Initiation
“This doctrine is not intended for everybody, if so there will be retribution and Indra would cut the head off the imprudent Master. That is why only the one who already knows and has studied the Veda may be trained; the one who cherishes the Veda, not just anyone.”
(SHATAPATHA BRAHMANA, 14.1.1.)
The word “initiation” generally means the transmission of a spiritual power (or in other words, psychically) to a person. This transmission occurs through the intermediary of a real Master who belongs to a certain traditional community or spiritual linage. Thus in the wider understanding of the word, there has been priestly regal, and military initiations, and even some connected with craftsmen.
Even certain Christian sacraments or mysteries had an initiating nature at the beginning, this word becoming almost synonymous with the word ”esoteric”. In ”primitive” communities we also find all kinds of rituals intended to completely integrate the individual into society. However, no particular qualification exists in such communities. Such rituals had an obligatory character, such as baptism in ancient Christianity. Other types of more sophisticated initiation, which ethnologists call ”magic” or ”shaman”, were generally reserved to those members of the community who were endowed with special skills.
Regarding India, the essential distinction is between the two terms ”upanayana” and ”diksha”. Usually the two terms are interpreted as ”initiation”, and both terms have a sacred character; however they concern two incomparable realities. The former is inaccessible to those not born and raised in the Hindu environment. The latter indeed represents real initiation. It may be bestowed by a Western disciple of a Guru or the spiritual Master, in this epoch of confusion of castes and traditions. This is provided that the disciple has dignity and is worthy.
The Various Methods of Initiation
The ”initiation” of a Hindu (upanayana) who belongs to the first three hierarchical castes and who must integrate into the community is in a certain way implicit. However you cannot say this about the second type of initiation, ”diksha”, conferred by a Guru belonging to a genuine spiritual linage. This initiation can only be explicitly obtained by a person actively pursuing spiritual development (sadhana). This person has revealed particular qualities and has decided to follow the path diligently, as far as the his natural skills and circumstances permit.
Usually in the Vedic, Tantric or other traditions, initiation is the process where the Master utters a mantra (the subtle sound that facilitates the attunement with beneficial energies from the Universe) to the disciple. This mantra is conferred with the subtle specific loading for the disciple and the correct pronunciation is praticed, as this is considered essential to its effectiveness. The mantra obtained in the initiation puts the disciple into resonance with a specific subtle (energy) reality. By repeating and meditating on this sacred word, the disciple can gradually extract the meaning, that is, the ”essence” of the mantra (rasa). What was at the beginning a more or less unwanted sound becomes a vibrating and efficient logos. It may eventually be transmitted to a new disciple in a new initiation. The mantra may be a classical mantra that is well known; but this does not at all diminish the power it holds. It is revitalised by the energetic impulse transmitted by the spiritual Master to the disciple during initiation.
In all these situations, initiation always involves the transmission of an energy, vibration, or impulse of spiritual force. We cannot speak about initiation as a simple theoretical instruction, regardless of how learned Western academia can be. The sacred words may be learned by a pundit or a scholar as it can be discovered in ancient texts. However the transforming energy, the capability to ”revive” it, may only be awakened by a real Guru (Master) who is not necessarily highly educated or renown. They say that this energy can acquire surprising forms, even paradoxical ones, quite far away from the routine clichés on initiation. Often Masters initiate through subtle sound. Others use the eyes, touch, a gesture, a breath or even silence. For example, Sri Ramakrishna”s Guru poked a piece of broken glass between his eyebrows to initiate. Other Masters operate within dreams, thus facilitating for those prepared disciples who cannot of receive the initiation in the physical plane access to certain initiations.
What is important is not the appearance but the quality of the transmitted energy that must ”arrive” at the right time and find an adequate receiver. However, the spiritual development of a person is not at all disturbed when he receives this energy influx. The person is not immediately aware of the profound significance of the initiation received. It is only subsequently by working with the mantra can the person ”get the fruit” from the ”seed” received in the initiation. Further, the disciple can receive numerous initiations in the same existence, sometimes from various Masters.
The mistake frequently made is to believe that initiation marks inner fulfillment. On the contrary, initiation is but a beginning (as the etymology of the word suggests). Once “re-born” through the mysterious process of initiation, the disciple has the chance of “living again” everything from another much higher perspective.
