Diksha (Spiritual Initiation)

It is said that to unlock the power of any spiritual practice it is absolutely necessary to have initiation from a Guru.  It is the nature of the ego to bind itself, it is the nature of the grace of a Guru to gently release the souls from the bonds of karma (action), maya (the world) and anava (the false sense of limitation).  Swamiji offers spiritual initiations for sincere seekers into various spiritual practices including mantra, meditation, and hatha yoga.

Difference between Dīkṣā and Niyojana

In a true sense, dīkṣā (initiation) can only be given to the most dedicated students who have studied and prepared themselves by performing spiritual austerities over time. Dīkṣā is granted by a Guru only to the most dedicated disciples after many months or years of preparation.  Dīkṣā is very powerful to cut away the ego and worldly attachments. Because after dīkṣā it can be difficult to maintain stability in the material world as attachments are cut, not all people are in a place to benefit from the blessing of dīkṣā.  Only the most dedicated seekers, who are prepared to offer everything to their quest for spiritual realization will seek dīkṣā.  Niyojanam (meaning instructing or impelling) is a blessing given by Swamiji to students to empower their practice.  Niyojanam is referred to as an initiation because it stimulates a person's practice, but it is more properly understood to be a blessing.  Its nature is different than initiation which cuts away all that binds the soul in irreversible ways.  Unlike dīkṣā, niyojanam can be safely received by students after minimal instruction about the basics of the practice for which niyojanam is given, and niyojana actually helps a person to maintain a career or family life.  Niyojana lends energy to a person's practice to help them find the balance they need to progress in the material realm and the spiritual realm.  It uplifts their consciousness and in time prepares them for the deeper initiations.