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Initiation Into Subjective Meditation In Hindu Religion – Manasa Diksha

Manasa Diksha is the initiation into subjective meditation in Hindu religion. Literally, diksha means ‘initiation’ into manasa (subjective meditation). The preceptor identifies himself with Shiva. With this contemplation he brings out the soul of the disciple from his body and unites it with himself and then identifies that soul, too, with Shiva.

Diksha literally means initiation. The guru initiates the disciple into the realm of perfect religious austerities and spiritual experience. The soul receives fresh and invigorating energy into itself when the preceptor performs the diksha.

The Saiva texts declare that enlightenment is possible through the sight of the sacred body of the preceptor, chanting his holy name, listening to his holy utterance and ever remembering the holy form of guru.

The first and foremost duty of guru is to assess the spiritual progress and religious advancement of the disciple and then initiate him accordingly. In this enterprising endeavor the guru seriously adheres to certain procedures such as touch, sight, contemplation, speech and so on.

The process of manasa diksha is thus – the preceptor reaches the heart of the disciple by starting from the recaka (inhalation) vital breath through the puraka (filling) aspect of the vital breath; the intelligence of the disciple is brought into the twelfth point. Thus the heart of the disciple is brought into the heart of the master. Here the intelligence of Shiva is mingled with the intelligence of the disciple, like the mingling of salt with water. Once this process is over, the intelligence of the disciple is reinstalled in his body and he always contemplates the lotus feet of Shiva.