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Kundalini
A Wisdom Archive on Kundalini
Kundalini
Kundalini is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning either coiled up or coiling like a snake. It is a term in yoga, referring to a reservoir of psychic energy at the base of the spine. Kundalini is curled up in the back part of the root chakra in three and one-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.
This video is a good attempt to get a feeling of the Kundalini rising:"
Please note that all words in grey (like Kundalini, Kundalini Yoga, Chakra, Nadis etc) are links to related archives.
What is kundalini?
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."
See also: Kundalini Awakening, Spiritual Unfoldment, Adhyatma vikasa, Liberation
Kundalini and Chakras, Kundalini and Mudras,
Kundalini and Nadis, Kundalini and Shaktipat, Kundalini and Siddhis, Kundalini and Healing,
Kundalini Mantras, Kundalini Massage, Kundalini Serpent
Kundalini Tantra, Kundalini Orgasm, Kundalini and Sex, Kundalini and Intimacy
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.
See also: Kundalini Yoga, Samadhi, Pada, Sadhana, Sadhana marga, San Marga, Tapas
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'.
See also: Tantra Yoga, Tantra, Kundalini and Tantra
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.
See also: Shaktipat, Diksha (Deeksha)
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:
muladhara chakra (base of spine): memory, time and space;
svadhishthana chakra (below navel): reason;
manipura chakra (solar plexus): willpower;
anahata chakra (heart center): direct cognition;
vishuddha chakra (throat): divine love;
ajna chakra (third eye): divine sight;
sahasrara chakra (crown of head): illumination, Godliness.
The seven lower chakras, from highest to lowest, are
atala chakra (hips): fear and lust;
vitala chakra (thighs): raging anger;
sutala chakra (knees): retaliatory jealousy;
talatala chakra (calves): prolonged mental confusion;
rasatala chakra (ankles): selfishness;
mahatala chakra (feet): absence of conscience;
patala chakra (located in the soles of the feet): murder and malice.
See also: Chakra, Kundalini and Chakras, Pradakshina, Naraka
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.
Out of the innumerable Nadis 14 are said to be important. They are:
Fundamental practices for activation of Kundalini shakti:
Purification of the body with the aid of Neti, Dhyoti and Vasti.
Practice of eight kinds of Pranayam (Yogic exercises).
Practise essential mudras such as Mahamudra, Mahavedha, Mahabandh,
Viparitakarani, Taran, Paridhan, Yuktichalan and Shaktichalani.
See also: Neti, Dhyoti, Vasti, Pranayam, Pranayama, Yogic Excercises,
Mudras
Kundalini Developmentalism
An article about the different stages in kundalini and spiritual awakening.
See: Kundalini Developmentalism.
Famous Kundalini Gurus
See: Sivananda and Kundalini, Gopi Krishna and Kundalini
Kundalini Dictionary
Here is a list of links for some of the most important terms related to
Kundalini. Each link takes you to an archive with related articles and
dictionary entries.
Kundalini is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning either "coiled up" or "coiling like a snake". There are a number of other translations of the term usually emphasizing a more serpent nature to the word— e.g. 'serpent power'. The caduceus symbol of coiling snakes is thought to be an ancient symbolic representation of Kundalini physiology.
The concept of Kundalini comes from Yogic philosophy of ancient India and refers to the mothering intelligence behind yogic awakening and spiritual maturation (Sovatsky, 1998). It mig ...
According to Yogic terminology the force of Kundalini is supposed to be raised through meditative exercises and activated within the concept of a subtle body, a body of energy and finer substance. This process has been explained in detail by Motoyama (1981), who bases the bulk of the Kundalini raising practices listed in the book on the notable Swami Satyananda Saraswati, as well as on personal experience in helping people in various stages of Kundalini awakening. Kundalini-experiences are often understood in terms of the Hindu chakra system ...
When practiced in a religious context, Kundalini is mostly beneficial and benevolent. However, examples exist of religious figures suffering from kundalini symptoms, such as zen master Hakuin and Saint Theresa. The physiological precursors of kundalini also have the potential to diverge into some peculiar types of pathology, as when induced to arise via violence and outside of a religious context, where it may be part of a post-traumatic response. Post-traumatic stress disorder researcher Dr. Jonathan Shay (1994) describes several cases with kundalini-l ...
Theorists within the schools of Humanistic psychology, Transpersonal psychology and Near-Death Studies describe a complex pattern of motor, sensory, affective and cognitive/hermeneutic symptoms called The Kundalini Syndrome. This psycho-somatic arousal and excitation is believed to occur in connection with prolonged and intensive spiritual or contemplative practice (such as meditation or yoga) or as a result of intense life experiences or a close encounter with death (such as a near-death experience) (Greyson 1993, 2000; Scotton, 1996; Lukof ...
