By Margie (Maitreyi) Wilsman
I have attended numerous Shaktipat Retreats offered by Gurudevi Nirmalananda, Online as well as On-Site.
Gurudevi is a Kundalini Master, a Shaktipat Guru. She has the mystical power to awaken the energy of Consciousness that is lying asleep within each of us.
Receiving Shaktipat from Gurudevi over more than a decade, I’ve experienced the wonders and importance of Kundalini. This cosmic power lies asleep coiled below my tailbone. When awakened, she uncoils and rises up the spine. Along the way, she clears your spine of karmic blockages stored there.
I first became aware of Kundalini when I experienced spontaneous Shaktipat during an Embodyment® Yoga Therapy session. Kundalini was opening through my left leg, ankle, foot and hip on the tightest side of my body.
Having already experienced Kundalini, why have I taken numerous Shaktipat Retreats? I did not understand what was happening at first. When immersed in Gurudevi’s Shaktipat Retreats, I’ve received revelations that are light years beyond my initial experiences in Embodyment® sessions.
Being in Gurudevi’s presence, meditating, listening to her talks, and chanting the Sanskrit verses of the Kundalini Stava.h were occasions for Kundalini to show up. They still are. Her arising sheds light on blockages that still need work. She continues to clear my karma on physical, emotional and mental levels.
In my first Embodyment® experience of Kundalini, I certainly did not recognize what was happening. I did not know the clearings on my left side were due to Kundalini. She was clearing karma seeds from areas of my spine associated with my left side. Plus, I did not know that was a sign of Gurudevi’s Grace flowing in me.
Over the years, I’ve learned more about Kundalini in various ways. While at Lokananda, I purchased a hand-carved wooden murti (statue) of Kundalini that now sits on my altar. I developed a practice of honoring her daily.
I learned that the dormant Kundalini is active at every level of my being: my eyes, ears, head/brain, heart, digestion, and more. She operates in the activities of my daily life. Once awakened, I can feel how she transforms mundane life activities into mystical ones.
Experiencing Kundalini’s inner movement requires strength and proper nourishment. When I enroll in Online Shaktipat retreats, I look forward to receiving handouts of recipes for delicious, nutritious vegetarian dishes. We get to eat the food that Gurudevi eats.
After a Shaktipat Retreat, I do the homework given to us. For two weeks, I chant the Kundalini Stava.h. And my daily meditation is for Kundalini to continue to do her work.
At first, I thought Shaktipat was only about Kundalini, Gurudevi as a Kundalini Master, and the burning away of karmic blockages stored in my spine. Next, I began to understand how these entities are intertwined.
Finally, I understand the part I play in being open to the most powerful, fullest movement of Kundalini burning karmic blockages. I am opened to the flow of Gurudevi’s Grace. Bring it on!
