A Cross Cultural Experiential Perspective on Spiritual Awakening

Thirty two years ago I began my journey, a dramaticin both your own process and in the process of
and fascinating inner and outer journey into thesupporting others.It is important to understand that the
experience of kundalini awakening and the processawakened kundalini's role and purpose is to purify and
that unfolds once that powerful inner spiritual energy isrefine all dimensions of our experience- physical,
ignited. It was my great good fortune to receivemental, emotional, psychic and spiritual- and finally bring
shaktipat initiation (the awakening of kundalini) fromus into the state of oneness with God. One glimpse of
Swami Muktananda who was the realized Master ofthat oneness unleashes a flood of energy that spirals
the Siddha Yoga lineage at that time. I say it was mythrough whatever is between us and that extended
great good fortune because, in this tradition, not only isexperience of our Divine Self. When this happens
the initiation given, but the necessary teachings forone's internal process of clearing obstacles, gaining
understanding the awakening and the spiritualnew understandings of self, of expanded spiritual
experiences and process that unfolds as a result of itdimensions and of physical healing can become so
are openly and freely given. I soon realized, through myaccelerated that one becomes overwhelmed and
own inner experience and the experiences of othersexperiences psychological, physical and spiritual crisis.
around me who had received shaktipat, that this divineWithout a paradigm for understanding kundalini
inner energy not only has the power to give one theawakening and the process of the undfolding of
highest of mystical experiences, but is also a supremekundalini, the experience can be extremely confusing
healer. In her goal to take the seeker to the realizationboth to the seeker and those who are providing
of oneness with Supreme Consciousness, she mustsupport.
help us to remove our inner obstacles on the physical,The unfolding of kundalini through the chakras and
mental, emotional, psychic and spiritual levels. As withnadis is not a linear process. In other words, the
any growth and healing process, being faced withkundalini does not clear the impressions held in the
obstacles, limitations, negative emotions, negativechakras, or energetic centers one at a time. Nor does
tendencies and past difficult experiences andit move from the lower chakras to the higher ones in
unresolved issues, can be difficult and sometimeslinear order, clearing each before it moves to the next.
frightening. When combined with intense, spontaneousThe kundalini spirals through layers of issues, spiritual
experiences of energy moving in ways that anexperiences, memories and tendencies contained
individual has no prior training, knowledge orwithin the chakras and the energetic body, moving
understanding of, it can be overwhelming, leading theback and forth with an intelligence that is often
individual to seek help from clergy, spiritual advisers,awesome to behold. When one considers the process
mental health practitioners and holisticthat one experiences in psychotherapy, or in healing,
practitioners-many of whom are lacking in thewithout the awakened kundalini one sees a similar
necessary experience and knowledge to providepattern. Issues surface, are worked through and
adequate support, and some of whom may actuallysubside, only to resurface from a deeper level at a
misdiagnose the individual's experience, labeling itlater time, often triggered by life events, or internal
pathological. Thus it is imperative that anyone providingwork that needs to be done to strengthen us to go on
support to individuals with awakened kundalini haveto the next level of transformation. We all, in our
knowledge and experience of the kundalini processpersonal development work, peel away the layers of
across spiritual cultures.an issue gradually, as we are ready, returning to the
Energetic Paradigms Across Traditionsissue to move to the next level of resolution when we
There are many names for the kundalini acrossare ready. When the awakened kundalini becomes a
spiritual traditions. A few are: the Tibetan Buddhistpart of that growth process the process is intensified
tummo, or inner fire, the Chrisitian Holy Spirity, theand accelerate. When this intensified personal process
Chinese Martial Arts and Healing Arts Chi, and the numis combined with the classic kundalini experiences
of African tribal dacers and healers. When onementioned previously both the uneducated seeker and
explores the mystical texts, poetry and anecdotalthe uneducated supporter run the risk of misdiagnosing
material of a variety of traditions experientialthe experience and confusing the individual more.
