The Power of Shakti
Shakti is the dynamic force animating all of creation, which gives
us life and moves the planets in a cosmic dance called “lila.”
This universal energy is considered feminine in nature, and is
often personified as the Divine Mother or Paravati, the consort of
Shiva. Shakti is extremely diverse in nature; it can both be an
agent of change and destruction as well as the means to fulfill
our desires and dreams. This dynamic power can be experienced
both externally and internally.
There are distinctive types of Shakti inside and outside of us
that are experienced in different forms and different levels.
Para-Shakti is the Shakti working on a cosmic level: the light
generated by the sun, the rotation of the planets, heat and other
forms of gross energy. Jnana-Shakti is the Shakti of the mind: of
thought, wisdom and intuition. Iccha-Shakti is the Shakti of our
will, action and intention. Kriya-Shakti is the Shakti of
manifestation, creativity, and inspiration. Kundalini-Shakti is
the most significant form of Shakti. Seen in nature as
electricity and magnetism, Kundalini-Shakti is also the internal
hidden Shakti coiled at the base of our spine.
The complementary force to Shakti is Shiva: universal
consciousness. Without the animating power of Shakti, Shiva lies
asleep. Internally, Shiva resides dormant at the crown chakra.
Shakti is described as a coiled serpent of atomic energy at the
base of the spine that only outputs the minutest of energy into
the body. The path of liberation in yoga is the path of Shakti
moving through the nadis (energy channels) and up the seven
chakras (energy centers) to be united with Shiva.
Even if our goal is not enlightenment, conscious awareness and
cultivation of Shakti can be very beneficial. As you increase the
amount of Shakti in your body, your chakras and nadis adjust to
contain the additional wattage of Shakti. With your energy system
able to accommodate higher amounts of energy, the Kundalini-Shakti
then increases its output of Shakti energy in the body. As more
Shakti flows in our body, it manifests in its many forms to
produce creativity, inspiration, intellect, wisdom and will.
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