A Pathway to Growth And Healing
by
Philip St. Romain
What is Kundalini Energy?
On an experiential level, kundalini energy is simultaneously pure libido, pure psychic energy, and pure spiritual consciousness.
A theoretical definition of kundalini would be that it is the energy of the Dynamic Ground of Consciousness, which is the undifferentiated energy of the body-Soul union. This definition is similar, in many respects, to the Hindu idea of kundalini as Shakti, the inner (and feminine) power of God.
All bio-energy systems are, ultimately, charged with this energy, for it is the very life force in every person. However, the repressive and defensive mechanisms in Egoic consciousness prevent one from experiencing the full power of kundalini. Consequently, it is rightly said that, for most, kundalini is a dormant energy.
-How Is Kundalini Energy Awakened? -
Kundalini energy in its pure, undifferentiated form is experienced only after the personal and pre-personal dimensions of the unconscious mind have emptied their contents. Of course, kundalini is the energy "pushing" this cleansing process, and so the emptying of the unconscious is itself a "colored" experience of kundalini energy.
It may be said, then, that practices that facilitate the breakdown of Egoic defenses can help to awaken kundalini. The most effective method is a combination of meditation and yogic postures such as those taught in Hatha Yoga. Also effective are laying on of hands in prayer, certain drug experiences, praying in tongues, near-death experiences, certain ritualized sexual practices (Tantric sex), and intensive chanting and/or dancing. If these practices only temporarily puncture the seal of repression between the conscious and unconscious mind, the kundalini energies will erupt until the repressive mechanisms are "repaired." Such an arousal, then, is short-lived in comparison with a full-blown awakening, in which at least part of the repressive seal is permanently ruptured.
-What Is the Significance of a Kundalini Awakening? -
1. Kundalini awakening signals a reversal of the mechanisms of Original Repression, which enabled the Egoic pole to differentiate from its bodily base. If the Ego is balanced and cooperative, a new synthesis can be reached between the conscious "I" and its "Am," or Dynamic Ground. If the Ego is unbalanced, fragmented, and/or uncooperative, kundalini awakening can lead to various psychic disturbances -even permanent insanity, owing to the uneven distribution of energy flowing into the brain. Unbalanced and emotionally colored kundalini awakenings can also overstrain physiological systems, resulting in physical pain, and, in extremely rare cases, death.
2. Kundalini awakening signals a dramatic change in the energy dynamics of the psycho-physiological systems. This change is analogous to adolescence, when the psycho-physiological systems were "wired," as it were, for reproduction. With the awakening of kundalini, something of a reversal of adolescence takes place, with the sexual energy becoming genitally diminished and more diffused throughout the body.
3. Kundalini awakening cleanses the bodily tissues of the physiological roots of emotional pain, allowing the tissues to function more efficiently.
4. As a consequence of the above three factors, a kundalini awakening signals the beginning of the end of the Mental Ego, which maintained itself as a differentiated pole of consciousness through conceptual attachments and emotion-laden defense mechanisms. Kundalini dismantles the defense mechanisms by stripping them of their physiological roots. Thus open to the Dynamic Ground, the Ego stands disoriented and eventually drops its conceptual ties.
5. As the energy of the Dynamic Ground, kundalini awakens one on a level of Soul, which is the True Self experience. This Soul experience is simultaneously one-with-God and not-God.
6. It is written in many places that kundalini is evolutionary energy. This is true to the extent that we accept the likelihood that the expanded states of consciousness brought about in a kundalini awakening are part of our human evolutionary future.
7. In the context of spirituality, it can be seen that a kundalini awakening helps one to bring greater energies and psychic gifts into the service of Love. Kundalini awakening is no guarantee of holiness, however. Free will persists and, with it, the possibility of misusing freedom. Love, too, must continually be chosen.
-What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Kundalini Awakening?
Most of the symptoms listed below will be experienced at some time during the kundalini process. Not all will be experienced at once, however (thank God!). Generally, a person who has experienced awakened kundalini will have at least three of these symptoms occurring regularly through the day.
1. Inner vision illuminated when the eyes are closed, especially during times of prayer and meditation. Visual background turning blue, purple, ultraviolet, gold, silver, or white, sometimes forming circular, amoeboid, or tunnel-like patterns.
2. Sensations of heat and/or cold in different parts of the body, especially the shoulders and the top of the head.
3. Tingling sensations in the brain, ears, forehead, spine, and other parts of the body. Feeling like an electrical current is shooting through these places, often snapping or popping through nerves.
4. Sensations of a warm, energized fluid slowly pushing its way around the brain and/or up the spine.
5. Perception of inner sounds -ringing, chirping, buzzing, ringing in the ears.
6. Strong compulsion to be alone and to meditate very deeply.
7. Strong compulsion to close eyes tightly, especially during meditation.
8. Very deep and quiet states of consciousness during meditation; sense of going down into an abyss, or "black hole."
9. Alteration of breathing patterns -sometimes slow and shallow (especially during meditation), short and choppy, or deep and smooth. Growing preference for abdominal breathing.
