Introduction to blog 3 – Kundalini

Blog three is about the second section/component of Om Divine Grace Yoga. Blog one is the introduction and overview to this yogic pathway. I have written about the topic of Kundalini in my previous books. This blog provides a revised version of that material with commentary and guidance. It is designed to enable practical use by a spiritual practitioner interested in this pathway. Of course anything here can be approached as just reading matter of interest.

The contentious issue regarding Kundalini is “side effects of Kundalini awakening”. Historically, Kundalini Yoga is approached via a Guru. An experienced guru can awaken this “sleeping serpent” in another person through “transfer of energy”. In our modern world this might not be feasible or practical, given the nature of this dark era (Kali Yuga). It may not be possible to get a guru who can assist Kundalini awakening.

It is necessary now to offer this “secret” inner process as an option for any practitioner, desiring to awaken Kundalini for spiritual progress. Guidance also comes from the Inner Guru, which can be accessed to get “initiation” and awakening. Kundalini awakening has been described as risky when there is no clarity of use.  This is because the Chakras get activated & accessed. (See diagram of chakras in the introduction section). Theoretically all sorts of negative material is then released on the way to the Crown Chakra. Even so this Kundalini awakening is an important requirement for this Om Divine Grace Yoga  pathway, and can be understood with right guidance. I have written information and instruction on this topic Also as a result of receiving the Divine Guidance from within there will be appropriate additional clarity. (This can be accessed via surrender to ones chosen deity – for instance). Good intent and practice is required for good results.

Kundalini information

Does is a rising and hence awakening of kundalini, and the descending of Divine Energy really awakens consciousness in the body? This is in direct conflict with some desctibed  aspects of kundalini practice, where kundalini is seen as only rising up and then out of the Crown Chakra. It is true that ultimately the purpose and function of kundalini awakening is finally an enabling of an experience of the witness stage, where we see through life and see it as it really is.  The kundalini is a holy force aligned to the Goddess energy or Shakti. It takes us out of our material craziness, but also it takes us through them, not passing by them or burying them.  The Awakening does not make us mad or bad, we already were! 

We do however have to take what cure we really need to take, and leave behind what we can discard.  For instance, much of religion has become distorted over the years, and often serves no purpose, or, confuses and even destroys us. We need then to see religion as something that may help us only in parts.  If it’s really “the full ticket” then you don’t need this booklet!

Does Prozac have a place? Does Valium have a place? Do we get a therapist? Herbalist, crystal gazer, acupuncturist, psychiatrist, hypnotist?  The options are multiple, but the opinions are even more than you can imagine. Some believe psychiatry is the work of the Devil. For some it’s the New Age. In short, degrees of fundamentalism are very common.  It is actually all around us in many forms, and even is the new norm! Others are fanatic about their beliefs which are the “be all & end all”. The Om Divine Grace Yoga should be seen as one option amongst many, with no importance attached unless it works for you!

Kundalini yoga is supposed to be therapeutic. There is some research into its practice. Of course quite a lot of research looks at the value of meditation. Writers in this field have expressed views that the kundalini process can include some generation of physical and mental problems. Others agree that the kundalini process can lead to the unveiling of the true self and enlightenment. The kundalini awakening can set off: writhing, dancing, emotional distress/euphoria, various physica/mentall symptoms etc. (Got to put the potential side effects on the box these days!). It after all a cleansing process!

Depression may be located in the heart chakra, but its effects appear to be in more focused the brain area. The right side of the heart is described as a true spiritual center. A number of teachers are very clear on this view. Depression also has echoes in monasticism and renunciation. The Sanskrit word vairagya means dispassion. In this case, it is almost a complete abhorrence of the world that drives a person into the state of renunciation known as sannyas. This can be seen as similar to the state of anhedonia, which is in psychiatry is a loss of interest in all the world that previously appeared attractive to oneself. The early life of the Buddha also illustrate this overwhelming urge through “sadness”, to remove oneself from the world at all costs, even if he was a king before he left the palace. One view would be that he had a very low mood, and was experiencing a crisis of depressive disorder!  (The correlation with mood etc. has been explores in my previous books).

The connection between the centers of the heart and the right side of the body is an esoteric subject all of its own. The product of being spiritually soul located between these two areas, may be a conflict between this life of the family, society and the male/female domain, and the domain of monasticism, and introspection. It is cave vs the cafe! Alternatively, we could see here also, a focus on good vs evil. This heart is perhaps the “primary” chakra rather than the crown chakra, as it is more than just the one chakra. It also seems to be an area that is reached, or rather returned to, after the crown chakra has been breached. A sort of umbrella of light moves down from the crown chakra to the heart area, which is situated all around the body, but with a focus slightly to the right of the heart.

The concept of depression, (or other mental health topics), and relevance to kundalini and spiritual awakening, can be seen as a higher process that is trying to connect and balance both of flow and of energy to and from divine consciousness. This meets the needs and aspirations of the spiritual practitioner. Also, in present society that is moving into ever advancing research, approaches to treatment of mental health problems may come to a recognition of kundalini type “electricity”. If currently medication approaches stay limited in their effectiveness, it needs be that the true workings of the brain are found, and the consequent cures thus “discovered”. Kundalini may be seen then to help, (scientifically), with mental wellbeing.

That kundalini energies may be recognized alongside the power of meditation and other spiritual practice is being “discovered”.  

Kundalini and Shakti

Kundalini is otherwise known as the serpent power, which is considered to be like a coiled snake of energy at the base of the spine. It can be coiled there in a dormant state and when awakened the energy or Shakti arises in a sinuous movement through the centre of the spine to the crown of the head.  Along the way are centres of energy called chakras and each one of those chakras has specific and particular attributes.

As mentioned some consider that the Kundalini rises up from the sleeping coiled state only when awakened through yogic practices, or by the special grace of a teacher who obviously has the powers, (Siddhis), to make this happen. Some practitioners say that a highly developed spiritual person has naturally free-flowing energies, and the kundalini rises up through all the chakras & freely moves past the crown chakra into the sacred ether to a transcendental state. Then the energy of the divine being or the higher power revolves back down into the body, purifying all the centres. Some yogis will practice activities to make controlled & channelled energy rise up through the chakras, using meditation on the chakras centre, whilst using mantras to purify each location. Kundalini can therefore be moved as a continuous flow upwards as well as downwards, free-flowing without blockage.

What does not come so easily is the inside knowledge about the workings of kundalini and Shakti, with the use of sacred sounds including seed mantras. (A Siddha will know the secret: the inside knowledge of the area and will know how certain sounds go with certain chakras, or work in certain ways to develop one’s ability to both function in the world and to transcend it). Getting the free flow of kundalini may be considered by some to be relatively easy, but this does not of itself guarantee that a practitioner is freed from many years of struggle. It is here and now in the body, in the daily grind of life business that the work still occurs. Not just to survive or then flourish in human terms, but also to have a human ability to be a spiritual soul rather than just a physically embodied one.

When the practitioner freely moves energy up & down through the chakras with true purification, it becomes easier to focus & be on the higher levels. At that point the locus of meditation can become the heart, and the higher centres become a route through which divine energy revolves, descends and moves out to others. At this point other mantras & meditations may be preferred by the practitioner.

The use of specific seed mantras may speed up true purification & achievement of the higher levels. (See blog 2).

Shakti is the third section/component of Om Divine Grace Yoga. Shakti is also considered to be the universal energy or Goddess energy – the creation force of the divine being.

This will be the topic of Blog 4.