The term ‘Kundalini’ comes from Sanskrit word ‘Kundal’ meaning coiled. Please refer to the video uploaded in Part-1. In my opinion that video is an ultimate piece of beauty and perfection on this subject. I had made a passing reference to Kundalini Shakti (Serpentine energy) in Part-1 of the Chakra series. In pursuant to the overwhelming response (more than 6000 page views in 2 days) which I received, especially for Part-3, I am hereby making a humble attempt to explain ‘Kundalini’ awakening in more detail.

No matter what religion or faith one follows, Kundalini awakening is essential for spiritual advancement and ‘self realization’. It may be termed differently in different cultures but the concept of primal energy remains the same. Just like the potential / static energy in the river water can be converted into kinetic / flowing / dynamic energy which in turn can generate electric, magnetic or mechanical energy, the primal energy (Kundalini Shakti) remains in a static form in our body at the Root chakra level unless awakened. Needless to explain the benefits it showers while ascending upwards through the Chakras from Root to the Crown after getting activated. We all know that energy, in dynamic state works wonders. Since this energy makes its upward journey, like a serpent, through the Chakras, it is essential to ensure that the Chakras are open (discussed in Part-3) to make way for this soul-stimulating energy. If the Chakras are blocked, the serpentine energy is not able to reach its destination (Crown Chakra) and eventually descends down to the Root Chakra once again. As per Hindu scriptures, ‘Kundalini’ is synonymous with Goddess Shakti (wife of Lord Shiva) whose ultimate goal is to leave the Root Chakra and ascend towards the Crown which is said to be the abode of Lord Shiva. The rising of Shakti towards her celestial spouse has been portrayed as a journey filled with joy and ecstasy and after uniting with Lord Shiva, she resumes her downward journey towards the Root and as she travels back through the Chakras, the whole body bathes in the shower of her love, eternal bliss and inexplicable joy. It’s an experience which is hard to explain in words.

I got several e-mails from readers who seemed to be curious to know how it feels when Kundalini is awakened. So here is the answer. Experiences may differ from one individual to the other but still the commonly found ‘signs of awakening’ are as follows:

• Involuntary jerking / throbbing / trembling in the body
• Intense feelings of pleasure or bliss
• Feelings of cold / chills in the body
• Intense heat in the spine, or a particular chakra
• Sensation of energy flowing through body like electricity or internal lightning bolts
• Feelings like snakes or ants crawling on the body, particularly along the spine
• In some cases, confusion, uneasiness or uncertainty about what’s happening, may occur
• Sudden emotional shifts or mood swings
• Increase in the experience of inner colors and lights
• Inner sounds may be experienced in the form of music, ringing or even thunder
• Sudden outbursts of creative, intellectual, or spiritual insights

A few days ago, I stumbled on Gopi Krishna’s invaluable scripture titled ‘Kundalini-Path to Higher Consciousness’, in which he explains his own experience with Kundalini awakening. It gives me immense pleasure to share this excerpt with you.

"Suddenly, with a roar like that of a waterfall, I felt a stream of liquid light entering my brain through the spinal cord. Entirely unprepared for such a development, I was completely taken by surprise; but regaining my self-control, keeping my mind on the point of concentration. The illumination grew brighter and brighter, the roaring louder, I experienced a rocking sensation and then felt myself slipping out of my body, entirely enveloped in a halo of light. It is impossible to describe the experience accurately. I felt the point of consciousness that was myself growing wider surrounded by waves of light. It grew wider and wider, spreading outward while the body, normally the immediate object of its perception, appeared to have receded into the distance until I became entirely unconscious of it. I was now all consciousness without any outline, without any idea of corporeal appendage, without any feeling or sensation coming from the senses, immersed in a sea of light simultaneously conscious and aware at every point, spread out, as it were, in all directions without any barrier or material obstruction. I was no longer myself, or to be more accurate, no longer as I knew myself to be, a small point of awareness confined to a body, but instead was a vast circle of consciousness in which the body was but a point, bathed in light and in a state of exultation and happiness impossible to describe."

My next hub would deal with preparing oneself for Kundalini awakening.

To  be continued.....