paradigms emerge describing the awakening andSpiritual visions and energetic sensations can be
movement of this transforming inner power. The mostmisdiagnosed as hallucinations. Involuntary physical
articulated system is the Chakra/Nadi system thatmovements and seeing of lights can be misdiagnosed
appears in Yoga, Tibetan Buddhism and Sufism. In thisas neurological disorders. Racing thoughts, changes in
system the kundalini is awakened and moves upvisual perception and rapid experiences of bliss and
through the central channel or sushumna, piercing thesadness can all be conveniently fit into a number of
chakras or energy centers in the subtle, energy body.psychological disorders. Where disorders of a physical
In the process of moving through the chakras theor psychological nature have been previously
kundalini releases a variety of physical, mental,diagnosed assessment becomes even more
emotional, psychic and spiritual experiences. Acrosscomplicated when an individual experiences the
the Yoga, Tibetan Buddhist and Sufi traditions theawakening of kundalini, as the crises precipitated by
words may differ in describing the paradigm, but theythe awakening demand considerable knowledge of
are essentially the same. The Christian system is lessboth the kundalini process and the disorders previously
fully articulated, but is hinted at in the Book ofdiagnosed in order to successfully guide the individual
Revelations as John, after receiving the awakening ofon their journey to wellness and to transcendence.
the Holy Spirit from Jesus, later experiences a seriesSupport Roles
of mystical visions. In one of them he is shown theSpiritual Masters, spiritual advisors and clergy, mental
seven seals and the seven spirits of God who presidehealth professionals and holistic practitioners may all
over them. Each seal represents a level of revelationplay significant roles in supporting individuals
or consciousness. In Kabbalah, the mystical path ofexperiencing intense kundalini awakening. Each has a
Judaism, there is an intricate system of the Tree ofpotential role to play.Perhaps the most important role is
Life and the sefiroth. Mention is also made of the 7that of the Spiritual Master. In the case of kundalini
heavens and the Hebrew letters or sounds used toawakening this Master must be a true guru, one who
attain them. In the Native American tradition, the Hopihas the power to awaken, control and guide the
Creation Story describes vibrational centers that rununfolding of the kundalini. It is the role of such a guru to
along the axis or spinal column. These five centers aredo just that for those who come to him or her for
located under the navel, at the heart, the throat, justspiritual teaching. Such a guru also provides time
below the top of the head and at the top of thehonored teachings from scriptures that offer guidance
head-a system quite similar to the chakra system. Ato the student in understanding the process and the
clay artifact discovered by archeologists in the moundspractices that support the unfolding of the kundalini.
of the ancient Cahokian tribes that lived along theThe sankalpa or intention of such a guru can instantly
Mississsippi River in what is now the state of Illinois,awaken the kundalini, modulate its intensity and direct
shows a berger woman seated on an uncoilingthe process of the unfolding of the kundalini in a way
serpent. The serpent rises like a vine up the center ofthat is suited to each individual student. I have
her back, along which are placed a number of gourds.experienced this power many times through the
The uncoiling serpent is, in the traditions of Yoga, acourse of my own journey on the Siddha Yoga path,
symbol of the awakening kundalini, or serpent power.starting with the initiation that awakened my inner
The ancient Druids of what is now England, Scotland,kundalini and moving on through many intense
Wales and Ireland had a system of cauldrons. Theexperiences of the movement of that kundalini. One of
cauldron of warming located in the navel regionthe most amusing experiences happened in the Siddha
contains an inner fire, the cauldron of fire, which isYoga ashram in Ganeshpuri, India. This was early in my
located in its very center. The Druids would meditateexperience of the classic kundalini experiences
on the cauldron of fire to awaken it. Once awakened,described in Devatma Shakti, and later in my own
the spiritual power, fanned by the breath, rises, ignitingdissertation. I began to have roaring kriyas, in other
the cauldron of vocation in the heart region. Throughwords, I would spontaneously, without control over this,
the intense desire and longing that emerges in thebegin roaring like a lion. This experience continued to
cauldron of vocation, the heat is carried upwardintensify. I would begin to hear the roaring internally and
opening the cauldron of Knowledge at the top of theknow that I needed to run to someplace where I would
head, opening the Master druid to receiving divinenot disturb other students who were meditating or
inspiration, truth and knowledge from the universe.chanting. The roaring seemed to be triggered most
There is an interesting parallel that seems to haveintensely by the chant they we did each evening in the
traveled from the ancient Druid system to the Knightsashram, so I stopped going to the chant and would sit
Templar and back to Scotland and the formation ofup on the roof of the dormitory building, the roaring
the Freemasons. Leadbeater describes the connectionstarting with the first verse of this chant. At this time,
