Faqs

 

Question: What is Siddha Meditation Intensive?

Answer: It is a day-long program that endows in the course of a few hours what seekers thirst for over innumerable lifetimes. The primary feature of the Siddha Meditation Intensive is the Shaktipat Deeksha to each of the participants by the Siddha Guru, which awakens the Divine Power Kundalini lying dormant within each one of us. This intensive is conducted four times in a year. In each intensive, 16 fortunate people are blessed with Shaktipat Deeksha by Shri Gurudev. This intensive brings the journey of seekers (in search of ultimate truth, which is the only lasting source of happiness and peace) to an ultimate conclusion.

Question: What are the dates for the next Siddha Meditation Intensive? And what is the procedure to apply for the Shaktipat Deeksha?

Answer: The latest information on the dates and the application process is given in the following link:

www.siddhaloka.org/registration

Question: What is Deeksha? And what is Shaktipat Deeksha?

Answer: The process of bestowal of grace, from the Guru to the disciple, is known as Shaktipat Deeksha. It has been compared to the process of a lit candle lighting up an unlit one. The Siddha Guru alone is capable of awakening the Kundalini Shakti (Divine Power) lying dormant within oneself, which is the basis of this universe. Once awakened by the Guru's grace (through touch, through a word, through sight, or even through will), this Shakti works by itself for the progress of the individual and leads him forward on the path of self-realization.

The word Deeksha is made up of two syllables: 'Dee' stands for 'Granting closeness to Shiva' and 'Ksha' implies 'Destruction of all past sins'. Thus, the initiation or Deeksha by the Siddha Guru is the gateway to experiencing the Ultimate. Thereafter one need not look for God outside, one shall experience Him within one's own Self. This is Self Realization. Lectures or books cannot give anyone the complete awareness, or even evidence: only one's own experience can be the testimony to that realization of the Ultimate. If one asks the Guru, He will say, "The truth lies within you: Search for it". The disciple can only pray for the power to know that Self and be liberated. This power ('Shakti') is bestowed through Shaktipat.

Question: What is Kundalini?

Answer: Kundalini is the basis of Siddha Yoga, and indeed, of all practices of Yoga. Kundalini is the creative force of this universe. She is also known as 'Serpent Power'. It is this energy that manifests itself, of its own free will, as this entire universe with all its diversity. The world is a play of this Power of Consciousness or Chiti Shakti. The Kundalini energy can be considered to be dormant at the base of the spinal column in every human being. It is the divine function of the Siddha Guru to awaken this dormant Kundalini within the seeker. The awakening is achieved by the mystical process known as Shaktipat. Enlightenment or Realisation dawns from within as a result of the awakening of the Kundalini. The process of awakening of the Kundalini is rendered safe and smooth by the divine grace and control of the Siddha Guru.

Question: Who is eligible for Siddha Meditation Intensive?

Answer: Anyone who wishes for peace and happiness in life.  Children of below 12 years of age is not allowed.

Question: Are there any dietary restrictions that need to be followed? For example, does one need to stop eating non-vegetarian food?

Answer: No restrictions on diet.

Question: What is Siddha Yoga?

Answer: Siddha Yoga is a practical and natural means of self-realization, wherein the disciple spontaneously reaches the Ultimate state through the grace of the Siddha Guru ('Perfect Master'). Yoga literally means 'union', and it implies the union of the individual soul (Atman) with the Absolute, or God (Paramatman). Siddha Yoga is a combination of Hatha yoga, Mantra yoga, Laya yoga and Raja yoga. Hence it is also referred to in the scriptures as Maha yoga (the 'Great' Yoga). In this path, the grace of the Guru brings about all the various yogic processes naturally and spontaneously in the disciple, ultimately liberating him fully. Spontaneity and simplicity are its characteristics.

Question: Who is Param Poojya Shri Gurudev? What is HIS lineage?

Answer: Param Poojya Swami Chetanananda Saraswati is spiritual head of Siddha Loka. HE was born in a noble and religious family in South India. HE realised the true knowledge of the Self from within at the tender age of five. HE surrendered HIMSELF to Bhagwan Nityananda at the age of 11. Avadhuta Nityananda inspired HIM to serve the Motherland. For the next 12 years HE devoted Himself to selfless service as a social worker, fighting the hidden evils of the nation, ever mindful to stay away from name and fame.

