What about Kundalini?
Almost all spiritual traditions speak of Kundalini, the inner spiritual power, in one form or another. The Japanese call it "ki", the Chinese "chi", and in Christianity it is known as the Holy Spirit. In Mexico Kundalini was worshiped as the serpent-god Quetzalcoatl, the Kung people of the Kalahari desert call this power n/um. Though the names used to describe it may be different, though the symbols used to evoke it vary somewhat from culture to culture, Kundalini has been experienced in all places at all times.
Traditionally, the knowledge of Kundalini has been a closely guarded secretly, revealed by a Master to only few close and selected initiates. In the West , the knowledge of Kundalini has been transmitted by the esoteric or mystical traditions. Although the mysterious force of Kundalini is known throughout the world, the Indian tradition has structured and organized this knowledge into it’s most comprehensive form. Kundalini is worshiped in India and in many other cultures as a manifestation of the divine cosmic power that has created universe out of Herself and within Herself. She has vibrated into all the billions of forms that we see around us.
Almost all spiritual traditions speak of Kundalini, the inner spiritual power, in one form or another. The Japanese call it "ki", the Chinese "chi", and in Christianity it is known as the Holy Spirit. In Mexico Kundalini was worshiped as the serpent-god Quetzalcoatl, the Kung people of the Kalahari desert call this power n/um. Though the names used to describe it may be different, though the symbols used to evoke it vary somewhat from culture to culture, Kundalini has been experienced in all places at all times.
Traditionally, the knowledge of Kundalini has been a closely guarded secretly, revealed by a Master to only few close and selected initiates. In the West , the knowledge of Kundalini has been transmitted by the esoteric or mystical traditions. Although the mysterious force of Kundalini is known throughout the world, the Indian tradition has structured and organized this knowledge into it’s most comprehensive form. Kundalini is worshiped in India and in many other cultures as a manifestation of the divine cosmic power that has created universe out of Herself and within Herself. She has vibrated into all the billions of forms that we see around us.
Excerpt from the Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening, The yogī accomplishes this by collecting his mind and putting it on that point. Although the mind is always flickering and does not exist in one point, through the practice (sādhanā) of one-pointedness, it becomes easy for the yogī to maintain one point. He then discards the differentiation of objectivity and subjectivity and perceives the objective world, which consists not only of external objects but also of his body of wakefulness, his body of the dreaming state, and his body of the dreamless state (nīla-deha-prāṇa- buddhyātmanaḥ), and the negation of these, which is the void state (śūnya), in its real way as the limbs of his universal body. When you make your mind enter into the light of consciousness then your mind feels this whole universe as one with that universal being. |
Kundalini Vijnanarahasya (Isvara Svarupa Svami Laksmana Joo Maharaja)
Kundalini is considered to be the most advanced of All yogic practices. It does not involve any external worship or external rituals. The practice is done entirely within. The accomplished practitioner of Kundalini becomes fully conscious of his identity with that which manifests the universe. Kundalini refers to the ultimate union of Siva and Shakti. The Sakti in her form as Kundalini is awakened by practicing certain austerities. Siva, the principal of divine consciousness resides at the Sahasrara Chakra at the crown of the head. It is only by leading Kundalini from the root center of the base of the spine successively through each chakra to the crown chakra that the polarities, Shiva and Shakti unite. Through this union the highest state is attained.
Shiva is pure Consciousness, the static centre of all things, the substratum of all change. The Shiva principle can never be seen, it can only be known by its effects. It is dependent on Shakti, the active or dynamic aspect of Consciousness, to bring it to manifestation. We come to know Shiva only through Shakti. According to yogins, the sahasrara thousand petaled lotus at the crown of the head, is the seat of the prakasa aspect of Pure Conciousness or Shiva, while the Shakti aspect of the Self is said to be located, in the muladhara chakra.
