Learning Kundalini

Spirituality
#1

Hello everyone. I have been practicing different styles of yoga for ten years and am now at a stage in my life where Kundalini seems to be resonating with me. Can anyone recommend a good starting point for learning and practicing this? Also, I am here in the US and tend to notice a “cultish” vibe that comes with some of the schools here. I am not at all interested in bowing or “following” I respect and honor my teachers but I will not be a little puppy following them around.

Any suggestions on how to get started is greatly appreciated

#2

http://www.freemeditation.com/online-meditation/self-realization-workshop-kundalini-awakening/

#3

Did you find kundalini resources that worked for you?

keep us updated!

-dale

#4

Sahaja yoga?

That is a very well known cult. Why are they posting on here?

#5

I believe it is best to stick to original, properly intellectually translated scripture.
There is absolutely no need to seek out superficial sources of regurgitated scriptural information. The original documents are more available than ever, and the choice is yours. Research the scriptures of Kashmir Shaivism, and apply the scientific method of: hypothesis (scripture/intuition) + experimentation (meditation-practices) + Results (Ananda) = Realization (God).

#6

Yogiluver,

Thanks to the cult and other sources, kundalini is often ill-understood or over-glamorised. In Yoga, self realization is the only authority and a few words here carry the same.

Kundalini is pure prana energy. In its purest form, it is the cosmic energy that drives all life; the “E” in Einstein’s equation. It is said to be “coiled at the muladhara chakra”. This is a deceptive description. From birth, energy gets created at muladhara and is designed to travel up the seven chakras for deployment all over the body. If muladhara produces energy by fusion, the next in line swadhisthana does the same with fission. However, the third chakra manipura carries human fears over millions of years and the chakras above that are either neglected or stressed when the individual places high premium on physical gratification, emotional entanglements and intellectual conditioning.

Thus with the deployment channels choked these energies weaken and rust and we start depending heavily on the food metabolism for energy. Pure prana gets degenerated in five vayus.

On the spiritual path, one starts activating chakras, purifying vayus and subjugating the aggressions of the physique, psyche and the intellect. Over fairly long period, muladhara and svadhisthana get rejuvenated. More and more prana gets accumulated waiting for the choked channels to clear so that it could rise up and get deployed.

It is easy to see that it is an ensemble. The generation, storage and distribution of energy requires various components ready, able and eligible. Accidents do happen with lopsided efforts. But ordinarily, kundalini is positive energy creation of which is not an end in itself. When a yogi controls it consciously, it allows him/her to remain in a state of pratyahara without depending on any external source of energy.

#7

I really like to know if yoga is better than Tai Chi. May be each one has things which the other doesn’t have.

#8

[QUOTE=Suhas Tambe;69612]Kundalini is pure prana energy. [/QUOTE]
Prana Shakti is the energy of Pingala nadi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B_MZLlezbE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaRHIWgp1-k

#9

[QUOTE=angie.jewish;69835]I really like to know if yoga is better than Tai Chi. May be each one has things which the other doesn’t have.[/QUOTE]

Based on my personal experience (devoid of pseudo-authority) it might be safe to say that the practices of kunalini-yog build and harness the fire-energy, and the practices of qi gong and microcosmic orbit will help you trace the path of the subtle energies within your Body and Mind (spirit) which also helps you to control details of your Self.

All actions performed with true spiritual effort will yield results/transformation. It does not matter what continent the techniques came from, and yes they all have there own areas of specialty. It would be wise to experiment with a wide variety of practices until you find some that suit your Soul’s individual needs.

Namah

#10

I would not recommend the following popular groups associated with Kundalini Yoga today:

Sahaja Yoga
3HO(aka as ‘Kundalini Yoga’)

If you are serious about Kundalini Yoga, you should look into Kashmir Shivaism and other authentic tantra traditions. Traditional Hatha Yoga is also a Kundalini Yoga. Find a tradition that follows the traditional kind of Hatha Yoga. It will use a lot of mudras, bandhas and specific breathing techniques designed to cause the Kundalini to rise.

