How to Awaken Kundalini Energy Safely (The Ultimate Guide)
Much has been said about the awakening of the kundalini. What has not been talked about as much is how to awaken kundalini energy safely.
To awaken kundalini energy safely, it is crucial to let go of the desires of the senses, gain a thorough knowledge of the theory of kundalini yoga, purify the body with the six purification practices called the Shat Karmas, and cleanse the energy channels using Pranayama (yogic breathing exercises).
This article dispels the darkness about what triggers kundalini awakening, what does that energy feels like, if it is permanent or reversible, and potential problems with the awakening.
It also gives a how-to on making kundalini awakening safer, controlling it, balancing it, and preventing any issues that might come up.
We are starting with perhaps the most important – how to make the awakening of the kundalini safer.
How to make your Kundalini awakening safer
Swami Sivananda, a Hindu spiritual teacher and a proponent of Yoga, in his book Kundalini Yoga, shares his wisdom on how to make kundalini awakening safer.
Here are some points to take into account:
1. Let go of desires of the senses
Kundalini can only be safely awakened if, before attempting it, the yogi becomes free from passions and desires.
Having purity of the heart and genuineness in the purpose is the first step for kundalini awakening to be of benefit.
If all the other steps are followed, but the yogi still has some impurities, ascending the yogic ladder safely will not be possible.
2. Thorough knowledge of the theory of the practice
Complete understanding of the theory of kundalini yoga is as important as the practice itself.
Without this, even if one’s practice is steady, there are chances of making errors, rendering the process unsafe.
3. Purify the body
Hatha yoga lays down six practices for the purification of the body, known as Shat karma. These are Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Nauli, Tratak, and Kapalabhati.
Before attempting to awaken the kundalini, it is essential to have ‘deha suddhi,’ or purification of the body, which can be done using the Shat karmas.
4. Purification of the energy channels
Pranayama or yogic breathing exercises are tools to awaken kundalini.
However, the prerequisite to pranayama is ‘Nadi suddhi’ or purification of the Nadis, which are subtle channels through which energy flows through the body.
Without this step, there will be blockages in the flow of energy, and as a result, one will not be able to derive maximum benefits from pranayama for kundalini awakening.
Now that we know how to awaken the kundalini safely, is there a way to control this energy?
How do you control kundalini energy?
You can control kundalini energy by practicing any one of these methods – Hatha yoga, Raja yoga, or Vedanta.
Hatha yoga controls kundalini energy by:
- Disciplining the physical body through yoga asanas (the physical postures in yoga). The entire nervous system can be toned up using the asanas, bringing it under the conscious control of the yogi.
- Controlling Prana (vital force) by practicing Bandhas (body locks) and Mudras (symbolic gestures).
- Purifying the inner organs of the body through Kriyas (completed actions).
- Bringing the mind of the yogi under control by practicing Pranayama (yogic breathing exercises).
Raja yoga controls kundalini energy through its eight-limbed path, covering ethical and moral development, spiritual development, physical and mental control, and meditation.
In Vedanta, the route to controlling kundalini energy is through ‘inquiry and philosophical speculation.’ The yogi is advised to constantly detach from worldly limitations and instead identify with that which is blissful, divine, and peaceful.
Let’s talk about the triggers for kundalini’s awakening.
What triggers Kundalini’s awakening?
Kundalini awakening can be triggered by meditation, intense asana practice or energy work, drugs and substances, sexual experiences, life events, or even trauma. It can be easy to awaken the kundalini if the right tool meets the right intensity. However, it is difficult to raise this kundalini energy to the highest chakra while moving it upwards through the various chakras.
Most yogis stop their pursuit halfway, thinking that they have achieved the goal of kundalini awakening when there are mystic experiences.
It takes immense ‘patience, perseverance, purity, and steady practice’ to fully realize the highest level of bliss and final liberation.
But what does kundalini energy feel like?
How does kundalini energy feel?
There is a question that precedes this one. What happens when the kundalini awakens? Read the article for the most enlightening answer.
Swami Sivananda has shared that after kundalini is awakened, energy rises through the Sushumna Nadi, which runs along the entire length of the spinal cord.
