KUNDALINI AWAKENING

KUNDALINI AWAKENING
Kundalini is the potential form of prana or life force, lying dormant in our bodies. It is conceptualized as a coiled up serpent (literally, 'kundalini' in Sanskrit is 'coiled up') lying at the base of our spine, which can spring awake when activated by spiritual disciplines. The Kundalini is curled up in the back part of the root chakra in three and a half turns.

"Kundalini is the energy of the Divine as it is experienced in the individual. Kundalini binds us when we project its energy into the world and yet, kundalini liberates us when we return this energy to its divine origin."

Spiritual practices like yoga and meditation focuses on the raising of the kundalini from the chakra at the base of the spine to the chakra in the crown of the head � awakening a powerful transformative energy.

"Kundalini energy has the capacity to wash away our deepest tensions, eliminate our misunderstandings about our true nature, and to expand the flow of creative energy and consciousness within us.

Kundalini is both the energy and essence of life and the practice of becoming aware of it."

Kundalini Yoga
The practitioners of Kundalini Yoga concentrate on psychic centers or chakras in the body in order to generate a spiritual power, which is known as kundalini energy.

The practice of Kundalini Yoga comprises of awakening and then forcing this energy, flowing through nadis or channels, up the psychic channel of the sushumna, which runs from the base of the spine to the brain. The three main channels running alongside the spinal cord are ida, pingala and the sushumna. When this kundalini energy, pictured as the serpent residing in the first chakra at the root of the spine (muladhar chakra), is raised up through the rest of the chakras until it reaches the seventh and the highest chakra (sahasrara) located at the crown of the head - self-realization occurs. This induces the blissful state of samadhi. The school of Sahaja Yoga is very similar to the Kundalini school.

Tantra Yoga
The roots of Tantra Yoga go back to ancient fertility cults of India. The history of this strain of yoga, like the Kundalini school, is linked with the worship of Shakti, the primordial female energy. The objective of Tantra Yoga is to merge with the Ultimate by the arousal and channeling of sexual energy.

The Tantra school equates spiritual awakening with the awakening and rising of the kundalini power. According to Tantra, the kundalini is present in everything, even in the smallest of particles, in the form of cosmic energy. Only a fraction of it is operative, while an unmeasured residuum is left 'coiled up' and untapped at the 'base root'.

Kundalini and Shaktipat
Shaktipat is the Direct Transmission of Spiritual Energy. Tantric practices recognize that spiritual freedom is realized through our own inner practice and the transmission of energy (shaktipat) from a teacher that awakens the kundalini energy. Shaktipat means the descent of grace, and it is a vitally important presence in the awakening of the kundalini. It is the fire that ignites the rising of the kundalini.

Kundalini and Chakras
The chakras are any of the nerve plexes or centers of force and consciousness located within the inner bodies of man. In the physical body there are corresponding nerve plexuses, ganglia and glands.

The seven principal chakras can be seen psychically as colorful, multi-petaled wheels or lotuses. They are situated along the spinal cord from the base to the cranial chamber.

Additionally, seven chakras, barely visible, exist below the spine. They are seats of instinctive consciousness, the origin of jealousy, hatred, envy, guilt, sorrow, etc. They constitute the lower or hellish world, called Naraka or patala. Thus, there are 14 major chakras in all.

The seven upper chakras, from lowest to highest, are:
1. muladhara chakra (base of spine): memory, time and space;
2. svadhishthana chakra (below navel): reason;
3. manipura chakra (solar plexus): willpower;
4. anahata chakra (heart center): direct cognition;
5. vishuddha chakra (throat): divine love;
6. ajna chakra (third eye): divine sight;
7. sahasrara chakra (crown of head): illumination, Godliness.

