In their words.

The dream-like visions presented by Santosh Sachdeva are very good, and they represent the blessings of the Masters to this generation. Tapasvis like Mahavatar Babaji, who have been engaged in ascetic practices for hundreds of years in the mountains in India, can thus enlighten any jiva. Yet there are hundreds of thousands of beings to choose from, and at least thousands of Sadhus who can be so blessed.

The reason for her being singled out for this honour is that she too has been a part of the stream of Sadhus life after life, and this is the culmination of her own Punya karma involving hundreds of years of Sadhana. Every single atom of her body has become receptive to the teachings of the Masters, and this book is the result.

This is the rarest of rare occurrences, a Mahadurlabh yoga in the physical world. I suggest, therefore, that she diligently continues this practice to illustrate the workings of the Kundalini.

I have gone through your book, Journal of a Student of Mental Physics. I have found it illuminating as the experiences of a sadhaka in their spiritual quest and feel sure that it will provide valuable inspiration to other sadhakas.

Santosh radiates a unified presence, the hallmark of fully actualised Kundalini experience. Her writings are the outcome of many years of Kundalini experience — from initial awakening through the resultant, progressive process of ever-increasing, integrative wholeness. Santosh is also a lovely woman who selflessly shares her experience and serves as a guide for many on the evolving path of Kundalini Yoga. I am thus honoured to write this Foreword to this book of questions and answers about Kundalini culled from her experience of many years.

My guru, Swami Muktananda Paramahansa, was a Kundalini adept. For twelve years, he trained me in the art and science of Kundalini Yoga. He often reminded me that while it was relatively easy to awaken Kundalini energy, it was the mark of the master to guide it to its culmination in substantiated wholeness, or the experience of unified consciousness. Santosh validates this time-honoured principle as she masterfully guides her students through this intricate and transformative journey.

It is further stated, in the classical tradition of Kundalini Yoga, that the authentic Kundalini master must fulfill specific qualifications. First, he or she must be substantiated in the state of unified consciousness which is validated by their holistic presence. Secondly, their unified state of being must serve as the empowerment that awakens and guides the Kundalini energy in their disciples. And thirdly, they must be thoroughly trained under the empowering guidance of a Kundalini guru, and thoroughly knowledgeable about all aspects of the evolving Kundalini experience. In my humble opinion, Santosh Sachdeva thoroughly fulfills all these qualifications as is evidenced not only in her writings but also in the very living of her daily life and her interactions with those she empowers, awakens, and guides.

In this modern world, there are many would-be gurus, some half-baked and some hardly baked at all. True and authentic masters are rare indeed.

As you read these rich pages, you will encounter a true and authentic master of Kundalini experience. I encourage you to be grateful for what you have found and to celebrate your most fortunate experience. It is said that when the student is ready, the master comes. If you are reading this book, you are ready. Now, simply open yourself to the authentic master who has come. In doing so, you will come to know Santosh Sachdeva as the adept that she is and you will inevitably love her, as do I, for all that she embodies and so selflessly shares.

It is said that the true guru is the one who takes you from the darkness of ignorance into the light of truth. It is my sincere hope that you will flower within this experience, and come to know Santosh by the name. I have given her… Mataji… which means Dear Mother. May Mataji Santosh Sachdeva shower you with her many blessings while you are reading this most masterful book.

“Who am I?” This is the question that set many masters on their spiritual journey. Renowned sage Ramana Maharshi has answered this question very beautifully: “The physical body, its vital functions, the mind and the state of deep sleep are not ‘I’. ‘I’ is the knowledge that alone remains after negating all of the above … nature of which is sat-chit-ananda.” No one answered it better. But what actually matters is individual experience in these realms. This varies from person to person and also with the path one chooses — that of knowledge, devotion, or action.

I should say Santoshji had the blessings of her Guru accompanying her throughout these commendable practices and experiences. A Guru can guide us through words, deeds, mere presence, or even an awareness of he/she ‘being there’.

I am happy that our friend, Santosh Sachdeva, is one of those luckiest few who could ask the question and experience the answer. This book Who am I? is a guide to the infinite possibilities hidden in us and the larger spiritual scape that opens with self-discovery.

‘Ma’ Santosh Sachdeva is a Master and Teacher wholeheartedly engaged in her empowered mission of demystifying the Kundalini process of spiritual evolution, for the contemporary aspirant with little exposure to ancient mystic traditions. She presents these teachings in an easy to understand Question and Answer manner for readers who wish to start exploring their own energy — in a gentle voyage of self-discovery.

