A Wisdom Archive on Shaktipat

Shaktipat is a term from Sanskrit and Hindi that refers to the act of a guru or spiritual teacher conferring a form of spiritual 'power' or awakening on a disciple/student. This power has been referred to by various terms, such as Shakti, Kundalini, Chi, Holy Spirit. Shaktipat can be carried out by either touch or presence, intentionally or accidentally. The schools of yoga whose gurus perform shaktipat are as follows: Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion. Maha Yoga, a school using shaktipat as its ...

Read more here: » Shaktipat: Encyclopedia - Shaktipat

shaktipat: (Sanskrit) "Descent of grace." Guru diksha, initiation from the preceptor; particularly the first initiation, which awakens the kundalini and launches the process of spiritual unfoldment.
See: anugraha shakti, diksha,, grace, kundalini, shaktipat

(See also: Shaktipat, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » shaktipat dictionary

Shaktipat:
Shaktipat - A transmission of spiritual energy usually given by a guru

 
(See also: Shaktipat, Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » shaktipat dictionary

''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) -

Shaktipat Initiation - Awakening the Kundalini
Kundalini can be awakened by attaining perfection of certain hatha yoga postures called asanas, by certain breathing exercises aimed at controlling the breath called pranayama, by God's grace, by meditation or by intense devotion.
 
Another technique of great importance is Shaktipat, the transmission of energy. A powerful yogi can transmit energy to an aspirant and awaken the Kundalini. This is accomplished in one of four ways: by touch, gaze, sound or thought.
 

Read more here: » Kundalini Maha Yoga: Shaktipat Initiation - Awakening the Kundalini

Kriyas, literally 'activities', are spontaneous movements that occur after kundalini awakening. These include bodily activities such as trembling, shaking and spontaneous yoga postures; vocal activities such as yelling, or spontaneous chanting and mental activities such as visions. These kriyas eliminate the blocks to kundalini rising within the spine or central channel.
 
This FAQ gives an overview of Siddha Mahayoga. Part I of III.
In Part III: 1) What are kriyas?, 2) So how do kriyas purify my consciousness?, 3) Are these kriyas some sort of self-hypnosis or some sort New Age phenomenon?, 4) Haven't a number of well-known teachers criticized kriyas?, 5) Don't they say that kundalini is a force that needs control?, What is the philosophy of siddha mahayoga?, 6) What is the precise role of the guru in siddha mahayoga?, 7) What teachers give shaktipat initiation?, 8) Where can I learn more?
 

Read more here: » Siddha Mahayoga FAQ: What are kriyas? (part III of III) -

This FAQ gives a background on the phenomenon of kundalini. Part II of III.
 
In Part II: 1) Can I just use kundalini yoga simply to improve my health?, 2)
Is there any scientific basis for kundalini and the cakras?, 3) Do I really have to believe that all these cakras physically exist?, 4) Is Chinese qi gong a kind of kundalini yoga?, 5) What about Tibetan Buddhism - has kundalini been known in Tibet?, 6) Are there any other traditions that show awareness of kundalini?, 7)So how do I awaken kundalini?, 8) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using effort to awaken kundalini?
 

Read more here: » Kundalini FAQ: What is Kundalini? (part II of III) -

This FAQ gives an overview of those kundalini yoga practices which require conscious effort. Part I of III.
 
In Part III: 1) But even if kundalini is dangerous, isn't it a faster way to enlighenment?, 2) What are the origins of kundalini yoga?, 3) What is the classical literature of kundalini yoga?, 4) What is the precise role of the guru in kundalini yoga?, 5) Can't I learn it through books?, 6) Where can I gain instruction on kundalini yoga?, 7) Where can I learn more?
 

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yogas FAQ (part III of III)

This FAQ gives a background on the phenomenon of kundalini. Part III of III.
 
In Part II: 1) What are the signs of an awakened kundalini?, 2) Are these methods of awakening kundalini dangerous?, 3) What about Gopi Krishna's books?, 4) But even if kundalini is dangerous, isn't it a faster way to enlighenment?, 5) There have been many scandals among kundalini yoga teachers - particularly sexual scandals. Is there a correlation between sexual scandals and kundalini yoga practice?, 6) If my kundalini is awakened will I need to change my lifestyle? 7) Do I need to be celibate?, 8) Where can I learn more?
 

Read more here: » Kundalini FAQ: What is Kundalini? Signs of Awakened Kundalini (part III of III)