Initiation is important because when a Guru initiates into mantra,
what he effectively does is that he transmits some amount of his energy from
his body to another. The receiving person’s conscious mind is cleansed from the
impurities. Thereby removes blocks in the mind.
This is important because an uninitiated person will not get
this benefit and he must put in more effort to overcome the hurdles by himself
by doing more sadhana. He will spend more time to reach the stage what the
initiated one has reached.
It is more like giving initial boost to your practice, which
coupled by sincere practice makes sadhana fruitful.
Other than this initiation creates a bond between a Guru and
student. Where he can regularly get his doubts clarified and move faster as he
would get guidance on how to proceed with the sadhana.
The uninitiated person will not get this benefit. Sometimes
without proper guidance the person will stop the sadhana even though he is progressing.
For example when the meditation becomes intense sometimes we start hearing
sound in the ear, this is a good indication and goes away after sometime. But a
person does not know this would feel that there is something wrong and its
because of meditation this problem arose, thereby stops the practice.
We one is blessed with a realized Guru, one can be assured
that he life is protected, as his Guru will advice and help him through his
life. But getting such Guru Is rare.
What is emphasized here is that Guru and initiation is important, but if one can't find one, he should not be discouraged and should surrender to God and start the sadhana. Eventually when a practitioner is ready he will get a Guru or will be guided by the Self within.
Only when we take a step forward in spiritual life things will happen, waiting for a Guru without and effort will not help. Always remember our intense longing and personal qualities decide what will happen to us. So have faith in God and proceed.