She is a celebrated writer of original books on Kundalini, in effect releasing a new understanding of the process of spiritual evolution in the physical body. This she does in a very simple, direct and unassuming way, devoid of forbidding abstruseness.

Her mission also worked its magic on her own self, as she has gradually emerged from self-imposed restrictions to step into her natural radiance as a spiritual counsellor, guide and teacher… and a respected Mataji!

Her latest offering, also in the Question and Answer format, further elucidates, in a very elegant yet typically nurturing and encouraging manner, the process of self-unfoldment for the practitioner of ancient wisdom.

The illustrations of the workings of the ascending Kundalini energy are unique and unprecedented. In all the history and all the literature about the Kundalini, there has never been anything like this in detail and delineation of the actual processes. This is a large claim, but a valid one.

The book is full of such practical experiential wisdom for all those who are on the path of meditation and Kundalini. It is also worth emphasizing again that another person’s experience will never be precisely duplicated in your meditations, but the book outlines the broad general principles within which you can easily find your specific individual context.

Nowhere is this more clear than in the reaction to the manuscript that came from a practitioner of Peruvian shamanism. It just emphasized the point made in Volume II that these experiences are not Hindu or yogic but universal. Indeed, such experiences are almost generic to the mystical tradition, the differences being not in the actual experiences but in interpretations thereof. This is understandable.

On a personal note, I wish to conclude with my own testimony as to the worth of this book. Between Volumes II and III something astonishing happened. My spiritual practices, spotty and sporadic then, caused my own Kundalini to awaken and begin its processes. I might add, I was apparently the least likely person this could happen to. Santosh’s book was of incalculable value to me in that it clarified many experiences before they could even begin to darken into doubts and fears. The loneliness of the person who has an active Kundalini cannot be grasped, for normal people either do not understand or are dismissive. The experiences of Santosh however, were a great map to navigate by. I think I was spared all the natural worry that the sheer enormity of the event engenders, and could just relax and enjoy what was unfolding. There is simply no doubt that Santosh’s pioneering work made the path easy for me.

First, a disclosure: Santosh happens to be a friend of mine. Having said that, I would still recommend this book strongly to those on the Kundalini path. She offers her expertise to you through her second book Kundalini Meditation — Questions and Answers, Vol. 2.

Her credentials for the task are impeccable. Santosh herself went through a Kundalini awakening and recorded her experiences meticulously in previous books. That apart, she has been studying the import of her experience through reading available literature. Most important of all, the awakening has manifested into peace, wisdom, and understanding. The book gives ample evidence of all three qualities. The perspective she offers is flawless. For instance: to a question on what causes the Kundalini shakti to get active, she says, “Kundalini can awaken naturally… if one lives a well-balanced life …” The sound common sense, the equable tone, and the caring guidance all add up to an exceptionally useful book for the Kundalini aspirant.

Experiences narrated in the book are but manifestations of the all-pervading eternal spirit.

I very much enjoyed reading the book. Much of the ‘Realization of Self’ and equanimity when confronted by adversity, has been described by Santosh Sachdeva in a lucid manner in her book… will bring much insight into the purpose of life to many readers.

An important piece of inspired writing. I have carefully gone through this book and its captivating illustrations. The net effect has been a sense of joy and amazement. This is the more remarkable because she has not travelled to the forests or the Himalayas and because awakening the Kundalini is not usually described by women. The author is a gentle and authentic person… indeed the recipient of the Divinity’s very special gifts and graces. Her humility and openness run true. It is my pleasure to warmly recommend the book to anybody who can still be fascinated by the mysterious treasures hidden in the interaction of self and Self.

Santosh Sachdeva transmits extraordinary experiences with conviction, beauty and divine Grace. The book proves, yet again, that spiritual knowledge has no frontiers… Sachdeva’s vivid spiritual revelations should go a long way to restore sanity and bring celestial peace to many deserving seekers of truth.

