Siddha Yoga, as taught by Swami Muktananda, is a Guru-centered spiritual path that emphasizes the awakening of the inner spiritual energy, Kundalini Shakti, through śaktipāta—an initiation in which the Guru transmits grace to the disciple. The term “Siddha” refers to an accomplished or perfected being, indicating that the path is guided by a Guru established in the realization of the Self. At its heart lies the understanding that divine Consciousness already resides within every person as the inner Self, and that spiritual practice unfolds most powerfully when this latent energy is awakened. In this sense, Siddha Yoga is not primarily a system of physical postures, but a way of inner transformation grounded in the living relationship with a Siddha Guru.

The philosophical vision of Siddha Yoga draws on nondual traditions such as Kashmir Śaivism and Vedānta, which teach that the individual Self (ātman) and universal Consciousness (Brahman or Śiva) are ultimately one. The goal of the path is Self-realization—recognizing one’s own true nature as pure Consciousness—and thereby attaining liberation (mokṣa), even while fully engaged in ordinary life. This orientation encourages seekers to understand spiritual practice not as an escape from the world, but as a means of realizing the divine in the midst of everyday experience.

In practical terms, Siddha Yoga is structured around a set of core disciplines that support and deepen the awakened state. Central practices include meditation on the Self, often supported by mantra repetition (japa), such as “So’ham” or “Om Namah Śivāya,” as well as chanting (kīrtan), selfless service (seva), and the study of sacred texts and the Guru’s teachings (svādhyāya, śravaṇa). These practices are undertaken within an ethical and disciplined way of life, so that inner realization is reflected in conduct, relationships, and work. Through sustained engagement with these means, the seeker allows the awakened Kundalinī to purify the mind and heart, gradually stabilizing the recognition of the divine Self.

Siddha Yoga is embedded in a living lineage. Swami Muktananda received this tradition from his Guru, Bhagawan Nityananda, and presented it in a form accessible to contemporary aspirants while remaining faithful to its roots in the Nāth–Siddha and Kashmiri Śaiva streams. The path thus unites an ancient transmission of śaktipāta with a structured set of practices designed for those who wish to realize God and the Self without withdrawing from the responsibilities of the world.