Initiation

The Beginning not the End

Spiritual initiation is a must. "Ideally, it should occur before the formal initiation" according to a Guru or bonafide Spiritual Teacher. The primary goal therefore is to be actually initiated and not simply formally initiated, particularly in instances where formal initiation seems impossible, whereas total surrender or love for God (initiation) is always available.

Initiation, to set going by taking the first step; to begin; and to introduce to a new field, interest, skill, or activity  -"The American Heritage Dictionary".

In "BhaktiYoga" process, a newly initiated student shall receive from his Spiritual Teacher (Guru) these items; chanting beads, a neck beads, an initiated name, and a personal instruction. Among these four, the personal instruction is most important; because according to The Guru, even if a student had undergone initiation but if that student is not following his instruction that student has no connection with him.

 A disciple is a student who embraces and spread the teaching of his Guru, and although some devotees believe that students who are not initiated are not disciples, my experience and from what I saw revealed that quite a number of students are already acting as disciples and has the mindset of a disciple. That is why in my own personal point of view, there are two kinds of disciples; they are the initiated and the un-initiated disciples, and they are both enthusiastic followers of the Guru.

It appears that to some devotees, the only goal is to get initiated; because after the initiation, they practically disappeared from the scene, they stopped associating with other devotees, and some of them even went back to their old ways as if they are empowered to do all things after being initiated and got a sacred name. Apparently, they seem to be incognizant about the real significance and importance of initiation; and for them, initiation is not the beginning but the goal and the ending of their spiritual journey.

A line in the Bible states, "Stay away from me you workers of iniquity for you fail to do the will of my father". Just like Jesus Christ, The will of The Guru and the will of The Father (God) are one and the same, at least in the spiritual process that I follow, which is "Bhakti Yoga" or "Love for God". In this process, students are taught about that will, which they must embrace and spread if they want to be disciples. Failure to do these is failure to become disciple, regardless of whether they have spiritual name or not. To have a guru and to become a real disciple is a must in spiritual life. Without bonafide Guru's mercy, even though a person is a seeker of light, he will remain in darkness and will not truly understand The Absolute Truth.

By his own power, no person can cross the ocean of material existence alone. A truth finder must have a guru; he must learn from him, become his disciple, and reach a level of spiritual advancement that could defy the binding spell of this earthly mystical ocean.

Material disease was forged in everyone's core within the span of immeasurable amount of time. And although spiritual life can be easy and simple, its perfection is a task next to impossible. Initiation not only will not make a person an advanced devotee overnight, it can also spiritually ruin him. That is why, it is better for an aspiring devotee to become a disciple before the initiation rite, which should only be a formality of a devotee's initiation that occurred "before hand".

I am a strange person whose illusion is to be closer to God, The Supreme Person whom I want to be with without really knowing the reason why. I am not comfortable with rituals and initiation has never been one of my goals. I know that I think differently, and I feel that I am unfit to dream that big. I am also aware that to be with the Supreme Person is a continuous and endless process. Like time, God attributes are unlimited; and for that reason, I am not in a hurry. I am spiritually weak; and for me, it is enough that I belong and I can watch and hopefully gradually develop my love for God from afar.

If I have to choose between being an initiated disciple who is not following his guru's instruction and an un-initiated disciple who is following and spreading his guru's teaching, I will surely choose the latter. But there are initiated disciples whom I perceive are so spiritually advance and whose life is a testimony of joy in serving The Spiritual Master. I am certain that they are relishing a certain flavor of spiritual mellow which the un-initiated disciples do not taste. I must admit that I am a little envious. But I can't imagine myself being an initiated disciple. There are so many hindrances; I am indifferent, very limited, and full of imperfections. Nevertheless, I know that God is merciful, and heaven's door is open to everyone. Whatever His plan, I must follow. Initiation would be a great mercy, but it is too much for me to ask. It doesn’t really matter whether I can be an initiated disciple in this lifetime or not. I have no regrets; knowing, embracing, and spreading God's will (in my own little way, the best I can) is very satisfying and complete by itself. It is the sweetest most flavorful food that I have tasted, and I am so fortunate to be allowed to partake a small portion of its remnants; not too many are that fortunate, and for that alone I am so grateful.