There has been some confusion in the Oneness Community over Hands On Oneness Deeksha recently. If Deeksha were human it might quote the famous line, "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.":) Hands On Oneness Deeksha is alive and well throughout the San Diego area and the United States.
Here is a December 2018 statement from Sri Bhagavan's son, Krishnaji, who was the first person to give what is now known as the Oneness Blessing/ Deeksha:
This is Krishnaji and Preethaji's answer to recent questions regarding Deeksha:
Deeksha is, was and will always be sacred and divine. It is a sacred process through which the Divine reaches humanity.
Deeksha purifies. Deeksha heals. Deeksha transforms. Deeksha awakens. How can such a phenomenon that awakens us to causeless love, compassion and humility be ever hurtful? To even imagine that Deeksha can hurt some one is a disservice to the phenomenon. Giving and receiving Deeksha, your own process of enlightenment is hastened and it is in fact the ultimate good karma.
Please know that one of the greatest gifts we have given humanity is to remove fear from our hearts around God. We are liberating humanity from the idea of a punishing god, punishing universe and punishing energies. After all these years of evolution let us not succumb again to fear or superstition.
Remember, giving in to fear of any kind is detrimental to our spiritual evolution.
Ultimately we advise you to connect to the divine within and follow your heart in moments of conflict.
As far as the O&O Academy is concerned, Deeksha will continue to be offered.
Image: Sri Bhagavan giving hands-on deeksha, the divine light often seen in meditation or when giving/reciving deeksha, Yogananda giving a deeksha.