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Creating Bridges: The Spiritual & Philosophical |
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What is Shaktipat?
"The Awakening’ from Involution"
Part 3 of 3 parts |
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by Sadhu Devi Nostrum |
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~ The Unfolding ~
Metamorphosis of Mind-Body-Soul
"muladharad-abrahmabilam vilasantimi
Bisatantu-taniyasimi vidyut-punja-pinjaram
Vivasvad-ayutabhasvatprakasama parama
Shata-sudha-mayukha-shitala-tejo-danda-rupam
Paracitimi kundalinmi bhavayet"
"contemplate kundalini, who is supreme Consciousness,
who plays from the muladhara (root chakra) to the sahasrara (crown chakra),
who shines like a flash of lightening,
who is as fine as a fiber of a lotus stalk,
who has the brilliant radiance of countless suns,
and who is a shaft of light as cool as hundreds of nectarean moonbeams."
~ Bhagavad Gita
In Parts 1 & 2, and with our previous discussions in mind, we approached the whole question of "What is Shaktipat?" by recognizing that this is indeed the same process of ‘soul birthing’ that is evident in all cultures and ages of mankind. We examined the ‘Arch of Descend’ of the Supreme, and the many ways Shaktipat, the descent of Grace, occurs: as an inextricable, divine, evolutionary force that is beyond any human rationale or control, but occurring perfectly and just right for each one of us. Be it through the testimonies of innumerable numbers of saints, sages and gurus, the mythologies of ancient civilizations as archetypal plays of group consciousness, or the modern expositions of mystic scientists and psychologists: the awakening and inner unfolding journey of ‘re-recognizing Self’ in the returning ‘Arch of Ascent’ is profoundly mysterious and empiric. This baptismal fire of transformation and transcendence is at once unique, deeply intimate and compelling, and yet inter-relational and universal as well.
In Part 3, the final in our series of discussions of "What is Shaktipat?", we will take a look at the nature of the ‘limited, individual soul’, and the effects of Shaktipat on it. We will learn the place of correct self-effort and the true yoga of saint-making, called ‘Raja Yoga’ meaning royal yoga, ( also called ‘Maha’ or supreme yoga, or the yoga of ‘Siddhas’, or saints). We will also briefly explore the 4 ways in which people generally experience the manifestation of awakened Kundalini, within the categories of kriyavati, varnamayi, kalavati and vedhamayi. In our next article we will take a closer look at these categories, read some very interesting testimonies of wonderful awakenings experiences, and learn how seekers commonly experience piercing or openings of each of the 7 major Chakras as the awakened Shakti Kundalini rises through them in its healing and integrating work. Finally, we will describe the Sahasrara, (the Crown Chakra), commonly understood to be the highest center of Consciousness and the final state of Self-Realization or divine union, the ultimate quest of human life.
What is the nature of the Limited, Individual Soul? How does Shaktipat affect the Soul and its Healing?
There are 5 general limitations of ‘individuated Self’ and the ‘limited, bound soul’, called ‘Jiva’. These five general mayas, or illusionary concepts that the limited soul has about itself are the mistakened ideas of:
#1. Kala* = limited omnipotence (authorship, power, creation)
#2 Vidya = limited omniscience (knowledge, awareness, cognition)
#3 Raga = limited completeness (comprehension,necessity to select attention or interest)
#4 Kala **= limited eternal existence (sequential vs. multidimensional time/existence)
#5 Niyati = limited omnipresence (time and space, the ‘where’ of Self)
* accent on second ‘a’
** accent on first ‘a’
According to Kashmir Shaivism, these are collectively called the Kanchukas, or Cloaks of subjective limitation within the schemata of the Tattvas, or principles of creation. Such an incarnated soul, who is completely oblivious to True Self due to these perceived self-limitations is called a ’Sakala’, and is associated with what is fragmented, limited, partial, different and incomplete. The classic behavioral signs of such a one is competitiveness, pridefulness, fear & self-doubt, anger, hatred & rage, sloth, envy & jealousy, greed, lustfulness, fearfulness, worry and infatuation & projection. Typical relationship dynamics include self-defeating and dysfunctional archetypal roles such as the Victim, Saboteur, Silent Child and Prostitute.
