Kundalini Meditation and Yoga Practices

What Is Kundalini Meditation?

Our body consider as we have 7 chakras and 72000 nadis with very complex auto machine run with the source of internal and external energy. 7 chakra covered whole energy of the body, and in simple words, Kundalini means a position of our energy which is stay like s coil from the spine of our body near Muladhar Chakra to upward Swadisthana upto Vishuddha Chakra, can be visualize with meditative energy. If this energy activated makes significant improvement in meditation because this energy touches and influence the 5 different chakras begins from Muladhara to Vishuddha Chakra (via, Swadisthana, Manipura Anahata to Vishuddha). This is very important and powerful meditation practices and one need to take careful consideration to active it in order to avoid the negative impact. It is a hidden energy and once it is activated, can helps to a spiritual seeker to bring more clarity in his perception.

The word Kundalini drives from Sanskrit language, which literally means coiled. In yogic world, a serpent is one of the oldest and most widespread mythological symbols that associated with some of the oldest ritual known to mankind, and it represent dual expression of good and evil energy. Kundalini meditation helps to aware of this energy, and raise the positiveness toward benefits of spiritual awaking. 

So, Kundalini meditations means siting in a position with raising awareness through any techniques to achieve profound consciousness and supreme bliss. It take time but with time, it will become easier to call yourself into a meditative state. Once you have that ability, it’s the goal for that new state of awareness to translate into other areas of your life. Rather than simply reacting to what happens to you, this practice can help you manage your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with heightened intention and perspective.

Origin and development of Kundalini Meditation

The origin of Kundalini meditation is unknown, but it has been found in Eastern spiritual philosophy since very ancient times. Many Saints and Munis used to practice this meditation since then, and have achieved enlightenment.  In early Eastern religious, it was believed that everyone possesses a divine energy coiled at the based of our spine and one can activate it with care and consideration in Dyana (meditation). Since then, the practice has become a popular way to develop greater body awareness, mindfulness, and stress relief, among other benefits. Kundalini meditation link with whole body energy to spiritual energy for the enlightenment awaking!
It is also mentioned about ‘Kundalini’ in ancient Egypt and Greece texts as well. And they consider as very powerful meditation technique to raise the higher energy. In ancient Greek and later, Roman mythology, we find Asclepius, the god of healing. He is seen holding a staff which is entwined with a serpent (or sometimes two). Greeks relate this symbolic energy for healing and it represents the central support of the human body or spinal cord (physical location of the Sushumna. In Rome Aescaluius came to be represented mercury who usually held a healing staff called the Caduceus.The one or two coiled snakes or serpents entwined around the staff, represent the kundalini which rises along the central subtle channel in a spiral double helical movement. 

 

Adi Sankaracharya who lived in the 7th -8th Century AD, mentioned about the Kundalini and Nadis. He stated – ‘Having filled the pathway of the Nadis with the streaming shower of nectar flowing from the Lotus feet, having resumed thine own position from out of the resplendent Lunar regions and Thyself assuming the form of a serpent of three and a half coils, sleepest thou, in the hollow of Kula Kunda (Kula Kunda means the hollow of Mooladhara Sacrum bone)’.

‘Saundarya Lahari’: ‘Thou art residing in secrecy with Thy Lord (The spirit) in the thousand petalled Lotus, having pierced through the Earth situated in ‘Mooladhara’, the Water in Manipura, the Fire abiding in the Svadhisthana, the Air in the Heart (‘Anahata’), the Ether above (Visshuddhi) and ‘Manas’ between the eyebrows (‘Agnya’) and thus broken through the entire ‘Kula Path’.’

The earliest known mention dates to the sacred Vedic collection of writings – Upanishads (c. 1,000 B.C. – 500 B.C.), mentioned about Kundalini yoga practices.

Another famous saint of Maharashtra – Gyaneshwara, born around 1275 AD, described Kundalini in the 6th chapter of his famous book Gyaneshwari: ‘Kundalini is one of the greatest energies. The whole body of the seeker starts glowing because of the rising of the Kundalini. Because of that, unwanted impurities in the body disappear. The body of the seeker suddenly looks very proportionate and the eyes look bright and attractive and the eyeballs glow.’

