shakti looks after the new initiate as if it were the initiates mother. In the path of Shaktipat, Shakti is often referred to as “Mother Shakti” or “Mata Shakti”.

The new initiate will experience what this means for themselves. Shakti is a conscious, self directing force that is the intelligence of nature. Indeed, all nature's manifestations, be they a blade of grass, a leaf, flower, plant or the universe itself are all manifestations of Shakti, either involved within form or manifest as the self-directing life principle. Shakti controls prana and directs it to its purpose.

What is Shaktipat Diksha?

Shaktipat Diksha is the transmission of a living intelligent force from Initiator to Candidate. “Shakti” is the conscious, living, intelligent force. “Pat” means to transfer or pass down. “Diksha” means to initiate so “Shaktipat Diksha” is the passing or transmitting of a conscious living force or energy from initiator to initiate.

Shaktipat awakens the dormant energy of Kundalini and directs its ascent through the chakras. The process is wholly automatic, the initiate does not need to learn any method to control the kundalini or direct it to a particular chakra. This is the immense benefit of Shaktipat.

Due to the effects of Shaktipat the workings of Kundalini may sometimes be felt throughout the entire nervous system all of the day and night, depending on the function it is performing at that particular time. In Hindu teachings there are other types of “diksha’s” or initiations, these are formalities in religious ceremonies and should not be confused with Shaktipat Diksha.

What isn't Shaktipat?

Shaktipat is the transmission of a conscious, living, intelligent force that is self-directing and operates wholly independent of both the initiators and initiates mind. Shakti is not a blind energy that is wilfully directed here or there. Healing practices or ‘energy work’ that use consciously directed Chi or Prana should not be confused with Shaktipat.

There are many offers of “Shaktipat”, for fee or for free, both on and off the web. One should be careful as to whether it is truly Shaktipat or prana transmissions that are being offered, in the majority of cases it is prana transmissions and not Shaktipat. One famous (deceased) guru offered Shaktipat but had himself never received Diksha.

What's the difference between Shaktipat and Prana transmission?

Shaktipat is easily confused with prana transmissions, as is evident across the web. To put it in easily understandable terms prana is like a powerful blind man whilst Shakti is his guide. Prana is subtle energy that can be focused by anyone, the more training one has the more intense the prana transmission is. Channelling and conveying prana can be useful in itself and can boost spiritual development at certain times on certain occasions, with certain practices, but its uses are limited and it eventually dissipates.

Shakti, on the other hand works within the recipient directing prana to where it needs to go. Shakti does this when the initiate is waking, dreaming or in deep sleep, time is no barrier to the effects of Shakti. It is as if a guru were installed within the subtle body of its recipient and it undertakes specific tasks by directing prana, on behalf of the initiate with the same intelligence that produced nature and the universe. It does not dissipate (unless the initiate ignores both Shakti and its processes) but grows stronger with time. In years to come Shakti grows stronger and stronger whilst prana transmissions have long been forgotten.

Who can give Initiation?

Shaktipat can be likened to one lighted candle lighting an unlit candle. The lit candle flame loses nothing by lighting the second candle making it like itself. One who has yet to light their own candle cannot light another. Many people imagine that all gurus use Shaktipat initiation to assist their students (Sadhaks), this is not the case. Most gurus have their own well developed path and lineage. They may use prana transmissions to assist their Sadhaks but if they themselves were not initiated into Shaktipat Diksha they are unable to offer it to their own Sadhaks.

The initiator must have been previously initiated by someone who has also undergone the same initiation process. It is impossible for initiation to take place otherwise. Shakti can only be successfully transmitted when the initiator's Kundalini has been sufficiently aroused and stabilised. This can be a relatively short period or it could take many years depending on the initiates progression.

Are there different strengths of Shaktipat?

No, all initiations are the same, nothing is held back. However the intensity varies from initiate to initiate. Some initiates have powerful experiences from the outset, others have lesser experiences, a few have no conscious experiences for some time and others do not respond. The initiation is identical in each case. One's preparedness and willingness to devote time to practice plays a large part in the initiates response to initiation.

