What is Kundalini?

KUNDALINI

What is Kundalini?

The Evolutionary Process and Kundalini

The purpose of ICR is to encourage awareness, interest and scientific research into Kundalini. The term Kundalini is found in the ancient esoteric systems of India, but the concept has also been known, to a greater or lesser extent, in the mystical traditions of most faiths.
According to these traditions, Kundalini is a psycho-physiological mechanism in the human body which, when activated, can bring about heightened states of mental functioning such as genius, creativity, inspiration, revelation, mystical experience, and paranormal faculties of mind. It may also, in cases where the process does not proceed in a healthy way due to various hereditary and environmental factors be accompanied by certain forms of mental illness.
The goal of the Kundalini mechanism, when it proceeds in a healthy fashion,  is to accelerate the process of evolution in the brain and nervous system of the individual towards the development of a new faculty of perception – what has sometimes been referred to as ‘cosmic consciousness’ or enlightenment.
The Kundalini process is said to be controlled by a subtle, super-intelligent organizing principle called prana in the Indian tradition. Prana is thought to permeate every cell in all forms of organic life, and to coordinate and control all aspects of growth and organic function.
The existence of a super-intelligent principle such as this has major implications for our understanding of evolution. It would imply that rather than being a purely random process, as is postulated in Darwin’s theory, evolution has a predetermined goal, i.e. the new perceptive faculty of enlightenment.
In the past the faculty of enlightenment has generally been confined to mystics and the founders of the various faiths, but eventually it will become a feature of the mental faculties of the race as a whole.
The intellect apprehends reality through the five physical senses, and processes this information via logic, inference and reasoning. Over the ages, the mind has developed various mental constructs, such as mythology, religious precepts, and scientific theory, in order to understand reality as it is presented by the sense impressions.
Enlightenment, on the other hand, is a new mental faculty, functioning independently of the intellect, which allows one to perceive reality directly as pure consciousness, from which the phenomenal world appears to be ‘projected’.
Although this view of consciousness as the fundamental reality is in direct contradiction to the currently accepted scientific paradigm, which views it as simply a product of brain function, it has been verified countless times over the ages, through direct experience, by the great mystics and founders of the major faiths.
The activity of the Kundalini mechanism is affected by numerous hereditary, environmental and lifestyle factors, and can be accelerated by various spiritual practices and disciplines. It may also become active spontaneously in certain individuals who have a hereditary predisposition to the process.
If the lifestyle of the individual is not healthy, and does not facilitate this process, various physical and psychological difficulties may result. In order to help those individuals facilitate the process, it is imperative that we understand in detail the physiological factors that affect it.
The possibility that the evolution of our species has a predetermined goal, rather than being totally random, has enormous implications for our future progress. As our collective lifestyles have the ability to either facilitate or hinder this process, it is essential that we understand the consequences if evolution becomes blocked or frustrated. At our current level of technological development, the very survival of our species may well depend on this knowledge.
We believe that the scientific validation of the Kundalini process is possible through research and experimentation, and will require the involvement of the public, as well as scientists and researchers.
The results of this research will have major implications for our political, economic, social and educational systems, as all of these must work towards furthering our evolution, so that the human race can continue to evolve in a healthy and progressive way.
The Kundalini process may seem to be something totally outside of our current understanding of how the body works. But in fact, it is the activity of this mechanism, in a reduced or limited form, which maintains and controls the overall functioning of our body at all times.
This mechanism functions at a much higher level in the process of gestation. In the space of nine short months a single fertilized ovum divides, grows and develops into a living, breathing, thinking human being. This body is made up of hundreds of billions of cells, of countless different types, all working in near-perfect harmony from the moment we are born.
After birth, as we grow and mature, the mechanism operates at a less active level. But, if it becomes active again as a consequence of spiritual practices or hereditary predisposition, it begins a new phase, similar in some ways to the gestation process. Then the brain and nervous system of the individual are ‘upgraded’ so that a higher level of mental functioning is possible.
Today it is generally believed that the genetic code is responsible for this process of development and growth in the womb. But even though a building plan may specify every last detail of a building’s structure and composition, it does not actually fabricate the building. This is achieved by the guiding intelligence of the construction team.
In a similar way, it is the super-intelligent principle prana which, using the genetic code as a blueprint, coordinates and controls the overall ‘construction’ of the new human being. It is simply our inability to directly perceive prana that leads us to believe that the process is guided and controlled by the genetic code.
Bio-Plasma and the Kundalini Process