In 1971, Mother Kanyakumari revealed Herself to Param Poojya Gurudev. HIS mode of rendering service changed according to Her instructions. From the southernmost tip of India, HE walked to the Himalayas, inspiring people and creating an awareness about Mother Kundalini. Even today HE serves HIS disciples through the ancient process of Shaktipat, lighting up their lives with the bliss of their own inner Self.

In 1977, Swami Chetanananda was the first disciple to receive Sanyas Deeksha from Swami Muktananda Paramahansa at Ganeshpuri. This was the formal initiation into Sanyas: the final stage of renunciation. Thus, Sri Gurudev carries with HIM the full blessings of both the great Siddhas of this century: Bhagwan Nityananda and Swami Muktananda.

Question: Who is Shri Guru?

Answer: The ancient scripture Guru Gita explains the meaning of 'Guru' as the 'remover of ignorance' ('Gu' signifying the darkness of ignorance and 'Ru', the light of knowledge).It says that the Vedas, Puranas, etc. are confusing and people get misled if they do not seek refuge in the Guru. Those who do not know of this truth (about the Guru) spend their life wandering fruitlessly. Today, this is the reason why spirituality is being commercialised, since people are easily misled.

Ancient scripture Guru Gita also says following about Shri Guru:

  • He reveals following:
    • Creation (Srushti)
    • Maintenance of state (Sthithi)
    • Destruction (Dhvansa)
    • Control (Nigraha)
    • Bestowal of Grace (Anugraha)
  • Shri Guru is nothing but BRAHMA himself (Gurum vina Brahma Nanyat)
  • Shri Guru is nothing but Conscious Self himself (Gurum Budhyatmano Nanyat)

Question: What is Siddha Lineage?

Answer: Siddha means 'Perfect'. The ancient lineage of Siddha Gurus in India can be traced back to Guru Dattatreya. Over the ages, the many incarnate Siddha Gurus include seers from various sects: the Nath panthis (Gorakhnath, Matsyendranath), Sant Jnaneshwar of Maharashtra, the Alvars of Tamil Nadu, the Sufi saints, and so on. In this century, there have been Sai Baba of Shirdi and Avadhuta Nityananda of Vajreshwari. In the Siddha tradition, knowledge passes from the Guru to the disciple. The Guru transmits his grace to the disciple through the mystical process of Shaktipat. This secret and ancient process was first brought openly to the masses in Kaliyug by Swami Muktananda Paramahansa. Param Poojya Swami Chetanananda Saraswati belongs to this ancient and unbroken lineage of Siddha Gurus.

Question: What is Siddha Path?

Answer: The practice of Siddha Yoga involves austerity. The guiding motto is "Work Hard and Be Free". The philosophy rests on the concept of 'Sanchita Karma' (a 'fixed deposit' of all our previous actions, over countless births), 'Prarabdha' (one's destiny in this birth), and the 'Kriyamana' (actions that one commits). The Siddha Guru, through Shaktipat, removes the burden of the entire Sanchita Karma, and liberates the disciple in this very birth through His grace. Desires still remain, so the Guru, with his awareness of one's capability and Prarabdha, guides us accordingly. The only 'practice' in the Siddha path is thus to follow the instructions of the Guru, given as hints or suggestions from time to time, and to surrender oneself totally to Him.

Question: What is Siddha Loka?

Answer: Siddhaloka literally means "Abode of the Siddhas", and a Siddha is understood to mean 'Perfect Being'. In the ancient Hindu scriptures, Siddhaloka is described as the world inhabited by Siddhas, the Perfected Ones. An Ashram (hermitage) of this name is situated about 40 km from Bangalore in Southern India. This is the seat of the Siddha Yoga Dham, a registered charitable institution whose spiritual head is Param Poojya (His Holiness) Swami Chetanananda Saraswati, who belongs to the ancient lineage of Siddha Gurus.