Kundalini is the cosmic power in individual bodies. It is not a material force like electricity, magnetism, centripetal or centrifugal force. It is a spiritual potential Sakti or cosmic power. In reality it has no form. The Sthula Buddhi and mind have to follow a particular form in the beginning stage. From this gross form, one can easily, understand the subtle formless Kundalini. Prana, Ahamkara, Buddhi, Indriyas, mind, five gross elements, nerves are all the products of Kundalini.
Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.
When Kundalini awakening happens to people who are not on a spiritual path, the experience can leave them fragile and fragmented. As the Kundalini process involves a redefinition and reintegration of self, it adds extra pressure when people wish to suppress the transformation and insist to lead their lives normally.
When we come to Vedanta, there is no question about Kundalini or any type of mystical and mechanical methods. It is all enquiry and philosophical speculation. According to Vedanta the only thing to be destroyed is ignorance about one’s real nature, and this ignorance cannot be destroyed either by study, or by Pranayama, or by work, or by any amount of physical twisting and torturing, but only by knowing one’s real nature, which is Sat-Chit-Ananda or Existence-Knowledge-Bliss.
Hatha Yoga also builds up its philosophy around this Kundalini and the methods adopted in it are different from Tantrik Sadhana. Hatha Yoga seeks to awaken this Kundalini through the discipline of the physical body, purification of Nadis and controlling the Prana.
When Rob told me my Kundalini had been awakened, I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. The awakening of Kundalini is a spiritual awakening, a major step towards realization of the divine. It is, in fact, a great boon, a great blessing and a magical gift. According to Swami Prajananda,
"The main purpose of its awakening in a seeker is to enable him to attain Godhood" (Muktananda, Kundalini 9).
In Kundalini Yoga the creating and sustaining Sakti of the whole body is actually and truly united with Lord Siva. The Yogi goads Her to introduce him to Her Lord. The rousing of Kundalini Sakti and Her Union with Lord Siva effects the state of Samadhi (Ecstatic union) and spiritual Anubhava (experience). It is She who gives Knowledge or Jnana, for She is Herself That. Kundalini Herself, when awakened by the Yogins, achieves for them the Jnana (illumination).
One should become perfectly desireless and should be full of Vairagya before attempting to awaken Kundalini. It can be awakened only when a man rises above Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and other impurities. Kundalini can be awakened through rising above desires of the senses. The Yogi, who has got a pure heart and a mind free from passions and desires will be benefited by awakening Kundalini. If a man with a lot of impurities in the mind awakens the Sakti by sheer force through Asanas, Pranayamas and Mudras, he will break his legs and stumble down. He will not be able to ascend the Yogic ladder.
Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.
Kundalini is the divine energy. She manifests both in the cosmic form, encompassing all of creation, and in the personal form. God creates the universe by producing subtle energies in an act of divine will. This can be compared to the process wherein sparks are generated from a single source of fire. The individual manifestation of Kundalini is like a spark of cosmic Kundalini.
Some characteristic Symptoms of Awakened Kundalini
Some characteristic symptoms of the awakened kundalini are here given below from Mahayoga Vij‹na, a treatise on the subject in Hindi by Shri Yog‹nandji Mah‹r‹ja, the authorÕs revered guru. They are illustrative and by no means exhaustive:-
During meditation you behold divine visions, experience divine smell, divine taste, divine touch, hear divine Anahata sounds. You receive instructions from God. These indicate that the Kundalini Shakti has been awakened. When there is throbbing in Muladhara, when hairs stand on their roots, when Uddiyana, Jalandhara and Mulabandha come involuntarily, know that Kundalini has awakened.
The word Kundalini is a familiar one to all students of Yoga, as it is well known as the power, in the form of a coiled serpent, residing in Muladhara Chakra, the first of the seven Chakras, the other six being Svadhishthana, Manipuraka, Anahata, Visuddha, Ajna and Sahasrara, in order. Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.
Kundalini Maha Yoga is an ancient universal science, perfected over thousands of years. It is not a religion, but a spiritual practice that brings the experience of lasting inner peace and happiness to individuals of any belief or religious affiliation.
Kundalini Maha Yoga is based on a very simple principle: in every human being there is a source of divine energy. The Sanskrit word for this source of energy is Kundalini. Kundalini is in two states: the dormant state, and the active, aroused, or awakened state.
Kundalini Maha Yoga: Physical and Mental Benefits with Awakened Kundalini Self-realization is the ultimate and the most desirable state to be attained, and the awakened Kundalini leads to this state. However, even when the Kundalini is aroused and spiritual evolution is substantially hastened, there is no guarantee that Self-realization will be attained in the current lifetime. Therefore, it is encouraging to know many tangible benefits are gained even during the early states of the awakening and upward travel of the Kundalini.