The brain and nervous system are composed of sensory and motor neurons. At its current level of understanding, science believes that neurons are activated solely by electro-chemical processes and that impulses are transmitted from cell to cell via the synapses.  The brain communicates with the rest of the body through the spinal cord and nerves.
But the esoteric traditions of India speak of a subtle substance pervading every cell of the body called prana (sometimes referred to as ‘bio-plasma’ or 'bio-energy' in the West).  Prana is held to be the medium by which thought activity is carried on in the brain and is involved with the transference of impulses and sensations in the nervous system.
In the normal state of consciousness, a limited quantity of prana is collected by the nerves and sent to the brain via the spinal cord.  In a Kundalini process, (usually as a consequence of meditation or concentration), new areas of the brain are stimulated into activity. When this happens, the quantity and quality of prana going to the brain must be enhanced.  If this does not happen, the process may not work properly, leading to severe distress for the individual.
The most concentrated form of prana is said to be located in the sexual / reproductive organs. It is the basis of vitality and of the pleasurable sensations we experience during sex. When the brain starts to function at a higher level of activity, the Kundalini mechanism will temporarily draw on this reservoir in order to provide the brain with the necessary quantity of pranic fuel
It is for this reason that conservation of the sexual essences through abstinence, during very active stages of the process, is recommended in many spiritual traditions.

Kundalini in Ancient Civilizations

For all of recorded history and, in all likelihood, extending well back into pre-history, there has been an impulse in the human mind to believe in magic, supernatural powers, transcendence, life after death, divine beings, or a ‘higher power’. The fact that pre-historic burials often included common daily articles, likely intended for use in an after-life, clearly indicates the antiquity of beliefs of this kind.
Religious or spiritual practices have been present in every culture of which we have record. In the present day science has come to almost totally dominate our way of life. Yet belief in a faith, and / or a strong fascination with the paranormal or super-human powers is just as strong as it ever was.
Science has been unable to explain this aspect of human nature, and has tended to regard it as an inexplicable quirk in our psychological makeup, with no basis in physiology.  But when examined in the light of knowledge of Kundalini, this seemingly universal impulse is more easily explained.  It is rooted in a psycho-physiological mechanism as real as the one that gives humanity the urge to procreate.
Knowledge of Kundalini can be found in many religious and spiritual traditions, particularly in the mystical arms of these faiths. It is also present in such traditions as alchemy and magic. In the former case this knowledge was generally used in an effort to attain to transcendence. In the latter the goal was often the acquisition of paranormal abilities.
Kundalini and Mystical Traditions
The mystical traditions of most faiths have been focused on direct experience of the divine, rather than on dogma and ritual. Hence they have much more in common with each other than do the faiths from which they come.
The accounts of the experiences of such mystics have many features in common. These experiences include perception of a divine being or higher power, bliss or ecstasy, perception of light (both inner and outer), inspired poetry or revelation, unshakable faith, and lack of fear of death.

Alchemy and Magic

The overt purpose of alchemy is said to be the transmutation of base metals into gold. But the higher or hidden purpose is actually the transformation of the ‘base’ consciousness into the spiritually aware or enlightened state.
The three primary elements used in alchemy are sulfur, salt and mercury. These correspond to the three nadis or subtle channels named Pingala, Ida, and Sushumna in the Indian tradition. Pingala and Ida (corresponding to sulfur and salt), are the hot and cold nadis on either side of the spine, and Sushumna is the central channel running through the middle of the spinal cord, leading to the brain.
Mercury (also referred to as quicksilver) is described as the snowy splendor drawn from the beams of the sun and moon. This corresponds to the lustrous flow of prana to the brain through the spine (Sushumna). Sun and moon are also referred to as ‘king and queen’, which correspond to Shiva and Shakti of the Indian tradition.
The roots of magic go back to the ancient cultures of Egypt and Greece. No doubt the paranormal abilities that are said to be attainable by one who awakens Kundalini (called siddhis in the Indian tradition) are the actual source of these beliefs.
In light of the super-intelligent aspect of prana-Shakti however, the notion that the power behind magic could ever be controlled or exploited for personal gain without consequence can only be regarded as futile. The detrimental effects that this often compulsive desire for power have on the mind are the main reason why magic has been condemned by virtually all the major spiritual traditions of the past.

