Some say that the ultimate purpose of yoga, is to facilitate the awakening of kundalini- the power of God in the human body. From a certain viewpoint, this is true, and from other perspectives it is not. So what is kundalini and what is yoga’s relationship to it?
Vedic philosophy, in particular the school of Tantra, see Kundalini as the link between the human body and cosmic Divine consciousness, responsible for creation. Kundalini is a potent seed of this force lying dormant at the base of the spinal column in every human body. According to Vedic and Tantric texts it is coiled around the base of the spinal column in three and a half spirals. Hence the ancient sages of India called it kundalini, the one coiled like a snake, and a snake has been symbolic of kundalini ever since. Kundalini is considered manifest aspect of the Divine – the Divine Mother – ‘Shakti’ (Power or Force). She is seen as the aspect of the Divine present in and as the manifestation and that that animates ‘life’.
The ancient Rishsi (seers) described an elaborate network of 72,000 nadis, an energetic web-like system spread throughout the human body, very much like the meridians of far Eastern systems. The three most important of these nadis spiral upwards from the root of the spinal column ascending to the crown of the head and the seventh yogic chakra called Sahasrahara. The middle channel, considered the most important of all, is called Sushumana. The other two major nadis on either side of Sushmana are called Ida (the feminine/moon channel) and Pingala (the masculine/sun channel). The six yogic chakras, centers of consciousness, are located vertically above one another at specific intervals along Sushmana where Ida and Pingala cross it.
When kundalini is awakened, it begins to rise through sushmana ultimately to reach sahasrahara, uniting with Param Shiva, the eternal unmanifest masculine aspect of the Divine. As it spirals upwards through sushmana, kundalini enters the network of nadis and in ascending opens the chakras/cakras one by one as it rises. (NB:The chakras of the Indian yogic tradition do not correspond to the chakras as they have been understood and popularized in contemporary times.)
It is here that we can see clearly the relationship between yoga and kundalini. As outlined through the eight limbs of yoga, yoga as a spiritual practice is a process of ‘purification’. This purification can be seen as preparation for the awakening and rising of kundalini. Essentially the more purification has been achieved, the faster and more easily kundalini will ascend to the awaiting ‘union’ at the crown of the head.
There are many differing ways for the kundalini to awaken and rise. Probably the rarest is when the kundalini rises directly to the crown of the head Sahasrahara chakra. For such a rising of the kundalini to take place a great deal of ‘purification’ must already have taken place, as spiritual practice in the current or other lives. Unfortunately this is often how kundalini awakening is thought of, and without proper understanding seems highly desirable. More commonly the process takes many many years, and may not even complete in the same lifetime that the rising began. In such an instance the process will begin again and continue in another life, sometimes beginning as early as childhood.
Ideally a person has a well-established and integrated spiritual practice prior to, and initiating kundalini awakening and rising. Even more ideally they have the guidance and protection of a Sat Guru or perfect master. If not, my advice would be to find one, and satisfy yourself that they are indeed a fully liberated being. Each individual experiences this opening in a unique way according to the karmic content of their unconscious. There are lots of common experiences, but each person moves into this awakening on a path of their own. Only a perfect master will be in a position to help guide someone with a kundalini rising.
The Kundalini force in rising, initiates irreversible spiritual purification as it moves through the subtle channels of the body. This cleansing process manifest in the body as yogic ‘Kriyas’. Kriyas are involuntary body movements that occur mostly during meditation or even relaxation. Swaying of the body, rapid movements of the head and shoulders, twitching and jerking, even painful looking contortions, are typical of these ‘Kriyas’. Sometimes kriyas take the form of yoga asanas, with people performing them involunatrily . For the onlooker kriyas may appear strange or even frightening when we don’t understand what is happening within the person. For the person experiencing them they do not cause any bodily harm and can even lead to states of deep absorbtion. ‘Kundalini’, being an energy of Divine consciousness, is aware of what is the appropriate step in the process, making the practitioner perform ‘Kriyas’ that are specific to this end.
Often of greater challenge are the mental and emotional dimensions of this transformational process. Our vasanas*, samskaras* and karmas are held, or stored, in the subconscious. The body in turn holds, or stores the subconscious. We can liken the nadis to the subtle energy storage structure of the subconscious in the body. This means that all experience from our past, that is unhealed, unresolved, or incomplete, is transmuted by the kundalini in it’s movement upward through the body towards the crown of the head ‘sahasrahra’. This subconscious material, feelings, emotions, and accompanying beliefs invariably consists of trauma, pain, and fear. In the process of its transformation the egoic mind can experience depression, darkness, and emotional pain, sometimes so deep and inexplicable it seems unbearable. Obviously this can be deeply distressing, not only to the person, but also those close to them. This is exacerbated if there is no awareness of kundalini as the cause, or spiritual process.