10. Sensations of electrical energy rippling through the reproductive organs.
11. Sensations of gaseous bubbles arising from the area of the reproductive organs.
12. Compulsion to move facial muscles and bodily limbs in yoga-like postures.
13. Emotional release through weeping and deep sighs.
14. Disorientation in sense of self -not feeling oneself. Sense of "fading," of not really being here.
15. Loss of affective memory; loss of a felt sense of Egoic continuity. "Flattening" of memory.
16. Sense of an inner eye seeing with the two sense eyes. Sense of warmth and strength emanating from the center of the forehead.
17. Inability to stay focused in logical-conceptual consciousness. Inner resistance to conceptualization.
18. Drowsiness when energy is pushing its way into the brain.
19. Pain in the area of the heart and stomach -especially if one has not eaten for a few hours.
-What Are Some Ways to Cope with and Integrate Awakened Kundalini Energies?
1. Don't panic! Fear only colors the energy darkly. There is nothing to fear if you cooperate with the process (or at least don't frustrate it too much).
2. Find someone to talk to about what is happening to you -preferably someone who knows about kundalini or spiritual growth.
3. Accept the process as a sign of growth. Be grateful for the growth that is taking place within, painful though it may be.
4. Do not work against the process. Pay attention to what hurts, and back off on activities that seem to frustrate the process (e.g., heavy reading, drinking alcohol, using drugs, smoking, immoderate sex, even too much meditation). Learn to "go with the flow."
5. Keep your intent of consciousness focused on BEING HERE NOW IN LOVE.
6. Let the various states of consciousness produced by kundalini come and go. Experience and explore them, but do not attach to them. The True Self is not to be found in any particular state of consciousness.
7. Surrender yourself into the care of Christ, Whose Spirit is capable of guiding your kundalini energies toward a wholesome integration. Trust that a Higher Guidance is at work in the process. Ask for this Guidance when confused; listen for the answers.
8. Accept the pains that come and willingly cooperate with asanas and compulsions to meditate. These all pass away in time.
9. Practice yogic asanas for at least fifteen minutes a day to help facilitate the movement of the energy. Also consider using Tai Chi, massage, and/or movement therapies, especially when the energy seems to be blocked.
10. Learn to breathe abdominally.
11. Practice the mahabandha lock under the supervision of an experienced guide. Tuck the chin into the chest, thawing the navel inward and upward during exhalation while gently contracting the anal sphincter and perineal muscles. Keeping the chin tucked in, relax the muscles during inhalation drawing the navel outward to pull the diaphragm downward. Gently repeat this pattern of contracting and relaxing muscles while exhaling and inhaling deeply, attaching a spiritually focused mantra (e.g., "Come, Lord") to the breathing pattern.
12. Eat a balanced and nutritious diet, avoiding red meat, eggs, spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, and empty calorie sweets. Eat more fruit, vegetables, brown rice, grains, nutritious pastries, cheese, milk, yogurt, tofu, and nuts. These healthy foods probably do play a vital role in producing maximum nutrition and minimum pollution to a body undergoing physiological changes.
13. During times of strong energy upheavals, keep food in the stomach. A small snack such as bread and butter every three hours will help to minimize burning sensations in the stomach.
14. Avoid all forms of willful, competitive activities that generate fear and anger, for these will contaminate the energy with painful emotions.
15. Learn to deal with feelings as they arise through proper communication skills.
16. Males should be especially careful about sexual expression. Although the research on kundalini and sexuality is only in its infancy, the experiences of many (the author included) point up a definite relationship between kundalini energy and sexual energy. Genital sexuality should not be divorced from love, or else one's spiritual energy and physiological responsiveness will be lowered.
17. Creative outlets of expression help to ground the energy. This was a turning point in Gopi Krishna's experience of kundalini, and many others have noted the same. Activities such as dance, song, art, poetry, sculpture, gardening, and even long, quiet walks are helpful.
18. When you don't know what to do to cooperate with the process, it is better to do less than too much. For example, it is better to cut back on meditation than to meditate too much. It is easier to awaken a sleeping serpent than to tame an angry one.
19. Above all, you should be careful about Egoic inflation, especially in the early stages. In certain states of consciousness, you may experience profound psychic gifts and feel like a great spiritual genius. You are still human, however. Even though it is not commonly observed, thousands of people throughout history have gone through this process. It's just a part of our human development -that's all!
20. Get a good night's sleep. If the ears hurt, sleep on your side with the ear hurting most (probably the right ear) downward.
21. If symptoms become too uncomfortably strong and painful, suspend meditation, eat more food, and get more exercise. Gradually resume meditation when uncomfortable symptoms have subsided. If this does not help, seek professional guidance.
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