Kundalini in India

The earliest evidence for this knowledge dates back to the Indus Valley, early Egyptian, and Sumerian civilizations, before 3,000 BCE. Seals from the highly advanced Indus Valley civilization have been found that depict a male figure, (likely a deity), sitting cross-legged in Yoga posture with an erect phallus. This clearly symbolizes the reversal of the reproductive system for spiritual purposes, known in Sanskrit as urdhava-retas, or upward flow of the reproductive energy.
Indus Valley Seal
The oldest known spiritual texts are the four Vedas of India, dating from about 1,500 to 500 BCE. Numerous hymns in the Rig-Veda praise soma (the nectar of the Gods) as the bestower of immortality, wisdom and the knowledge of Brahman (i.e. higher consciousness).  But what is soma.
Some modern scholars have postulated that soma was the intoxicating juice of the sauma (haoma) plant. But this theory is clearly refuted in Rig-Veda (X - 85.3), which says, “One thinks one drinks soma because a plant is crushed. The soma that the Brahmans know -- that no one drinks.”

Shiva and Kundalini

One meaning of the word soma, which gives us a clearer indication of its true identity, is the Moon. The symbol of the lustrous crescent Moon is always depicted on the forehead of Lord Shiva. This represents the exquisitely blissful radiance flooding the brain when Kundalini is aroused and sends the powerful stream of prana up the spine.
Lord Shiva with Moon and Serpent
The ancient lingam-yoni symbol is very common in Hinduism even today. It represents the union of the female and male principles (Shakti and Shiva, or energy and consciousness), resulting in enlightenment.

Lingam-Yoni Symbol

Kundalini has also been known as the Serpent Power. Mythologically, the serpent represents a being of great power and wisdom. Lord Shiva is almost always depicted with a serpent around his neck.
Another very well known image is Lord Vishnu reclining on the coils of a huge nine-headed serpent, with his spouse Lakshmi, floating on an ocean of milk.

Vishnu, Lakshmi and Serpent on the Ocean of Milk

The serpent is named Ananta (endless or infinite), and supports Vishnu in the same way that prana-Shakti maintains the life of every living organism. The ocean of nourishing milk represents ojas (bio-plasma) present in every cell of the body which, when collected and sent to the brain by the nervous system, transforms our consciousness. The most overt system designed to awaken Kundalini is the Tantras. They specify various practices involving sexual arousal and the development of the ability to convert the sexual essences and send them to the brain, rather than expressing them outwardly. The entire history of India is permeated with overt, symbolic and allegorical references to the awakening of Kundalini. One of the most famous of these symbols is the Nataraj or ‘Dancing Shiva’, a statue depicting many of the major characteristics of one who has attained the state of cosmic consciousness.
Nataraj (Dancing Shiva)

The upper left hand holds a flame and the upper right a drum, symbolizing the blissful light and sound experienced by one in the enlightened state. The lower right hand forms the gesture dispelling fear, indicating that in this state one has no fear of death. The figure being crushed under foot is the ego, called ‘the man of forgetfulness and misunderstanding’ who does not realize his divine nature.
An allegorical example of the awakening of Kundalini is the epic Ramayana story of about 24,000 Sanskrit verses, attributed to the sage Valmiki. The three main characters in the story are the noble Rama, his beautiful wife Sita, and an evil demon named Ravana, who kidnaps Sita and imprisons her in his island fortress of Lanka.
Sita, the epitome of feminine virtue (i.e. the ideal wife), represents the creative female principle, i.e. Kundalini. Lanka signifies the physical body, in which Kundalini is ‘imprisoned’.
Ravana has ten heads, representing the five organs of sense and five organs of action, which lead to desire, and prevent us from realizing our true divine nature. Rama, the male principle (i.e. consciousness), is the epitome of virtue, and by his courage, strength, faith, perseverance, high morals and ideals, eventually defeats Ravana and ‘releases’ Sita from prison (frees the individual consciousness to unite with the universal consciousness in enlightenment).

Kundalini in the Judeo-Christian Tradition

There are many references to Kundalini in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible indicating that this concept is woven into both the Christian and Jewish traditions. These references are often veiled yet sometimes fairly obvious given the serpent symbolism of the Indian, Egyptian and native cultures.
 Some of the more transparent ones include:

 From the Old Testament:

• Now the serpent is more subtle than any beast [energy] of the field...Genesis (3:1)
• And the Lord spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying “When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent." Exodus (7:8,9)

From the New Testament:

• Jesus answered and said unto him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John (3:3)
• And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up... John (3:14)
• Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds. Acts (7:22)

Kundalini in China

The Chinese concept of chi is strikingly similar to that of prana in the Indian tradition. It is closely connected with health and vitality, and can be directed and circulated throughout the body by practices such as chi Kung and acupuncture. The meridians of the Chinese system also bear a striking resemblance to the nadis, or energy channels of the Indian tradition.
Knowledge of the reversal of the reproductive system is indicated in the following quote from The Secret of the Golden Flower, an ancient Chinese book of life.
"The power of the kidneys is under the water sign. When the [sexual] instincts are stirred, it [the reproductive essences] runs downward, is directed outward and creates children. If, in the moment of release, it is not allowed to flow outward, but is led back by the force of thought, so that it penetrates the crucible of the creative, and refreshes heart and body and nourishes them, that also is the backward flowing method. Therefore it is said: ‘The meaning of The Elixir of Life depends on the backward flowing method!’”