#11

[QUOTE=omshanti;70088]Based on my personal experience (devoid of pseudo-authority) it might be safe to say that the practices of kunalini-yog build and harness the fire-energy, and the practices of qi gong and microcosmic orbit will help you trace the path of the subtle energies within your Body and Mind (spirit) which also helps you to control details of your Self.

All actions performed with true spiritual effort will yield results/transformation. It does not matter what continent the techniques came from, and yes they all have there own areas of specialty. It would be wise to experiment with a wide variety of practices until you find some that suit your Soul’s individual needs.

Namah[/QUOTE]

Oh Ok. I think I agree with you.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

#12

yogiluver,

“Hello everyone. I have been practicing different styles of yoga for ten years and am now at a stage in my life where Kundalini seems to be resonating with me.”

You should inquire into why it is that you have been practicing various forms of yoga - and yet still you have remained discontented. If you had mastered even a single path of yoga- whether it is through Raja yoga, bhakti yoga, kriya yoga, jnana yoga, mantra yoga, or tantra yoga, then all desire to continue seeking elsewhere would have dropped immediately. Earlier on, perhaps many of those forms of yoga which you were practicing also resonated with you. But still, it has left a hunger in your belly. Now - Kundalini yoga is resonating with you. Why do you think the situation is going to be different ? Perhaps it is just another fleeting fascination.

When you are seriously committed along the path - what is important is not so much what path or approach you take, but that whatever path and whatever approach, you go all the way - with a one-pointedness which is like an arrow unwavering. Of course, if you want to investigate into all the various different possibilities to come to your enlightenment - even if you had a thousand lifetimes, you would not be able to master all of them.

If you are finding kundalini yoga to be the path for you - then just stick to kundalini yoga. But find a master who can guide you in the process, kundalini yoga is one of those forms of yoga which - to practice it without a master can be disasterous. Do not learn it from a teacher, because a teacher can transmit information, but he cannot assist you towards your transformation. Only one who has realized ones Buddhahood is capable of assisting you towards your own Buddhahood. Be careful as to whom you learn the science from. Teachers are as common as hair, while masters are as few as horns.

#13

So called enlightenment may not be something one can bring about, perhaps the best one can attempt is to avoid creating distractions and obstacles.

#14

I have understood that kundalini yoga is for people who are newly entering the world of yoga or meditation …

#15

“have understood that kundalini yoga is for people who are newly entering the world of yoga or meditation …”

It is not. Unless you are talking about the commercialized forms of “kundalini yoga” in the Western marketplace. Otherwise, kundalini yoga is a very ancient practice which was only transmitted secretly from master to disciple. There were very good reasons for it’s secrecy, because this energy which we are calling “kundalini” is of such intensity, that if you are tampering with it without the proper understanding, it can only create more damage than good. Many people have simply become insane, with all kinds of physical and psychological disorders, simply because they received an energy which their system was not prepared to handle. If you happen to awaken this without the necessary preparation, then it would be a bit like trying to pump 1000 volts in a machine which can only handle 50 volts. The awakening of kundalini, which is essentially the approach of the tantric sciences, can offer a tremendous acceleration in the expansion of consciousness - but it is not without enormous risks. So “kundalini yoga” is not something which is compatible with the masses, it is only for the relative few who can manage first of all to find a competant master, and to be willing to go through all of the tremendous discipline that is needed along a path like kundalini yoga. It is not a sit and do nothing approach, and the kind of practice that is done in these “kundalini yoga” centers in the West is usually not the type which is capable of producing results as far as enlightenment is concerned. You should try to be mindful to make the distinction - that every form of yoga, and I mean every form of yoga, that has come from the East to the West - has been distorted, bastardized, and commercialized to fulfill the desires of people in the marketplace. Even “Hatha Yoga”, which is itself a method to awaken kundalini and has it’s roots in tantra, and is also used as a method of preparation for Raja Yoga, sitting meditation, - is not being taught by competant teachers, and it’s original spirit has been tremendously corrupted.

