Kuṇḍalinī

After really loving Yoga through my experience of its empowerment qualities during pregnancy and postnatal recovery, I was truly in awe. A dear friend suggested that I try Kuṇḍalinī Yoga. I fell in love with it after only two sessions at Tri Yoga. Kuṇḍalinī is definitely one of the more spiritual practices that are out there. Yes, there are so many types of yoga here in the West. I believe all such practices are to awaken the Kuṇḍalinī. As Sir John Woodroffe writes, ‘Kuṇḍalinī is the foundation of all yogic practices.’

So what is Kuṇḍalinī? In the ancient Sanskrit languages Kuṇḍalinī is formed of both words Kund meaning a pit, cave or deep place and lini which means to be absorbed in energy. Defined in Tantric texts Kuṇḍalinī is an energy that lies within the body. For Yogi Bhajan who brought the teachings of Kuṇḍalinī Yoga to the West; ‘Kuṇḍalinī Yoga is simply the uncoiling of yourself to find your potential, your vitality and to reach your virtues’. One of the earliest mentions of Kuṇḍalinī is in the body of Tantric text pre 10th century, the Kubjikamatantra, which speaks about the ascension of Kuṇḍalinī resulting in feelings of bliss and rejuvenation. In these  tantric systems, the body consists of a number of subtle channels; Nadis that when purified, conduct the vital energy of the body which can then be manipulated and directed. It is here where the goddess Kuṇḍalinī is mentioned residing at the base of the spine. Through practices that only included visualisation initially, Kuṇḍalinī is made to rise up the central channel; Shushuma, to the crown of the head. The Marathi Jnanesvari, an extensive thirteenth-century commentary on the Bhagavadgita, includes beautiful teachings on the ascent of Kuṇḍalinī. Kuṇḍalinī and the chakras are highlighted and there use in visualisations explained. For Yoga Teacher and Guru, Swami Satyananda Saraswati(1923-2009) who has written over eighty books, ‘Kuṇḍalinī is a biological substance that exists within the framework of the body. It’s awakening generates electrical impulses throughout the whole body and these impulses can be detected by modern scientific instruments and machines. Therefore, each of us should consider the importance and the benefits of awakening Kuṇḍalinī and we should make a resolve to awaken this great Shakti.’  For Anne Mathie(2024) who has studied these ancient texts, ‘the purpose of Kuṇḍalinī is to move the individual towards psychic wholeness.’

In Europe, Rudolf Steiner(1861-1925) described Kuṇḍalinī energy as early as 1903. Helen Petrovna Blavatsky(1831-1891) had previously introduced the term into theosophical literature referring to it in her book ‘The Secret Doctrine’ (1888), without offering further explanation. Indian Sanskrit texts on Kuṇḍalinī were not yet known in Europe, the sources only becoming available when translated by Arthur Avalon, the pen name of Sir John Woodruff in 1918. Woodruff studied Hindu philosophy, Yoga and tantra. He was born in Calcutta, India and studied at Oxford University. He had a successful legal career and became a judge at the High Court in Calcutta. He writes, ‘Kuṇḍalinī is a concept in Shaiva Tantra that refers to a force or power associated with the Devine feminine. When awakened through Tantric practices it is believed to lead to spiritual liberation.’ The incident that sparked his profound interest in spiritual practices occurred while in a court case in Calcutta. He found himself unable to concentrate on the facts of the case, a situation to have no rational explanation. It was discovered that a Tantric Sadhu had been at work performing a mantra outside the courtroom. This incident served as a pivotal moment for Woodruff igniting a lifelong fascination with the spiritual traditions of India particularly tantra and the concept of Kuṇḍalinī energy. This led him to delve deeply into Sanskrit studies and the esoteric aspects of Yoga. His most influential work,’The Serpent Power’, explores the intricate details of Kuṇḍalinī energy. Woodruff believes, ‘awakening of Kuṇḍalinī is seen as a process of  leading to a state of wholeness and transcendence.’ Woodruff presents Kuṇḍalinī as a powerful tool for spiritual evolution leading to the realisation of one’s true nature and the ultimate union with the divine.