Kundalini in Egypt

Some of the deities and symbols of Kundalini in the ancient Indian tradition have close parallels in the contemporaneous early Egyptian civilization.
For instance, the ancient deity Isis is strikingly similar in many respects to Shakti. She is the mother-goddess, the ideal wife, the bestower of fertility, life, magic and good fortune.
She demonstrates her power by resurrecting, or giving new life to, her murdered and dismembered husband Osiris. This symbolizes the ability of Kundalini to build the fetus in the womb, and to transform the brain and nervous system of the individual so that they can experience cosmic consciousness. The term ‘rebirth’ has often been used to describe the process of physical and spiritual transformation brought about in one in whom Kundalini is awakened.

Isis with Ankh

Isis is almost always depicted with a solar or lunar orb between two horns above her head, in the same way that Lord Shiva has the crescent Moon on his. She also usually carries the ankh in her hand, a symbol that is closely akin to the lingam-yoni of India, indicating the union of the female and male principles.
The ‘Tet’ symbol (rod with a curved end) held by her husband Osiris is said to represent the backbone. This indicates knowledge of the crucial part played by the spine in the Kundalini process.

Osiris with Tet

Isis is aided in her resurrection of Osiris by Hermes, or Thoth, god of wisdom and magic. He carries the Staff of Hermes, or caduceus, with two serpents intertwined around a rod (the spine), an unmistakable symbol of Kundalini. It survives to this day as an evocative icon of medical practice.

Caduseus

One difference between the Egyptian and Indian traditions is that the former seems to have been focused more on the development of paranormal abilities than transcendence. Kundalini has the ability to bestow powerful charisma and paranormal abilities, which can enhance the ability to rule.

The Goal of the Kundalini Process

The general goal of a Kundalini process is the development of new faculties of mind and perception in an individual, achieved through the activation of an area or areas of the brain that were dormant before the process began.
What these new faculties are depends on what area(s) of the brain are affected, but in virtually all cases, there is the development of creative abilities and talents not present before. These may include artistic or musical talent in any form, inspired poetry, the facility to learn new languages very quickly, mathematical or scientific abilities, etc.
The most advanced form of this process is the mystical vision, where the individual experiences, for a period of time, a feeling of unity with all creation, attended by bliss or exaltation so intense that it is said to be beyond description.
This process is fueled by an increased quantity of vital energy or prana, transmitted to the brain via the spinal cord. During the time that the Kundalini process is very active, it draws on the most potent reservoir of this vital energy in the body, which is located in the sex organs.
Over time, Kundalini enhances the nervous system so that this vital energy can be extracted from other organs and tissues in the body, and the drain on the sex organs is reduced. This is the reason why many types of spiritual practice recommend sexual restraint or even total abstinence during the time that the process is very active.

Mystical Experience and Enlightenment

The mystical experience is usually limited in duration as the flow of prana to the brain cannot be sustained by most individuals for more than a short period of time. But in extremely rare cases, the enhanced flow of vital energy going to the brain becomes permanent, and the state of full enlightenment is eventually achieved. In this state, the individual attains the ability to perceive reality  as infinite, all-knowing consciousness.
Some of the characteristics acquired by a person who achieves this state include perennial bliss, moral elevation, compassion, the absence of fear of death, the revelation of new knowledge, traits of genius, and the ability to perceive prana in one’s self and others. There may also be a transformation of the physical senses to a more heightened or refined form.
How far the transformation progresses, and whether there are difficulties accompanying it, is determined by a host of hereditary, physiological, environmental and lifestyle factors. As a consequence the process will vary considerably from individual to individual. What may help the process in one person may not help, or could even hinder it in another.
This process is being guided by an intelligence that is beyond our comprehension. We need to understand as much as possible what it is trying to accomplish, and cooperate with it to the best of our ability.
Once the Kundalini process has begun, it usually cannot be stopped. Remembering that the goal of Kundalini is to accelerate the evolution of the brain and nervous system so that new faculties of mind become active. Therefore to realize these potential benefits, we should do our best to facilitate the process.

What is Kundalini Energy?

