Kundalini Yoga

Shiv Charan Singh - Karam Kriya Centre
An article on Kundalini yoga

"Those who realize the Eternal, Unchanging Word of God,like Dhruu are immune to death. They cross over the terrifying world-ocean in an instant; the Lord created the world like a bubble of water. The Kundalini rises in the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation; through the Word of the Guru, they enjoy the Lord of Supreme Bliss. The Supreme Guru is the Lord and Master over all; so serve the True Guru, in thought, word and deed. "
Guru Arjun

The purpose of Kundalini Yoga is to control and overcome our base motivations and transcend the ego. Kundalini means a coil of the Beloved's hair, it is also equated with the serpent energy coiled three and a half times around the root chakra. It is raised through prana being pulled in through the Pingala [the nadi to the right side of the spine] this is achieved through the breathe mostly through the inhale.

The tightening of the bandas allows apana to be pulled up through Ida [left side of the spine.] Prana and apana meet at the navel chakra producing white fire‚ which then travels down to root chakra. Kundalini then rises up through the Sushuma [the central channel.] If the chakras are strong enough to manage the charge and their opening has been cultivated through a lifestyle of purity in thought and action then Kundalini may pierce through any remaining blockages to resolve any last tensions or polarities.

It may seem from this description that it is a sudden event, and a spontaneous awakening is possible. Instances have been recorded but mostly these are short lived. The real outcome of radical change depends on the steadiness of discipline and how the student can hold and use the energy.

Furthermore it is not just about raising the energy or getting high but finally, having opened the chakras, to then let the divine light energy pour in so as to spiritualise the material existence and live as a saint-warrior while in this life.

All over the world there are references to this sleeping power,this dormant energy within. There are stories with reference to the serpent or dragon, there are symbols of serpents and spirals in every ancient culture. This is clearly a universal quest which is seen in many countries and cultures and has been going on for many thousands of years; e.g; Africa, Celtic traditions, China, Egypt and the Mayans. It is however, on the Indian subcontinent that Kundalini finds it‚s most complete expression and fruition.

All experiences are movements of kundalini energy.

The amazing thing about Kundalini yoga is its comprehensive unity

You can enjoy its benefits on many levels and selectively

Physical, detox, rejuvination and general balance of organs in relation to each other, and the body systems such as circulation, nerves, lymphs, and so on.. etc.

Physical; Specifically there are kriyas for taking care of specific organs and body systems

Emotional; as in learning to manage and direct emotional charge, this is emotion into devotion.

Mental; peaceful mind but further if you wish towards conquering of the mind by going beyond the chakras.

Spiritual; awareness of soul, finite to infinite connection, meet the divine, union through communion.

It may not be stated openly, ore even known by the practitioners, but each type of yoga or esoteric tradition, and even overt religious practices, works on the Kundalini differently. To stimulate or repress its movement, to listen to its wisdom, to direct its movement, to apply its energy for various purposes, to relate through it to the realms of spirits and divinities, and so on. Examples are:

Fasting or other special dietary regimes.
Body postures such as asana and various ritual movements.
Special ways of dressing and keeping or removing the hair.
Special breath patterns and controls, mudras (hand gestures).
Chanting of special sounds as in mantra, sutras and repetitive prayers.
Being in the presence of holy company, i.e. saints and spiritual congregation.
Mind control and projection, as well as inner visualisations.

The basic concept of Yoga and Kundalini

Kundalini Yoga is an holistic practice and philosophy that brings personal benefits of rejuvenation and healing. Brought to the west by Yogi Bhajan it is a comprehensive system of exercises, breathing, meditation, chanting and a healthy mental projection. In this way we develop a conscious and dynamic relationship between our personal life force or energy and the universal flow of this same energy [otherwise known as Prana or Chi]. The overall result is the balancing of our subtle anatomy represented as inner mandalas or chakras and the alignment of our Ten Spiritual Bodies. This awakens us to who we really are, i.e. spiritual beings having a human experience.

The word Kundalini means spiral of hair and later came to be known as the coiled serpent of potential energy and consciousness that is thought to lie at the base of the spine waiting to be awoken by various practices; moving and sounding like a serpent as it arises. In fact before it can be awoken it needs to be gathered, and when gathered in to sufficient intensity it will naturally open out again, giving the sensation of awakening or rebirth. One of the earliest methods used was to wind the hair into a knot at the top of the head. This knot then acts as an amplifier and transformer between the finite/personal life and the infinite/impersonal.

Yoga means union and in addition to the temporary union between the mind, body and soul while in this worldly existence there is also the possibility of an eternal union between the differentiated small soul/self as it expands towards the undifferentiated and the large soul/self as it individualises or diversifies itself. Note: To even contemplate union is already to admit separation. Yoga is a way of healing the separation and does this in very particular way and stages.

The structure and process of the body/mind system is our most potent tools for accomplishing this union as well as the most likely hindrances. The stages of the Kundalini journey have been visualised as seven chakras ˜ differently shaped energy wheels, or gates through which the conscious must pass; individual consciousness rising up while universal consciousness descends. In fact most of our states of consciousness could be thought of as postures - some static and some dynamic - each of which effect our breathing and mind patterns. By changing our body posture, breath rhythm and thought vibration we can change our state.

Awakening the Kundalini is no big deal since for life to exist in us it must already be active, though minimally and relatively unconscious. Moments of deeper awakening do happen in life but we do not always know either what contributed to this awakening or how to sustain it. Kundalini Yoga developed as a systematic method of expanding consciousness and maintaining the new awareness. Of particular importance is the strengthening of the nervous system to handle an increased frequency of current. Without this right development and guidance many people experience identity crisis and nervous breakdowns without knowing the real nature of the problem.

Kundalini is related to primal consciousness and is only dangerous if ignored. It becomes a misguided intent. If we ignore the truth it cause trouble. Weeds are a useful part of a healthy ecology but cause trouble if they are not regulated and balanced with the whole system. The sexual impulse or desire, if repressed, results in sickness or even madness. Bacteria, both healthy and unhealthy, need to be rightly managed to maintain well-being. The chanting of mantra is one of the important ways in which the stimulation and raising of the energy from the dreamy subconscious realms can be harmoniously regulated, channelled and appropriately transformed. The mouth and the tongue are an expression of female and male forces in relationship with each other. The quality of our speech directly influences the quality of our relationships.

Kundalini refers to an impulse and an energy that has both personal and collective dimensions; it is enduring and can offer us guidance from within ˜ within the energetic flow, known as Shakti, there is a primary intelligence, an inner telling that it is our inner guru. Ritual is one of the ways that Kundalini has been awoken and with its sacred quality, ritual offers a respect to an energy that is thought to be very powerful and somewhat unknown.
The Kundalini Yoga class is very simple and includes the chanting of several mantras at the beginning, during and at the end of the session. Some examples of these mantras are described below. The standard format of the session is about 40 minutes of exercises incorporating breathing, 15 minutes of deep relaxation and 5 minutes of meditation. Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, is a comprehensive system and so some classes include discussions about life and spiritual philosophy.