Swami Muktananda (16 May 1908 – 2 October 1982) was an Indian spiritual guru of the Siddha Yoga tradition, a branch of Kashmir Shaivism Tantra. Muktananda is credited with bringing the Siddha Yoga path to the Western world and establishing a global network of ashrams and Siddha Yoga meditation centers.

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Born in the small village of Dharmasthala in Karnataka, India, Muktananda underwent a spiritual quest that led him to his guru, Bhagavan Nityananda. Following the principles of yoga and vedanta, Muktananda spent eight years serving his guru and learning from him before he reached the state of self-realization.

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As a spiritual teacher, Muktananda emphasized Shaktipat Diksha (guru's grace or energy transfer), meditation, and the pursuit of self-realization. His teachings were encapsulated in the mantra "God dwells within you, as you", highlighting the intrinsic divinity of the self.

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Muktananda's works include his two-volume autobiography, "Play of Consciousness," which has been cited as a unique resource on the experience of advanced meditation. He also initiated the SYDA Foundation (Siddha Yoga Dham Associates) in 1974 to protect, preserve, and facilitate the dissemination of the Siddha Yoga teachings.

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After his death in 1982, his work was continued by his appointed successors, Swami Chidvilasananda (Gurumayi) and Swami Nityananda, though the latter eventually left the organization and started his own spiritual path.