Siddhaloka is a place full of splendour and serenity. The ashram is surrounded by hills and forests, with a breathtaking view, and is in the heart of rural Karnataka. The place is blessed by Siddhas and is an ocean of Siddha Shakti (divine power). At Siddhaloka, Siddha students render service to the Guru, leading a disciplined life, practicing Siddha Yoga and striving to see Divinity within themselves and in all others.

The goal of the Siddha Yoga Dham is "Removal of all Sorrows" and to "Attain Supreme Bliss". This trust is engaged in beneficial activities for the people of the surrounding villages. the organisation is devoted towards satisfying the social, economic, educational, health and most importantly spiritual needs of people. Param Poojya Sri Gurudev also undertakes extensive tours of the country and conducts Siddha Meditation Intensives, bestowing His Divine Grace upon thousands of devotees. All are welcome to experience the bliss within themselves through the natural and spontaneous path of Siddha Yoga, where the guiding beacon is the grace of Param Poojya Sri Gurudev. Sri Gurudev treats everyone equally, irrespective of caste, creed, gender, race, nationality, occupation or status. The Siddha Guru is indeed the fountainhead of Divine Bliss, for which modern man finds himself increasingly thirsty.

Question: What changes can I expect in my life after Shaktipat Deeksha?

Answer: The power that you have attained today will help you purify your nerves of all their past accumulated actions. It will help you in every walk of life. You should remember this moment of Deeksha constantly. You will experience for yourself how this power will be with you in all your activities. The Siddha Guru is not one to leave you after Deeksha. I will maintain contact with you and will always be with you. Lead a liberated life. I am sure in my knowledge that you are liberated already: you will realize this too, more and more.

Question: What are the practices to be followed in Siddha Yoga after Shaktipat Deeksha ?

Answer: There are no special practices to be followed. Since it is the Guru's grace that is the main power involved, remembrance of the Guru is sufficient. Remember the Guru daily, with every breath. If you forget ME, there is a chance that I may also forget you ! Go for an outing once a week. If possible, take your family for a tour every month. Your spirituality will progress on its own. Don't get bogged down in attending many courses and discourses. I have given you the glucose of Siddha Yoga today: you should feel energetic. All your disappointments will be removed.

In summary, one is suggested following:

  • Smaran of Shri Gurudev and the day of the Shaktipat Deeksha
  • Contact with Shri Gurudev
  • Chanting of Shri Guru Gita

Question: How does one worship Shri Guru ?

Answer: Do not consider the Guru as a person. The Guru is the grace-bestowing power of God. God or the Supreme Being has five functions: creation, sustenance, destruction, control and bestowal of grace. God takes the form of the Guru for the fifth function. Think of the Guru as this power. He is always with you. Remember Him sincerely, honestly.

Question: What is Siddha Anushasan or Discipline?

Answer:

Question: How should one lead life after Shaktipat Deeksha? How should one view and live in this world?

Answer:

Question: What is meditation ? How and where should one meditate? What are its benefits?

Answer: The scriptures say: 'Dhyanam Nirvishayam Manah': Meditation is the thought-free state of the mind, when the mind is at peace. God is not a figment of imagination but a truth that can be experienced. There is no need to imagine anything during meditation. Keep this moment of Deeksha in your mind always, in every breath. Meditation goes on naturally within you, constantly. You just have to be aware of it. Any place is fit for meditation. Any time is suitable, too. Early morning is best (between 3 am and 6 am), or morning (6 to 9 am), or afternoon, or evening (6 to 9 pm). On your bed, inside a mosquito net, you can meditate after others have gone to sleep- or in the morning, before others get up ! The benefits of meditation are unlimited. It helps throughout one's life. God resides as meditation within us and fulfils our desires, keeps us happy and makes us liberated. 

There are three types of meditation :-

Atma Dhyan, Siddha Dhyan and Eeshwar Dhyan.