The seven lower chakras, from highest to lowest, are
1. atala chakra (hips): fear and lust;
2. vitala chakra (thighs): raging anger;
3. sutala chakra (knees): retaliatory jealousy;
4. talatala chakra (calves): prolonged mental confusion;
5. rasatala chakra (ankles): selfishness;
6. mahatala chakra (feet): absence of conscience;
7. patala chakra (located in the soles of the feet): murder and malice.

Kundalini and Nadis
Nadis are the astral tubes made up of astral matter that carry psychic currents. It is through these Nadis (Sukshma, subtle passages), that the vital force or Pranic current moves or flows.

Kundalini when awakened, will pass through Sushumna Nadi and this is possible only when the Nadis are pure. Therefore, the first step in Kundalini Yoga is the purification of Nadis. A detailed knowledge of the Nadis and Chakras, is absolutely essential. Their location, functions, nature, etc., should be thoroughly studied.

The three main nadis are named ida, pingala and sushumna.
• ida nadi: Also known as chandra ("moon") nadi, it is pink in color and flows downward, ending on the left side of the body. This current is feminine in nature and is the channel of physical-emotional energy.
• pinga nadi: Also known as surya ("sun") nadi, it is blue in color and flows upward, ending on the right side of the body. This current is masculine in nature and is the channel of intellectual mental energy.
• sushumna nadi: The major nerve current which passes through the spinal column from the muladhara chakra at the base to the sahasrara at the crown of the head. It is the channel of kundalini. Through yoga, the kundalini energy lying dormant in the muladhara is awakened and made to rise up this channel through each chakra to the sahasrara chakra.

Preparation for kundalini activation
Fundamental practices for activation of Kundalini shakti:
1. Purification of the body with the aid of Neti, Dhyoti and Vasti.
2. Practice of eight kinds of Pranayam (Yogic exercises).
3. Practise essential mudras such as Mahamudra, Mahavedha, Mahabandh, Viparitakarani, Taran, Paridhan, Yuktichalan and Shaktichalan

ABOUT KUNDALINI ENERGY AND KUNDALINI AWAKENING AND RAISING
WHAT KUNDALINI ENERGY IS

Kundalini is a dormant energy within most peple.

In Hindu mythology, Kundalini is a serpent goddess who lies asleep at the base of the spine, coiled three and a half times around the first chakra. Her name is Kundalini Shakti, and she represents the unfolding of the divine Shakti energy, the energizing potential of life itself, a living goddess who enlivens all things.

Under certain circumstances, the Kundalini energy awakens and begins to rise through the body, piercing and opening the chakras as she moves in her undulating, snake-like fashion. As Kundalini releases stored and blocked energies, her movement can be quite intense, sometimes painful, and often leads to mental states that seem out of this world.

Circumstances that stimulate Kundalini awakening are many and varied, but are usually triggered by such things as extended periods of meditation, yoga, fasting, stress, trauma, psychedelic drugs, or near death experiences.

Kundalini is a condensed, primal force, similar to the potential energy found in water. When released, it creates a vertical connection between the chakras by opening the subtle channels known as nadi, most specifically, the central channel that moves up the spine called sushumna. If we put water through a small hose at very high pressure, the end of the hose will undulate like a snake. Similarly, the intense energy of Kundalini undulates in the body as it rises through the chakras.

Kundalini can also be seen as a result of the chakras connecting to each other.
Theoretically, as the chakras enlarge, the spinning of one can enchance the spinning of the one above or below it.

Kundalini is basically a healing force, but its effects can sometimes be quite unpleasant. Such effects may last for minutes, days, months, or even years.
If you find yourself dealing with uncomfortable Kundalini awakening symptoms, you should:

1) Purify the body. Abstain from recreational drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and caffein, prescription drugs. Avoid food additives, high sugars, or greasy foods. Eat well, especially protein which is generally grounding. Get massage and vigorous exercise.

2) Reduce stress. If you are in for a major spiritual transformation, make time for the necessary changes in your life. You may need to devote more time to your spirituality or health.

3) Find Support. Find other who have knowledge of this experience.

