What is Siddha Yoga about ?

 

An introduction to Siddha Yoga meditation

 

Siddhayoga is a path to the realization of God , the Self , the Absolute – or whatever you may choose to call the pure and wondrous source of all creation , thought , feeling, existence. It is a path founded on and validated by the scriptures of India and most importantly it is enlivened and empowered by the presence of a living Spiritual master who embodies the goal of the path. In Siddha Yoga Meditation , the Spiritual master is known as the Guru -  a word that literally means “ from darkness to light ”.   The Guru , although in physical form , is actually a manifestation of the grace bestowing power of God.

 

The main teachings of Siddha Yoga Meditation are : “ Worship your own Self, Kneel to your own Self – God dwells within you as you , for you ! ” and “See God in each other.”. In Siddha Yoga , the Guru teaches from this point of Truth – that each human being is the perfect Self , is God ! This means that the only difference between the Guru and the disciple in Siddha Yoga – is that the Guru knows he or she is the Self but the disciple doesn’t yet know that he or she (the disciple ) is the Self. The task of the Siddha Guru is to reveal to the disciple his own pure ,perfect , divine Inner Nature. Siddha Yoga teaches that each sentient being is innately pure and perfect (no exclusions ! – so that includes you and me !)

 

It is the presence and example of a living master that makes this path so dynamic and powerful.

 

The current head of Siddha Yoga lineage is Swami Chidvilasananda, known affectionately by her devotees (spiritual sons & daughters ) as Gurumayi. She was placed in this position by her Guru – Swami Muktananda – who defined and gave the name Siddha Yoga to this path – in reality giving formal boundaries and names to a path based on the relationship between the Guru and disciple that has been in existence since the scriptures were laid down – and most likely prior to the scriptures.

 

The living Siddha Guru has the power and knowledge to give a seeker the experience of God ( the sense of pleasure which infact we are looking for in the outside things is infact a fraction of the experience of God ! ) which is right within his or her own heart – and then to guide the seeker to that continuous experience of Divine Love and Perfection within him/herself .

 

Specifically the Siddha Yoga Guru has the power to awaken the dormant spiritual power within a seeker – this power is known in the Indian scriptures as “kundalini” – and this awakening is known as “Shaktipat” – the descent of grace. Kundalini has been both revered and feared at the same time. This divine energy is the creative power of the universe which lies dormant within a human being at the base of the spine. When this energy is awakened , it travels back up the spine towards the crown of the head. This process of raising of the kundalini is the spiritual journey proper. To awaken this energy , on one’s own is regarded as highly dangerous. The scriptures of India have always stated that the best way to raise the kundalini is to find a spiritual master capable of not only awakening the kundalini in others but of guiding the seeker through the whole process of spiritual evolution.

 

I have to admit that this introduction is more than a little inadequate. This is my own interpretation of the teachings of Siddha Yoga and does not in any official capacity the teachings of this path. I recommend that you visit http://www.siddhayoga.org for more information and get several of the books , but most importantly if you really want to find out what is at the heart of Siddha Yoga then take an intensive with Gurumayi for it is in the Intensive that Shaktipat will take place.

 

Swami Muktananda’s message for us all : “ Meditate on your Self / Honour your Self / Worship your Self / God dwells within you as you !