  1. Atma Dhyan: It is like seeing one's image in the mirror: What has one done in the whole day, what mistakes or wrongs committed and so on. Such a contemplation of the self is Atma Dhyan.
  2. Siddha Dhyan: Dualities like sorrow or pleasure, honour or dishonour, good or bad, true or false, etc. exist in pairs of opposites and disturb the mind. Then how should one meditate or concentrate ? The answer is: 'Veetaraga purusham va chittam': Concentrate on the great saints like Bhagwan Nityananda - this is Siddha Dhyan.
  3. Eeshwar Dhyan: This creation of God bestows blessings upon us in the form of the earth, water, fire, air and space, the five elements which create and support life. Remembering God with gratitude for showering HIS grace is Eeshwar Dhyan

Question: Is the Kundalini in the body or the mind or beyond?

Answer: Kundalini is the power that has created this entire world of its own free will, and runs it as such. Thus, it is beyond the mind. The Kundalini flows through the 72,000 nerves of our body after Deeksha. Our accumulated karmas of the past 84 lakh births have been destroyed after this Deeksha. There are three main nerves in the body: the Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. The Sushumna is the most subtle and flows through the middle of the eyebrows. Through it, the Kundalini power is flowing, which will purify your body, senses and mind continously. 

Question: How to discipline or steady the mind?

Answer: For those interested in meditation, a serious issue is that of keeping the mind steady. In this regard, Param Poojya Shri Gurudev said that, "To steady the mind, one has to know the mind. Man exists because of the mind. The mind should be treated as a friend. Just as an efficient employer extracts work from his employees, similarly one should lovingly get one's work done by the mind. It is impossible to go against the mind and try to discipline it by fighting against it."

Question: How to find Truth in this external world?

Answer: External World is false, so you can never find truth in this false world. Only by Guru’s Grace when you accept unreal as unreal then you can find the truth within you.

Question: Can you describe in a straightforward and simple way the Consciousness?

Answer: I experienced the Truth at the age of Five and saw the whole Universe pervading with the same divine light and realized that the entire cosmos is nothing more than the play of this Consciousness. Later when I studied Kashmir Shaivism I came across the first Shiva Sutra that says “Self Is Consciousness” (Chaitanyam Atman) which substantiated my experience.

Question: Do you ever get the feeling of going beyond your body Consciousness?

Answer: Yes, I am with this feeling 24 hrs. Once you are merged with the Universal Consciousness you have no separate entity. Wherever I went, in different countries, I advised people to meditate at 3 A.M., so in the entire world when my devotees meditate at 3 in the morning I have to be aware of them throughout the 24 hrs.

Question: What are the qualities of a Saint?

Answer: The most significant quality of a saint lies in having an Equal Vision. A realized being sees his own Self permeating everything. So he cannot discriminate between high and low, rich or poor.  He never rejects or refuses anyone. When you are prefect there is nothing imperfect.

Question: What is the difference between Devotion & Worship?

Answer: Devotion is internal whereas worship is its external expression. Those who cannot offer mental worship, keeping devotion inside, take the first step of external worship etc. Mental worship is best.

Question: Where does  Devotion come from?

Answer: Devotion arises from within oneself. It has three sources - Sanskar (accumulated mental tendencies from past lives) , Sankat (Misery) and Satsang (the company of revered saints). Some people have devotion from childhood by virtue of their past lives: such Devotion is stable. Some people are inclined to Devotion when misery befalls them. Being helpless before the adverse situations, they call for the grace of God. A wise man will remain devoted even after his bad times are over. Many times Devotion arises in the hearts of men as a result of the wise sayings of saintly persons and by being in their company. Study of religious texts also induces Devotion. There are chances of this Devotion disappearing when satsang ceases, so satsang should be continued till Devotion becomes firmly established in one's heart.

Question: How to surrender to a Guru ? How to serve one who possesses everything ?

Answer: Just as a mother serves the child, so the Guru should be served with all the love for our own satisfaction.

Question: What is mind?

Answer: Mind is the vibration of prana or life force. And breath is the gross manifestation of prana. If there is no vibration of prana (that is, if prana is steady), then there is no mind, which is nothing but meditation. To steady the mind, one just needs to be aware of the spontaneous mantra that goes on with every breath. Mind is the cause for both misery and liberation. A previous FAQ deals with how to get work done by the mind. Also, one can refer Shri. Gurudev’s talk “Quest for Happiness” on this topic.