When I started having experiences of unusual glimpses of light, vibrations and energies after going through certain yogic practices, I was in a highly confused state of mind. A chance reading of Santoshji’s first book, Conscious Flight into the Empyrean now titled Kundalini A Gentle Force, led me to her and eventually blossomed into a Guru-disciple relationship. Initially, I would be apprehensive of the word ‘Guru’, but once I came into her energy field, over a period of time, she permeated my whole being – each and every atom down to my deepest core. She has been the catalyst, the medium and the reason for transformation in me. She has brought me to a state of being where gratitude overflows from every pore but words and actions fail to express it; where putting it forcefully in words seems like belittling the impact; where the Guru sees no need for outward expression and the disciple finds no way. There is just oneness, beingness, silence and gratitude.

This new understanding of having a Guru to magnify the potency in oneself and get it to the surface has recreated my attitude of gratitude to the Teacher – Santosh Sachdeva.
This sensation of being so powerful and yet so humble has awakened in me the boiling over of Love.
This being in the Presence of a Self-Realised Soul has brought about the connection of the Divine Spirit.
This life seems so magnanimous due to my new yet ancient vibration of my Teacher.
This awakening of Kundalini with such caring, support and mainly fearlessness is what I ached for in the corridor of my being. The Universe heard the irrational pleas of an irrational child.
This unpacking of the ultimate Truth at such a personal level has dissipated any doubts of annihilation of my physical and spiritual self.
Thank you seems so meagre an offering at your feet. I remain eternally indebted to your Loving Presence.

My Anchor: For me, there is no greater ‘sadhana’ than to remember my Guruji. For a ‘shishya’, there can be no greater ‘sadhana’. Guru Purnima coincides with the time I first recognised her as my Guru. I wasn’t looking for one. I simply thought we had a connection at the time. As I sipped on tea while having a casual conversation with her, I felt drawn into a space of great peace and love. I felt I undertook a journey so far and so deep and knew I hadn’t made it on my own. With tears in my eyes, touched by the experience, I asked her who she was to me. It is then that it struck me who she was and what she meant for my journey, and that is whom we call a Guru. It has been over a decade since that cup of tea.

She has, since, been my anchor, a signpost, a mother, a mentor and truly the divine in human form. I have always been a seeker, but I was a vagabond. I am still a seeker, but now I hold her hand and take the journey within me.

The change since I met her is beyond that of personality or rather, runs deeper than just my personality. I feel the change in my soul; that I am not the same anymore. Her blessings and guidance have permeated my daily life—in my relationship with myself, others, responses and quality of thoughts and actions.

Yes, I have difficult days, negative thoughts, I get upset and take things personally. But like a mother, she gently and sometimes sternly brings light into the darkness.

Such is the grace of the divine, such is the love of a Guru, and such are the blessings of my Guruji—Santosh Sachdeva.

Dakshinamurty: The limited spectrum of experience which is available to me through my senses is not capable of describing such an advanced Master as Guruji. Therefore, do note that whatever I say here is just a speck of WHO SHE IS! She is the fulcrum around which my life is possible. I see my life clearly in two parts—one before I started coming for meditation with Guruji, and the other ever since. Before I started coming for meditation with Guruji, I was doing my practice almost every day but there was a huge vacuum in my heart. I was like a fish outside water, gasping for some meaning in life. Ever since I started coming for meditation, this emptiness has been filled up with the bliss I take back from each meditation. Every interaction with Guruji is the highest form of blessing. It is like being soaked in pure love. It leaves me in eternal gratitude and humility.

For me, She is the living embodiment of Dakshinamurty—the Guru who imparts knowledge through silence. I feel that for every moment spent in Her presence, I receive some guidance, and the state of my being is elevated. All the cares just disappear, somehow.

There have been instances when I have remembered Her when the going was getting tough, and the next thing I knew was that all of a sudden, I started feeling better or the situation was sorted out. Guruji’s words have the power of becoming a transformative seed. Once she asked me to drop a certain detrimental habit quite firmly, and it so happened that after that day, the habit just disappeared. When I realized this, I was amazed at myself and understood that it was Her blessing that allowed the transformation to occur. The more I intensify my practice, the more I have a direct experience of life happening within the safety net of Her deep care and love.

Her Words are all-powerful and transformative.
Her Silence is filled with a direct message.
Her Presence is charged with ‘Shakti’ and love.

Guru and Ma: My Guru Santosh Ma is not only my Guru but a mother too. A mother gives birth to a child and she is happy when her child is happy and unhappy when the child is feeling low. The mother raises her child according to her past and present circumstances. The Guru does not judge the disciple’s past and nurtures the disciple with a lot of love and compassion and shows him or her the path to enlightenment.

