Shaktipat and Mahashakti Yoga
Around saints of any tradition, a presence can be felt. Around shaktipat gurus, this presence is palpable. This is a manifestation of the Shakti (Divine Mother) emanating from these beings. In their presence, things begin to happen, and the Kundalini begins to unfold through the blessings of shaktipat (“Descent of Shakti” or “Descent of Grace”).
The Kundalini is the Divine Mother that dwells within all of us. She supports the everyday life processes in the mind/body complex, and She is also the source of all spiritual advancement. When the Kundalini begins to fully awaken, the mind surrenders its control of the prana (life force or breath) in the body. The Kundalini then takes control of the prana and moves it through the subtle body to bring about purifications and prepare the way for Her ascent towards Union. This release of the pranas is called pranotthana, and it is the immediate precursor to the full awakening of the Kundalini. Yogis are known to practice meditation and various other sadhana for years in the attempt to bring this release and awakening about, but through the grace of shaktipat, this can happen in weeks, months, or even days.
The result is Mahashakti Yoga. While a yogi might pursue dhyana yoga, bhakti yoga, karma yoga, or any number of other paths through consciously performed practices, with the stirring and awakening of Kundalini, the Divine Consciousness takes over. She brings about what practice needs to happen. Instead of intentionally performing particular mediation techniques, we are instead meditated by that Consciousness. Kriyas (“actions”) come up as Prana Shakti moves through the body. The limited mind sits as a witness as mudras or asanas take shape in the body, pranayama(yogic breathing techniques) happens spontaneously, and sounds and even mantras are produced by the voice. There can be emotional kriyas, as well. Because these actions are produced by the all-knowing Divine within, they are most effective, as well as free of adverse karmas that may result from inappropriate practices performed by limited, everyday consciousness. Through the grace of shaktipat and the resulting awakening of Kundalini, past mental impressions and karmas are thinned out in a relatively short period of time compared to the decades of practice that are often required otherwise. Importantly, any impediments hindering this transformational process are dealt with through the blessings and personal guidance of the guru.
Mahashakti Yoga and shaktipat have been an esoteric part of many yogic traditions over the millennia, even those that worship the Divine in male forms like Shiva, Ram, or others. It has been an unbroken transmission from guru to disciple, but largely reserved for the more advanced and dedicated practitioners. In the 20th century, Baba Muktananda and Dhyanyogi Madhusudandas began offering this grace more openly. Shri Shankaracharya served both of these great shaktipat masters, eventually demonstrating the ability himself. In 1981, Dhyanyogi gave Shri Shankaracharya his blessings to take on his own disciples. In 2016, Shri Shankaracharya and Shri Anandamayi gave Maa Das their blessings to perform shaktipat in their stead at Sadhana Ashram while they were away on pilgrimage. Again through the blessings of Shri Shankaracharya and Shri Anandamayi, in 2022 Maa Das began offering shaktipat at Parashakti Bhavan. What stands out about this shaktipat tradition is that it marries this esoteric awakening of the inner Shakti with the external worship and philosophy of the Mother tradition and the teachings developed by Shri Shankaracharya.
“A man’s spiritual consciousness is not awakened unless his Kundalini is aroused.”
Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa
From: Swami Nikhilananda, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (New York:
Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, 1977), 829-830.