Metaphysical Musings

As noted in an earlier blog, I want to use conversations or experiences from Talisman (my new-age shop in Monroe) as blog topics in this forum.  And thus, the subject of Kundalini energy - exactly what it is, how to raise it, and why one might wish to make the effort in the first place – all of which were discussed at the shop this past weekend.  

Kundalini is a psycho-spiritual energy, which is thought to reside within the sleeping body, and is aroused either through spiritual discipline or spontaneously to bring new states of consciousness, including mystical illumination.  Kundalini is Sanskrit for “snake” or “serpent power,” so-called because it is believed to lie like a serpent in the root chakrah at the base of the spine.  The power of kundalini is said to be enormous. Those having experienced it claim it to be indescribable. The phenomena associated with it varies from bizarre physical sensations and movements, pain, clairaudience, visions, brilliant lights, superlucidity, psychical powers, ecstasy, bliss, and transcendence of self.  Kundalini has been described as liquid fire and liquid light.

Indian yoga, with its emphasis on the transmutation of energy to higher consciousness, was the chief contributor to the cultivation of kundalini and the preservation of its knowledge prior to present times. Kundalini was a rarity in the West before the 1970s until more attention became centered upon the consciousness. In 1932, for example, psychiatrist Carl G. Jung and others observed that the kundalini experience was seldom seen in the West.

However, an examination of mystical literature and traditions showed that kundalini, called by various names, seems to have been a universal phenomenon in esoteric teachings for perhaps three thousand years. Kundalini-type descriptions or experiences are found in esoteric teachings of the Egyptians, Tibetans, Chinese, some Native Americans, and the !Kung bushmen of Africa. Kundalini has been interpreted from the Bible as “the solar principle in man,” and is referenced in the Koran, the works of Plato and other Greek philosophers, alchemical tracts (the philosopher’s stone), and in Hermetic, Kabbalistic, Rosicrucian, and Masonic writings.

There has been an awakening of kundalini knowledge among the Western populations since the 1970s because of two major reasons: more people who are trained in the spiritual disciplines are likely to release the energy, and the increased number of people that are aware of kundalini are more likely to recognize its symptoms or benefits.

Not all kundalini experiences are identical to those classical awakenings experienced in yoga, but may vary in intensity and duration. Typically an individual would meditate to arouse the kundalini and then to raise it through his or her body. (It should be remembered though, not all types of yoga are devoted to the arousal of kundalini.) First, there is a feeling of  heat at the base of the spine, which may be intensely hot or pleasantly warm. The energy then travels up a psychic pathway parallel to the spinal column.  As it rises the kundalini activates the chakras in succession. The body becomes cold and corpse-like as the kundalini leaves the lower portions and begins to rise. The yogi is likely to shudder, tremble, or rock violently, feel extreme heat and cold, hear strange but not unpleasant sounds, and see various kinds of lights including an inner light. The length of the kundalini may be fleeting or last several minutes. The objective is to raise the kundalini to the crown chakra, where it brings illumination.  One would then attempt to lower the energy to another chakra, but not below the heart chakra because descent to lower chakras is thought to produce ego inflation, rampant sexual desire, and a host of other ills.  Ideally, by repeatedly raising the kundalini to the crown, the energy will permanently stay there.

It is said that kundalini opens new pathways in the nervous system; the pain associated with this apparently is due to the nervous system’s inability to immediately cope with the energy. Yogis assert that the body must be properly attuned for kundalini through yoga, and that a premature or explosive awakening can cause insanity or death.  In the final awakening of the kundalini, it has to move gradually through each chakra, and it has to remain awakened until the union happens at the crown chakra.  However, this cannot (or should not) be achieved until attachment to material things, excessive selfishness, tendency towards passion, ambition and assertiveness, as well as attachment to ego leaves the individual.

This is why all yogis and adepts advocate a long and patient preparatory stage to purify oneself so that the movement upward can be smooth and uneventful. Ultimately, although kundalini can appear to be a wholly physical phenomenon, its progress depends on one’s mastery over one’s emotions, desires and thoughts.  Writes Swami Rama of the Himalayan Institute in an article in the book, Kundalini: Evolution and Enlightenment: “To genuinely awaken kundalini, one must prepare oneself.  Without long and patient practice in purifying oneself and strengthening one’s capacity to tolerate and assimilate such a flood of energy, the awakening of this latent power would deeply disturb, disorient and confuse the student.”

Now, moving back to conversations at the shop:  There was some discrepancy in terms of the process and length of time needed to achieve illumination.  Through the use of chakra-healing meditations, it is generally a two-year process.  However, someone trained in energy manipulation (hopefully working toward the highest good) can almost instantly cause the kundalini to rise.  Because of risks involved in premature or sudden kundalini awakenings, having a guru or teacher to work with you through the process is almost unanimously viewed as being of highest importance.  Once initiated, the process cannot be halted or reversed.  One of Talisman’s readers described to me the first time her kundalini rose – and she experienced a petit mal seizure, and wound up hospitalized!  In other words, this isn’t an experience one would forget or attribute to anything minor – it is a stellar event with long lasting ramifications.

Kundalini is fairly infamous because of yet another way in which it can be raised:  Tantric sexual practices.   Here, copulation takes place up to the point of orgasm – at which time, you cease and immediately move into meditation - channeling the unreleased orgasmic energy through the chakras and clearing the way for the kundalini to rise.   Apparently, this is viewed by many gurus as a less enlightened pathway.  There are also more risks involved because the chakras and nervous system may not be sufficiently prepared for the energy burst.  

Last, there is the question of WHY would one wish to raise their Kundalini?  Well, plainly spoken – for the potential connection to the Universal consciousness and amplified intuitional knowledge.  It is believed that you may become more empathic and sometimes telepathic.  You may also develop a higher IQ, greater sensitivity, occasional psychic abilities, slower aging, superhuman strength, creativity, alpha sexual attraction, charisma, leadership, luck, sense of calm, increased wisdom, and experience of spirituality.  It’s not a bad exchange for regular meditation!

Myself, I have not experienced this state of being.  While I meditate regularly and do my best to ascribe to a fairly spiritual and naturopathic  lifestyle, I am content in the belief that  if or when I am meant for this – then the process will be facilitated.  For anyone  interested in learning more, I would advise cleansing lifestyle changes including diet modifications, time allowances for regular/deliberate meditation, adopting a study of Reiki or other energy-based healing modality – and remember the wise words “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

Fools rush in … !

Gently yours, Laura