Can anyone be initiated?

All candidates are able to be initiated, but not all candidates are immediately able to manifest the signs and symptoms of initiation. There is no guarantee that Shaktipat will be effective for the candidate, but every possible assistance from the initiator is guaranteed.

Each candidate should do their best to bring themselves to the point where initiation is effective. This can be done by practising meditation methods and / or relaxation techniques. Those who have undertaken other forms of meditation practice or energy work are much more responsive.

Is Shaktipat dangerous?

No, though the experiences may range from amusing to frightening. This is why support is necessary. If one is seeking an initiator one should make sure that support is available. I offer free support for as long as required.

Those who suffer or have suffered any psychological disorder are advised not to undertake initiation. One should be of sound mind in order to undertake this meditation modality. One should also seek support from one’s initiator and other initiates undergoing similar processes. My support forum is active and all necessary support is available.

One should understand that even the most benign unrelated practice may be considered ‘dangerous’ if one is psychologically delicate and unfit to practice, these people should not seek initiation, I will not initiate anyone who I feel to be so. The best suited for initiation are those who are relatively strong minded and are open to new experiences.

Is this a religion, do I have to believe something?

No. Shaktipat is the path of experience, not theory, you are not required to believe anything. Kundalini awakening occurs in initiation regardless of whatever beliefs are held. Shakti and Shaktipat are to be experienced in the privacy of one’s own practice, not believed.

Is Shaktipat some form of possession?

Definitely not, though it can sometimes appear as such. Shaktipat Diksha is the transmission of a conscious living force, it is not an entity. Its job is to awaken and guide the Kundalini within that is most intimately ‘ourselves’, more ‘ourselves’ than the vagaries of mind.

How many initiations do I need?

One single initiation is all the candidate needs and all this initiator uses. Lapsed practitioners may apply for booster sessions if they have let their practice go but further work is simply a repeat of the original initiation process. Apparently there are other systems that are also referred to as ‘Shaktipat’ where more than one initiation takes place. This initiator does not use them.

Do you give mantras?

No. Mantras are sometimes given to manually awaken kundalini in non-Shaktipat methods (mantra yoga) or by some initiators to trigger the process of Shaktipat initiation in other systems. However I do not give mantras at initiation or at any other time in the process of one's sadhana or spiritual development. I find it quite unnecessary as my method of initiation works very well with a high success rate. Also, when kundalini is sufficiently aroused mantras may begin automatically, by themselves with no effort from the initiate or the initiator.

Do I need to be celibate or renunciate for Shaktipat to take effect?

No, of course not, though one should ideally devote sufficient practice time for results to develop. Shaktipat is ideal for householders with families, however the more time devoted to practice the more intense the results are felt. The effects of Shaktipat take place regardless of one's status in life, what one is doing or where one is located - at home or work, even whether one is awake or asleep makes no difference whatsoever to the awakening power within.

Do I belong to a lineage when I am initiated?

No. Initiation from me does not in any way associate the new initiate with any lineage, religion, cult or organisation. Just as I do not associate myself with them either. However, due to my open view of Shaktipat initiation, I simply refer to initiation from me as "Dharma Shakti" for the sole reason that initiation from me is "As It Is" (Dharma) without the need of any beliefs.

My view of Shaktipat is that Shakti is the Sat-Guru, the inner teacher and the source of the initiates experiences, not the initiator. Of course though it is part of my work to offer advice, encouragement and support not only on the spiritual aspect of meditation but also the transcendental aspect too where necessary.

Am I required to maintain an association with the initiator after initiation?

It is not mandatory but highly advisable. Continued association is via private or group contact where initiates are advised on how best to cultivate the experience and offered encouragement. You are free to come or go as you so choose. However, I do suggest all new initiates participate in the support community in order to build up a growing repository of Shaktipat experiences that may be absent from the formal literature. I am also happy to offer advice on practice and answer any questions there.