The yogic scriptures explain that with Shaktipat, the cellular imprints of past traumas, mental scripting, ’sins’, and good ‘ol emotional baggage/garbage (called ‘samskara’ in Sanskrit), which are denied, suppressed and being held in the auric field and Sushumna Nadi, or energetic channel of the spinal cord, begin to dislodge and stir to the surface for expulsion. The result is the temporary, though often intense sensation and feelings of the ‘emotional pain body’, such as guilt, fears, shame and other negative emotions and feelings. There may also be real, physical manifestations of purging and clearing as well, such as sore backs, gastro-intestinal upset, transient aches & pains, and headaches. Bondage and unhealthy attachments to outlived relationships, be it family, spouse, friends or work, as well as negative and unhealthy tendencies and even latent illnesses will be cut away at the roots; broken for old, harmful energy to be released and to allow new energy expression to occur as the soul is compelled to finally break through blocks and resistance to healing change, and to integrate and ascend to wholeness once more. Such times call for understanding of the benefits of the process, with gratitude that these things are being once and for all eliminated from our systems. Remaining humble, in gratitude, non-judgement and in witness mode is also very supporting to the healing process that Shakti Kundalini is catalyzing in order to break through the effects of our soul limitations.
Swami Muktananda said, "Whatever thoughts one has come from the Central Nadi, and all ones karmas and impressions from many lives are lodged here. All the different states we experience - desire or greed, inspiration or dullness - arise from the Sushumna. In the upper region of the Sushumna are such qualities as contentment, peace, and knowledge, while in the lower regions lie the passions of lust, greed, anger, and all the feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. When your Shakti is awakened, all the past impressions and karmas come out. That is why when you first receive Shaktipat, you sometimes feel very negative or very angry. You shouldn’t be afraid when you get into such a state; it happens because the Shakti is expelling all the karmas or countless lives".
Why does the ’limited soul’ and its consequences happen? In Kashmir Shaivism, it is by the very will of God! Shaiva philosophy says that Shiva has 5 principle actions: Creation, Destruction, Maintenance/Harmony/Balance, Concealing Self and Revealing Self. Shiva, impelled by his desire to sport or play, locks himself in a prison and hides the key, so to speak, by creating many small selves, the Jivas, or individual souls. The shackled Jiva, then, is bound by 3 malas, three encircling forms of limitation, the anavamala, the limitation of smallness, the mayiyamala, the limitation of illusion, and the karmamala, the limitation of action and illusion of doership. Why does He do this? The idea is the thrill of recognition, the joy of Self discovering & experiencing Self, as if in a grand, cosmological peek-a-boo game! I often ask my students this koen, "Tell me why a joke is funny, and you will understand the nature of God". There is great joy in recognizing Self, first hidden then discovered as the infinite multidimensionality and ‘yin-yang’ variation & flow of the manifest universe, just as we find wonderful joy in recognizing the simple 2 dimensional, or double-meaning hidden in a joke. (Having divulged the answer to the riddle, I guess I can’t use that koen anymore now!)
Which Soul limitation does Shaktipat erase? Why is Shaktipat so necessary?
The most powerful of the 3 malas of limitation of the Supreme is anavamala, the limitation of smallness. Paul Muller-Ortega writes: "For Shaiva schools, then, it is the gift of Shaktipat and Shaktipat alone that leads to the destruction of anavamala. In one moment, instantaneously, its binding power is done away with. Of course, this does not mean (in most cases!) that liberation is immediately achieved. It is through sadhana that the destruction of the other two malas is thought to occur. That is why it is always taught that there must be a balance between grace and yogic effort. Both are absolutely essential. But in truth, it is the anugraha-shakti, the Power of Revealing, the power of grace, that is truly indispensable. Without it, at best only preliminary practices are possible. With it, the destruction of the other two malas is assured and will eventually occur, (it’s a matter of personal choice and self-effort vs. number of years or lifetimes to Self Realization). Indeed, for the Shaivite teachers, if liberation is impossible before Shaktipat, it is inevitable after it."
