Recently someone asked me about Kundalini, my views and experiences about it. So, here they are....
In our body, we have 72,000 channels called nadis. Among them, there are 7 energy centres known as chakras. Kundalini energy is a dormant energy form. When it awakens, different types of sensations are felt. Some may feel as if a serpent is moving when the energy awakens, hence the name 'serpent.' However, everybody's experience is different.
When the Kundalini energy moves from the base chakra (mooladhara), it can be felt in various parts of the body, not just the spine. Wherever there is a concentration of energy, heat or burning sensation can be felt, as energy is naturally warm.
Individuals may experience a wide range of sensations as the Kundalini energy awakens and moves through their system. These sensations can vary from person to person, but here are some common experiences reported by practitioners as follows.
1. Tingling or Vibrations: Many people feel subtle vibrations or tingling sensations in various parts of their body, particularly along the spine or at the energy centres (chakras).
2. Heat or Cold: Some individuals may feel waves of warmth or coolness flowing through their body or specific areas. These sensations are often associated with the movement of energy.
3. Electric-like Currents: People may experience sensations akin to an electric current moving through their body. It can be described as a gentle or intense energy flow.
4. Spontaneous Movements: Uncontrollable bodily movements, such as spontaneous jerks, twitches, or spontaneous yoga postures (kriyas), can arise as a result of Kundalini awakening.
5. Waves of Bliss or Ecstasy: Practitioners may feel intense states of bliss, joy, or ecstasy, which can be accompanied by feelings of deep peace, connectedness, and love.
6. Emotional Release: Kundalini Sadhana can sometimes trigger emotional release, leading to cathartic experiences, tears, laughter, or a wide range of emotions surfacing and dissipating.
7. Expanded Awareness: Some individuals may experience heightened states of awareness, increased clarity, or a sense of expanded consciousness during their practice.
It's important to note that these experiences are subjective and can vary greatly.
While most people's kundalini energy returns to the base chakra, advanced yogis can keep it at the third eye chakra (aagya chakra). This is a challenging practice and only a few yogis can achieve it. It requires intense tapas (austerity) and japa (recitation). The sadhanas (spiritual practices) for this are also very tough, so only a few yogis know how to hold their kundalini at the third eye chakra.
Typically, my Kundalini energy resides within my heart chakra. However, during meditation, it occasionally ascends to the Aagya chakra. Additionally, I have been fortunate enough to experience its presence in my sahasrara chakra, all thanks to the Grace of my esteemed Guru, Sri Om Swamiji.
To invoke the Kundalini, you can refer to page 93 of my book 'Japa Meditation: The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind' and follow the prescribed pranayama technique. Each person's experience of truth is unique.
It's not always necessary for the energy to descend back to the base chakra. If someone performs their work in a meditative state, with detachment, the kundalini energy will remain around an important chakra instead of slipping back to the base. That's why yogis advise performing duties with non-attachment while following the path of truth.
Because there’s a huge lack of authentic content online, it is recommended to read books, along with authentic websites like kundaliniyoga.org and my blog chandrikashubham.blogspot.com
You can also consider reading books mentioned by My Guru Sri Om Swamiji in His Kundalini Retreat:
Shatchakranirupani in Hindi
Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Muktibodhananda.
Rudra Yamalam in Hindi.
The Serpent Power by Arthur Avalon in English.
Kundalini: The Untold Story by Om Swamiji in Hindi and English
Other than these, one can follow the Hatha Yoga book series of ‘The Bihar School of Yoga’ to learn more about mind, pranayama, asana, mudras and bandhas are as follows:
1. Manage the Mind by Swami Satyananda.
2. Mudra Vigyan: Philosophy and Practice of Yogic Gestures - from the teachings of Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati.
3. Prana Vidya - Bihar School of Yoga.
4. Kundalini Tantra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.
5. Sure Ways to Self-Realization - Bihar School of Yoga.
6. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha: A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Technique of Yoga and Kriya - Bihar School of Yoga.
7. Taming the Kundalini by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.
8. Gherand Samhita: Commentary on the Yoga Teachings of Maharishi Gheranda - Bihar School of Yoga.
9. Tattwa Shuddhi: The Tantric Practice of Inner Purification - Bihar School of Yoga.
10. Mooladhara Chakra - Bihar School of Yoga.
11. Ajna Chakra, Manipura Chakra, and Swadhisthana Chakra - by Rishi Nityabodhananda.
12. Moola Bandha: The Master Key by Swami Buddhananda.
Hindi versions of most of the books mentioned above are also available and are subject to availability.
For books on Kundalini Yoga, Swami Sivananda's books are highly recommended as they provide good and validated experiences shared by many.
Along with the above mentioned books one must also read these books:
1. Meditation and Mantras by Swami Vishnu Devananda
2. Kundalini: Path to Higher Consciousness
Book by Pandit Gopi Krishna
3. Autobiography by Gopi Krishna
(Only available in English)
4. Books of Chakhmba Publication have also been praised in this subject.
Vagyoga: Kundalini Meditation by Dr. Vagish Shastri
Shrivagyogtantram Aparnam Shrikundalinigtantram श्री वग्योग्तंत्रम अपर्णम श्री कुंडलिनीग्तंत्रम (only in Hindi) Dr. Vagish Shastri
Shakti Ka Jagran Or Kundalini शक्ति का जागरण और कुण्डलिनी by M. M. Pt. Gopinath Kaviraj (only in Hindi)
Chakras Healing And Kundalini Awakening By Yogic Techniques: Theory, Practices, And Benefits by Jai Paul Dudeja (only in English)
Kundalini Sadhana Prasangकुण्डलिनी साधना प्रसंग by Arun Kumar Sharma. (only in Hindi)
Kundalini-Shakti कुण्डलिनी-शक्ति by Arun Kumar Sharma.(only in Hindi)
5. Gyaneshwar Gita in Hindi and English
List of some more books is here.
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Jai Sri Hari ma'am! Thank you for sharing such a comprehensive and informative article on Kundalini energy. Your explanations of the various sensations and experiences associated with its awakening are enlightening. Additionally, your extensive list of recommended books provides a valuable resource for those seeking further knowledge on this fascinating subject. I have read two books from this list and they were great and very insightful. Thank you for sharing.
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