Myths About Kundalini Awakening | My Reassurance to You
If you are anything like I was in 2018, you might be struggling deeply now that you’ve just had a Kundalini awakening.
Or you may be someone experiencing a Kundalini awakening who is looking for reassurance or connection in some way.
You might be curious about all of the mystery that Kundalini is, and have searched the internet for answers to better assist your process.
Maybe you aren’t experiencing a Kundalini process and/or you know someone who is, and you would like to gather information on the subject.
Regardless of your reason, today there is quite a bit of misinformation about Kundalini and Kundalini awakenings, so I’ve compiled this list about the myths of Kundalini that I’ve witnessed on my journey, to provide reassurance and clarification for anyone looking for it.
As someone who experienced a very intense awakening in 2018, I am happy to offer reassurance to anyone experiencing challenges with theirs.
If you have any questions regarding this list or anything else, feel free to ask on the contact page, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Here we go:
1. Kundalini isn’t demonic.
Kundalini isn’t demonic or satanic in the slightest. This was my biggest fear as someone who was raised in a Southern Baptist/Catholic family. In my process, I experienced intense kriyas (involuntary movements) and even had dark dreams and visions with silhouettes of horned beings and alien-like creatures. I spent many fearful days and nights in insistent prayer to God that my Kundalini process either go away, or that I be shown that it was, indeed a blessing as I had read in some places on the internet. Of course, the latter was presented to me in a number of incredibly powerful ways, I gained trust that this process was a blessing, and I am totally free from this fear today. Most importantly, when I finally understood that Kundalini grants access to the unconscious of oneself, others and the collective, and that I had a choice in how to navigate it, I felt empowered and could finally get to work in resolving the issues I was experiencing.
I eventually discovered that my own fear of my symptoms and some habits of mine (including nicotine and caffeine) were the culprits for generating the most difficult and dark symptoms. Once I was able to learn the frameworks of Kundalini, offer myself love and compassion, and rid of bad habits (especially the ones that affected the nervous system), the darker symptoms went away completely, and I began to experience the benefits of the Kundalini process such as peace, joy, compassion and profound bliss.
If you are Kundalini awakened, you may have already had divine experiences, or profound states of joy, bliss, and peace. You may have experienced a deepening of great wisdom and compassion. If you haven’t yet, I can assure you that you will, and you really have nothing to be afraid of. In fact, I encourage your excitement for the gift you have received, and trust that the divine is assisting you and will do so if you ask.
The Kundalini process is about understanding and opening deeply to divine love, and through our deepening wisdom and compassion, giving birth to our highest potential. It is a journey of deepening integrity, in the highest sense. This deepening of integrity will impact all areas of our lives and will be integrated more and more along our journey so long as we readily allow it both courageously and lovingly.
2. Kundalini isn’t about sex or only about Kundalini Yoga
Unfortunately, there is a Kundalini yoga guru who gave the name “Kundalini” a pretty bad reputation by way of abuse towards his devotees.
In attempting to express my experience to a few people throughout my awakening, the first thing they thought of was guru abuse and Kundalini yoga.
Because of my vulnerability with my process at the time, I felt unseen and discouraged.
In the age of information, where everyone can have a voice, there is a lack of good information regarding Kundalini at this time. It seems that the good information is hidden within a clutter of misinformation from people who don’t know what they’re talking about. You might see people talking about Kundalini solely from the perspective of the third eye, demonic possession, shaktipat offerings (transmission of spiritual energy) via sex, and so on. It can be very useful to stay away from material of that nature because it can be really discouraging for those who are having a rough time with their Kundalini process and are looking to build confidence in it. Loving empowerment is key to nourish a successful Kundalini process, and so it is strongly advised to consume Kundalini material that is loving, wise, and helpful. Helpful information will aid in reducing suffering long-term and will aid in producing beneficial results. I’ve provided references of the material I have found very useful in my Kundalini References List.
3. Kundalini Spans Across Many Religions – It is Universal
Kundalini is Shakti, or the ultimate life-force energy, which is basically desire. According to Kundalini Therapist Tara Springetts Book, ‘Healing Kundalini Symptoms’, Kundalini is effectively described as “expanded consciousness.” Further, in Tara’s book, ‘Enlightenment Through the Path of Kundalini’, she explains that the continually concentrated “wish to be equally loving and powerful (or happy)” is what creates the fertile soil for a Kundalini awakening to occur. This continual wish, or desire, is possible for any human being across all religions, and so this information alone should serve to understand Kundalini’s universality. Once Kundalini awakens, the human potential increases immensely and can quicken the process of attaining enlightenment.