Yoga traditions teach that we have both a physical body and an energetic body. The two are intimately connected. Therefore, when we work on the subtle body through yoga, asana, breath-work and meditation we create new energetic patterns for the physical counterpart to follow. In this way yogic practices can be a great way to cleanse and heal the subtle energy body, supporting rejuvenation. After all everything is energy as Einstein famously said, “everything is energy and that is all there is to it: match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality.” More and more research from doctors such as Christiane Northrup, MD and Gabor Mate speak openly about the effect of our emotions, attitudes and thought processes and how these impact our well-being. The word yoga in definition unites our mind body and soul because we are truly a complex interplay of all three. Kelly Turner in her wonderful book, ‘Surviving Cancer Against All Odds’  sheds light on how we can access our own inner wisdom to make changes in our life. Turner outlines one of nine key factors that are vital for radical healing, one of them being; ‘a deepening of one’s spiritual connection.’ Kuṇḍalinī when stimulated by yoga practices works to actualise spiritual potential. As Carl Jung writes; ‘…when you succeed in awakening the Kuṇḍalinī so that it starts to move out of its mere potentiality, you necessarily start a world which is totally different from our world. It is the world of eternity.’ As Swami Satyananda Saraswati(1923-2009) writes ‘ Kuṇḍalinī represents the coming of consciousness of mankind.’ Kelly Turner adds; ‘transformation needs to happen on all levels of human existence in order for healing to take place.’

Interestingly enough the symbol that often represents Kuṇḍalinī is that of a serpent. Yes, snakes are a symbol of transformation! It is often said just like a serpent sheds its own skin, the process of Kuṇḍalinī allows for a shedding, a discarding of layers and a removal of blockages supporting the purification of energy. Yogi Bhajan writes, ‘the process of growth through Kuṇḍalinī Yoga is a natural unfolding of your own nature… like a snake, you will need to shed old skins, to be more of who you are’. For Swami Muktananda(1908-1982), ‘it is only when the Kuṇḍalinī is awakened that we become aware of our true nature, of our greatness, of the fact that not only do we belong to God but we are God.’ He emphasises the need for this knowledge of self, to realise one’s own self, to respect one’s self, so he can respect others.

The body was often also conceived as a microcosm of the macrocosm universe containing the elements, planets and cyclical rhythms. A beautiful example of this is simply we are made up of around 70% water and so is the world! Another gorgeous example is our rib cage which encloses our lungs, consists of 12 pairs of ribs! According to Chinese Medicine it is the lungs that rules the rhythms of life. Through long deep breathing we know we can stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system and bring ourselves into a state of calm allowing ourselves to flow through life’s events rather than resisting them. After all, our breath is the key to life, it is the key to our best life. Through breathing in this way we support and enhance the functions of our respiratory system which has a knock-on effect to all the other systems of the body. In this way we support the rhythms of our body through the breath. 12 pairs of ribs…..well!? The number 12/24 embodies the rhythm of universal Qi or Prana(life force energy). 12 months of the year, 12 hours in a clocks face, 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 12 members of jury, 12 systems of the body and 12 meridians! How wonderful! 

As Fritjof Capra writes in ‘The Tao of Physics’, ‘ the Eastern Mystic see the universe as an inseparable web, whose interconnections are dynamic and not static.’ ‘The cosmic web is alive, it moves and grows and changes continually.’ The beauty of the world is both within us and around us as the Vedic text states! It is believed, ‘Yah pinde sah brahmande’ which means the energy which pervades the entire universe, pervades the smallest units of the world including the human body.’ Dr Hiroshi Motoyama PhD(1925-2015) was Head of the Institute for Religious Psychology in Tokyo, Japan and had been carrying out scientific research into Yoga meditation, psychic and spiritual developments. He said “we all possess this extrasensory system beyond our mind and body,’ he explains. ‘It can accept psychic energy from outside itself and convert it to physiological energy. When this outside energy from God or the Universe, or even someone’s special psychic powers is transmitted, there is a bodily change. I am proving this. through encephalograms, cardiograms and other medical tests which we are recording daily for study.’