4) Educate yourself. Read about Kundalini, Kundalini awakening,Yoga and learn about Chakras.

5) Treat underlying psychological issues. As Kundalini brings up unresolved issues, this is the best time to deal with them. It will make the ride smoother.

6) Examine your spiritual practices. If you have not been practicing meditation, yoga or some spiritual practice, it may be time to begin. You might need to stop meditating for a while if it increases unpleasant Kundalini awakening symptoms. See what increases or decreases the unpleasant effects.

7) Practice grounding. Kundalini is most difficult when the energy is moving upward without enough energy moving downward to balance. Investigate the possibility of the first chakra issues that need to be resolved in order to give a firmer base. Practice grounding exercise daily.

Kundalini Awakening definition and the path

Kundalini Awakening - the sure shot method for awakening of the kundalini.

Before we discuss about kundalini awakening... we need to understand the meaning of kundalini! The kundalini Shakti is that hidden positive energy stored in every human being by awakening which every human being reaches the level of Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed.

The awakening of the kundalini is possible by practicing the right Yoga and Meditation. In the normal circumstances the awakening of the kundalini is supposed to happen within a period of 1.1 million manifestations in form of a human being. A serious seeker of spirituality always desires Kundalini awakening at the earliest. Why?

Every true seeker of spirituality understands that unless the kundalini awakening occurs... one shall not be able to reach the level of Nirvikalpa Samadhi and the stage of self realization. Kundalini awakening is a hundred percent must before one can gain enlightenment in this life.

Apart from practicing the Shavasana pose in Yoga and also Neti as advocated by Maharishi Ramana... one needs to practice absolute celibacy for the kundalini awakening to occur.

Kundalini awakening is not something which can be taught in form of books... it only comes from experience. As we proceed on the path of pure spirituality while practicing absolute celibacy Brahmacharya vrata and Meditation... we shall find one-day that our kundalini awakening has occurred.

Kundalini energy stored within our spine slowly recoils itself. It is as if God is directly lifting us straight up for us to realize God with a short period of time. It is a very noble experience for every true seeker of spirituality.

For the kundalini awakening to occur... we need to preserve the monthly quota of energy given to every man and woman. We just cannot let this energy find pure physical channels of pleasure.

The path of kundalini awakening shall become clear from the following example-
In the normal routine if we are required to take 11 million steps up the ladder of spirituality... then it is also possible that we take the elevator straight up and cut short the path.

This elevator... the shortcut is the path of the kundalini which can be awakened by preserving the cosmic energy provided to every human being every month. As the stored energy increases... so does the journey expedite?

Every true seeker of spirituality has to one-day switchover to the recourse of kundalini awakening for the normal path may take millions of manifestations... a long journey indeed!

As the kundalini Shakti raises from the base of the spine towards the centre of the forehead... one shall experience very fearful flashes. It is really frightening sometimes for the kundalini awakening is accompanied by the shadow of a mammoth king cobra with many heads glaring at you from a short distance.

The coiled Serpentine kundalini Shakti has been compared to the power which one experiences while watching a coiled snake coming out of slumber. It is too frightening an experience and many seekers of spirituality leave their journey midway.

The coiled Serpentine energy known as kundalini Shakti is not to be feared of. We have to under all circumstances look at the face of the cobra with a feeling that we have to overcome the fear imbibed within us. Fearing the coiled kundalini Shakti shall be of no help.

The practice of absolute celibacy brings about a radical change in the personality of a serious seeker of spirituality. As we conqueror the coiled kundalini Shakti... we shall find an enormous glow on our forehead visible to the mankind.

The glow on the forehead of any human being directly represents the inner thinking process of any human being. More the glow... the higher the human being is supposed to be on the spiritual pedestal.

We may indulge in kundalini awakening right now or in subsequent manifestations... there is absolutely no escape. We have to indulge in kundalini awakening in one of the manifestations so that our soul (Atman within our body) regains its pristine pure from at the earliest and liberates forever from the cycle of birth and death.