I found my Guru after many years. Several years of my prayers were answered when I found my Guru. In 2014, I first met her son Gautam. In 2015, I met Guruji. Her ‘samvat bhav’ touched my heart. She is full of love and compassion; for her, no one is inferior or superior. She sees everyone as equal, as a form of God. My Guruji herself is a form of God—’Ishwar Swaroop’—which means that whoever comes to her, feels full of love.

As I began spending more time with her, my negativity slowly started to reduce and I started becoming more positive. Finally, after many years, my nature started changing. When it’s time for your good karmas to fructify, God comes in the form of a Guru and embraces you. I never like to miss any opportunity to meet her. I like to get more and more of her time.

I bow down at the lotus feet of my Guruji!

Dispeller of Darkness: When the desire for change and transformation is strong, then help comes to one from outside in the form of a physical Guru. To begin with, the Guru teaches the aspirants the means which, on practising, help them to shed off their conditioning, density, and biases, leading to a transformation at the core level and happier living. The word Guru, by definition, means ‘dispeller of darkness’ (Gu-Ru). To me, this is intimately linked to ‘sadhana’—a continual practice by the individual.

Since we are heading into unchartered territory and each aspirant is unique, the process can throw up periods of unease. It is through these moments that just the mere presence, a word, a look, a smile was enough to put me at ease and instil the peace and knowing that it shall pass and is only a harbinger of good things.

In addition to the boundless love, care and patience shown by Ma, having her in my life has also been hugely anchoring, since we live in the midst of the chaos of this world and our karma, and at the same time we try to rise above it and dissolve it. Sometimes, when we drift, having her with us realigns and re-energizes us in a way that is beyond words.

Her mere presence has been the anchor as well as the propulsion for us. We are blessed and lucky. Feeling Happy and Giving Thanks.

The Harbinger of Light: A couple of years ago, there was a desire sent out to the universe that I would like to know what a Guru is. And now, I completely relate to the saying that “seek and you shall find.” My question was answered and it unfolded as a series of events that came together. Since then, there is simply a smile whenever I think of her, and a flower to offer at her feet.

She is the light, the joy, the serene, the form to whom you bow down, and in whose presence, at times I am speechless.

There is always joy in sharing what I am going through with her. She is careful with words, honest about showing you the process, and engages you to take the journey alone. I listen to every word with a willingness to simply reflect. It is always a journey to be the seer; a constant effort, and with the grace of my Guru, I feel adept.

Ocean of Love: Just thinking of GuruMa, the picture that comes to mind is one of a most gracious lady—so beautiful, so serene, so strong. I always experience a feeling of vastness and peace whenever I am with GuruMa.

I will always be grateful for being introduced to this wonderful lady who just took my hand into hers and led me into this wonderful world of ‘The Eight Spiritual Breaths’ … a world of kaleidoscopic lights … of varied feelings … of peace and tranquillity after the meditation sessions.

That love … that joy … that life … as the affirmation goes … just sweeps into me whenever I am with you. You are like the ocean of love, and like the ocean, you just keep giving. Thank you, Ma.

I first met Santosh at Mahabaleshwar. The ‘Shibir’ which we attended there was an annual event, and Justice Dudhat, an eminent personality with deep scriptural knowledge and understanding, hosted the event. Santosh was well dressed and poised and stood out like she always does, everywhere. She had a wooden backrest under her arm and she sat right in front.

My husband always introduced the great Guru Dudhat, to the assembly. The next day, when we were waiting in the area before the lecture, Santosh stepped forward to talk to me. My first introduction to her was the question, “What is my Source?” We kept talking thereafter. That was the start of an everlasting bond with her.

My husband and I attended Dudhat Guruji’s lectures at his residence, which Santosh also attended. However, we never really spoke much. After Dudhat Guruji passed away, we lost connection with Santosh. But the acquaintance was rekindled when Santosh invited us to the CCI club, when we requested to meet with her. We took a Ganesh idol with us as a small present for her. On receiving it, she was thrilled like a little girl, and expressed her joy saying, “I love receiving presents.” That was the exact moment when I felt a connection with her, and we started attending her meditation sessions every Thursday.

Through all these years, my Thursday is ‘Santosh Day’. Her calm exterior and warmth exude a genuineness which connects one to her. The emotional security that she provides to a person living alone is more than I could ask for.

This is the Santosh I knew and I know there is more to her which I have not been able to fathom. But I am sure I will do so, shortly.