Shaktipat is the descent of spiritual energy. Since energy is all pervading and is present in every particle of nature, the question arises, "Where does this energy come from and where does it go?"

Shaktipat, thus, means the descent of Chit-Shakti (the power of mind-stuff) of the Guru on the Chit-Shakti of the disciple. The Guru is regarded to be spiritually more advanced than the disciple. When the higher spiritual power of Guru is transferred to the lower one of the disciple, it arises and activates the disciple's Chit-Shakti and makes it introspective. This awakening and activation is easily possible through Shaktipat. Kundalini Shaktipat, also known as Kundalini Maha-yoga is a self-perfecting spiritual practice, in which the Kundalini power causes an initiate to perform kriyas (automatic movements) through the power of Kundalini itself. Therefore, its other name is Siddha-yoga, or "the self-proven path of meditation," in which it is the Shakti itself that performs the meditation.

An initiate must not make any effort at all; one’s duty is only to surrender. The time and characteristics of the manifestation of Shakti are solely the work of the divine power (Shakti) itself. To practice this type of meditation means that one must simply allow the divine power the opportunity to perform the meditation by itself. The term kundalini is used to describe the divine energy within each person. Kundalini is the energy of life, or the Divine, as it is experienced in the individual. It is the energy that gives us life--the same energy that gives life to the universe.

Kundalini is represented as a “coiled snake” in the chakra at the base of the spine of each human?the serpentine divinity who sleeps within each individual until awakened. As the energy that lies dormant in each person is released it moves up the spine and activates the physic mechanism (chakras or energy/awareness centers). Deeper awareness and consciousness is experienced in the unfolding of and flow between those chakras. It is the rising of the kundalini, piercing and releasing the awareness within each chakra, that cuts through our tensions, blocks, ignorance, and ego. Ultimately, the kundalini moves up through all of the major chakras and rests in the chakra at the top of head, called the sahasrara chakra. This is the sacred space where we become completely aware of our total unity with the Divine.

So kundalini is both the energy and essence of life and the practice of becoming aware of it. Spiritual freedom is realized through our own inner practice and the transmission of energy (shaktipat) from a teacher that awakens the kundalini energy. Shaktipat means the descent of grace, or transmission of energy, and it is a vitally important presence in the awakening of the kundalini. It is the fire that ignites and sustains the release and rising of the kundalini.

Shaktipat initiates the process (the rising of the kundalini) by which a human being recognizes the intrinsic unbounded love that already dwells within each person?s heart?it is that love that ultimately reveals the secrets of our existence.

Kundalini is the energy of life, or the Divine, as it is experienced in the individual. Shaktipat is that same energy, transmitted from the teacher, that awakens that awareness within the student. Kundalini is the power of life, shaktipat is the switch that turns it on.

When the kundalini is awakened through shaktipat from the teacher a process of cooperation, surrender, and union with the divine reality begins.

Tag: Shaktipat and Kundalini