When spiritual seeker receives divine grace the Shakti awakens and starts moving upwards through the channel of shushumna nadi, from the muladhara chakra to the sahasrara, to unite with Shiva. As the divine Shakti begins rising through shushumna nadi the various chakras are revealed and illuminated by it’s radiance. The brightness of the illumination grows gradually with the absorbtion of the various elements located in the chakras, and it’s reaches its culmination when Shiva and Shakti unite at the highest level in the sahasrara. The illumination mentioned above is sometimes called the “Fire of Conciousness” (cidagni) which once kindled by the fire of grace never dies.
Kundalini is considered to be the most advanced of All yogic practices. It does not involve any external worship or external rituals. The practice is done entirely within. The accomplished practitioner of Kundalini becomes fully conscious of his identity with that which manifests the universe. Kundalini refers to the ultimate union of Siva and Shakti. The Sakti in her form as Kundalini is awakened by practicing certain austerities. Siva, the principal of divine consciousness resides at the Sahasrara Chakra at the crown of the head. It is only by leading Kundalini from the root center of the base of the spine successively through each chakra to the crown chakra that the polarities, Shiva and Shakti unite. Through this union the highest state is attained.
Shiva is pure Consciousness, the static centre of all things, the substratum of all change. The Shiva principle can never be seen, it can only be known by its effects. It is dependent on Shakti, the active or dynamic aspect of Consciousness, to bring it to manifestation. We come to know Shiva only through Shakti. According to yogins, the sahasrara thousand petaled lotus at the crown of the head, is the seat of the prakasa aspect of Pure Conciousness or Shiva, while the Shakti aspect of the Self is said to be located, in the muladhara chakra.
When spiritual seeker receives divine grace the Shakti awakens and starts moving upwards through the channel of shushumna nadi, from the muladhara chakra to the sahasrara, to unite with Shiva. As the divine Shakti begins rising through shushumna nadi the various chakras are revealed and illuminated by it’s radiance. The brightness of the illumination grows gradually with the absorbtion of the various elements located in the chakras, and it’s reaches its culmination when Shiva and Shakti unite at the highest level in the sahasrara. The illumination mentioned above is sometimes called the “Fire of Conciousness” (cidagni) which once kindled by the fire of grace never dies.
Yoga
The term yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word "Yuja" which means "to combine", "to unite". Yoga combine the Mind with the Body. Yoga consider Human as an absolute combination of Self (Soul) Mind and Body. Yoga accept the life situation as we find it and suggests methods by which we can transcend human limitations. India have a long and unbroken tradition of yogic discipline dates back. The large number of spirituals adepts who have live In India have followed various modes of spirituals discipline (sadhana) as instructed by their Masters, and through their personal experiences they have enriched knowledge of Yoga. Yogic knowledge was largely transmitted orally from Master to the disciple.
The word Yoga means union, and refers to union between one’s self and the spiritual entity who is not only one’s deepest self, but is at the same time the omniscient deity of universe. Some of the major types of Yoga are:
The goal of Kundalini Yoga is ego transcendence, leading to union with divine and the concomitant state of blissful consciousness which is called Samadhi; that is illumination. This is the same goal that other yogas set – the methodology , the science of Kundalini Yoga, however differs dramatically from the others.
The term yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word "Yuja" which means "to combine", "to unite". Yoga combine the Mind with the Body. Yoga consider Human as an absolute combination of Self (Soul) Mind and Body. Yoga accept the life situation as we find it and suggests methods by which we can transcend human limitations. India have a long and unbroken tradition of yogic discipline dates back. The large number of spirituals adepts who have live In India have followed various modes of spirituals discipline (sadhana) as instructed by their Masters, and through their personal experiences they have enriched knowledge of Yoga. Yogic knowledge was largely transmitted orally from Master to the disciple.
The word Yoga means union, and refers to union between one’s self and the spiritual entity who is not only one’s deepest self, but is at the same time the omniscient deity of universe. Some of the major types of Yoga are:
- Hatha – Yoga of physical discipline
- Bhakti – Yoga of devotion and worship
- Karma – Yoga of service and sacrifice
- Jnana – Yoga of intellectual understanding
- Raja – Yoga of meditation
- Tantra – Yoga of Kundalini
The goal of Kundalini Yoga is ego transcendence, leading to union with divine and the concomitant state of blissful consciousness which is called Samadhi; that is illumination. This is the same goal that other yogas set – the methodology , the science of Kundalini Yoga, however differs dramatically from the others.