Kundalini originated from Shaktism and Tantra schools in Hinduism. While the term “Kundalini” originated from Hinduism, it is historically prevalent in a number of religions. For instance, in Buddhism, it is known as Tummo or The Secret Path. Furthermore, its existence and the symptoms within it are not unusual to the Sikhs, which I’ve discovered via a friend and his guru who are from this tradition. They’ve helped me immensely since the beginning of my awakening. Lastly, Kundalini has also been incredibly prevalent in Christian mysticism. Saint Teresa of Avila experienced incredible states of bliss, divine inspiration, visions and even levitation. There is also documentation of St. John of The Cross levitating with St. Teresa of Avila when visiting her convent. She and St. John of the Cross were a number of contemplatives and saints who experienced Kundalini symptoms such as this. Other saints such as St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Thomas of Aquinas had various experiences and abilities associated with Kundalini such as healing power, divine visions, communication with heavenly beings, and states of bliss and ecstasy. Unfortunately, throughout Christian history, many people who experienced these exalted states, or displayed any sort of mysterious power, were murdered for fear of being possessed by satan or demonic forces. Others were kept hidden or confined, such as Saint Joseph of Cupertino, who was also known as the flying friar for having levitated many times.
In summary, Kundalini itself is expanded consciousness, and one could say it is the creative life force of God at work, which expedites one’s potential for divine union or enlightenment.
Bengali saint Anandamayi Ma taught that God manifests different potentials within every individual. For instance, one Kundalini-awakened individual may go on to be a highly sought-after and revered spiritual teacher. One may go on to serve as a priest or a nun. Another may become a brilliant artist or musician, whose art or music brings great joy, happiness and inspiration to others. In my experience with four Kundalini therapists as well as handfuls of Kundalini awakened individuals in support groups, I’ve come to understand that Kundalini doesn’t discriminate. No matter the path or field of interest, it occurs across the board of humanity, that a Kundalini awakening increases one’s potential in many ways (compassion, wisdom, joy, energy, health and skill) and presents a path that is perfectly unique to the individual. It is not uncommon for there to be changes in careers to suit more altruistic motives or peaceful and loving environments post-awakening, but that’s a topic for another time.
4. Kundalini Processes Don’t Only Happen to Virgins, Vegans, Practicing Yogis..etc. (Super Pure People)
A Kundalini awakening can happen in a variety of ways. It can happen by way of mind-altering drugs, time spent with a divine being or in a sacred place, spiritual practice, or reading spiritual literature. Some people even have Kundalini awakenings as a result of trauma or deep trial in their life. To look at it simply, it’s useful to remember that as stated earlier, the Kundalini process ultimately occurs as a result of the deep or continual desire for love and power (happiness).
What was prevalent in my life for some years before my Kundalini awakening was meditation, mantras, whole nights spent reading spiritual texts, and a deep (and at times incredibly desperate) desire to know God truly and directly. I also remember having an intense desire to release repressed trauma from childhood during the months prior to my awakening. A regular dosage of 10mg of Adderall could have also been a contributing factor because it enhances concentration and desire. In hindsight, many aspects of my life and my fixed concentration and friction regarding true love, happiness and God were all foreshadowing conditions leading to my Kundalini awakening.
Regarding sexual purity being a requirement for a Kundalini awakening, while I know of some people whose Kundalini process began in adolescence, I have also come across quite a few people going through a Kundalini process who are not virgins (These people have been married before or after their awakenings, have children, or have shared their past history). I have also experienced intimacy in partnership prior to my awakening and during.
Regarding extensive yogic study being a requirement for a Kundalini awakening, I took a few months’ worth of yoga classes only a few years before my awakening.
Regarding sattvic dietary rules being a requirement for a Kundalini awakening, I was a vegan prior to my Kundalini awakening, but now eat fish, occasionally white meat, and also consume beef liver supplements for health purposes.
Despite my efforts, I can hardly say that I was practicing, in mind, spirit and body an exceptionally pure life when my Kundalini awakening happened. A number of things still existed within me during the time of my awakening, such as greed, depressive states, lust, co-dependency, jealousy, and a nicotine/caffeine addiction. I’ve also known people who are going through Kundalini awakenings who relate to this and are working with these very issues.
