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Q: What is Kundalini?
A:
Kundalini is a type of power which exists within our body. It has
been described extensively in our Yogic scriptures. Accordingly,
Kundalini resides in the Muladhar chakra at the base
of our spinal cord.
Q: Does
everybody posses Kundalini power?
A: Of
course. It exists in everybody but it is in latent form. Not only do
we have to awaken it but we also have to ascend the energy, passing it
through all the chakras and finally stabilizing it in our top
most chakra namely Sahastradal. When we do that, we
attain Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Q: Is it
necessary for all aspirants to awaken the Kundalini?
A: No.
Those who follow the path of Yoga must take steps to awaken the
Kundalini, while for seekers of Gyan path, it is not
mandatory. In fact after a certain stage of sadhana, though an
aspirant may not be aware of it, the Kundalini awakens.
Q: What
are the means by which Kundalini can be awaken?
A: Some
Asanas like Shirshasana (Head stand), Sarvangasana
(Shoulder stand), and Pashchimottanasana (Seated forward bend)
helps in the awakening of Kundalini. Performance of
Bhastrika pranayam (A breathing exercise wherein the air is
inhaled and exhaled like in bellows), some of the mudras such
as Tadagi Mudra and Shanmukhi Mudra aid in this as well.
Purity of
heart and recitation of holy name also play an important role in
awakening of Kundalini.
Q: Can Kundalini be awakened
externally by another person?
A: Sometime
during the process of initiation, a Guru may awaken the serpent power
of the disciple. However such incidents rarely occur as very few
individuals are blessed with such powers. It is equally true that many
disciples are not ready to receive that kind of grace.
There are descriptions in our ancient scriptures about such dikshas
wherein merely by a touch or a sankalpa (determined
thought/resolve) a Guru would awaken the Kundalini of his
disciples. But in such cases the disciple also has to practice
rigorously, otherwise the awakened Kundalini would become
latent again.
Q: Is it
possible that once awakened Kundalini can again become serpent?
A: Of
course. If the sadhaka becomes careless and discontinues
practice, then Kundalini will once again become dormant.
Q: What
kind of experience does one have when the Kundalini is
awakened?
A: These experiences are
very unique and are difficult to describe. For instance all the atoms
of the body become enlightened, all kinds of laziness disappear, and
sometimes one experiences a sensation synonymous to row of ants
ascending the spinal cord. Sometimes a special knocking sound (like
knocking on the door) is heard coming from region of one's back etc.
Q: As the kundalini rises through
different chakras, what kind of experience does an aspirant undergo?
A: While
passing through different chakras, sadhaka enjoys many
unique experiences. For example, while Kundalini enters the
Nabhi chakra from Muladhar chakra divine
knowledge is obtained as well as the ability to transcribe that
knowledge. While the Kundalini power passes through Manipur
chakra and Swadhistan chakra ‘Nad’ is heard
and one achieves control over one's hunger, thirst and even one’s
excretion system. The face becomes radiant and the mind becomes
nonchalant towards worldly objects.
While
Kundalini passes through Agya chakra, one can
comprehend the past, present and future effortlessly. One can have
association with great sages merely by samkalpa (determined
thought). When Kundalini further travels to Brahmarandhra
chakra, one experiences Nirvikalpa Samadhi and unity
with the eternal power.
Q: Have
you experienced anything from all that you just described?
A: Whatever
I say, I say it on the basis of my personal experiences. What I just
described; I experienced it during my sadhana, otherwise I
would not be able to elaborate on the topic in such detail.
Q: Is it true that awakening of
Kundalini results in experiencing the divine light?
A: Some
aspirants may have such an experience but not everyone undergoes
through same phenomenon on awakening of their Kundalini power.
Q: In which way does awakening of
Kundalini affect the progress on the spiritual path?
A:
After the awakening, the process of sadhana becomes stimulating
and exciting. The mind's ability to concentrate increases manifold; it
does not engage easily in worldly objects during meditation. |
