Siddha Yoga, as articulated in the lineage of Swami Muktananda, centers on the awakening of Kundalinī through the grace-filled act of śaktipāt dīkṣā. This transmission of spiritual energy from guru to disciple is described as the pivotal catalyst that stirs the dormant inner power and orients the seeker toward direct experience of the Self. Such initiation may be conveyed through touch, word, look, or even the subtle intention of the guru, and it establishes a living inner connection that underlies all subsequent practice. Within this framework, devotion to the guru and openness to the awakened śakti are regarded as essential attitudes that allow the transformative process to unfold.

Following śaktipāt, meditation becomes the primary discipline through which the awakened energy is stabilized and refined. Siddha Yoga emphasizes silent, mantra-based meditation, often using mantras such as “Om Namah Śivāya” or the So’ham mantra, sometimes accompanied by awareness of the natural breath. Practitioners are encouraged to witness thoughts, inner movements (kriyās), and subtle visions without attachment, allowing consciousness to rest more and more in its own nature. Certain teachings also highlight meditation on the “Blue Pearl” (Nīla Bindu) and contemplation of the heart or the sahasrāra, always with the understanding that these supports are means to recognize the inner Self as pure Consciousness.

Mantra-japa and chanting function as complementary practices that extend meditation into every aspect of life. Continuous repetition of the guru-mantra, whether silently or aloud, is held to purify the mind and support the steady ascent of Kundalinī. Group chanting—kīrtan and nāmasaṅkīrtana—of Sanskrit mantras and devotional hymns creates an atmosphere of bhakti, softening the heart and making it more receptive to inner stillness. In this way, sound becomes both a vehicle of devotion and a subtle instrument for aligning individual awareness with the divine presence awakened by śaktipāt.

Equally central are the relational and ethical dimensions of the path, expressed through sevā, satsang, and svādhyāya. Selfless service to the guru, the āśram, and the wider community is regarded as a potent means of dissolving ego and integrating spiritual insight into action. Satsang—keeping the company of the guru and fellow seekers, listening to teachings, and engaging in group meditation and chanting—reinforces understanding and provides a supportive field for practice. Study of sacred texts, including key works of the nondual Śaiva tradition and the writings of Muktananda, deepens discernment and informs self-inquiry into the nature of the “I,” fostering a contemplative recognition that one’s own awareness is none other than Śiva, the Self.