Shiv Shakti
Shiva is the masculine and passive element of pure consciousness, Shakti the feminine active element. Shiva and Shakti together form a duality in which Shiva is a power holder and Shakti is power itself. Shiva is the great Lord of the Universe and Shakti is the great Mother of the Universe. This divine partnership is called Shiva-Shakti Tattva (attribute). As such Shiva is changless, static ascpect of consciousness, Shakti is ephemeral, kinetic aspect. They are two sides of the coin. The two are the masculine and feminine forms of Brahman, in their essence they are one Brahman. Shiva and Shakti are internalized in the human body, although they live separately there.
Shakti, the Life Force, resides at the base of the spine. She manifests there as Devi Kundalini, named after Sanskrit word "kundala" , meaning coiled, for she has taken form of a serpent and remains asleep, coiled in the lowest of the seven to nine centers of the body, the Muladhara chakra. Since she is a manifestation of the Shakti, the Devi Kundaini is also known as Kundalini-Shakti, which is the divine cosmic energy in human beings.
Shiva is also dormant in the body, inhabits the Sahasrara chakra, which is located in the crown of the head, and which exist at the furthermost pole from Shakti’s abode in the Muladhara chakra. Here lies the problem, for union with Brahman cannot be achieved so long as Shiva and Shakti are separated. They need each other in order to be activated, to become the one Brahman again. That which is known as the human condition, which is to say, the unhappiness in which people find themselves, can be attributed to this separation in the Shiva-Shakti Tattva, for as such, the psyche is not whole – complete, static and kintetic energies ( masculine and feminine ) are divided, and contact with Brahman, or God cannot be established.
It is the function of Devi Kundalini to first awaken and then as Shakti to reunite with Shiva, that is to reconnect Shiva-Shakti Tattva, so that once again Shiva is Shakti and Shakti is Shiva, the divine union, the opposites joined together in their essence as the one Brahman. This reunion, this completed Yoga ( union )therefore, brings the person in whom it occurs into contact with Brahman, which is state of enlightenment, samadhi, cosmic consciousness. The Kundalini process occurs in etheric, subtle – non physical body. The subtle body is comprised of nerve fibres not visible to the naked eye. These nerve fibres are actually conduits. They are called Nadis, some are major,
Shiva is the masculine and passive element of pure consciousness, Shakti the feminine active element. Shiva and Shakti together form a duality in which Shiva is a power holder and Shakti is power itself. Shiva is the great Lord of the Universe and Shakti is the great Mother of the Universe. This divine partnership is called Shiva-Shakti Tattva (attribute). As such Shiva is changless, static ascpect of consciousness, Shakti is ephemeral, kinetic aspect. They are two sides of the coin. The two are the masculine and feminine forms of Brahman, in their essence they are one Brahman. Shiva and Shakti are internalized in the human body, although they live separately there.
Shakti, the Life Force, resides at the base of the spine. She manifests there as Devi Kundalini, named after Sanskrit word "kundala" , meaning coiled, for she has taken form of a serpent and remains asleep, coiled in the lowest of the seven to nine centers of the body, the Muladhara chakra. Since she is a manifestation of the Shakti, the Devi Kundaini is also known as Kundalini-Shakti, which is the divine cosmic energy in human beings.
Shiva is also dormant in the body, inhabits the Sahasrara chakra, which is located in the crown of the head, and which exist at the furthermost pole from Shakti’s abode in the Muladhara chakra. Here lies the problem, for union with Brahman cannot be achieved so long as Shiva and Shakti are separated. They need each other in order to be activated, to become the one Brahman again. That which is known as the human condition, which is to say, the unhappiness in which people find themselves, can be attributed to this separation in the Shiva-Shakti Tattva, for as such, the psyche is not whole – complete, static and kintetic energies ( masculine and feminine ) are divided, and contact with Brahman, or God cannot be established.
