ENERGY: Kundalini Rising

DEFINED:
The term Kundalini , also called Kundalini Shakti comes from the Tantric Yoga texts of India. Kundalini is a derivative of the word kundala, which means coiled. The image of a coiled serpent is often used to represent Kundalini. The word shakti means power. So the Kundalini Shakti is a coiled up or potential power. According to the ancient Tantric texts, the entire universe is a manifestation of pure consciousness, which appears to be divided into two poles or aspects. One aspect represented by the god Shiva, refers to unmanifest consciousness, formless bliss, being and awareness. It is masculine in nature and although has the power to be, has no power to manifest or act. Shakti, the consort of Shiva, depicted as a goddess and the other part of the polarity, is the dynamic energetic or creative aspect, which manifests herself as the entire universe. Shakti comes out of Shiva and neither can exist without the other.

When pure consciousness (Shiva) manifests itself as action principle (Shakti), two forms of energy is manifested, active and potential.

POTENTIAL ENERGY – KUNDALINI SHAKTI AWAKENS:
The potential energy in human beings, ie. the energy not being used to maintain regular functions, is said to rest at the base of the spinal cord in the root chakra and is called the Kundalini Shakti. Kundalini has been referred to as the Divine Cosmic Energy in the body.

Traditionally, shakti contains latent energy but also latent memories, personal and transpersonal. The field of psychology refers to this vast unknown, latent power as the unconscious. Those individuals who have conscious access to the unconscious, experience tremendous energy, insight and creativity. The transformation of this latent energy into action, the unconscious into consciousness is called the awakening of the kundalini. This can be a tremendously profound life changing experience or a gradual change in which small pieces of unconscious are brought gradually into conscious awareness.

The arousal of kundalini can be very dramatic. It is traditionally viewed as an intense process of purification that leads to transcendence of the body and mind, culminating in the unification of subject and object or oneness with God. As the kundalini moves throughout the energy body it encounters blockages or imbalance caused by the remaining latent energies, the memories and experiences, personal and transpersonal mentioned above.

The Hindu Tantric practice of Kundalini Yoga entails awakening the kundalini shakti (energy) and leading it up the central channel (sushumna) through the chakras, to the crown chakra at the top of the head. Yoga means union and Kundalini Yoga refers to the union of the Kundalini Shakti (our latent unconscious energy and memories) with Shiva, (pure consciousness). When this fully occurs, which is very rare, the individual becomes fully awake, conscious or enlightened. Kundalini is a condensed primal force, and as she releases stored and blocked energies, her movement can be quite intense, sometimes painful, and often leads to mental states that seem out of this world.

When released, it creates a vertical connection between the chakras by opening the subtle channels known as nadi, most specifically, the central channel that moves up the spine called sushumna. Kundalini can also be seen as a result of the chakras connecting to each other. Theoretically, as the chakras enlarge, the spinning of one can enchance the spinning of the one above or below it.

KRIYAS (FALSE SYMPTOMS OF AWAKENING):
These latent energies are the accumulation of unskillful thought, speech and action motivated by the egoic mind. These blockages create resistance to the flow of the energy. When the shakti energy encounters resistance in the energy body it can cause spontaneous physical, mental and or emotional reactions called kriyas, until the blockage is cleared or the channel is widened. A commonly used analogy is that of an intense flow of water through a small hose, causing it to whip around. The same amount of water however through a larger hose or channel, has very little resistance or effect upon the hose. Many of the symptoms associated with kundalini awakening are also common to the resistance of the flow of prana outside the sushumna, in the chakras and nadis (energy meridians). It is very common for people who experience these symptoms to mistakenly believe that their kundalini is awakened. The purpose of raising the kundalini ie. freedom from the illusions of the ego, and union with God, Self, Buddha Nature etc.

DEALING WITH SYMPTOMS OF AWAKENING:
Kundalini is basically a healing force, but its effects can sometimes be quite unpleasant. Such effects may last for minutes, days, months, or even years.

If you find yourself dealing with uncomfortable Kundalini awakening symptoms, you should:

Purify the body.

Abstain from recreational drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and caffein, prescription drugs. Avoid food additives, high sugars, or greasy foods. Eat well, especially protein which is generally grounding. Get massage and vigorous exercise.

Reduce stress

If you are in for a major spiritual transformation, make time for the necessary changes in your life. You may need to devote more time to your spirituality or health.

Find Support

Find other who have knowledge of this experience.

Educate yourself

Read about Kundalini, Kundalini awakening,Yoga and learn about Chakras.

Treat underlying psychological issues

As Kundalini brings up unresolved issues, this is the best time to deal with them. It will make the ride smoother.

Examine your spiritual practices

If you have not been practicing meditation, yoga or some spiritual practice, it may be time to begin. You might need to stop meditating for a while if it increases unpleasant Kundalini awakening symptoms. See what increases or decreases the unpleasant effects.

Practice grounding

Kundalini is most difficult when the energy is moving upward without enough energy moving downward to balance. Investigate the possibility of the first chakra issues that need to be resolved in order to give a firmer base. Practice grounding exercise daily.

”Dealing with symptoms of awakening extracted from”:
Resources: Eastern Body Western Mind, Anodea Judith, Ph.D.
Kundalini Research Network, P.O. Box 45102, 2482 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario Canada M4P 3E3

Kundalini Awakening, an account that mirrors my own, was extracted from : http://www.reiki-for-holistic-health.com/kundaliniawakening.html