In the last 150 years two persons have very successfully awakened their kundalini and realized god. Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharishi Ramana while proceeding on the path of pure spirituality in search of God had their kundalini awakened fully. It was only after their kundalini had awakened were they able to reach the stage of Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

Every true seeker of spirituality understands the importance of kundalini awakening. If we are to realize God within our lifetime... we have to awaken our kundalini fully in the present life. Unless we take the lift straight up... we shall not reach the level of an awakened one... a living Buddha!

Kundalini awakening... however fearful it may seem to be... is representative of the positive powers of the cosmos overtaking the Satanic powers forever. Every God realized soul reaches the level of a Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed only after having conquered the negative forces for ever by awakening of the kundalini.

Kundalini awakening is better possible in a Man... The prime reason why in the whole history of mankind only two ladies had their kundalini awakened fully Gargi, the bachelor philosopher and Maitreyi the famous wife of Sage
Jnanavalakya!

Gargi was that special lady who having awakened her kundalini indulged herself in the famous dialogues with Pundit Mandan Mishra on the topic of sex. Gargi finally defeated Pundit Mandan Mishra for she was a truly God realized soul. Pundit Mandan Mishra had yet to awaken his kundalini.

Sage Jnanavalakya was that dominant force in the times of king Janaka that even before the contest amongst 10,000 pundits and sages gathered on stage had begun... Sage Jnanavalakya ordered the prize money to be taken home. Sage Jnanavalakya was a truly God realized soul. His kundalini had awakened fully and he knew that none in the assembly had reached his level of spiritual attainment.

Kundalini Awakening: a must if we are to realize god within our lifetime!

Maitreyi... his dutiful wife was never after the mundane affairs of life... she yearned for gaining self realization within her lifetime. She knew well that her husband could impart her pearls of wisdom gaining which she could get her kundalini awakened and finally reach the stage of enlightenment.

The Gargi and the Maitreyi colleges in New Delhi, India are reminiscent of those enlightening times in the history of mankind which remind us that kundalini awakening is also possible for a woman.

Summing up I need to emphasize the fact that the precious semen is required to be stored if we truly desire Kundalini awakening at the earliest. It is only when the stored semen rises through the spine to the level of the centre of the forehead... shall we gain enlightenment within this life.
KUNDALINI AND THE AWAKENING OF SPIRIT
As humanity accelerates towards the millennium, more and more people are reporting spiritual experiences and opening into awareness that physical reality is only a fraction of all that is.

How does spiritual emergence begin?

No one knows for certain just what kick starts the unfolding of spiritual potential. For some, spiritual emergence is a gentle and integrated process which develops as a natural consequence of many years dedicated to service and prayer or meditation under the guidance of a teacher or guru. Others may experience a more abrupt awakening, possible due to practices which awaken transformative energy before the person has done the necessary groundwork.

It is thought that practices such as yoga, bioenergetics, polarity work or breathwork cause the awakening of Kundalini energy which heralds the transformation of spiritual potential. Kundalini is the Hindu word for the sacred, transformative energy that awakens consciousness. According to esoteric literature, this energy has been coiled at the base of the spine in a latent form since birth, awaiting the stimulus to unfold its potential.

As this energy becomes active, it is usually sensed as a vibrational or energetic force in the body, together with a strong sense of spirit. Its movement may be experienced as a rushing, outpouring, a steady streaming up the spine, or a slowly coiling spiral motion.

Another common catalyst seems to be intense physical or emotional distress. As people confront the limits of their endurance and come face to face with death, they will often move into non ordinary or transpersonal states of consciousness. Thus experiences with natural disasters, near death experiences, or life transitions such as pregnancy, midlife or separation, may be emotionally tense situations which can lead to spiritual awakening. Regardless of the specifics of each individual’s experience, the Kundalini awakening heralds a great period of change in a person’s life.

