Course in Kundalini

The kundalini within us resides in the tringular sacrum bone situated at the base of the spine. The classical descriptions of Kundalini are found in the ancient Hindu texts called Tanras. kundalini pathKundalini Yoga is, the mother of all yogas and the most powerful yoga known for an elevation of consciousness, promotion of physical well being and an expansion of consciousness. The goal of Kundalini Yoga is ego-transcedence leading to the union with the divine. Almost every tradition speaks of Kundalini in one form or another and describes Kundalini in its own way. In Japanese it is called Ki; in Chinese, Chi; in Christianity it is called Holy Spirit. The Vedas do not speak of the kundalini. However they speak of the "kala Agni", the energy of the time. It is the power of self, the power of Consciousness. Within every human being lies a divine energy called Kundalini. This energy has two aspects: one manifests this wordly existence, and the other leads us to the highest truth. The mundane aspect of this energy is functioning perfectly, but the inner aspect is dormant, sleeping. When the inner Kundalini energy is awakened, it leads us to the state of self realisation.
The Art Science and Technique of Kundalini Yoga

There are two primary states for the Kundalini.

1. Dynamic
2. Static

The static state referes to the Kundalini as being in a dormant state (ie asleep in western term). I prefer to use the term dormant rather than asleep. To me the kundalini could not be asleep but in reality is merely in static state. When the kundalini moves from a static to a dynamic state it is refered to as Kundalini awakening.

The word Kundalini has been derived from "Kundal" meaning coiled. This power is symbolized by a sleeping serpent with his tail in its mouth. Kundalini is a force within the human brain that activates the chakras and it is first felt at the base of the spine in the first root chakra. The speed of Kundalini is more than that of the speed of light. The Indian system of awakening Kundalini is one such discipline which is supposed to provide high levels of physical, mental, and spiritual energy. There are five branches of Yoga Hatha Yoga, Kundalini yoga, Laya Yoga, Raj Yoga and Samadhi Yoga. The Kprocess presents a backward journey towards God. The awakening of Kundalini leads to a total transformation. It is a way to stay fit for life. On a physical plane all body cells and components get charged with life force resulting in their efficient functioning. On a mental plane it starts transforming your thought process for betterment. On spiritual plane it unites you with God consciousness. Many seers have called Kundalini by many names such as kula Kundalini, tapasvini nagini and bhujagana etc. Some say that kundalini is identified with the right Vagus nerve (not the left). The Vagus or tenth cranial nerve is connected with the hind brain. In fact, there are three kinds of Kundalini within the body-Prana Kundalini, Chit Kundalini and Para Kundalini. There are four ways in which the Guru awakens the Shakti; by touch, word, look and thought. The first method is initiation through touch, called sparsha diksha. The second method of initiation is through word, or mantra diksha. The third method is called drik diksha, initiation through a look. The fourth way is initiation by thought, called manasa diksha.
Three Energetic Pathways

Ida, Pingala and Sushumna Nadis are psychic channels for the distribution of prana in the astral body. In human physiology, the two nadis of Ida and Pingala correspond with the two halves of the autonomic nervous system- the sympathetic and para sympathetic. Ida is negative and called the moon (Chandra nadi), while pingala is positive and called the sun (Surya nadi). The whole science of Kundalini Yoga concerns the awakening of Sushumna, for once Sushumna comes to life, a means of communication between the higher and lower dimensions of Consciousness is established and the awakening of Kundalini occurs. Kundalini is also described as "ENERGY" on the physical plane and NOTHINGNESS on the cosmic plane. On one extreme it is supposed to provide you with supernatural physical powers to fulfull your physical desires and on the other it could provide you with supernatural cosmic powers to eliminate all physical desires. Both extremes lead to complete fulfillment. The former route is fulfillment through dissipation of energy while the latter is through conservation of energy. In case of loss of self control in the former process it may prove dangerous. Appropriate balance is very necessary. All emotional disturbances are basically a disturbance in energy which is no longer at the command of the consciousness. The entire process of Kundalini Sadhana consists in four stages.

1. Awakening of Kundalini Shakti.
2. Arousal of Kundalini Shakti.
3. Chakra Bhedan.
4. Meeting and merger of Shiva and Shakti in Sahasrar.

Kundalini generally gets activated in three ways. Firstly it may get activated automatically. Secondly it may get aroused in one who is making sincere efforts with the grace of God or Guru. Thirdly kundalini may get activated in a person after the THIRD eye is opened. Kundalini ascends via the six chakras and passes through the brahma-randhra to the plane of the high consciousness. The awakening of inner Kundalini is the true beginning of the spiritual journey. The scriptures say that as long as the inner Kundalini is sleeping, it doesn't matter how many austerities we follow, how much Yoga we practise, or how many mantras we repeat, we will never realize our identity with our inner Self. We will never know our own divinity.
Kundalini Signs and Symptoms

