Jennifer's Experiences
Submitted 30 Jan 2006 by: Jennifer Harris, Adelaide, Australia
These articles describe Jennifer's most profound deeksha experiences; receiving her first enlightenment deeksha and the initiation for giving deekshas. Both occurred at the Oneness University in India, but on different occassions.
First enlightenment deeksha
5-day program in India, March 2004
I received my very first deeksha on the last day of a 5-day program at the Oneness University, India. The participants had gathered in a hall to await the arrival of Bhagavan. Maya and I are standing by the door when Bhagavan arrives. He was so close; I could reach out and touch him, but dare not. His presence is imposing, yet he speaks with warmth and love.
After a short period of answering questions from attendees, Bhagavan proceeds to pass on the golden ball of deeksha energy to the dasajis. One-by-one they present themselves to Bhagavan. Even before they do so, most are visibly affected by the energy and enter into altered states. Some have to be assisted to their places after receiving the golden ball of energy. The effects are such that other dasajis sit behind them to support them physically.
When all ten dasajis are ready to give deekshas, Bhagavan leaves. Gradually, the attendees are brought before the dasajis to receive deeksha, the females before the female dasajis and the males before the male dasajis. Five deekshas for each one of us, the first one being with the silver slippers (partikas).
After receiving the five deekshas, some attendees need assistance to return to their places and lie down in shivasan, clearly affected by the energy.
Upon receiving my deekshas, I am initially unaffected and able to move away unassisted to lie down in shivasan. However, the experience comes later, in the evening. For some, however, it takes several hours before they can rise and return to their beds for rest and to integrate the deeksha energy.
In the evening, we return to the hall and undergo a guided meditation called Ananda Mandala. At the completion of the meditation we sit quietly. I enter into a meditative state during which I experience a sensation of the top of my head (my scalp) lifting up and back as if on a hinge at the back of the head. Inside, there is the universe, an infinite space filled with stars and planets. I am at one with the universe, and in bliss.
Some of the others, in altered states, begin to laugh uncontrollably (laughing Buddha state). It is infectious and I too experience bursts of laughter.
While I have experienced energies before, they are usually subtle. However, this deeksha experience is so profound and unmistakeable. It is hard to determine how long this experience lasted, perhaps 30-40 minutes. When in a state, time is immeasurable. But the experience is unforgettable.
Deeksha giving initiation
21-day program in India, August 2005
During the initiation/instruction session enabling the participants to become deeksha givers, I began to experience the laughing Buddha state. During this process, we are instructed to invite the Divine into our hearts. This can take any form that we choose or feel connected to, e.g. God, Buddha, or any other Divine being. Not having experienced any strong connection with a particular Divine being before, I simply asked for the Divine in whatever form it deems appropriate to enter my heart. To my surprise, Jesus came through. Surprised because I had not had any Christian or particular religious upbringing. Yet, I had a strong impression of Jesus as a young man in his early twenties, with a beard and wearing a dark blue tunic. There was so much love and compassion in his eyes. We were invited to dance with the Divine, and the music became louder. I found myself dancing playfully with Jesus, both of us laughing. The sense of joy was so intense it was overwhelming. Soon I was crying and laughing at the same time. This went on for some time.
Even now, there are times, when I have moments of intense joy that I want to laugh out loud, especially when giving deekshas. When I think of Bhagavan and Amma during the course of the day, or catch a glimpse of their photo in the house, I experience a moment of intense joy and laugh.