(Part 2 continued from last issue)
The Ultimate Goal
Although there are other subtle centers above the brow center, the final center is located at the crown of the head, and is said to be the final “abode of consciousness” within the individual. Usually, a human being’s energy is divided, with the energy of pure translucent consciousness at the crown of the head, while the dormant power of kundalini shakti rests or sleeps at the base of the spine.
Very little of this kundalini energy is activated and is expressed in the functioning of the chakras or the nadis. Instead, in most human beings, the vast, unknown power of kundalini energy simply lies latent and unexpressed. However, in every era and civilization there have been those who somehow, consciously or unconsciously, tapped some part of this infinite reservoir of energy. Those individuals have been the geniuses and dynamic forces throughout human history.
When this transformation takes place, and the individual activates some of this infinite potential, we say that his or her kundalini is awakened. Usually, this takes place gradually, with small bursts of energy and shifts in consciousness, although sometimes such awakenings are intense and sudden.
In the modern time, many of the dramatic phenomena that are attributed to the awakening of kundalini are actually the result of nervous or emotional releases, rather than higher spiritual experiences. Certainly, unusual spiritual experiences can take place, but in the present day, when there is such a level of misunderstanding, sensationalism, and exploitation of the term “kundalini,” it is important to differentiate genuine from false experiences. Many people who are not physically, mentally, or emotionally balanced attribute their experiences to some higher energy, rather than to their other imbalances or difficulties.
The authentic practice of yoga involves awakening the kundalini shakti and leading her systematically through the chakras to the crown chakra. When this takes place, the union of shiva (pure consciousness) and kundalini shakti occurs, and the individual becomes fully conscious, awakened, and illumined. Then, one attains the highest state of samadhi. This state is the ultimate goal of yoga practice, but few achieve it. Most commonly, the student of yoga may awaken kundalini shakti and lead her only part of the way to the crown chakra.
How Does One Awaken Kundalini?
The system of yoga has developed many techniques to help students awaken the dormant force of kundalini. An authentic teacher chooses the most appropriate method to help a student to awaken the force within. This method must be carefully selected according to the individual student’s abilities, tendencies, and level of attainment. However, not all those who claim to be teachers have the level of realization required to be able to guide students systematically, so students should be careful in selecting a teacher.
The sacred and advanced practices of kundalini yoga have been popularly distorted and misrepresented, particularly by teachers who claim to be able to raise this energy by their presence or touch. Then, rather than raising the student’s level of consciousness, what is raised is the student’s level of emotional or imaginative experience, such as those created by suggestion or hypnosis. This is not at all the path of spiritual unfoldment.
In order to attain spiritual unfoldment and the awakening of kundalini, the sincere student must first prepare himself or herself on all levels. This cannot be done by another, but only by the genuine and motivated student. First, the physical body needs to be purified and strengthened, especially through practices such as hatha yoga, breathing exercises, and maintaining a correct diet.
Even on the mere physical level, a sudden increase and release of kundalini energy can cause disturbances or imbalance. This is like a situation in which a high voltage electrical current is channeled through a weak and inadequate wiring system. Only when the physical system is strong, balanced, and prepared, can it safely assimilate the energy of kundalini.
On the mental and emotional level, too, the sincere student must prepare himself or herself, learning the basic practices of yoga required to balance the emotions, coordinate the mind, and channel the higher energy involved. Such preparation is crucial because a sudden increase of this latent power can disorient and disrupt the functioning of a person who has not yet become calm, balanced, and able to integrate the higher energy level.
Because of this, authentic teachers never teach advanced practices for the awakening of kundalini to unprepared students, but use the methods of yoga to help train students to prepare themselves. It is this period of preparation for the awakening of kundalini which is the most important in the entire training process.
. . . to be continued