What is spiritual emergency?

When spiritual seekers or even those who do not consider themselves to be on a spiritual path find themselves experiencing levels of awareness or energy transformation that they are unable to handle or for which they have no reference, then the result can be a state of emergency. In this state, a person feels highly vulnerable and oversensitive to incoming stimuli. Typically they feel overwhelmed, fragmented, fearful, confused and disoriented. With their absorption in inner processes, they may not be able to look after even basic self care.

All these situations can be bewildering and frightening, and at these times these people need support and reassurance as they undergo their transformations. The spiritual emergency network in the US seeks to network people and provide information to facilitate a more gentle emergence of spiritual potentials. The network is intended to put people in touch with others who have undergone similar experiences, or with counsellors who are aware of spiritual dimensions of reality.

THE SYMPTOMS OF KUNDALINI AWAKENING

While the awakening Kundalini may be a dramatic experience, the resultant shift in consciousness may be accompanied by years of physical and psychological upheavals. The process of Kundalini awakening can vary greatly from person to person. Some have intense physical symptoms, while others experience mainly emotional or psychological symptoms. It is as if the new energy invites a spring cleaning throughout the entire system, with unresolved physical or emotional conditions coming up for resolution and release. The life transforming changes which accompany a Kundalini awakening cover the entire physiological, emotional, mental and spiritual spectrum. Greenwell (1990) has noted seven categories of symptoms which have been observed during Kundalini awakening .

1. Pranic movements or kriyas

Prana is the Hindu word for vital energy. Thus as intense energy moves through the body and clears out physiological blocks, a person may experience intense involuntary, jerking movements of the body, including shaking, vibrations, spasm and contraction. As deeply held armouring and blockages to the smooth flow of energy are released, the person may re-access memories and emotions associated with past trauma and injury.

2. Yogic Phenomena

Some people find themselves performing yogic postures or hand mudra gestures which they have never learned or could not do in a normal state of consciousness. Similarly, they may produce Sanskrit words or sounds, or have an awareness of inner music or sound, mantras or tones. Unusual breathing patterns may appear with either very rapid or slow, shallow breathing. Some people may not breathe at all for extended periods.

3. Physiological Symptoms

A Kundalini awakening often generates unusual physiological activity as intense movement of energy releases toxins in the body. Symptoms include apparent heart problems, pains in head and spine, gastrointestinal disturbances and nervous problems. Internal sensations have been reported as sensations of burning, oversensitivity to sensory input, hyperactivity or lethargy, great variations in sexual desire and even spontaneous orgasm. Symptoms can be erratic, coming and going without provocation, but are generally unresponsive to medical treatment.

4. Psychological Upheaval

Spiritual awakening offers a direct challenge to the primacy of ego consciousness and the myth of separation. It brings with it a challenge to move beyond the unconscious responses ruled by drives and instincts and remove ego consciousness from the centre stage of the psyche. It comes as no surprise that such a challenge produces a period of confusion and unbalance.
People find themselves beset by inexplicable emotional states as they move to clear out unresolved issues. The emotional roller coaster may swing from feelings of anxiety, guilt and depression, through to compassion, love and joy, with accompanying bouts of uncontrollable weeping.

5. Extra Sensory Experiences

As perception expands outside of consensus reality, people experience atypical visual phenomena, including visions of lights, symbols, entities, or review of past life experiences. Auditory input may include hearing voices, music, inner sounds or mantras. Even the olfactory system may be stimulated with perception of scents of sandalwood, rose or incense. There may also be disruption of the proprioceptive system, with losing a sense of self as a body, or feeling bigger than the body, or out of the body, with the resulting confusion and disorientation.

6. Psychic Phenomena

With the opening up of psychic abilities, a person may experience precognition, telepathy, psychokinesis, awareness of auras and healing abilities.