When kundalini awakens, a burst of energy originates at the root chakra, located at the base of the spine, and travels all the way up to the crown chakra, located at the crown of the head. The chakra where the kundalini travels and goes to feels intense heat. When it leaves that chakra and goes to another chakra, it leaves the former ‘very cold and (it) appears lifeless.’
Is there a way to balance kundalini energy? Let’s find out.
How is the Kundalini energy balanced?
Kundalini’s energy is a manifestation of the divine feminine. She is balanced and liberated. However, as this energy moves through the body, it creates an unbalance and distortion if the body and mind are not prepared to host it. The only way to balance kundalini energy is by purifying the body and the mind.
The role of the Guru or spiritual teacher becomes essential here as not all practices suit everyone.
The Guru will prescribe the proper practices to an aspirant that will help awaken the kundalini safely and keep it balanced.
Is Kundalini awakening permanent?
Kundalini’s awakening is permanent only if it reaches the Sahasrara chakra or the crown chakra. Until that happens, there is a possibility of the kundalini energy to come back down.
Swami Sivananda talks about the changes that the rising kundalini makes along the way.
Kundalini first rises in the Muladhara or root chakra and travels to the Svadhishthana or sacral chakra. This rise of kundalini can even happen in people with base desires and passions.
If the mind becomes pure, the kundalini rises to the Manipura chakra or the solar plexus chakra, and the yogi experiences ‘some power and joy.’
If the mind becomes further purified, the kundalini rises to the Anahata or heart chakra, and the yogi experiences bliss.
When the mind becomes pure because of meditation and devotion, the kundalini rises to Vishuddhi or throat chakra, where there is more power and bliss.
However, till this stage, at any point, the kundalini can come back down.
When kundalini reaches the Ajna or third eye chakra, there is a realization of the Supreme; however, there is still a degree of separation between the divine and the devotee.
Only when the kundalini rises to the Sahasrara or crown chakra, the yogi attains the highest state of consciousness and becomes one with the Supreme.
Can Kundalini be reversed?
Kundalini, once fully awakened, cannot be reversed. This means that once kundalini rises to the Sahasrara or crown chakra, the aspirant is never the same. She has changed. Until this highest point is reached, kundalini awakening can be a temporary phenomenon that manifests as mystic experiences and psychic powers.
When kundalini reaches the last chakra at the top, the yogi becomes one with the divine and loses her individuality.
She remains an ordinary person but becomes enlightened, free from illusion, and liberated from ignorance.
Are there any problems that can come up when kundalini awakens, and how do we prevent them?
Potential problems associated with Kundalini awakening
If it arises and makes its way through a body and mind that is not ready to process it, Kundalini energy can lead to physical, emotional, and psychological problems.
Here are some potential problems associated with kundalini awakening:
Physical problems
There are physical problems that one can experience if kundalini arises prematurely.
These include headaches, fever, pain, burning sensations, uncontrolled limb movements, spasms, and respiratory problems.
How to prevent physical problems
Some ways to prevent physical problems due to Kundalini’s premature awakening are preparing the body with yoga asanas, taking massages, doing chiropractic work, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep and rest.
Emotional problems
Emotional issues that can come up as a result of premature kundalini awakening are anxiety, intense fear or sadness, emotional or mental breakdown, and paranoia.
How to prevent emotional problems
Some ways to prevent emotional problems resulting from premature kundalini awakening include:
- preparing the body and mind using the technique of grounding one’s energy by walking barefoot in nature
- getting regular exercise
- and avoiding foods and substances like alcohol, caffeine, and drugs.
Psychological problems
There are psychological problems that one can experience if kundalini arises prematurely.
Some of these are out-of-body experiences, bipolar moods, getting into a trance-like state, and an altered state of consciousness.
How to prevent psychological problems
Some ways to prevent psychological problems resulting from premature kundalini awakening include:
- preparing and purifying the mind with pranayama
- practicing the proper moral and ethical conduct
- avoiding any drugs and alcohol
- and processing difficult emotions through therapy, journaling, and practicing gratitude.
In closing
Kundalini awakening can be the most beautiful experience there is.
It represents the ultimate goal of hatha yoga.
Once accomplished, our life’s purpose becomes clear to us, our attainment of happiness becomes more manageable, and we become a greater force for good for both others and ourselves.