Guru Nanak Dev (born in 1496 AD) has made references to Kundalini awakening as “A pure heart is the golden vessel to fill the Divine Nectar which is to be sucked from the ‘Dasham Dwar’ through the two channels ‘Ida’ and ‘Pingala’.” Dasham Dwar means Brahmarandhra. (Sahasrara Chakra). ‘God has made this human body a house with six Chakras and has established the light of spirit in it. Cross the ocean of Maya and meet the eternal God who does not come, who does not go, who neither takes birth nor dies. When your six Chakras meet in line, Surati (Kundalini) takes you beyond distortions.’ (Sri Guru Granth). Note that the seventh Chakra was not open at this time.

In christianity the old ‘Testament symbol’ becomes significant when Christ suggests Kundalini awakening, not just for the tribe of Israel but as the true destiny of all Christians: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even as the son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believe in him should not perish but have eternal life”.  He says unequivocally in the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas and elsewhere, that ‘The Holy Spirit is My Mother’. ‘The Kingdom of God is within you’.

Tao Te Ching described Kundalini as the “spirit of the valley” (in which flows the Nadi of Sushumna). The spirit of the valley never dies. The spiritual instrument within us can be described as a microcosm (miniature form of creation) which links us with the Divine. The ancient esoteric text “Scripture of the Golden Flower” also spoke of the effects of the awakened kundalini energy.

The Lord Buddha spoke of the “middle path” to achieve nirvana. He was actually describing the central channel (sushumna) through which the Kundalini ascends. Later Buddhist masters considered that the existence of the path of liberation within a human being was the greatest secret. They transmitted it to only a few deserving disciples.

Technique of Kundalini Meditation Practices:

Kundalini meditation is for raising special energy from your root chakra (Muladhara) toward Sahasrara Chakra followed by other chakras of our body. This Kundalini meditation is suggested for those who has already practice meditation before in any meditation centers or in a private meditation places, or even for those who practice self meditating in home or anywhere else. Most important is one should have at lest some basic knowledge what meditation is about. 

In simple words, what  meditation means – One trying to negate the all negative energies from the body, and make oneself free from all the junks, images from their memories(mind).

There are many other basic techniques one can try, however here – we are approach you one of the Kundalini Meditation technique that we experienced worth to try.

From very ancient time, many saints and practitioner have tried and developed many ways to do it. So, there is no such fixed technique that we can tell, but here based on our own experiences, we suggest following technique however different people has different energy level and work differently. You may practice with an open mind and if you committed yourself and practice consistently, you may reap all the benefits for further deep meditations achievements and spiritual awakening in short period of time.

 

Getting ready for the Meditation:

First of all you should be clear why you want to do kundalini meditation. Your body, mind, and emotions must be ready to receive a powerful energy through this meditation. Sometime it can be disappointing or stress, if the energy is not received well. So, be cautious, and well prepared before you delve into Kundalini meditation.

First of all make sure that you choose the right location where you want to sit for at least more than one hour and do the mediation. In general kundalini meditation can be done in any place you wish, however to find a quiet and distraction -free place will be recommended. A place where your body and mind feel comfortable, safe and sound. Also such place where after the meditation you do not have to put lots of efforts to get your home or destination you are planning for the day. 

Once you fixed your right location, then make sure that that location has positive vibe. If necessary make some changes or adjustments with your meditation hall or room. For example adjust the room temperature, fresh air, keep right things in the place, keep proper light in the room, certains and so on. Make sure that you choose right cuisine or pillow that required, a glass of water, a light towel, and light types of shawl or blanket. Also make sure that you have the right (cotton clean loose and comfortable) cloths to enhance the feeling of lightness.

Also you may take proper diet that helps meditation. Vegetarian meals are recommended. If you have over weight or less, bring back to normal position with proper yoga practices. We suggest that meditators eat light food that allows the mind to be calm and focused but in general, there are no requirements. Avoiding drugs, other than those prescribed by a doctor, is also recommended, as psychoactive drugs may imbalance your body and mind. Avoid alcohol and tobacco or any other smokes or if any any others.