Through asana, breath work, and combining mudras, bandhas and meditation we can clean these channels or nadis from both negative energies and thought forms. Supporting a purification of the entire system. It is believed that the same blockages which cause disease also give rise to such feelings of aversion, hatred, lethargy, dullness and greed and these qualities also disappear when the nadies are cleared by Kuṇḍalinī. In order for Kuṇḍalinī to flow which is also known as the energy of awakening, these nadis or channels need to be cleansed. Through devotional practice this divine feminine energy which is believed to be located at the base of the spine in Hinduism; supports the individual towards psychic wholeness with one’s body and the rest of the universe. This psychological transformation can lead to feelings of release from polarities of thought to a neutral state of mind allowing for feelings of wellness, love and bliss to move through one’s entire body. A common experience of practitioners, is a cessation of anger, fear and desire to name just a few. All bringing a person into Samadi; total self collectedness supporting feeling of union and enlightenment. As Sri Chinmoy(1931-2007) writes, ‘when Kuṇḍalinī is awake, man is fully aware of the inner world.’ It is believed that when the body is in a state of homeostasis it is able to heal. Kuṇḍalinī can be seen as a divine expression that travels through the three channels, or nadis, the Sushumna, the central channel which runs from the base of the spine to the head. Ida Nadi, the left channel corresponds to the lunar energy and the Pingala Nadi to the right corresponds to the solar energy. As Kuṇḍalinī  awakens it is believed that there is a crossover effect between these  three channels resembling the double helix of DNA-the Infinity symbol; the number eight as well as the caduceus, the staff carried by Hermes. Many believe that Kuṇḍalinī has its roots in ancient Egypt. Interestingly enough some of the deities and symbols of Kuṇḍalinī in the ancient tradition have parallels in the early Egyptian civilisation. For James N. Judd, author of  ‘Kabbalah and Kuṇḍalinī’ he writes on how similar these archetypes, centres or vortexes of energy are and how these ancient spiritual teachings can be found in both the (Jewish|) Kabbalah and (Hindu) Kuṇḍalinī.  Lao Tzu, the writer of the Dao De Jing wrote about practices that use the body to alter the mind.’ ‘It is internal transformation at the deepest level that becomes the most sought after religious experience. It is also a transformation often linked to magic.’ As Guru Dharam writes in ‘The Kundalini Yoga Experience’(2002); ‘From the glorious teachings of the Bodhisattvas; in the sacred texts of the Kabbalah and in the Koans of the Zen Masters. The re-emergence of Kuṇḍalinī’ Yoga represents an invaluable and authentic  source of transformation for all.’ I’m a big believer that all these sacred and beautiful teachings come from a oneness that binds us all. Hence this is Kuṇḍalinī Therapeutics.

Frida

References:

Acharya Balkrishna, ‘Yog In Synergy With Medical Science’- Divya Prakashan, 2007

Sri Chinmoy, ‘Kundalini The Mother Power’- Aum Publications, 1992

Guru Dharam Singh Khalsa and Darryl O’Keeff, ‘The Kundalini Yoga Experience, Bringing Body, Mind and Spirit Together’-Gaia Books Limited, 2002

James Mallinson and Mark Singleton, ‘Roots of Yoga’-Penguin Random House UK, 2017

Gabor Mate with Daniel Mate ‘The Myth of Normal, Illness, Health and healing in a Toxic Culture’- Penguin Random House, 2022

Dr Christiane Northrup, ‘Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom’- Little Brown Book Group, 2009

Swami Ramdev, ‘Pranayam, it’s Philosophy and Practice- Divya Prakashan 2006

Swami Ramdev, ‘Yog It’s Philosophy and Practice’- Divya Prakashan, 2007

Swami Satyananda Saraswati, ‘A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya’- Bihar School of Yoga, 1981 

Rudolph Steiner, ‘Kundalini, Spiritual Perception and the Higher Element of Life’-Rudolph Steiner Press, 2017

Kelly Turner,PhD,  ‘Radical Remission,Surviving Cancer Against All Odds’- Blackstone Pub, 2020