It is the function of Devi Kundalini to first awaken and then as Shakti to reunite with Shiva, that is to reconnect Shiva-Shakti Tattva, so that once again Shiva is Shakti and Shakti is Shiva, the divine union, the opposites joined together in their essence as the one Brahman. This reunion, this completed Yoga ( union )therefore, brings the person in whom it occurs into contact with Brahman, which is state of enlightenment, samadhi, cosmic consciousness. The Kundalini process occurs in etheric, subtle – non physical body. The subtle body is comprised of nerve fibres not visible to the naked eye. These nerve fibres are actually conduits. They are called Nadis, some are major,
Prana
prana is immaterial, invisible and imperceptive to our senses. But it has influence over the molecules, atoms and even sub-atomic particles. In its most concentrated form, it is present in the human reproductive system, the seed containing the most concentrated form of all. Why some brains are more intelligent than others depends on the prana or, more preciesley – the spectrum of prana… (when this spectrum changes) for whatever reason , the concentrated prana in the reproductive organs goes into the spinal cord and flows upward to the brain.”
When the awakening occurs , it is as through chemical factory is opened in the body - the more powerfull reproductive prana begins to circulate through out the nervous system and brain, regulating activity of the organs and causing them to function in a more efficient, healthy.
prana is immaterial, invisible and imperceptive to our senses. But it has influence over the molecules, atoms and even sub-atomic particles. In its most concentrated form, it is present in the human reproductive system, the seed containing the most concentrated form of all. Why some brains are more intelligent than others depends on the prana or, more preciesley – the spectrum of prana… (when this spectrum changes) for whatever reason , the concentrated prana in the reproductive organs goes into the spinal cord and flows upward to the brain.”
When the awakening occurs , it is as through chemical factory is opened in the body - the more powerfull reproductive prana begins to circulate through out the nervous system and brain, regulating activity of the organs and causing them to function in a more efficient, healthy.
Self-Purification
During the process of self-purification and bodily defication, the yogin simultaneously engages in yogic breathing practices (pranayama) for the awakening and elevation of Kundalini. Through utilization of such introvertic yogic techniques as yogic-locks (bhanda-s) and postures ( asana-s) , the breath enters and ascends the central channel. This arising breath (udana-prana) thereby propels the Kundalini upwards towards the higher cakra-s. The purpouse of these techniques is to catalyze internal incineration. Hence the cosmic fire is understood to be awakend Kundalini which burns up the limited selfhood of aspirant.
During the process of self-purification and bodily defication, the yogin simultaneously engages in yogic breathing practices (pranayama) for the awakening and elevation of Kundalini. Through utilization of such introvertic yogic techniques as yogic-locks (bhanda-s) and postures ( asana-s) , the breath enters and ascends the central channel. This arising breath (udana-prana) thereby propels the Kundalini upwards towards the higher cakra-s. The purpouse of these techniques is to catalyze internal incineration. Hence the cosmic fire is understood to be awakend Kundalini which burns up the limited selfhood of aspirant.
Worshiping God : Formless God and Gods & Goddesses, Deities ?
You have the choice of worshipping God as Formless Absolute or of worshipping God with form. We are all human beings. God is supposed to have made us in His image, why not the make God in our image ? It is so much easier to worship God with human form. Can you comprehend the immensity of the totality of the billions of the universes? But you may be ale to comprehend the compassionate eyes of Jesus, or the bewitching eyes of Krishna.
"There are so many different types of eyes in the world. Some are entrancing , some cruel, some calculating, some innocent, some lifeless. But there have never been any eyes like the eyes of Krishna and Jesus. Their eyes make you go mad when you see them, mad with Love."
What is a Deity after all ?
A Deity is the One Consciousness expressed in particular way, a certain aspect of reality which has specific form. All deities are therefore limited to some degree. Jesus was a great being, but even him had some limitations. So did Rama and Krishna, so does Shiva; any being that has name and a form is limited, if only by that name and form.