Choosing position or sitting posture :

Make sure that you do basic Yoga posture and some exercises/yoga before you sit for the meditation. If you do some hard or other types of exercises, you may take cold shower before you sit for mediation. 

You may sit in the floor over a mattress or caisson, in a crossed leg position or half lotus position or even a chair just in case you can sit without. During the meditation make sure that you keep your spine straight upright position to feel the flow of energy. You may take use a pillow underneath just incase it required. Keep your hand loose in a proper finger pressure – like use the fleshy part of your finger up or facing you, and not the fingernail. Eyes gently close position. Breath normal.

Time, practice, and stop:

There is no restrictions about the choosing right time however you may do it in the morning before sunrise or evening before sunset. Of course, if you are in Ashram or meditation center, follow their timetable. An empty stomach (a glass of water before start recommend). If you are home and practicing it alone, set a timer so you will know when to stop. 

Once you are in proper mediation position, start to focus on your breath (pranayam). Slowly aware of your breathing , give more attention on it, watch it and aim to continue it. So you notice there are good flow on both segments of inhales and exhales during ‘a complete breath’. Breath through your nose the entire time. If you feel dizzy at any point, then stop the practice.

As you are focusing on how your breath is moving through your body and watch it and whenever you find your mind start moving or wandering, bring your consciousness return to again your breath and focus back to your breath again and keep doing this till complete silence is not cultivated. When the Kundalini arises, the experience varies from person to person, but some general observations are a feeling of heat along the spine, euphoric sensations throughout the body, and a sense of the gentle breeze on the palms. If you feel that, your kundalini energy is arising. 

Focus 100% on every movement including all the parts of the body and especially your spinal area including all the chakras. After sometime you may start noticing your own breathing. Try to stop your own mind chattering, and if there is a sensation – feel it, but do not let the thoughts  create any images. Come to the complete silent. You may notice inhale and exhale into different segments and when there is no activities in the mind, no thoughts at all, you may feel empty space where ‘you’ disappear and oneness appear in no time, and feel the flow of universal energy. You will have tremendous clarity in your perceptions, you’re enlighten! Bring your awareness back to your body, open your eyes and end the meditation. 

You may required great deal of practices. Pick a manageable meditation commitment time that you think you can follow through on every day. Do not give up till you achieve your goal, If still not feeling the changes on your energy and required more time, you may gradually increase your meditation time and aware flow of your energy. In confusion, or you find fluctuation in your energy, you may consult with your Guru and decide whether you continue it or not. Though, there is no restriction of age for the Kundalini Meditation, however advise to do this meditation minimum age of 18 or above. 

Benefits of kundalini meditation: 

The big advantage is you will activate your 7 Chakras, balance them, and lead to an expanded state of consciousness which means achieve a life-full of joy, love, and light. When you practice kundalini meditation, naturally you will have good flow of oxygen in the body, clear the all blockage, and eliminate toxins from the body. You feel full of engery all the times, there will be no grief, no anxiety, no depression neither there is addictions. It also helps sleeping disorders or any phobias one has. And bring freshness and calmness (less anger) to help for anything you are doing in your daily life.

Your nervous system strengthens and you will have better perception on everything around. You will have balance on your emotional states, and confidence on your relationship with your partner. If you are family man or woman, it benefits the healthy reproductive system. It keep the young energy in your face and purifies the whole body. You will be completely conscious and it also benefits the surroundings you live.

Kundalini meditation evokes a highly creative energy that you must surrender to with absolutely no ego. It gives idea to look at your life with a superior and glorious attitude. It calms your mind so that you’re acting with purpose rather than just reacting to your thoughts and environment. It is a cleanse process of mind as like normal people clean physical body with shower each day. It is also very effective and helpful even people who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) by increasing the happy chemical in your mind – dopamine and serotonin ‘known as happy chemical messenger’.