between the first three degrees of Free Masonry andBaba Mukatananda then said "Everyone must come
the chakra/nadi system, but might well have alsoto the chant." He would send people around to make
shown the link to the ancient Druid system ofsure everyone was coming. So...I had to go to the
cauldrons.chant. I sat back near the exit in order to escape
Spiritual Awakening- the Experiencequickly once the roaring started to overpower me. I
The classic yogic experience of kundalini awakeningcould hear it, was holding back and chanting, but there
through shaktipat initiation that is described in thewas no holding it any longer. The shakti was in control
teachings of Kashmir Shaivism is easily seen in theand the roaring was errupting, so I leaped up and ran
Siddha Yoga experience. In 1979 I began the processfor the exit, only to be met by an ashram security
of researching this experience for my doctoralperson who insisted I sit back down. When I explained
dissertation on kundalini awakening and humanwhat was happening he sent me into the hall adjoining
development. The study was a qualitative and theorythe courtyard where we were chanting. The roaring
discovering model completed in 1984. Six Siddha Yogaerupted and the hall, with window open to the
practitioners with three or more years of regularcourtyard, acted like a megaphone sending the roaring
spiritual practice were interviewed extensively aboutout into the courtyard where Muktananda sat with all
their experience of shaktipat and their resulting ongoingof the students, chanting. Suddenly, I heard him laughing
transformation. Qualitative analysis of their experienceswithin me, and then he called me by my spiritual name
and shifts in awareness starting with their search forand said, still laughing, "Now, now, be quiet." Instantly, the
spiritual awareness, their shaktipat initiation and theroaring stopped and the kundalini shakti picked my
impact of kundalini awakening and spiritual practice onbody up and I started dancing blissfully, classic mudras
their experience of altered states, psychological /selfforming with my hands. From this bliss welled up within
concept, physical and health experiences, values, andme and my body began to whirl like a dervish. I
lifestyle were done. All 5 subjects experienced classicrealized as these beautiful movements of the shakti
shaktipat experiences of such things as energy rising,unfolded that Baba Muktananda had simply directed
lights, visions, waves of bliss and love, unitythe kundalini to move quietly and blissfully, rather than
consciousness, and spontaneous physical movementsroaringly! Many times since then when sitting in
in meditation. Over time subjects experienced themeditation intensives that became noisy with animal
following:sounds, spontaneous singing and other sounds I would
Energy throbbing in the chakrashear either Baba Muktananda, or later Gurumayi
Spontaneous pranayama (yogic breathing)Chidvilasananda simply softly say "Quiet now", and the
Spontaneous hatha yoga posturesentire hall would become very still and quiet as
Spontaneous weeping, spontaneous eruptions ofparticipants would be plunged into the deepest states if
sounds-animal and othermeditation. When offering support to those
The mind becoming still or vacantexperiencing intense kundalini awakening, it is often
The Siddha Meditation mantra spontaneously wellinghelpful to send them to a Master who has the power
up insidewaves of blissto modulate the intensity of the experience, particularly
Hearing inner sounds (celestial voices, roaring ofif the individual has had a spontaneous awakening
energy)without the benefit of a Master's guidance. When this
Loss of body awarenessis not possible simply invoking the assistance of such a
Energy coursing through the spinal column and/or otherMaster can also be helpful. Studying with such a
parts of the bodyaltered visual perceptionsMaster can also deepen one's own inner experience
Heaviness or lightness of bodyof the kundalini and the Divine Self, providing
Feeling life passing awayunderstanding and inspiration in the work of supporting
Constant awareness of energy vibrating within theothers.
bodySpiritual advisors and clergy have a specific role in
Spontaneous singing in unknown foreign languagescounseling and teaching others as they pursue their
Spontaneous involuntary creation of songs and poemsspiritual path. They have not reached the level of
Divine visionsMaster or Guru, but can have a great deal of inner
Spontaneous deep understanding of scripturalexperience and knowledge of the kundalini process
teachingsand the spiritual disciplines and practical day-to-day
Experiences of the Inner Selfstrategies and techniques for integrating the
Spontaneous experiences of being charged withexperience into one's life. In spiritual advisors and clergy
energy in the early morning and early evening hoursto be helpful in supporting the seeker who is
(sunrise and sunset)experiencing an intense awakening and unfolding
Many more experiences and categories of experienceprocess, they must have experience and knowledge
of kundalini awakening and unfolding are described inof the process. Throughout history there are cases of
this study. From the stand point of both the seeker andgreat saints who were viewed as either heretics or
support givers it is important to recognize that all of theinsane by the clergy of their traditions, because the
experiences described here are normal kundaliniclergy had no knowledge of spiritual awakening and
experiences that are not only documented in thisthe classic mystical experiences that accompany it.