I believe that is better to worship the One behind the deites, and to respect and appreciate the deities for how well they play the roles assigned to them. This is a subtle difference. You love the deities , but you worship the Absolute that created Them and dwells within Them. Worship of a deity is good way to get started on the spiritual path for so many reasons, but mainly because it is easier to love a form than it is to love the Formless. You may not choose to visualize the Universal Reality as Shiva, maybe you prefer Krishna or Jesus. It doesn’t matter; you will achieve God in whatever form you imagine Him or Her to be, so long as you worship with sincerity and love. So it is only when you distinguished one deity from another as if they were really different that there is contradiction.
You have the choice of worshipping God as Formless Absolute or of worshipping God with form. We are all human beings. God is supposed to have made us in His image, why not the make God in our image ? It is so much easier to worship God with human form. Can you comprehend the immensity of the totality of the billions of the universes? But you may be ale to comprehend the compassionate eyes of Jesus, or the bewitching eyes of Krishna.
"There are so many different types of eyes in the world. Some are entrancing , some cruel, some calculating, some innocent, some lifeless. But there have never been any eyes like the eyes of Krishna and Jesus. Their eyes make you go mad when you see them, mad with Love."
What is a Deity after all ?
A Deity is the One Consciousness expressed in particular way, a certain aspect of reality which has specific form. All deities are therefore limited to some degree. Jesus was a great being, but even him had some limitations. So did Rama and Krishna, so does Shiva; any being that has name and a form is limited, if only by that name and form.
I believe that is better to worship the One behind the deites, and to respect and appreciate the deities for how well they play the roles assigned to them. This is a subtle difference. You love the deities , but you worship the Absolute that created Them and dwells within Them. Worship of a deity is good way to get started on the spiritual path for so many reasons, but mainly because it is easier to love a form than it is to love the Formless. You may not choose to visualize the Universal Reality as Shiva, maybe you prefer Krishna or Jesus. It doesn’t matter; you will achieve God in whatever form you imagine Him or Her to be, so long as you worship with sincerity and love. So it is only when you distinguished one deity from another as if they were really different that there is contradiction.
Jnaneshwar Maharaj express this poetically:
"Now I pay my respects to the God and Goddess who are limitless primal parents of the universe. The lover himself, out of boundless love, becomes the beloved, and the beloved becomes the lover. Each taking place of the other, they reside on the same charming spot. They are made of same substance and share same food. They are so averse to separation that not even their child , the universe, can disturb their union. Seated on the same ground, wearing the same garment of light"
"Now I pay my respects to the God and Goddess who are limitless primal parents of the universe. The lover himself, out of boundless love, becomes the beloved, and the beloved becomes the lover. Each taking place of the other, they reside on the same charming spot. They are made of same substance and share same food. They are so averse to separation that not even their child , the universe, can disturb their union. Seated on the same ground, wearing the same garment of light"
Baba Muktananda said:
"Whatever thoughts one has come from the central nadi, and all ones karmas and impressions from many lives are lodged here. All the different states we experience – desire or greed, inspiration or dullness – arise from the shushumna. In the upper region of the shushumna are such qualities as contentment, peace and knowledge, while in the lower regions lie the passion of lust, greed, anger and all the feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. When your Shakti is awakend, all the past impressions and karmas come out. That is why when you first receive saktipat, you sometimes feel very angry. You shouldn’t be afraid when you get into such a state it happens because the Shakti is expelling the karmas of countless lives"
The yogic scriptures explain that the samskaras are stored inside the shushumna nadi, and hen Kundalini awakens and enters the shushumna, She begins to dislodge and expel them. While the samskaras are being removed, they rise into our awareness and we experience them, sometimes it’s great intensity. If your mind have tendency to become agitated or angry, for example, our state may seem to get worse for a while. If we have a problem with fear our fearfulness may increase temporary.
It is like a process by which we are consciously witnessing arising feeling and accepting it in this way integrating it with consciousness where there is no separation, no either attachment or detachment. There is consciousness – awareness in the state of neutrality without any concept in this way mind is clear , there is no ego, no maya… just presence of existence off all at one, one moment, one place and in the same time at all times and places, now… only now… truth ! everything else is burned in the flame of truth, cutted with the sword of Maha Kali – dissolving the ego. Shakti is cutting away at the roots our tendencies.