That being said, I can say with great certainty that the concept of having to be completely healed, untouched, and purified for an awakening to occur just isn’t true and is a rare occurrence. Despite it being a great blessing, a Kundalini awakening also doesn’t suggest that an individual’s healing is complete. (Kundalini puts pressure on all of our weak points, and as a result, some could say that the workload feels as though it has increased after their awakening.)
Lastly, none of this is meant to imply that yogic practices, sattvic dietary practices, or practicing celibacy don’t encourage a Kundalini awakening nor assist an individual in any way before or after its occurrence. Rather, all of this is meant to conclude, that while it would be fortunate to have an awakening when you’ve already achieved a certain level of integrity within your nervous system (because it makes the Kundalini process easier), the Kundalini process can happen to many different kinds of people through the concentrated and continual desire for love and happiness.
5. Kundalini isn’t reversible.
In my own experience with the energy since June of 2018, in research over the last five years, and in time spent with four different Kundalini therapists, I have only heard and experienced that Kundalini once awakened, cannot be reversed. Understandably but also unfortunately, due to difficulty with various Kundalini symptoms or a misunderstanding of Kundalini, some people wish for their process to go away. I also had this wish throughout the first year or so of my process and, as stated earlier, prayed for God to take it away out of fear that something terrible had happened to me spiritually. Alas, despite my prayers, God kept reassuring me that this process was indeed a great blessing that I’d only yet to understand. By accepting my having awakened Kundalini, and also embracing it fully, I received more of the beneficial aspects of the process, such as deepening wisdom and compassion, as well as feelings of bliss, joy, peace, and love.
It’s especially helpful to remember that Kundalini, in essence, is oneself, and so the sooner we embrace the process and nurture ourselves with the proper understanding of Kundalini and plenty of patience and self-compassion, the easier it will be. Likewise, the more we resist or misunderstand the Kundalini process, the harder it will be for us because in doing this, we are rejecting ourselves by way of aversion, and creating unnecessary suffering. Imagine attempting to shut the door on yourself as a small crying child or an angry/depressed teenager, along with your infinite potential as a deeply connected, wise and compassionate being. This is what is happening when we are wishing Kundalini away or have an aversion to our process in itself. By wishing Kundalini away, we are rejecting our true nature, as well as our easily accessible unconscious experiences that will benefit greatly from our compassion and understanding.
6. You Can Have a “Normal Life” While Having a Kundalini Process
This is true, however it goes with saying that there are technicalities that vary from person-to-person. If you are like me, and Kundalini knocks your socks off, you might spend a couple of years or more in a sort of “retreat mode” until you learn to stabilize your process. My retreat mode, involved a few years of little or minimal work, with lots of time and space for contemplation, learning and integrating new ways of being while releasing what no longer served me. This retreat mode was incredibly necessary due to the intensity of my awakening. “Retreating” is not uncommon among Kundalini awakened individuals, and I am incredibly grateful that I had the ability to do so because I learned and healed so much during this time.
However, the Kundalini process affects everyone differently. Some may have an easier time than others and may not find a long “retreat” necessary. The ease of the process depends on your willingness to be lovingly honest about your weaknesses, and change your habits and thought processes. The ease of the process also depends on whatever lies deep within your unconscious, and how easy it will be for you to purify this material. This can mean processing long-held trauma that was believed to be healed or long-held beliefs that won’t serve moving forward.
It goes without saying that Kundalini is intensely purifying and life-changing. Many aspects of life may have to change in order to better suit your embodiment, however, there are people who have gone on carrying out relationships, marriages, parenthood, jobs..etc…with a Kundalini awakening. There is no need to abandon these or make hasty choices that would cause more harm than good if it isn’t necessary.
Again, it varies from person-to-person and so each will have to search within themselves to find out what will work best for them.
When all is said in done, it is crucial to be very patient and kind to yourself as you navigate this process of embodiment. While Kundalini is a gift, it can be challenging, overwhelming, and cumbersome until you get used to this new way of existing, and become acclimated to higher states of consciousness.
I hope this list assisted you in some way, and that you have found some sort of insight or confidence in your process as a result. :)
Best wishes,
Morgan