Kundalini energy exists one inch below of Muladhar Chakra at a place called Kanda. Its shape is triangular. There are three views as regards to location of Kundalini. One is general view described above. Second view is that it is in the navel (in view of Sant Gyaneshwar). And the third view is that it is located in the Anahat Chakra (white page 454) Shakti Viseshank Kalyan. The following are common manifestations of the rising of Kundalini. Muscles Twitches, cramps or spasm, energy rushes, itching, vibrating, prickling, tingling, crawling sensations, intense heat or cold, involuntary body movements, jerking, tremors, shaking, alterations in eating and sleeping patterns, intensified or diminished sexual desires, headache, racing heart beat, pain in the chest, digestive system problems, numbness or pain in limbs, emotional outburst, depression, hearing inner sounds, ecstasy and direct awareness of auras and chakras. Sensory symptoms may include subjective changes in feeling of heat or cold, a feeling of electricity in the body, persistent sexual arousal, headache, pressure inside head, tingling vibration and gastrointestinal problems and intense mood swings.

Kundalini Alignment

All physical or living systems comprise of components which are polar opposites and attract each other. They also complement and supplement each other. They normally remain un-aligned. Optimum performance can be achieved by systematically aligning these mutually attracting polar opposites in Kundalini Sadhana. Moreover we can practise it through either of the following two routes 1) physical route 2) spiritual route. 1) Physical route - It comprises of subjecting the Living Organism to cycles of stimulations and relaxation through physical exercises as this would transmit life force upwards from its centre to the centre of cosmic force. This is akin to the awakening of kundalini - described as a dormant serpent power lying at the base of muladhar chakra in human body, which is to be transmitted it upwards. 2) Spiritual route - It comprises the subjecting of the living organism to cycles of Stimulation and Relaxation through such meditation as this would transmit life force downwards from its centre to the centre of cosmic life force. This is akin to various forms of meditations. Reiki also helps greatly in this regard. It channelises the cosmic force from sahasrar chakra and transmits it through touch of hands and attunements.

Arousal of Kundalini

The arousal of Kundalini is so bewildering and new to a person that it is impossible for him to understand it intellectually. The mind and ego can never have any reach to it. Many persons who are undergoing the painful mental suffering of psychotic nature are the cases of abortive kundalini arousal. This means that passage of cosmic energy has opened in them due to certain reasons and it rushes freely hither and thither pushing the I sense (jiva) along with it into various uncontrolled mental channels. By correct kundalini arousal this wrongly moving shakti may find its proper path because the kundalini process is a process of transformation of consciousness from animal nature to human nature and then from human nature to divine nature. Kundalini process is an upward journey of evolution. All modern forms of Kundalini Yoga from Gorakhnath and Matsyendranath onward trace back to the Pashupata yogis and their Guru Lakulisha (150 A.D.).

In the Kundalini process the ultimate truth that is God or the real self alone is accepted as the truth. The mind along with its desires is considered to be a great falsehood which enslaves the I. The 'I' has to be liberated from the mind whereas in psycho analysis one never gets out of the clutches of mind and its suffering. This is the most basic difference between psycho analysis and Kundalini process in which one has to realize by doing away with the illusion that one is a physical body. This illusion gets dropped when Kundalini process starts.
Vama Marg and kundalini Awakening

The conception of vama marg is that the awakening of Kundalini is also possible through sexual interaction between man and woman.
The path of Kriya Yoga

The ultimate purpose of kriya yoga is to create awakening in the chakras to purify the nadis and finaly to awaken the kundalini shakti. The purpose is to awaken the kundalini in stages and not abruptly. It is a risk free means of awakening your kundalini or expanding your awareness.
Kundalini and the Teaching of Sri Raman Maharshi

Sri Raman Maharshi also spoke about Kundalini only on few occasions. His method of subsiding the "I" thought into the heart can be viewed as a certain form of the Kundalini process. It is unfortunate that the word Kundalini is much abused. Some scientists, physicists and psychologists regard the divine Mother Kundalini as an ordinary material energy. They consider it to be only a tool for therapy or a means of releasing body chemicals which bring organic changes in the brain and nervous system. Some call it the bio-energy of the body. But in our scriptures Kundalini is always respectfully referred to as divine consciousness. The main purpose of its awakening in a seeker is to enable him to attain Godhood.
Kundalini Shaktipat - a boon for quantum leap in sadhana

Disksha means initiation into spiritual life by a guru. Shaktipat is a method of directing prana energy into disciple. It makes direct changes in sadhakas' chakras, nadis, and sub conscious mind. Its various methods are by glance (using eyes), by touch or simply by intention. There are four requirements. First is grace of the self. Second is the grace of the books. Third is grace of Sidha Guru. And fourth is grace of the God. In shaktipat disksha the guru inflows causal current into sadhaka's fourth casual body and awakens Kundalini energy and directs it to mouth of Sushmana Nadi. It is a really wonderful experience that is transmitted by a Kundalini Guru to his disciple.
Kundalini Guru

Remember that the Master, the Guru embodies the crystallization of the blessings of all his masters and enlightened beings. So to invoke him is to invoke them all and to merge your mind and heart with your master's wisdom. But always remember that the Outer Guru introduces you directly to the truth of your Inner Guru. Both Outer and Inner teacher are indivisible. That is why in Kundalini Yoga, so much importance is given to Guru.