Yogic texts elaborate how the kundalini piercing the different consciousness centers (chakras/cakras), can equip the practitioner with siddhis (powers) such as, clairvoyance, the ability to see the past and future, and perceive the existence of subtle planes of existance (among the least dramatic). The vivid and colorful descriptions of the siddhis can be another misguided motivator to pursue awakening the kundalini, in fact these can be quite an unhelpful diversion. When the Kundalini reaches Sahasrahara, and the entire system is ‘purified’ the human spiritual journey is complete as nothing now remains to create the illusion of separation from the Divine and True Nature. This final condition, when all vasanas, samskaras and karmas have been dissolved, is the state known as Moksha. Moksha is then the condition of complete liberation. This differs from enlightenment which begins with the end of identification with mind and reaches it’s final conclusion only with Moksha. Until Moksha is attained, the ‘enlightened’ can still become once more identified with mind, it’s vasanas, samskaras and karmas.
If we make an examination of mystical literature and traditions in cultures outside India we find that kundalini, called by various names, seems to have been a universal phenomenon in esoteric teachings for at least the last three thousand years. Kundalini-type descriptions or experiences are found in esoteric teachings and symbolism 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," or possibly the concept as ‘pneuma’, and is referenced in the Koran, the works of Plato and other Greek philosophers, possibly as well in alchemical tracts (the philosopher’s stone), and in Hermetic, Kabbalistic, Rosicrucian, and Masonic writings.
Kundalini is then the power of the Divine within us, and it’s awakening and rising will ultimately result in the ultimate ‘union’ of yoga, the union of Divine consciousness in the human body.
*vasana: (Sanskrit) "Subconscious inclination." From vas, "living, remaining." The subliminal inclinations and habit patterns which, as driving forces, color and motivate one’s attitudes and future actions. Vasanas are the conglomerate results of subconscious impressions (*samskaras) created through experience. Samskaras, experiential impressions, combine in the subconscious to form vasanas, which thereafter contribute to mental fluctuations, called vritti. The most complex and emotionally charged vasanas are found in the dimension of mind called the subsubconscious, or vasana chitta.
Ray Baskerville is a healer, meditation teacher, certified hypnotherapist, yogi and proud father. He has worked as a healer, taught meditation and yoga worldwide. Ray is also the creator and editor of lifedivine.net an online magazine for yoga, meditation, spirituality and personal development. Please visit for more free quality articles like this.
Good Post, well done, I liked it and would like to add one more thing. The Kundalini can be raised by a master, sage or teacher with their touch and save you many years of practice. I was lucky enough to find one and he taught me how to raise it in other people with a system. The SKY system, which is simplified kundalini yoga, this can raise the energy to a slight sensation in a week, but will need a steady practice for it to flourish. It took me longer, but in some it was days, and the myth of it being so hard to rise in people is being rightfully challenged and there maybe a SKY system in your city.
Thanks for your comment Kurt. I have not heard of the sky system, I will look into it. I wonder though how any problems with the rising might be handled ? Is the master you speak of available to help everyone?
Yes, there are problems, I had problems, but I also strayed from the system. When the energy is too strong in the head it
Thanks Kurt, perhaps you could provide a website where others might get more information.
Blessings
Ray
Sorry, here is the web site and locations
http://www.vethathiri.org/InternationalAddress/US…
His model of the universe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27L11z28v8s
Thanks Kurt, I hope this will be helpful to others reading this article and I will take a look myself.
Blessings
Ray
Thanks for this posting, as well as the links.
I enjoyed your informative posting, Ray. I have read many teachings on this subject. I practiced kundalini and tantric yogas for many years through the teachings of Yogi Bhajan. I also was initiated into Kriya yoga from a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda. It is my understanding that kriya means "movement" or "activity" but refers more to the movement of consciousness and not involuntary movements of the body, although it is entirely possible that the body could "twitch" or contort when energy arises. Could you clarify this for me?
Also, a comment to Kurt: Why do students strive for a "quick" result of yoga or meditative practice? When people want the result of kundalini activity without laying down a firm foundation of practice, it can have harmful repurcussions mentally, causally and physically. It is this lack of preparation whereby students can get into trouble especially when you do not have a well equipped teacher to help transmute the energy properly. It can have devastating effects. You admitted that you had trouble because you "strayed" from the system. Who is going to reap the karma of people being harmed through this practice? I think this is dangerous territory to be exploring.
I welcome comments.
Gayle
well, i agree to all above said, but infact kundalini shakti is a very sacred. IN THE SPRITUAL JOURNEY, OUR BODY IS THE CHARIOT, WHEREIN RESIDES THE SHIVA ( SUPREME SOUL POWER ). As far as i know its not the matter of days to merge with the cosmic power, some disciplined years of sacrifice are required. also it depends on your past life inclination of SHAKTI. The real guru clenses your negativeness and improper karmas by . any person who cleans has to make his hand dirty. so respect your guru for clensing you ( which only real guru can do ). then The guru initiates you ( various methods of initiation, by touch, by gazing your eyes, thru dreams and many other forms ). the duty of the obidient Shishya ( student / disciple ) is to respect guru and maintain his clensed body without dipping it into any blemish.
read the chidakasha geeta of guru nithyananda baba
will be delightful to guide anyone