Just witness the process, with gratitude that these things are being eliminated from our system by the process of acceptation and letting it go because what comes, goes nothing in this reality is “permanent”. We can observe only flow of shakti which change all the time from form to form, from senses to emotions, to mind always changing and changing, sensations coming and going , emotions coming and going thoughts coming and going all sounds, visions … coming and going… you just let go. Don’t follow any off those, just be aware of all changes, reside in this consciousness and relax. Indulging the samskaras, acting them out, judging them, or represing them – these approaches are not helpful. Kundalini will expel the tendencies from our system in due course. Meanwhile, we can cooperate with the process by simply witnessing it.
"Whatever thoughts one has come from the central nadi, and all ones karmas and impressions from many lives are lodged here. All the different states we experience – desire or greed, inspiration or dullness – arise from the shushumna. In the upper region of the shushumna are such qualities as contentment, peace and knowledge, while in the lower regions lie the passion of lust, greed, anger and all the feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. When your Shakti is awakend, all the past impressions and karmas come out. That is why when you first receive saktipat, you sometimes feel very angry. You shouldn’t be afraid when you get into such a state it happens because the Shakti is expelling the karmas of countless lives"
The yogic scriptures explain that the samskaras are stored inside the shushumna nadi, and hen Kundalini awakens and enters the shushumna, She begins to dislodge and expel them. While the samskaras are being removed, they rise into our awareness and we experience them, sometimes it’s great intensity. If your mind have tendency to become agitated or angry, for example, our state may seem to get worse for a while. If we have a problem with fear our fearfulness may increase temporary.
It is like a process by which we are consciously witnessing arising feeling and accepting it in this way integrating it with consciousness where there is no separation, no either attachment or detachment. There is consciousness – awareness in the state of neutrality without any concept in this way mind is clear , there is no ego, no maya… just presence of existence off all at one, one moment, one place and in the same time at all times and places, now… only now… truth ! everything else is burned in the flame of truth, cutted with the sword of Maha Kali – dissolving the ego. Shakti is cutting away at the roots our tendencies.
Just witness the process, with gratitude that these things are being eliminated from our system by the process of acceptation and letting it go because what comes, goes nothing in this reality is “permanent”. We can observe only flow of shakti which change all the time from form to form, from senses to emotions, to mind always changing and changing, sensations coming and going , emotions coming and going thoughts coming and going all sounds, visions … coming and going… you just let go. Don’t follow any off those, just be aware of all changes, reside in this consciousness and relax. Indulging the samskaras, acting them out, judging them, or represing them – these approaches are not helpful. Kundalini will expel the tendencies from our system in due course. Meanwhile, we can cooperate with the process by simply witnessing it.
Evoultion of the universe
basic concept reperesents gradual awakening of the individual consciousness reffering to the psychological and psychic universe. Occult theory of the evolution does not refer to the physical universe. The evolution of this micro/macrocosm is the result of an interation between the principle of Consciousness (Shiva – Purusha) or the positive / male element and the “Energy of Nature” (Shakti – Prakriti) or the negative / female element.
Three potentials/ gualities of the universe, gunas :
From Ahamkara, evolution proceeded in two directions: the objective or external world and the subjective or psychomental world. The evolutionary direction that Ahamkara took depended upon which of the three gunas predominated.
basic concept reperesents gradual awakening of the individual consciousness reffering to the psychological and psychic universe. Occult theory of the evolution does not refer to the physical universe. The evolution of this micro/macrocosm is the result of an interation between the principle of Consciousness (Shiva – Purusha) or the positive / male element and the “Energy of Nature” (Shakti – Prakriti) or the negative / female element.
Three potentials/ gualities of the universe, gunas :
- Sattva – luminosity, existence, goodness
- Rajas – activity, movement, motor energy
- Tamas – sloth, static inertia, darkness
From Ahamkara, evolution proceeded in two directions: the objective or external world and the subjective or psychomental world. The evolutionary direction that Ahamkara took depended upon which of the three gunas predominated.