Swami Muktananda explains, "When one receives the Guru’s Grace, when one’s karmas are burned in the fire of knowledge, then one does not take birth again. When the causal body is in bondage, it is called ‘anavamala‘. When the inner shakti unfolds, the fire of love for God arises, and this fire burns this anavamala. This fire is also called the fire of knowledge, and the fire of knowledge burns all the karmas. After all his/her karmas are burned to ashes, man becomes free from sins, faults and he/she becomes free from rebirth and redeath."
And Paul Muller-Ortega continues: "By diligent spiritual practices of various sorts, even before receiving Shaktipat, the yogi will certainly begin to reduce the influences of the self-limitations of karma (action) , and maya (illusion). These two bonds can be worn down or thinned out by diligent and sustained yogic effort (spiritual practices). But the crucial point, Shaiva philosophy asserts, is that without Shaktipat, the first and fundamental limitation, anavamala, (limitation of small self), will never yield before even the most heroic of yogic assaults. On its own, the small self will never be able to escape from its imprisonment. The anavamala is the impulse of Shivas’ will to dance in the waves of karma. Nothing that is not Shivas’ will itself can reverse the power that holds the small self bound by the anavamala."
What is true Yoga?
There are 4 key elements to the practice of any true yoga: right posture (includes everything from rooting, centering, physical position, ‘body lock’ and attitude), right breathing, right knowledge (correct understanding), and right intention (includes appropriate heart-centered mental focus, concentration, inner visualization and inherent consequences/action). So it is with the overall yoga of ascension. What is ‘true yoga’? That which supports Shakti (Holy Spirit, Grace) within us, and allows us to follow as good disciples, the direction of the Guru, (God-within, the I AM presence), which wishes, in perfect, divine free-will, to ‘birth’ Self-recognition, awareness and ‘being-ness’ into our conscious lives as incarnate beings of living light. Let’s take a look at some important aspects of ‘right understanding’, and ‘right attitude’ regarding the Shaktipat in supporting the unfolding experience.
Swami Muktananda, in his book, ‘The Perfect Relationship: the Guru and the Disciple’, writes of the good disciple (seeker/servant of God): "He regards the Guru (God-within/Shen) as the Self. He considers his vital force to be the Guru and his body to be the disciple (ego personality/ the automatons ‘hun & ‘po’ of esoteric Chinese medicine). By imbibing the Guru’s wisdom, he has become the Guru, yet he never forgets his own discipleship, (continued discipline of ‘lower-self‘). Such a disciple is the child of the Guru, (child of God/lamb of God/son of God/ the chosen one), and is worthy of receiving initiation into yoga." In the Kularnava Tantra, Shiva says, "guru-daivata-sambhaktam kamini-pujakama param…nityama gurusanipasthama guru-santosha-karakam", "he always remains close to the Guru and does the work which pleases the Guru, ( ie. following divine will). Through meditation he worships the great Shakti Kundalini, the Goddess and the mother of the world. He has complete devotion to the Guru and the diety".
We recall that the Sanskrit meaning of ‘Guru’ is ‘gu’ =darkness, the unconscious, shadow archetype of our ego-personality, and ‘ru’ =light, the destoyer of our darkness, egoic fantasies, karmas, samskaras (emotional baggage), fears and doubts. So it is this principle of ‘Guru’ as the power of liberation through the Grace-bestowing transmissions of the external master teacher, the Satguru, that is pivotal to our successful purification from darkness, and ascension into Self-recognition. The Siva Sutras say, "gurur va parameshvari anugrahika shaktihi", (the Guru is the grace-bestowing power of the Lord). Kashmir Shaivism asserts that Shaktipat is an act of divine freedom, an impulse of liberation that is released by the Satguru from within supreme consciousness, which is the gurus’ most intimate reality. Through this energetic joining of master and disciple and transmission of energy, the disciples’ inner dormant kundalini is awakened, through catalytic ‘resonance’, or ’entrainment’. In the case of repeat Shaktipat transmissions, Darshan ( blessings by the satguru), and other initiations, the kundalini and energetic body of the disciple is further strengthened and purified. It is through the disciples’ committed attention to and process of sadhana, (correct spiritual practices under the direction and support of their Satguru), that the unfolding of this supreme consciousness blossoms and spills forth, a veritable metamorphasis of mind-body-spirit that affects every facet of the disciples life and his/her relatedness to the world they live in.
