On the Siddha Yoga path, October has come to be known as the month of Baba Muktananda. The reason for this is that Baba took mahasamadhi on the full moon of October 2, 1982. (Mahasamadhi is the Sanskrit term for when a saint or liberated being passes away.)
Since October 1982, Siddha Yogis have honored both the solar and lunar anniversaries of Baba’s mahasamadhi each year. In 2026, the lunar anniversary is on October 25. Taken together, these two occasions—the solar and lunar mahasamadhi—make for a month that is wholly dedicated to Baba.
It was Baba Muktananda who introduced shaktipat to the world at large, who pioneered the spreading of this ancient knowledge to anyone who might seek it. Previously, shaktipat was a mysterious, esoteric phenomenon; it was a closely guarded secret of the few learned sages and ascetics who had encountered or been initiated into this knowledge.
Baba Muktananda’s immense generosity changed all this. As part of his meditation revolution, Baba imparted shaktipat-diksha to seekers all throughout the world. What is more, Baba created the Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive as a vehicle by which to bestow shaktipat. In fact, Baba did not just create the event itself. He coined this specific usage of the English term intensive, in reference to an event that involves an hours- or days-long immersion in a given teaching, topic, or experience.
Since Baba held the first Shaktipat Intensive in 1974, Siddha Yogis and new seekers have continued to benefit from his vision, foresight, and magnanimity in creating this event. Under the auspices of the SYDA Foundation, hundreds of Shaktipat Intensives have been held in the proceeding years and decades. And for the last twenty-two years, since 2004, the Shaktipat Intensive has been held annually in honor of Baba Muktananda’s Mahasamadhi.
I feel very grateful that I get to share with you that in 2026, this day-long event will take place on the weekend of October 24 and 25, at Siddha Yoga Ashrams, meditation centers, and participating chanting and meditation groups.
The title of the global Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive in honor of Baba Muktananda’s Mahasamadhi 2026 is:
Feast Your Eyes Upon the Light of Consciousness
In every religion, in every tradition, there is a celebration or a destination of pilgrimage that serves as an anchor, a place or point of focus, for all those seeking something that transcends the experience of day-to-day life as they know it. For Siddha Yogis, the Shaktipat Intensive holds that seat. It is sacred, it is hallowed, it is mystical, it is deeply profound. It is the sanctum sanctorum and the source of shakti.
One of the main reasons I’m so looking forward to being in the Shaktipat Intensive with you is that I get to offer seva in the Intensive. You will be seeing me quite often, giving you instructions about what you need to know and what you need to do at any given time.
I encourage you to register for the Shaktipat Intensive 2026. I also have a request for you. There are many people who may not be on the SYDA Foundation email list, or who may not visit the Siddha Yoga path website regularly. Therefore, please make sure that anyone you think should be participating in the Shaktipat Intensive—or may be interested in participating—knows about it. For more information about the Shaktipat Intensive, including when and where it will be held near you, you may visit the related pages on the Siddha Yoga path website.
As I extend this invitation to you, I’m smiling from ear to ear.
I love the title of the upcoming Shaktipat Intensive! Since registering, I already feel its power.
I’ve always been aware of the sun and its light—how it changes, creating new, shifting shadows as the day progresses. While driving—on the freeway or in the city—I always notice the reflection of the sun on the cars’ windshields. My state of mind immediately lifts, as I contemplate the powerful light in our solar system.
Recently, I was reading these words from Shri Guru Gita, verse 37: “Salutations to Shri Guru, by whose existence the world exists, who shines through the form of the sun….” Suddenly my observation of the sun’s reflections on car windshields was elevated a thousandfold! Now, in each such reflection, I saw the Guru.
If this is my experience with my physical eyes, I am eager to see what will happen inwardly during the Shaktipat Intensive, as I’ll be “Feasting My Eyes Upon the Light of Consciousness”—a light which is said to be even brighter and vaster than the light of the sun.
California, United States
Yesterday on my evening walk, I contemplated the title of the Shaktipat Intensive, “Feast Your Eyes Upon the Light of Consciousness.”
