Shakti is the Mind of Nature. It is not a foreign force or power. Shakti is the natural intelligence of the universe. Those who merely define Shakti as a 'force' or 'power' have not experienced its effects. Shakti is a conscious, self directing force that is the intelligence of nature.
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. Internally, within the human body, 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.
Its guidance is so perfect that 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.
Indeed, all natures manifestations, be they a blade of grass, a leaf, flower, plant or the universe itself are all outward manifestations of Shakti. Inwardly Shakti manifest as the self-directing life principle that automatically controls prana as kundalini and directs it to its purpose.
No, there are no super-charged brands of Shakti, despite the enthusiasm some on the web attribute to it. Diksha means to 'initiate'. Shaktipat Diksha therefore initiates or begins a process that develops and accumulates over time. This process could happen quickly or slowly, depending on ones previous preparations and current efforts the initiate puts into their own development. The initiation starts the process. The more you make yourself available for the process to affect you the sooner results will be felt.
Shaktipat Diksha is the transmission and awakening of this living intelligence, from Initiator to Candidate. “Shakti” is the conscious, living, intelligence,. “Pat” means to transfer or pass down. The common understanding is that “Diksha” means to initiate so “Shaktipat Diksha” is the passing or transmitting of a conscious living intelligence 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.
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’and 'gurus blessings' that charge a sadhaks practice to create a feeling of empowerment use consciously directed chi or prana, but they should not be confused with Shaktipat.
There are many offers of “Shaktipat”, for fee or 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.
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 one can easily learn to focus, 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.
On the other hand, through initiation (Diksha), a re-directed internalised Shakti works within the recipient directing prana to where it needs to go, so is then is referred to as 'Prana-Shakti'. As an effect of initiation this will happen when the initiate is awake, dreaming and in deep sleep, time is no barrier to the effects of Shakti. It is as if a master-guru were installed within the subtle body of its recipient as 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.
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 (Shaktas), 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 initiators 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.
No, regardless of what you read on the web 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.
Sometimes a new initiate will have no outward experiences of Shakti immediately following initiation. They may feel that their initiation was a failure or that they were unable or unready to receive initiation. This is because they may not understand that for some Shakti's work is internalised and below the threshold of conscious awareness. Patient sitting practice will allow Shakti to complete its work and then surface to conscious awareness where the classic symptoms will be experienced.
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 immediately effective for the candidate, but every possible assistance from this initiator is offered.
Each candidate should do their best to bring themselves to the point where initiation is effective. This can be done by practising meditation methods, developing a subtle sensitivity and / or relaxation techniques. Those who have undertaken other forms of meditation practice or energy work are much more responsive. Guidance from my community gives subtle development practices that will help the candidate and initiate grow their experience of Shakti.
No, though sometimes the experiences may range from amusing to frightening. Failure to understand what is happening within the initiate may cause unnecessary concern for the Shakta. This is why support is necessary. One should not seek initiation if free support is not available. This could also be said about any other practice that is designed for spiritual development. I have offered free online support for as long as required since 2011. 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 understand that even the most benign unrelated practice will alter one's awareness and perceptions and may be considered ‘dangerous’ if one is psychologically delicate and unfit to practice, these people should not seek initiation. The best suited for initiation are those who are relatively strong minded and are open to new experiences.
No. Shaktipat is the path of experience, not belief. You are not required to believe anything and there is no need to change whatever current beliefs you may hold. I do not run a religion, organisation or cult. I do however offer support via a members practice community. Initiation develops the process regardless of whatever beliefs are held. Shakti and Shaktipat are to be experienced in the privacy of one’s own practice, not believed.
Definitely not, though it can sometimes appear as such. Shaktipat Diksha is the transmission of a conscious, intelligent living force, it is not an entity. In its external aspect Shakti is the intelligence of the universe, nature and the same intelligence that grows your physical body, digests your food, makes blood, repairs damaged tissue etc. In its internal aspect its work is to awaken and guide the Kundalini within that which is most intimately ‘ourselves’, more ourselves than the vagaries of mind.
One single initiation is all the candidate needs and all this initiator uses. Lapsed practitioners may ask 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. Though one is free to venture out on their own regular contact with the initiator and the community is the key to developing a healthy practice.
No. Mantras are sometimes given to manually awaken kundalini in non-Shaktipat methods (mantra yoga) or by some initiators to help 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 ones sadhana or spiritual development. When kundalini is sufficiently aroused mantras may begin automatically, by themselves with no effort from the initiate or the initiator.
No, 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 ones 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.
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 beliefs.
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.
It is recommended. Continued association is via group contact and video discussion, where initiates maintain a connection and are advised on how best to cultivate the experience and offered encouragement. You are free to come or go as you so choose. I am also happy to offer advice on complementary practices and answer any questions.