study, but also described in such texts as DevatmiFor those who have limited knowledge it is important
Shakti and experienced by thousands of individuals onto seek out those who have the knowledge and
the Siddha Yoga path and other paths where the goalunderstanding and refer seekers to them.
is to attain God realization through the awakening ofMental health professionals can be tremendous
the kundalini.support to those individuals who are experiencing
Evidence of these experiences is seen on the Sufikundalini awakening and unfolding, if they are
path in Irina Tweedie's autobiography, Chasm of Fire.transpersonally oriented and have experiential as well
Here she describes receiving initiation from her Sufias traditional knowledge of the kundalini process. It is
Master, and the dramatic experiences of the unfoldingequally important for mental health professionals to
of the kundalini. The great Sufi mystic and poet, Rumi,develop cross cultural competencies and
describes the inner experience of the kundalini in hisunderstandings of the common truths, practices and
poem "Song of the Reed":understandings across paths when attempting to
This flute is played with fire, not with wind;and withoutprovide counseling and support. It is also essential to
this fire you would not exist.have an openness to questioning one's diagnosis of
It is the fire of love that inspires the flute....psychological disorders when working with individuals
It is the ferment of love that completes the wine.with awakened kundalini. Asking questions about
The reed is a comfort to all estranged lovers.spiritual practice and experience needs to be a
Its music tears our veils away. (1981, p.19)standard part of the assessment process. In most
In Christianity the awakening originally took place whencases if you don't ask about spiritual experiences the
Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into his disciples. Thisclient will not share them, for fear of being thought to
method of the Master breathing spiritual energy intobe hallucinating, or simply to be "weird". Not every
the disciple also appears in the texts of Kashmirperson who needs support with spiritual awakening is
Shaivism as one of the classic methods of awakeningable to identify and ask for that support. Without the
the kundalini. After Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit intobenefit of a spiritual path that provides a paradigm and
his disciples they begin to have a variety of spiritualnormalization of the experience of awakening and the
experiences including visions and speaking in tongues.transformation process that takes place after
In the Book of Revelations, John describes a series ofawakening, many individuals present with what they
mystical visions. He sees the seven seals within whichare assuming are either psychological crises, or total
are the seven spiritus of God who are the guardiansconfusion about what has started to happen to them. It
of the seals. He then sees the fifth angel of Godis essential to be able to identify the awakening
ascending with the living seal of God sealing theexperience and the "symptoms" that follow it and then
servants of God in their foreheads-one of thebring the mental and emotional reactions to this into
traditional points of awakening the kundalini. Molotov, aperspective, before assigning a DSM diagnosis! In
disciple of the Russian Orthodox mon, St. Serafim,some very complicated cases, both exist. There may
pleads with him to help him understand how he willbe a clear psychiatric diagnosis and a clear experience
know and understand the experience of the Holy Spirit.of spiritual awakening. In such cases, the task
St. Serafim prays to God to give Molotov thebecomes one of finding a balance in working with both
experience of the Holy Spirit and the two are engulfedthe psychiatric symptoms and the spiritual experiences
in light so intense that Molotov cannot look at St.in a way that brings about healing and spiritual
Serafim saying that the light flashing from his eyes anddevelopment.
