To genuinely awaken Kundalini, one must first prepare himself.
Without long and patient practice in purifying one-self and
strengthening one’s capacity to tolerate and assimilate
such a flood of energy, the awakening of this latent power
would deeply disturb, disorient, and confuse the student.
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Even
at the physical level such a charge of energy can threaten
the integrity of the body. This has been metaphorically described
in terms of the body being a ten-ampere fuse receiving a current
of one hundred amperes at a high potential.
Releasing Kundalini without preparation is like opening Pandora’s
box without having cultivated the ability to master what emerges.
Preparation for awakening Kundalini is more important than
awakening Kundalini.
Here is a brief overview of those methods traditionally used
to prepare the student and to awaken this latent force.
1.
Physical Means: The practice of hatha yoga, including
purifying exercises, prepares the body to tolerate the heightened
energy of Kundalini. After considerable preparation, advanced
postures, energy locks and seals called mudras and bandhas,
and breathing exercises (pranayama) help to rechannel the
dynamic energy (prana) and use it to awaken the latent energy
(Kundalini). Since Prana regulates the functioning of body
and mind, by acquiring control of this energy the yogi is
able to control the mind and body at will. In most people
prana flows outward connecting the mind with the senses, but
when this energy is concentrated and channeled upward through
the charkas, the mind becomes detached from the senses and
the physical body and becomes inwardly absorbed in meditation.
A number of related spiritual exercises have the effect of
withdrawing energy from two subtle nerve channels (called
Ida and Pingala) that run along the spinal cord, and channeling
this energy through a third channel (sushumna), which runs
along the center of the spine. A form of Prana that normally
travels upward (Prana vayu) is brought down, while the normally
travels downward-flowing energy (apana vayu) is brought upward
so that the two merge. The union of these two pranic currents
in the central canal creates intense heat.
2. Kundalini can also be awakened by intense
concentration and meditation on specific sensory
nerves such as the tip of the nose or the root of the tongue,
along with concentration and meditation on specific charkas.
Such concentration helps to withdraw the consciousness from
its absorption in the physical body, and to master the quality
of energy associated with a specific chakra. Meditation on
a chakra along with the repetition of a particular thought
form (mantra) and visualization can awaken energy from Kundalini
and bring it to that center.
3. Brahmacharya or physical and mental
celibacy is still another path that can lead from
involution to evolution. Instead of discharging the vital
force in the service of procreation, the yogi who follows
this path learns to absorb that energy and direct it upward.
4. This union is most clearly cultivated
in Tantra yoga, which centers on the worship
of shakti, the mother of the universe. Many people in the
West think that Tantra means having sexual relations. In some
forms of Tantra a male-female relationship may be involved,
but it is transformed from the physical plane to the sphere
of energy and consciousness. According to the Tantra shastras
there still exist three great schools, the kaula, mishra,
and samaya schools of Tantra. While kaula and mishra perform
certain rituals and believe in obtaining powers (siddhis),
the samaya group does not believe in any external rituals
and is considered to be the purest and highest of all.
She can also be awakened through intense devotion. And for
those who are more intellectual and philosophical, intense
study of the scriptures with a competent teacher can also
serve this purpose. In fact, any spiritual practice that leads
to a genuine awakening and experience of transcendent states
of consciousness involves an awakening of this coiled energy.
The books of revelation in Judaism and Christianity reveal
the signs and symptoms of the awakening of Kundalini. Hindu
and Buddhist scriptures make up the most extensive literature
on the subject. This literature emphasizes that, particularly
on this path, a competent teacher is essential.
Indeed, it is the awakened master, as the representative of
a perennial tradition, who makes it possible through the practice
of Kundalini yoga, but sincere effort is essential. Under
the close supervision of the master and through a series of
initiation the student is guided toward his goal. The first
initiation on the student is guided toward his goal. The first
initiation on this path is the imparting of a mantra, a "seed"
sound to concentrate on, which represents certain aspects
of this vital force. |
These
practices may culminate in a higher initiation called shaktipat
diksha, in which the master directly transmits his energy
to the student to remove the final obstacle, awakening the
sleeping serpent and leading her upward. One who is functioning
on a higher level may sometimes unconsciously influence those
around him in the same way that a magnet influences metal
objects in its proximity. But the magnet can only attract
a particular metal. As a magnet influences a particular metal,
such a teacher influences those who are prepared, though he
might inspire many. In shaktipat the influence is conscious
and extremely intense.
Typically the aspirant is not able to maintain the aroused
state and after some period of time Kundalini returns to her
abode. The awakened energy becomes latent once again. But
now the aspirant's faith is strengthened, for he has directly
experienced the awakened state. As a result of such an experience,
any latent abilities are awakened. The student becomes dynamic,
creative, and talented in all aspects of life. He is elevated
spiritually, morally, and intellectually. |
