Shakti:

vital force; energy

(See also: Shakti, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Shakti - Power.

(See also: Shakti, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Shakti:

Shakti ("power"): the ultimate Reality in its feminine aspect, or the power pole of the Divine; see also kundalini-shakti

(See also: Shakti, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Mitahara, Asana And Shakti-Chalana

5. Of these two, viz., Prana and Vasanas, the student of Yoga should control Prana by moderate food (Mitahara), by Asanas or Yogic postures and thirdly by Shakti-Chalana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad: Mitahara, Asana And Shakti-Chalana

The Rousing Of The Kundalini

10. A wise Yogi should take the Kundalini from the Muladhara to the Sahasrara or the thousand-petalled Lotus in the crown of the head. This process is called Shakti-Chalana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad: The Rousing Of The Kundalini

Shakti Chalana Mudra

This is Tadana Kriya. By this method also Kundalini can be awakened. Through the practice of this Mudra one can become a Siddha.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Shakti Chalana Mudra: Practice of Shakti Chalana Mudra

Hatha yoga is the combination of ham and tham, representing the masculine and feminine aspects of our existence, and also the physical and mental force.

The ultimate aim of Hatha yoga is the union of Shiva and Shakti or the awakening of the kundalini , the hidden potential within us. There are many ways of doing Hatha yoga. Its practice begins with the purification of the physical body, the carrier of energy and the meridians or nadis.

Read more here: » Hatha yoga: Keep the Flame of Yoga Burning

The Chakras are centres of Shakti as vital force-in other words, these are centres of Pranashakti manifested by Pranavayu in the living body, the presiding Devatas of which are the names for the Universal Consciousness as it manifests in the form of these centres. The Chakras are not perceptible in the gross senses. Even if they were perceptible in the living body which they help to organise they disappear with the disintegration of organism at death.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Chakras: The Gradational Ascent Of The Mind

The actual method of awakening the Kundalini Shakti and uniting Her with the Lord in the Sahasrara can only be learnt from a Guru. I give here a general outline of the Yogic practice that will enable the Sadhaka to realise the Chit.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Kundalini Awakening: Some Practical Hints on Kundalini Awakening

During meditation you behold divine visions, experience divine smell, divine taste, divine touch, hear divine Anahata Sounds. You receive instructions from God. These indicate that the Kundalini Shakti has been awakened. When there is throbbing in Muladhara, when hair stands on its root, when Uddiyana, Jalandhara and Mulabandha come involuntarily, know that Kundalini has awakened.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Kundalini Shakti: Experiences On Awakening Of Kundalini

Mudras and Bandhas are certain postures of the body by which Kundalini is successfully awakened. In Gheranda Samhita, the description of 25 Mudras and Bandhas, is given. The following 12 are the most important:-,, 1. Mula Bandha, 2. Jalandhara Bandha, 3. Uddiyana Bandha, 4. Maha Mudra, 5. Maha Bandha, 6. Maha Vedha, 7. Yoga Mudra, 8. Viparitakarani Mudra, 9. Khechari Mudra, 10. Vajroli Mudra, 11. Shakti Chalana Mudra, 12. Yoni Mudra.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Mudras and Bandhas: Kundalini Yoga - Mudras and Bandhas

Sri Aurobindo, a scholar of India's spiritual-philosophical tradition, developed an original philosophy, which contained an evolutionary dimension. Humanity's destiny, according to Sri Aurobindo, is to evolve towards a higher state of consciousness that would fundamentally alter life, as we know it. To accomplish this, Sri Aurobindo synthesized various traditions of ancient spirituality and offered the instrument of integral Yoga. This prophet of the New Age not only predicted the perfectibility of the human condition but also assured that the day is not far when man's Supramental consciousness achieves its fullest fruition on earth. Following is an excerpt from Sri Aurobindo's Synthesis of Yoga.

Read more here: » Sri Aurobindo: Integral Yoga from Sri Arubindo's Synthesis of Yoga

Tantra: The Libido - thirst for Unity

Another aspect which is important in TANTRA YOGA is that the libido, when manifested as sexual drive, is not at all considered to be only sensuality but, at the innermost levels, as the soul's ardent yearning for spiritual perfection. Here the erotic impulse appears as the psyche's abyssal thirst to reach perfection through unity of complementary polar opposites. In this way, re-born as a genuine Androgyne of the Secret Tradition -- magical child of SHIVA and SHAKTI -- the Individual Spirit will have access to the highest levels of Consciousness.

Read more here: » Tantra Yoga: The Libido - thirst for Unity

Sense-Objects, Manas And Bandhana

3. Through passion, a person longs for an object. He is infatuated with passion for objects. These two one should leave. The Niranjana or the Stainless should be sought after. All that one thinks is favourable to oneself should be abandoned.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad: Sense-Objects, Manas And Bandhana

In Hindu devotional practice, three kinds of external symbols are used for worship of the Supreme Being, who is actually formless and nameless. The most external is that of divine images cast in human form, with paraphernalia symbolising supra-human divinity.

The most subtle is that of the mantras or divine names with certain sounds. A mantra is divine power clothed in sound. Between these two come the yantras or chakras , representing the deity in geometrical diagrams. Worshippers of Shakti consider the Srichakra the holiest and most significant of divine symbols.

(See also: Srichakra, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

''Shakti'' is another word for kundalini and ''pat'' means to descend. Shaktipat is a method by which an individual's kundalini is awakened by the direct intervention of a guru. Practially speaking shaktipat is known by its results: the awakening of of the student's kundalini.

This FAQ gives an overview of Siddha Mahayoga. Part I of III.

In Part II: 1) What is shaktipat?, 2) How does shaktipat work?, 3) Who can give shaktipat?, 4) Who can receive shaktipat?, 4) Are all shaktipat initiations the same?, 5) Can one receive shaktipat just by being in the presence of those with awakened shakti?, 6) So what happens after shaktipat?, 7) What is the practice of Siddha Mahayoga?

Read more here: » Siddha Mahayoga FAQ: What is shaktipat? (part I of III) -

The Cosmic Force And Shiv-Shakti

Before creation took place there was nothing but a pervading consciousness that had no name. Creation was the result of manifestation of this pervading consciousness.

The first form in which the consciousness manifested was Adi Shakti, Gayatri or power. From her emerged everything else. Once the universe was created there was a need for super forces or energies to look after the governance of the world. To perform this role Adi Shakti manifested herself into the trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Read more here: » Shiv-Shakti: The Cosmic Force And Shiv-Shakti

The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad presents methods for the control of Prana. The Yogic student does not deal with Vasanas. He concerns himself with the techniques of controlling the Prana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad: Introduction to Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad

Read more here: » Test Jonas

During meditation you behold divine visions, experience divine smell, divine taste, divine touch, hear divine Anahata sounds. You receive instructions from God. These indicate that the Kundalini Shakti has been awakened. When there is throbbing in Muladhara, when hairs stand on their roots, when Uddiyana, Jalandhara and Mulabandha come involuntarily, know that Kundalini has awakened.

Read more here: » Kundalini Awakening: Experiences on Awakening of Kundalini