07 December 2010

Hello Friends,

I have been traveling for nearly a month so haven't offered any posts lately but finally have returned.
It is true that many people awaken kundalini due to practices that use energy movement or healing modalities and for many other reasons, and without a clear understanding of what spiritual awakening is really about or without spiritual guidance the challenges of dealing with the energy can be more complicated. In addition even those who are seeking a spiritual awakening often have misconceptions about what this entails. Eventually it means the releasing of all formerly held concepts and perceptions and even the sense of a personal "me" who can be enlightened. No one really expects this so when it starts to happen it can be very disturbing, unless there is someone around for support who really understands it. Enlightenment is not an accomplishment to be added to the list of things we have attained in this life. It is what remains when all thoughts and personal goals are released and we begin to experience who we are without the personal mental world that has been accumulated since early childhood and is based on all our experiences, impressions, desires and disappointments.
Freedom is freedom from "me" which means we can live more fully as just presence in any moment. We are already doing this which is why so many teachers say everyone is already enlightened, but we are overlaid with all the personal phenomena which clouds are capacity to truly experience our natural self and the stillness/wisdom/love it has to offer.

It is not uncommon in meditation for the stirring of energy or the arising of energy to occur, sometimes with heat, sometimes with bliss, sometimes just energy moving upward through the body. This may be the opening of kundalini or another phenomena called prana-tattva where the pranic energies of the subtle body are just moving and reorganizing themselves. Regular mediation eventually impacts the subtle energy field, the chemical system and the brain, as if we are slowly restructuring our internal field in preparation for the awakening it can bring.
In some people challenges arise along with this energy such as the release of old memories or emotions, or disturbances in the digestion system or heart area; in others it can be smooth and pleasant and just a gradual opening. If you can trust the benevolence of the process and listen to your heart and not be overly concerned about any phenomena the process moves more smoothly.

I have another new blog site at shantiriver.wordpress.com if you wish more of my comments on the awakening process.

Blessings to all of you.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the post, I always really enjoy your writing.

Anonymous said...

In an email I received, you alluded to a new center you were planning. Is it up and running? Where would I find info on this?
Laurie

Anonymous said...

Hi Bonnie,

I began doing a deep-breathing exercise (35 minutes, once a day) in July 2010. Occassionally I noticed a twitching in my legs near the end of a session. In the last two weeks this has increased and now the twitching begins after about 30 seconds every time I practice, and remains fairly intense throughout the practice.

I'm unsure whether I should continue the practice to open to whatever is trying to emerge, or to discontinue practice.

I should mention that I practiced Paramahana Yogananda's Kriya Yoga techniques daily from 1972 until 1990. After that I practiced Buddhist meditation for two years.

During the last 10 years I've been studying the non-dual perspective (Tony Parsons).

I've also experimented with various breathing techniques over the last five years (I'm 65 years old).

I'd greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions you might have.

Anonymous said...

I have been living with the aftrmath of kundalini for 10 years now, and it has been very hard, with a sense of isolation regarding my geographical location. With regard to meditation. I hade been practicing this for 25 years prior to the spontaneous opening, and since then I have been fearful of spending time in contemplation. I do for short periods but terrified of stirring up what seems like a monumental amount of energy in my body which has been wreaking havoc with my organs. I feel like giving up altogether, as it has all been too much for me.

Tara Springett said...

Hi Bonnie,
I hope it is okay to contact you via the comments box as I have not seen a contact feature.

I am Buddhist therapist and teacher and author of several self-help books.

In the course of 25 years of Buddhist meditation I have experienced a kundalini awakening. I had mostly rewarding experiences due to the skilful guidance of my Buddhist teachers but I also had my fair share of kundalini induced purification processes which were very painful at the time. At the time (10 years ago) I read your book, which I found very helpful.

I now offer people guidance in this sometimes difficult process.

I would like to offer you an article for your blog about my understanding of kundalini and how to deal with its difficult symptoms. You can see one such article here: http://www.taraspringett.com/kundalini/what-is-kundalini

My email address is tara@taraspringett.com

Best,
Tara Springett www.taraspringett.com

Samarpit said...

Resp.Sir, 5:32 am post.....With the aftermath of Kundalini awakening....I would like to tell you that You shouldnt get afraid of the same .you are a part of the universal conciousness then why fear 2 merge.?
E.g: Why would a child fear to go to its parents?
Thats your origin...
you needa Guru......
I would advice you to chant these lines...
I am a pure soul...i am a clean soul.....
C the diffrence leave the Attatchment to the Cloak as Bonnie sIR HAS MENTIONED .....n feel the diffrence