The noted Southeast Asian Scholar, M.P.Pandit, writes of this, "Whatever the path chosen and discipline selected for the seeker, no real sadhana (yogic spiritual practices) begins till a relationship is established between him/her and the Guru. And this relationship starts from the moment an inner connection is made, between the two as a result of something from the consciousness of the Guru entering into the being of the disciple. This entry of the Guru into the disciple is aptly described as the impact of descent of the higher Power, the conscious Power of the Guru, or of the very Divine through him/her; this is called Shaktipat. Where this Shaktipat is not, say the scriptures, there is no fulfillment".
What are the 4 general ways one personally experiences Shaktipat?
"O Almighty Lord, may we, armed with Your powerful divine Shakti, completely annihilate our inner vices in the struggles of life and be victorious."
~ Rig Veda
Even though each person’s reaction in type and intensity to Shaktipat is unique, due to the configuration of each persons karmic and samskaric history and ‘accumulated merit’, there are four basic categories listed in the Yoga Sutras, being kriyavati, kalavati, varnamayi and vedhamayi. Each of these are natural, spontaneous and effortless events that are brought on by the workings of Shakti Kundalini. Kriyavati manifests as kriyas, or movements and body-locks of the physical body. This could range from gentle, spontaneous swaying and mudra hand & finger positions and movements to rigorous hatha yoga positions and breathing changes.
Varnamayi pertains to spontaneous mantra yoga. Vocal powers that had previously lain dormant are awakened in a seeker. He may begin to utter words, sentences and mantras in Sanskrit or other languages that are often completely unknown to the initiate. This can be likened to the Christian ‘speaking in tongues’ phenomenon. Kalavati, is the spontaneous vyapti, or fusion of the gross tattvas, reabsorbed into the more subtler ones. This process is also described as a series of 112 meditation yogas in the sacred text Vijnana Bhairava. As each of the Tattva principles are purified and the seeker automatically detaches him/herself from it, he/she moves closer to realizing the Self, until finally, only the Self remains, and he/she realizes his true identity is Shiva, the Absolute. And finally, in Vedhamayi, the seeker experiences the piercing of the Chakras. These may take various forms, spontaneous sensations of heat, intense pressure or vibration, visions, divine fragrances and celestial sounds and rapturous states of divine union.
~Sadhu Devi Nostrumananda
Copyright IBASI 2003. All rights reserved.
~ IBASI Healing Ministries ~
(International Bioenergetic
Arts & Sciences Institute)
(831) 646-5233
www.IBASI.org
"All Healing is Self-Healing"
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Swami
Devi Nostrum
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Doctor of Pharmacy,
Master Energy Healer,
Ordained Minister &
Siddha Monk (Sadhu)
Devi Nostrum is also Founder and President of IBASI (International Bioenergetic Arts & Sciences Institute), and Spiritual Head of IBASI Healing Ministries.
Swami Nostrumananda is a true Shaktipat Spiritual Teacher of the Kashmir Shaivism Tradition, Master Energy Practitioner, Clairvoyant and licensed Holistic Clinical Pharmacist.
The committed journey of enlightenment, abundance, peace and bliss in this lifetime is not an impossible dream. Sadhu Devi ‘made it’ in an incredible 2 years and 10 months! She is a wealth of inner knowledge, drawing on examples as diverse as Oriental and Western medical science, Quantum Physics and Chemistry to Sacred Scriptures, Nature, Poetry and your Favorite Movies.
IBASI offers Shaktipat Intensives, Nature Retreats and Certification Workshops in Sedona, AZ and Pacific Grove, CA; On-Line Satsang, Mentoring programs and Courses; Reiki, Medical Qigong and Teacher Certification Programs, Ministerial Training as well as free-to-the-public weekly devotional Arati Pujas with Chanting, Meditation and Satsang.
"All Healing is Self Healing"
Satsang with Swami Nostrumananda
International Bioenergetic
Arts & Sciences Institute, (IBASI)
Healing Ministries
POBox 52091
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Ph/Fx:(831) 646-5233
www.IBASI.org
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