As I walked, I experienced “the Light of Consciousness” outside, around me, and within me. I saw the sky, the moon, and even the crowd of people around me, and everything outside was a vehicle to experience “the Light of Consciousness” inside. It was like an open-eyed meditation.
As darkness came on, I experienced a connection in that darkness. The light of my Gurudev existed there as well. It was a moment of open-eyed darshan for me.
A deep silence enveloped me. My mind was absorbed in tranquility, and the darkness was so clear—filled with “the Light of Consciousness.”
This all unfolded a new understanding within me—the understanding that the light of the Self, the shakti, is omnipresent. I could feel it so strongly.
I have been discussing the title of the Shaktipat Intensive with fellow Siddha Yogis. How great, subtle, and amazing it is! I am truly grateful for this wonderful title, which allowed me to go very deep within.
Bhandara, India
This morning I looked up at the sun, and because it was so bright, I covered the center of the sun with my hand. Even so, I could still see the bright glow of light in the blue sky, and a sense of great happiness filled me.
I always look forward to the Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive. Every Intensive feels as though I’m returning to the energy that I feel is my true home.
Then, when I read the title of the Shaktipat Intensive for 2026—“Feast Your Eyes Upon the Light of Consciousness”—I was overcome with a great sense of anticipation at the prospect of rediscovering, experiencing, and beholding “the light of Consciousness”!
Konolfingen, Switzerland
I was inspired to repeat the title of the Shaktipat Intensive while sitting at my puja altar at home and looking at Gurumayi’s picture. For me, Gurumayi is supreme Consciousness, so when I gaze at her picture, I am gazing at “the light of Consciousness.”
As I did this, I found my awareness being drawn inward. I found myself sinking deeper and deeper within until my eyes closed naturally, and I glided into meditation.
The title was still repeating within me, reminding me that everything I was seeing within was “the light of Consciousness”: the still and soothing inky inner space, the thoughts flitting by, and the patterns, shapes, and colors arising behind my eyes. Some feelings also arose along with memories of past situations. When I gazed at them, recognizing them as “the light of Consciousness,” they quietly subsided without leaving any impression on me.
My inner world was quiet, peaceful, and content. Acknowledging all inner movements as “the light of Consciousness” helped me to be simply present, watching the beautiful inner play.
Bangalore, India
The title of the Shaktipat Intensive became a beautiful invitation for me to turn inward. As I reflected on these words, I felt that Shri Guru was inviting me to recognize not something distant, but the divine presence that is already within my heart.
When I sat in meditation, I tried to release the expectation of having any particular experience. Gradually, I became aware of a natural sense of peace. In that quietness, I reflected that “the light of Consciousness” is the foundation of every experience in my life—the light through which I see, understand, and love.
I felt deep gratitude for Baba’s life and his dedication to awakening seekers to the inner Self. My heart turned with devotion toward Bade Baba, Baba, and Gurumayi; their grace continues to illuminate my path.
I pray to recognize this light not only during meditation but also in my everyday thoughts, words, and actions. May I remain devoted to Shri Guru and continue to move forward on the path of sadhana with love, awareness, and surrender.
Ahmedabad, India
This morning my husband and I had a satsang together, reading Rami’s invitation aloud, pausing now and then to share remembrances and to take the words deeper. At the end we decided to set the subtle intention for each of our meditations this morning to be the title of the Intensive: “Feast Your Eyes Upon the Light of Consciousness.”
In meditation I found myself drifting in an infinite, luminous presence, in the silent power of Consciousness itself. I floated, feeling myself to be a protected and beloved child of God and simultaneously the immense spaciousness itself.
I thought to myself, “Yes, Baba’s Intensive has already begun!”
Washington, United States
I repeated the title of the Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive for 2026, “Feast Your Eyes upon the Light of Consciousness,” this morning while taking my dog for a walk. As I did so, it occurred to me that everything I was looking at was supreme Consciousness. So, all I had to do was “feast my eyes” on what was right in front of me.
As I looked around, while repeating the title of the Intensive, the truth of what I was repeating and experiencing started to seep into my entire being. I felt my mind and body becoming filled with light. The radiance of Consciousness was everywhere. Prior to this, I had been feeling a little tired and burdened by some personal situations, but this experience uplifted and “recharged” me.
