To better understand what happens immediately after receiving śaktipāta initiation,
the personal narratives of recipients of śaktipāta will be presented.1 The various
kinds of gross and subtle manifestations which take place in the body and mind of
the seekers can be classified into four broad categories as follows:
(1) Perception of light, various colors and different figures.
(2) Visual perception (darśana) of Gods, Goddesses or scenes of nature.
(3) Expression of inner sentiments through laughter, crying, chanting of mantras,
singing, roaring, etc.
(4) Various physical activities such as trembling, swaying, āsanas and mudrās.
Under each category the seekers’ experiences will be narrated in their own words
and a scientific explanation of the subtle processes underlying the seekers’
manifestations will be made.
(1) Perception of light, various colors and different figures.
a) “When my mind was all concentration, a bright point of light was seen at a far
distance. As I fixed my eyes on that luminous point, it gradually got bigger and
bigger and moved in front of me. When it came within two arms’ length from me I
fixed my gaze on it and in the bright light I had the darśana (sight) of Revered Śrī
Gurujī in it. After a short while the light disappeared.”(H.I.I.)
b) “Through this beneficial experience of meditation I felt peace descending upon
my mind. At first I saw a bright sun-like circle flashing on the background of a dark
patch. This was followed by yellow, green, purple and finally faint rosy colors.
Green, the main color, was perceptible for a comparatively longer period. For a
short while, it seemed as if a layer of faint green was before me.”(A.R.T.)
c) “A lemon-colored ball was seen before the eyes. Then the lemon color changed
to orange. After a short while a belt of green colour appeared. I was not in full
control of my mind.” (A.R.T.)
d) “Various colors, figures and flowers were seen. There was a preponderance of
purple and reddish colors.” (C.C.P.)