7. Mystical States of Consciousness

A person may shift into altered states of consciousness where they directly perceive the unity underlying the world of separation and experience a deep peace and serenity with a profound knowing of wisdom.

In some cases, the state of emergency due to psychological upheaval is so acute that it resembles a psychotic episode. Many clinicians still regard phenomena associated with spiritual emergence as indicative of pathology because the signs are so easily confused with the indicators of psychosis, mania, depression, schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder. Many people undergoing spiritual emergency are misdiagnosed and treated with suppressive medication which further complicates their process.

What can be done to support a Kundalini awakening?

When Kundalini awakening happens to people who are not on a spiritual path or who have no context or framework to understand the bewildering upheaval of mind, body and spirit, the experience can leave them fragile and fragmented. As the Kundalini process involves a redefinition and reintegration of self, it adds extra pressure when health professionals or significant others wish to suppress the transformation and insist that the person conforms to old ways of being in the world.

Of greatest benefit is a supportive framework which can allow people to make sense of the intricate connection between spirit and the movement of physical energy in the body, rather than fearing they are going insane. It is more empowering to understand that Kundalini awakening is a process which taps into the blueprint for higher consciousness which is latent within every human. While the enormous changes associated with a spiritual awakening may demand psychological and social adjustments, they are not in themselves necessarily indicative of illness. Communication and connection with others who can provide support and a meaningful context for understanding the process reduces the isolation and overwhelm and can help to minimise the disturbance.

Someone who has the personal qualities of creative adaptation to change and a flexible mental framework is more likely to weather the changes with grace and style than someone who is rigid in their beliefs and world view.

Humanity’s Wake Up Call

Usually the awakening of Kundalini was a process which only occurred after years of spiritual practice and meditation. Yet increasingly, the Kundalini experience is being reported among people who are not undertaking spiritual practices. Since 1993, when Shared Transformation, an American journal for connecting spiritual awakeners first began, it has been contacted by over 700 people in the throes of spontaneous Kundalini arousal (Collie & Kress,1995).

These increased reports of spontaneous Kundalini awakening at this time of planetary upheaval may be indicative of a larger purpose at work, the beginning of a planetary wake up call. Anyone who is on a spiritual path, or engaging in practices which change body energies, such as meditation, yogic practices, breathwork, rebirthing or polarity balancing, may find they begin to resonate with the changing energies at this time and that they begin their own Kundalini awakening process.

Is Kundalini awakening the same as enlightenment?

It is important not to confuse Kundalini awakening with enlightenment. Enlightenment rarely results from a single encounter with the numinous. It is more as if the energetic awakening initiates an expansion in consciousness which sets the scene for a progression of many experiences with transpersonal states of consciousness. The intensity and duration of each of glimpse varies with our readiness to contain and integrate them.

Thus the Kundalini awakening is not an end point in itself, but the beginning of a transformation of consciousness which expands our capacity to KNOW the infinite. Spiritual emergence often includes expanded perceptual abilities, increased energy, creative expression and a dedication to being of service for the greater good.

In her book, The Energies of Transformation, Bonnie Greenwell (1990) gives us an indication of what this transformation may bring in practical terms.

“Most of those who awaken this connection with the ecstatic inner Self will return to being who they were, perhaps doing their lives with more contentment or a gentler perspective, perhaps more involved and committed in service to others, perhaps more energised and expressive, perhaps writing poetry, teaching, loving unconditionally.”(p302)

All our senses are MUCH more awake and alive when the Kundalini is aroused. Because she is sleeping around the sexual region of our body, when awakened often the first thing you feel is more SEXUALLY ALIVE! Thank God! The sexual energy is a beautiful divine feeling and is nothing to be ashamed of.

If you continue to stay in the present moment, you will slowly dissolve the deepest of illusions our mind has been constantly re-creating about a true/false reality, and start seeing The Reality of an ever-present energy of doubt, the truly magical and all-powerful cosmic God-being you truly are. This is the ultimate goal of the human experience.