face is too dazzling too look at. When St.. SerafimHolistic practitioners can offer much support to
convinces him to look at him Molotov begins toindividuals experiencing kundalini awakening and
experience the love, warmth and peace of the Holyunfolding, providing they have the knowledge and
Spirit both within himself and all around him and St.experience of the process themselves. Some holistic
Serafim. In the texts of Kashmir Shaivism two of thepractices that can provide essential supports are
classic ways that a Master awakens the kundalini areenergy healing, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic,
through thought and through looking into the eyes ofhatha yoga, Tai Chi, nutritional counseling. Any
the disciple. Although these methods are not clearlypractitioners working in the energetic field of someone
articulated on the Christian path, one sees evidence ofwith an awakened kundalini must proceed with great
both in the experience of Molotov and St. Serafim.caution and sensitivity in order to not interfere with the
The Throne Mystics of the second and third centurywork of the kundalini, or intensify an already intense
were the predecessors of Kabbalistic schools ofexperience. What one does as an energy healer
Judaism. There is a story of Rabbi Yohannin and hisneeds to be in collaboration with the kundalini. This
disciples. As they were discussing the meaning ofmeans, gently follow her lead. This is also true of hatha
Ezekiel's vision of God's chariot the Holy Spirityoga and Tai Chi practice. Hatha Yoga practice was
descended on them in the form if fire. Kabbalisticoriginally developed in order to purify the body and
teachers Rabbi David Cooper and Mark Stavishready it for awakening of the kundalini, thus many of
openly speak of parallels to the kundalini experience inthe asanas and pranayama practices can actually
the practice of Kabbalah. Rabbi Cooper compares theintensify the kundalini experience, particularly in the
experience of the sefiroth and the kundalini paradigm inearly years of the experience when the process is the
his recorded course The Mystical Kabbalah. Markmost intense. The asanas and pranayama techniques
Stavish in his recent book, Kabbalah for Health andare designed to clear the nadis or subtle energy
Wellness, actually presents Kabbalisitc meditationchannels of the body. Individuals with awakened
practices for awakening the kundalini.kundalini should be cautioned to be aware of the
In the Native American Lakota tradition, Archie Firepower of these practices and to monitor themselves
Lame Deer, in his autobiography, Gift of Power, theto see if they are creating more intensity or balancing
Life and Teachings of a Lakota Medicine Man, vividlythe intensity out for them. Nutritional counselors need to
describes the experience of his father energeticallybe aware of the foods that cool the kundalini down, i.e.
passing him his power and knowledge hours before hissweets, milk products, and leave them in the diet.
death. He says that at this time he went into a totallyOften when the kundalini awakens one begins to pull
different spiritual dimension and truly became aspontaneously away from meat, fish and poultry and
medicine man.move to a vegetarian diet. Lighter, easily digestible
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition there exists the tummo,foods are more compatible with the kundalini process
or inner fire tantric practice for awakening the kundalini.and may actually ease the purification process and
Geshe Gyatso, in his book Clear Light of Bliss,physical symptoms considerably. One must also
describes the intricate practices and the classiccaution the individual to make sure to eat, as the
experiences of state of consciousness that aredigestive process actually draws the shakti to it and
achieved as the inner fire is directed upward throughsometimes helps to ease the intensity of the process.
the chakras into the crown chakra where a "drop" ofConclusion
bliss is released, then directed downward through theThis article outlines information on the cross cultural
chakras, and then back upward in the reverse orderexperience of kundalini awakening and provides some
until the drop merges again in the crown chakra takingguidelines for those providing support for individuals
the practitioner into the state of enlightenment.experiencing awakening and the transformation
In the ancient Druid tradition the powems of Nede Macprocess that evolves from that awakening. For
Adme, and Amairgen, translated by from ancient Irishadditional information about the kundalini experience
Druid texts by Caitlin Matthews, describe theplease feel free to contact Dr. Wilcox through this
experiences of the cauldrons of warming, vocationwebsite. More extensive consideration of this topic will
and knowledge. In both the poems of these ancientappear in Fire of Love, Descent of Grace, Dr. Wilcox's
druids and in stories of dialogue between the Masterupcoming book. For more information about this book
Druid Nede mac Adne, it is suggested that only theplease go to
Master Druid experiences the full awakening whenReferences
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knowledge to receive divine inspiration and knowledgePower, the Life and Teachings of a Lakota Medicine
from higher consciousness.Man. Santa Fe: Bear & Company Publishing.
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An experiential understanding of spiritual awakeningLondon: Tharpa Publications.
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classic statement about research on alter statesThreshold Book
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kundalini awakening and the myriad altered states andEncyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom. Rockport, MA:
life transforming experiences that follow. In doingElements Books, Inc.
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altered states of consciousness if you have notRishikesh: Swami Shivom Tirth
experienced them yourself. It is difficult to guide andTweedie, I. (1979. The Chasm of Fire. Tisbury, England:
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fully conscious and intelligent force that can guide youdissertation. Teachers College, Columbia University.