(Siddha Yoga Dham
America) Swami Muktananda (1908–1982) formed a religious organization with
ashrams and centers all over the globe.
Siddha Yoga's metaphysics are a modified version of Kashmiri
Shaivism, but its most famous doctrine is that the guru's grace may instantly
awaken the disciple's dormant kundalini (spiritual strength, the subtle body's
most essential substance) and accelerate the spiritual growth process.
The role of the guru as spiritual teacher is emphasized even
more in this teaching, and the overpowering emphasis penetrates the whole
movement.
Although it contains Indian members, the majority of its
adherents are non-Indian converts who are interested in spirituality but not in
becoming culturally Indian.
Muktananda led the organization until his death in 1982, and
his successor, Chidvilasananda, has ruled over it for the most of the period
since then.
