The Power of Shakti

Published on August 13, 2012

Shakti is the dynamic force animating all of creation, which gives us life and moves the planets in a cosmic dance called “lila.” This universal energy is considered feminine in nature, and is often personified as the Divine Mother or Paravati, the consort of Shiva. Shakti is extremely diverse in nature; it can both be an agent of change and destruction as well as the means to fulfill our desires and dreams. This dynamic power can be experienced both externally and internally.

There are distinctive types of Shakti inside and outside of us that are experienced in different forms and different levels. Para-Shakti is the Shakti working on a cosmic level: the light generated by the sun, the rotation of the planets, heat and other forms of gross energy. Jnana-Shakti is the Shakti of the mind: of thought, wisdom and intuition. Iccha-Shakti is the Shakti of our will, action and intention. Kriya-Shakti is the Shakti of manifestation, creativity, and inspiration. Kundalini-Shakti is the most significant form of Shakti. Seen in nature as electricity and magnetism, Kundalini-Shakti is also the internal hidden Shakti coiled at the base of our spine.

The complementary force to Shakti is Shiva: universal consciousness. Without the animating power of Shakti, Shiva lies asleep. Internally, Shiva resides dormant at the crown chakra. Shakti is described as a coiled serpent of atomic energy at the base of the spine that only outputs the minutest of energy into the body. The path of liberation in yoga is the path of Shakti moving through the nadis (energy channels) and up the seven chakras (energy centers) to be united with Shiva.

Even if our goal is not enlightenment, conscious awareness and cultivation of Shakti can be very beneficial. As you increase the amount of Shakti in your body, your chakras and nadis adjust to contain the additional wattage of Shakti. With your energy system able to accommodate higher amounts of energy, the Kundalini-Shakti then increases its output of Shakti energy in the body. As more Shakti flows in our body, it manifests in its many forms to produce creativity, inspiration, intellect, wisdom and will.

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7 responses to “The Power of Shakti”

  1. B Avatar
    B

    I’ve noticed that some people, mainly spiritual teachers, but also occasionally people who do a lot of sadhana, have a palpable field of energy around them, which people who visit such teachers a lot just call “shakti”. It feels a lot like what Christians call the Holy Spirit, which one can sometimes feel enter a church or lingering there (and in temples). However, I’ve noticed that certain individuals or certain traditions seem to produce shakti that feels a certain way, like an individual energy signature. I’m wondering if there is a name for such an individual shakti vibe?

    1. Shannon Avatar
      Shannon

      The intense energy you are picking up on energy trapped within the auric field. If the master is a Ganesha Master you pick up the one of the 32 forms of Ganesha vibration, could be the playful Ganesha or purified Ganesha known Shweta depending on the master’s level of advancement. If the master is a Kaalii (Kali) devotee like Yogananda was and still is you will the loving mother vibration. Therefore, the vibration is generated by resonance due repetition of mantra, that is Mantrika Shatki.

      The Holy Spirit (Hakodesh), she is different. She descends from as a fiery dove and takes abode at the third eye.
      I hope this answers your sincere question.

  2. anandamurthy veturi Avatar
    anandamurthy veturi

    Read the nice article and the comment on it. Atmashakti or Self-ray could be the alternate name for that individual shakti as Gurudev VPS has put it.

  3. Kavya Avatar
    Kavya

    Hello
    I would like to know the name of publication and date the article was published for citation in my work, so can you please help me out?

    Thank you

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      It was published on YogaBasics on Aug 13, 2012.

  4. Anita ganesan Avatar
    Anita ganesan

    Hi,

    Lot of books n articles are on net regarding The Shaky the power of kundalini. And sometimes people practice without knowing the fact the the Sasha should be strictly under supervision of a trained guru.
    There is a proper procedure to be followed for awakening of kundalini.
    Without that drastic results.

    I am writing a book on the real pros and cons of it as I have a person with practical experience and facing the trouble for many years. To let the the people know how it should be to avoid such results. To help them with a proper way. The proper mantras, the correct procedure I decided to share all those experiences.

    Can I go thru ur book and quite some plus points in my work as you are a trained person and people will try to look for some like you.

    Kind confirm.

    With best regards thank you so much.

  5. Julia Donnell Avatar
    Julia Donnell

    Thank you so much again. Your explanations have such clarity, I have studied Reikhi and am currently exploring Yoga. I am starting at the beginning. Your website is helping me understand how energy flows with ease. Thank you so, so much.

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Timothy Burgin Avatar
About the author
Timothy Burgin is a Kripalu & Pranakriya trained yoga instructor living and teaching in Asheville, NC. Timothy has studied and taught many styles of yoga and has completed a 500-hour Advanced Pranakriya Yoga training. Timothy has been serving as the Executive Director of YogaBasics.com since 2000. He has authored two yoga books and has written over 500 articles on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Timothy is also the creator of Japa Mala Beads and has been designing and importing mala beads since 2004.
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