Dear Friends Recently there was some misunderstanding on the forum about the Kundalini. This one thinks it best to start a new thread which can shed some illumination on the topic. Introduction The universe is sustained by Gods mere presence. With respect to a person, the Divine consciousness of God is that part of Gods energy required for the functioning of a human being. This Divine consciousness is of two types and, depending on its state of activity, it takes on two different names. Active Divine consciousness The energy sustains and gives energy to the gross body, mind, intellect and ego. It is distributed through subtle energy channels known as nāḍīs. These energy channels are prevalent throughout the body and supply energy to the cells, nerves, arteries, lymph etc. Non-active Divine consciousness which is known as the Kundalini. This Kundalini lies dormant in a person until awakened as described in the methods below. The Kundalini is used primarily for spiritual growth. It is not used for, nor does it take part in, day-to-day bodily functioning. How to awaken the Kundalini? Kundalini awakening happens through spiritual practice or spiritual transfer of energy. This includes practices that come under generic spiritual paths to God such as Path of Action (Karmayoga), Path of Devotion (Bhaktiyoga), Path of Deliberate Rigour (Haṭhayoga) and Path of the Gurus grace (Gurukrupāyoga). The bestowal of spiritual energy on one person by another i.e. mainly a Guru/spiritually evolved person to His disciple can also awaken the Kundalini. This can be done with a sacred word or mantra, or by a look, thought or touch the last usually to the mid-brow chakra of the recipient. It is considered an act of grace from the Guru to a deserving disciple. This transfer of energy itself initiates the awakening of the Kundalini. After it is awakened, the rate at which the Kundalini rises is dependent on the disciples continuous and ever increasing efforts in spiritual practice. Recommended way to awaken and channelise the Kundalini Whatever the spiritual path, when there is spiritual growth the Kundalini rises. By doing regular spiritual practice, the unmanifest Teaching Principle of God itself awakens the Kundalini. As it is awakened by God's grace then it automatically travels upwards and transforms the seeker spiritually. On the other hand, if it is thrust upon a seeker as in the transfer of energy, i.e. when someone is suddenly given an excess of spiritual energy, while the experience is very engaging and can be almost addictive, only ever increasing amounts of spiritual practice both at a qualitative and quantitative level assure that the continual grace of the Teaching Principle of God leads the Kundalini on the right path and strengthens the seekers faith. Key aspects of the Kundalini The Kundalini is spiritual energy and it generally lies dormant, coiled at the base of the spine for an average person. Through spiritual practice it begins to rise to the top of the head. While it does so, the Kundalini awakens each of the chakras along the way. According to a 1985 article by David T. Eastman in Yoga Journal, some of the more common signs and symptoms of an awakened Kundalini include: Involuntary jerks, tremors or shaking Intense heat, especially as energy is experienced passing through the chakras Visions or sounds at times associated with a particular chakra Intense feelings of pleasure Emotional purgings in which particular emotions become dominant for short periods of time. Ref: Kundalini, Wikipedia.org, Sep 2010 Note: Seekers serious about spiritual growth must be aware that while these experiences seem very tangible and attractive, they are just preliminary outcomes and experiences due to the sudden transfer of spiritual energy, and do not in any way represent the end in itself of spiritual practice or alignment with the purpose of life. Namaskar
Interesting! What you describe sounds significantly similar to the transformation that near death experiencers seem to go through!
Dear DennisTate Thank you for the 'like' and your comment. Often different cultures see something and give it a different name, but in truth, it is the same thing only seen from different angles. Some groups would even look at the same thing and disagree about whether it is positive or negative. A spiritual example: what the Protestant Christians call "holy rolling", the Catholics call "ecstacy", and the Hindus call "samadhi". Many of the Protestants are against it, Catholics think it only suitable to saints, and Hindus see it as a highly desirable step of spiritual progress for everyone. The truth is one, but sages call it many names. As to near death experiences, this writer is honestly ignorent of its processes. Namaskar