If you want to learn “yoga” - not as a form of stretching or physical exercise, which is not even 5 percent of what “yoga” is - but if you want to learn yoga as a science for the expansion of consciousness towards the realization of one’s original nature, then what is needed is not a teacher, what is needed is a master. So if you are newly entering into the world of yoga, be sure to seek the guidance of a master. Or, if you have enough qualities such as enormous patience, a scientific attitude, discipline, one-pointedness - then you can discover the path entirely by your own. But to enter the path entirely by oneself and be successful is rare, as rare as finding a pearl in the desert. For the vast majority of individuals, they will need to seek the help of one who has come to a direct experience, as only direct experience can help lift the veils of delusion.

#16

If anyone is interested, I am student of Shaktipat Kundalini Yoga, and I happily recommend my teacher if you want to learn more about this tradition of Yoga. Her name is Durga Ma, and she offers instruction in meditation at all levels, regardless of where you are currently. This includes Surrender Meditation, which is the deepest practice of Shaktipat Kundalini Yoga.

Kundalini can be dangerous if it is willfully forced to awaken. Through Surrender Meditation, kundalini is naturally and safely awakened, which ultimately leads to Samadhi or enlightenment. Surrender Meditation is both the easiest and the most difficult practice I have ever encountered, but it “pays well.” Either way you go about it, I suggest you find an experienced teacher who has walked the path ahead of you.

I’ll be happy to answer any questions as best I can, or you can visit Durga Ma’s website at shaktipatkundaliniyoga.com

Nameste

#17

[QUOTE=AmirMourad;71293]… every form of yoga, and I mean every form of yoga, that has come from the East to the West - has been distorted, bastardized, and commercialized to fulfill the desires of people in the marketplace. Even “Hatha Yoga”, which is itself a method to awaken kundalini and has it’s roots in tantra, and is also used as a method of preparation for Raja Yoga, sitting meditation…[/QUOTE]

Greetings.

My forum nick here is the same as on ZFI ( www . zenforuminternational . org / viewtopic . php?f=64&t=7638 ).

Living in a remote rural area, in the South of Chile, for several years, in an isolated from world natural settings, with [almost] all the time dedicated to practice, reading, and taking care of [very basic] day-to-day living.

Having read Amir Mourad’s statements, viz., 1. ‘Until one’s whole life has been set aflame with one-pointedness towards coming to insight into yourself as you are, there can be no practice of so called “yoga”.’, 2. ‘every form of yoga, and I mean every form of yoga, that has come from the East to the West - has been distorted’, and the note regarding ‘the commercialized forms of “kundalini yoga” in the Western marketplace’, I’d basically agree.

I am here by no means to discuss any sort of Zen Buddhist matters, but rather to ask questions related to the post-“kundalini awakening” processes, the usual “timing” [in months, and in years] of such processes, the outcome of these, the accompanying events, and manifestations, and the like things. This would be on behalf of someone [not myself], who [like me] believes the Way is lifelong commitment, and thus lives/practices accordingly.

Hands palms together,

el gatito

#18

Oh thank AmirMourad for your explanation. So I need a Master, not a teacher as now I am having. Many people say that it is dificult to find the correct Master…

#19

Dear Angie,

Durga Ma has written a series of articles on what a guru is, how to find a guru, the guru relationship, and more importantly, how to avoid guru’s that abuse.

Go to the URL in my signature and click on “Articles and Videos.” Scroll down toward the bottom to find the series on gurus. There are also some other interesting articles on meditation, shaktipat, kundalini, etc.

Warmly,
Arthur

#20

I am new to this forum, and live a long way away from any teachers. I am self taught in yoga and meditations, following my inner guidance. I am doiing a lot of reading and trying out different styles, different ways. A couple of years ago I became vegetarian and started practicing pranayama as taught by Swami Ramdev, I learned via DVD’s. It is hard to find the right way the right approach, but for me to follow my inner guidance has worked now for many years. I also do Kundalini yoga, maybe not the true one but the benefits I have had is tremendous. My physical , mental and emotional being is healing on a deep level, to me this is the most important way if you benefit from what you are doing follow it. Follow your inner guidance.

Just my thoughts
Barbara