Kundalini energy is your dormant spiritual energy or your life force and it gives you life. It is a wondrous powerhouse of divine cosmic energy which resides in you and penetrates the whole universe. Your Kundalini energy lies at your base chakra which connects you to the earth energy. Also known as ‘Kundalini Fire’ or the ‘Serpent of Light’ it purifies your body and is your natural healing energy. Kundalini energy is the energy of awareness waiting to be uncoiled. There is always some kundalini energy present in everyone and it is the most powerful of all metaphysical energies.
It is a universal energy open to everyone but most information regarding Kundalini has come from India. Medical science is now investigating this wonderful energy that makes our heart beat. It is not properly understood even amongst yoga and groups practicing meditation techniques.
Kundalini means ‘she who is coiled’ and is the Sanskrit word meaning either ‘coiled up’ or ‘coiling like a snake.’ In ancient Hindu mythology, the Goddess Kundalini, an incarnation of the Great Mother deities, was represented as a serpent sleeping coiled at the base of the spine.
Kundalini should be treated with the upmost respect as it does not distinguish between good or bad. When you start to evolve spiritually, kundalini energy is released from your root chakra and travels up through your body opening all chakras. This coiled supernatural energy rises upward through the spine energising all the other chakras to their full potential.
Kundalini energy known as ‘self-realization’’ is regulated or timed to the Sun and is often called ‘solar energy. It is not only life energy, sexual energy but a healing energy for your mind, body and soul.

What happens when my Kundalini Awakens?

When Kundalini awakens it will begin a great change in your life, enabling you to live to your highest potential awakening insight, creativity and energy. Kundalini is known to be the source of all creative genius and psychic ability. You will experience opportunities to help your life to flourish and to express who you really are.
When the Kundalini rises you may experience many strange sensations which may include stinging or crawling sensation under the skin, vibrations, itching. Muscle cramps and spasms or weakness and disorientation. You may hear your Guides speaking to you. Pressure around your head and tingling especially in the crown chakra area. Kundalini energy is usually hot so you may feel overheated. You may suffer extreme bouts of nausea and this could last for months. This experience is unique to you alone and you may experience other sensations as you reach your highest level of consciousness and your connection to the divine.
Once the energy is uncoiled and rises it causes an opening and unfolding of the crown chakra and is said to be the result of an increase in your spiritual awareness. This can happen suddenly or take many months or even years to rise.

How Can I Start a Kundalini Awakening?

Many healing modalities can balance your chakras and help you to remove obstacles that are stopping your natural flow of energy. This will help you to gain a high level of spiritual, emotional and physical well being. Kundalini may also rise when you experience severe stress or trauma in your life or when you are meditating, fasting or practicing yoga. It has also happened when someone has had a near death experience. You should be aware that even though Kundalini is a healing energy it may also affect you in some rather unpleasant ways which may last for months or even years. When you practice meditation, prayer or yoga on a regular basis the kundalini energy may be released. It moves up through the chakras until it reaches crown chakra causing vibrations through the body.

How does Kundalini Rise?

Your soul is able to reach its highest potential when the Kundalini energy rises upward through the chakras towards the Divine Masculine of the crown chakra. This union of the two is also the joining of the creative and sexual energies. Kundalini is thought to be the basis of our own evolution.
This energy force that rises from the base chakra, moving through each chakra and activating each eventually makes its way to the crown chakra. This energy ascends through a cavity in the bony canal of the spinal cord, through a channel called Sushumna. This canal provides a central linking electrical system from which the marginal spinal nerves of the body communicate with the brain.
Kundalini rises along two curved paths of the channel - the Ida (female) and the Pengala (male) The Kundalini base energy than combines with incoming streams of Divine energy from the power of the Divine Spirit or God. This current sets up a pressure, which causes the forces of energy to rotate. As the energies in the Ida and Pengala cross over and ascends each positive and negative crossing creates a Chakra or flower.
Kundalini energy brings together the male and female polarities within us and its energy is limitless and has no constraints either inside or outside ourselves. Once the energy is uncoiled and rises it causes an opening and unfolding of the crown chakra and is said to be the result of an increase in your spiritual awareness.

How long does it take for Kundalini to rise?

The rising of Kundalini may occur spontaneously. It may feel as if a serpent is uncoiling from your base chakra and activation each chakra as it rises. Or you may experience this energy rising over many weeks, months or years.
How can I help myself when the Kundalini is awakening?
You should avoid caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol and any form of drugs. Try to reduce stress in your life with meditation, yoga, massage and using the alternative healing modalities. Eat a well balanced diet and exercise frequently. Find out as much as you can by reading and talking to others who are experiencing or have experienced a kundalini awakening.

References:
http://www.nsr-energyhealing.com/kundalini-chakras
http://www.icrcanada.org/learn/whatiskundalini