“If you are doing the Kundalini Meditation, allow the shaking – don’t do it! Stand silently, feel it coming, and when your body starts a little trembling, help it, but don’t do it! Enjoy it, feel blissful about it, allow it, receive it, welcome it, but don’t will it.” –Osho
What is Kundalini?
Kundalini is a Sanscrit term from ancient India that identifies the arising of an energy and consciousness which has been coiled at the base of the spine since birth, and is the source of the life force (pranic energy, chi , bio-energy) that everybody knows.
The definition of Kundalini can be found in a series of Sanskrit ‘phonemes’ more correctly pronounced Kh’u’N’Dh’A’li’n’i
Kh’ a dot (black stone); hollow, aperture, the cup; the yoni as the feminine symbolised
u’ the moon calling to the sun
N’ wave (as of the ocean) ebb and flow of consciousness
Dh’ virtue, merit, true wealth as in receptive, assuming focus of that which is inner
A’ the concept of going inward, within or in; the feminine of the firstsound (sruti) (hidden) from which all words are formed and from which all life emanates as a bidirectional action
li’ to adhere and to hold; to rock, pulse, sway, tremble, vibrate
n’ the lotus plant; the pearl; the primal mother; seed; naked
i’ to pervade as perception or consciousness; to go beyond; to grow; to evolve;
Kundalini is, thus, the energy of our natural physical beingness – the life energy of each cell of the Physical Body — particularly the ‘stem cells’.
Kundalini (Sanskrit kuṇḍalinī, कुण्डलिनी, “coiled one”), in yogic theory, is a primal energy, or shakti, located at the base of the spine. Different spiritual traditions teach methods of “awakening” kundalini for the purpose of reaching spiritual enlightenment. Kundalini is described as lying “coiled” at the base of the spine, represented as either a goddess or sleeping serpent waiting to be awakened. In modern commentaries, Kundalini has been called an unconscious, instinctive or libidinal force, or “mother energy or intelligence of complete maturation”
It can be said that Kundalini is an energy that exists in everyone’s body, usually in a dormant state. This means that most people never feel it and never know it is there.
Let me take you from your own experience of life because the stories about Kundalini are many. In your house, there is a plug-point in the wall. This plug-point does not actually produce any power. There is a huge power station elsewhere that is producing power, but it cannot give you that power directly. It is the plug-point that gives you access. Though most people have not even thought about the power station and have no concept of what it is, they know that if they plug an appliance into the plug-point, the appliance will run.
“(Kundalini is) the creative potential in the man.” (Kundalini, Evolution and Enlightenment, edited by John White, Paragon House, 1990, p. 25)
Kundalini chakras
At the base of the spine is the foundational chakra, muladhara, which holds you into a sense of having a body, of being a separate person, a connection and agreeement that spirit is making with existence. Three qualities are rooted here — the tendency to lethargy (tamas), activity (rajas)or harmonious balance (sattva). We each have a mix of these. Sometimes you can see them clearly in the temperament of a new-born infant. Here also our spirit becomes identified with the limitation of time and space, and we know we are part of the earth. Our life force is rooted here and active, because we feel we are alive and pranic energy is moving throughout our body. Kundalini is said to be the residual energy that is stored here, holding us in stasis, unless or until it is jolted into awakening and winding upward through our bodies.
Kundalini energy awakening, spirit, and experiences
It’s said that the awakening of kundalini energy is the only way to become enlightened and experience bliss. When this energy goes through your crown chakra, you become aware of your connection with the entire universe and therefore understand the truth. You attain the divine wisdom and your consciousness expands infinitely.
When the kundalini energy is released into the universe, you completely understand yourself and your purpose. You become filled with joy, limitless knowledge and unconditional love of the whole universe.
But I want to add here a little reminder:
Kundalini energy awakening is a natural process which usually starts when you start engaging in spiritual activities. If it’s not rushed, you can only slightly feel this powerful energy and you can easily tolerate the changes that you go through.
However, if you rush in the Kundalini energy awakening process, it can cause serious problems which are likely to scare you and even make you mentally ill. Therefore you should only awaken this energy when you’re spiritually strong and you feel that you’re ready to experience the expansion of your awareness.
The Kundalini Awakening signs and symptoms
Kundalini awakening of energy has nothing to do with a person’s culture, religion, or country of origin. While the kundalini experience is general described in yogic texts, it’s also known of and referred to in other spiritual traditions. It is the natural evolution of the human being, awakening to higher levels of consciousness.
The signs and symptoms of Kundalini Awakening are different for everybody, and it depends largely on the energy blocks in the person’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. The kundalini signs and symptoms generally relate to the blocks, and as these blocks are worked through and released, the kundalini awakening symptoms dissipate.
The Kundalini syndrome refers to the symptoms experienced by people as the raw, life force energy known as “kundalini” rises in the human body. Raising root chakra energy, known as Kundalini rising, is a spiritual awakening process
Signs & Symptoms can include:
- Energetic sensations like electricity in the body or internal lightening bolts
- Shaking and jerking in the body, usually totally out of the control of the person
- A sensation of insects or snakes crawling on the body, often along the spine
- Feelings of cold in the body, and conversely, feelings of intense heat in the spine or in specific chakras
- Spontaneously arising kriyas (yoga practices), mudras (hand gestures), Bandas (body locks), asana or pranayama. Usually the person has never studyed or learned any of these spontaneously arising practices.
