The experience is different for everyone based upon their needs, their attachments, their mindfulness, and their level of intuition, faith, and spiritual awareness. Some people experience a sense of peace or joy as they begin the practice after empowerment. Some experience added spiritual energy to their practice. Some do not really notice anything as they begin the practice, but see improvements in their life as they do the practice over time. The experience for each individual is unique.  

  No prior experience is necessary; our prerequisite course will prepare you.

We do not charge for the invaluable gift of mantra empowerment. There is a nominal cost for the preparation class ($16 US). Wise seekers understand that to receive it is necessary to give something in return. We encourage people to give generously as they are able when they receive empowerment. For those who ask, we often recommend a donation of $250. People are encouraged to give more or less as they are able. No person will be turned away, for a lack of money.  

Yes, the live session of hosted virtually via Zoom. Attend from the comfort of your space with online access. Students who wish to attend the empowerment physically can do this when the center is open to the public.

Swamiji will provide teachings to prepare seekers to receive the empowerment then perform rituals of purification and confer the empowerment to each participant. The empowerment process takes about 3 hours to complete. 

If you miss the life session you will have to reregister for the next empowerment.

We encourage all people to practice the Yamas and Niyamas of Yoga for happier, healthier, and more successful life (including the practice of non-violence and vegetarianism). We especially encourage these practices for people doing spiritual practice, because they greatly empower the practice. It is not, however, necessary that a person be proficient at these practices or regularly maintain a vegetarian diet to receive Ganapati mantra empowerment. Ganapati is gentle and accepts people as they are and lovingly inspires them toward more spiritual living as they practice.   

People receiving the empowerment receive Swamiji’s blessing to do the practice for increased balance, health, happiness, and success in life. People in the US will receive a Mantra Empowerment Card (stating that they have received the empowerment) along with a photo of Ganapati in the mail. International participants will receive a printable PDF Mantra Empowerment card.   

Empowerment qualifies a person to do the practice with Swamiji’s blessing. It does not qualify a person to teach or to give empowerments. Only an awakened teacher can confer empowerments. We request that people receiving the empowerment do the practice humbly for improvement of their own lives, and that they do not make a display of their practice or discuss the teachings or their experience with others.   

Anyone seeking empowerment is required to complete the online preparation class. This class is designed to help people get the most out of their practice and to be able to do the practice properly. The class is designed so students can complete it if they spend a few minutes each day for 12 days. After completing the class, people can register for the empowerment, which is conducted in batches several times a year.  

Yes, we permit people who have connections to other teachers and lineages to receive mantra empowerments. This empowerment is a blessing designed to compliment whatever practice you are already doing. We encourage students to continue any practice they are already doing with other teachers and to do the practices they received empowerment for when they have time, after they have completed their regular practice. We urge those who have connections to other traditions to seek the approval of their Teacher or their representatives within that organization before seeking empowerment with us. 

No, mantra empowerment is given by Swamiji as a blessing. It is not the same as initiation. Mantra empowerment adds a little spiritual energy to your practice of that mantra, for increased balance, health, happiness, and success in life. Initiation is only given to serious students after months of preparation. Initiation helps to begin the process of effacing the ego and coming into realization of the Divine Atman. Receiving a mantra empowerment does not make a person a formal disciple of Swamiji, receiving diksha / initiation does.    

Students who want to prepare for initiation, must first receive Ganapati Mantra empowerment. After that, they can enroll in our 6-month preparation course for students receiving initiations. Students can choose which initiation they want to request, or they can seek Swamiji’s suggestion. While taking the prep course, students seeking initiation are encouraged to perform some volunteer work for the Soma Matha center and to donate to help our work. After completion of the preparatory course, Swamiji will determine when a person is ready for the initiation they are seeking. Initiations are provided on an individual basis for students as they get ready to receive initiation.