- Waves of intense pleasure
- Big emotional shifts or mood swings, well beyond the normal
- Sensory overload – sounds, lights, noise – everything becomes too much
- Strange internal sounds that no one else can hear like buzzing, musical instruments, or thunder
- Waves of apparent wisdom or insight into the way reality actually is
- Heightening periods of creativity
How to Practice Kundalini Meditation
How to awaken kundalini? To get the most out of your Kundalini Meditation you need to do them everyday. The best practice for this meditation is one time in the early morning for about 15-20 minutes and again in the evening. After a week or so you will notice yourself being a lot more relaxed and being very slow to anger.
Before starting, if you are new to meditation, you can take a look What is Meditation!
Basic Kundalini Meditation Techniques for Beginner
This Kundalini Meditation is a simple meditation. It is also very good for beginners in meditation because it offers not only 1 but 2 focus points to keep your mind from wondering. One is the mantra and the other the finger exercise. It is very difficult for the mind to wander when you are focusing on two things at the same time.
Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation is a Kundalini Kirtan Kriya brought to North America by Yogi Bhajan. Kirtan Kriya is Sanskrit, a classical language of India. Kirtan means “song” or “praise” and Kriya means “to do” or “action.”
1. Sa means Birth it represents the beginning (of all things including the meditation and your journey, either spiritual, physical or mental), it also represents infinity.
2. Ta represents Life, both your own and all life as well.
3. Na represents Death or the end of something (your stress for example or doubts about god if you are more spiritually inclined) also it is about totality. Because death is the sum of everything it gives completion a view of the whole of something.
4. Ma represents rebirth or resurrection. When we thing of this we can also relate this to a change in our-self or our surroundings.
While sitting in the relax posture you will chant the above mantra while focusing you attention on the finger exercise. Which is with your palms up and resting on your knees touch your thumb to the corresponding finger to the mantra. For Sa you will touch to the index finger, Ta to the middle finger, Na to the ring finger and Ma to the pinky finger.
Also Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation is becoming scientifically recognized as a powerful tool for preventing or stopping Alzheimer’s disease, increasing all aspects of cognitive function, (perception, thinking, reasoning and remembering) and reducing stress levels while improving short term memory.
There are three separate studies that have been published that prove the Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation benefits. Two of the studies were done at the University of Pennsylvania and one continuing studying is being done at UCLA University of California. The University of Pennsylvania study was published in 2010 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Their second study was published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine in 2010. The Canadian Alzheimer Society is now recommending the meditation as a daily practice to slow down the effects of Alzheimer’s.
Advanced Kundalini Yoga Technique
“A man’s spiritual consciousness is not awakened,” said Sri Ramakrishna, “unless his Kundalini is aroused.” Kundalini rising is the vehicle for superior health and greater consciousness; it is the ultimate principle of spiritual development. This has been known for centuries. The challenge has always been to find a safe method for Kundalini rising and activation.
I try to share easy-to -follow instruction. This meditation is one hour long, with four stages.
First Stage: 15 minutes
Be loose and let your whole body shake, feeling the energies moving up from your feet. Let go everywhere and become the shaking. Your eyes may be open or closed.
Second Stage: 15 minutes
Dance … any way you feel, and let the whole body move as it wishes. Again, your eyes can be open or closed.
Third Stage: 15 minutes
Close your eyes and be still, sitting or standing, observing, witnessing, whatever is happening inside and out.
Fourth Stage: 15 minutes
Keeping your eyes closed, lie down and be still.
Kundalini Meditation, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, draws on a range of technologies, such as breath, mantra, movement and focus, that enables one to train the mind and develop a deeper awareness of the Self. ‘When we meditate we begin where we are as we are. Then we steadily sharpen our consciousness, clear our mind and strengthen our body; this happens in stages. It doesn’t happen all at once nor can it be forced.’
You should read more on other types of meditation such as walking meditation, body scan meditation, loving-kindness, metta, meditation and morning meditation routine.
There are many benefits, all backed up by science. Lots of science, in fact. Lower blood pressure, better focus and creativity, and a deeper senses of compassion and empathy are all within reach.
I have been getting more into meditation, and learning different breathing techniques, and trying to reduce stress. I might have to look into this! Thanks for sharing!
I have done Kundalini yoga, I didn’t know there was also Kundalini meditation
Can’t wait to try Kundalini meditation! This will be a wonderful addition to my yoga practice 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you ! You explained this very well , I can’t wait to try this meditation technique !
Reblogged this on Ethereal Beings In My Life and commented:
This is the first explanation of Kundalini meditation that I have found that is simple and easy to understand. I will certainly be giving this a try!
Beautiful article! I have involuntary energy movements around my solar plexus when I relax or open my heart, and was wondering what this was about. I even googled it but didn’t find information. Thanks for writing this!