Kundalini
by Spyros Kapnias - Garudananda
According to the internal physiology of Yoga, there is an undeveloped supreme force in every person called “Kundalini”. The name “Kundalini” comes from the Sanskrit word “Kundal”, which means “curl”, because it looks like a curled snake sleeping at the base of the spinal cord. Another interpretation of the word is “the beloved one’s hair lock”.
In the average person this energy remains inactive and gathered at the base of the spinal cord. A series of another six energy centres start from this point which is called Muladhara Chakra, and are positioned along the spinal cord all the way to the head where the most advanced one lies.
What’s more, three energy channels called “Nadis” also begin from the base of the spinal cord. The central one is called “Sushumna” and the other two are called ”Ida”, the one the left, and “Pingala” the one on the right. Both these centres generate negative and positive energy. As these two energy channels move upwards they meet and cross creating energy whirlpools which are called “Chakras” or Padmas”.
Yoga is a type of spiritual Alchemy, a process that accelerates human evolution.
The word “Chakras” means wheels or whirlpools and owes the name to their spinning movement. They are also called “Padmas” which means “Lotus” as they have petals which are shut but when activated they open and look like a lotus.
The sight of the two energy channels meeting and crossing the central energy channel reminds us of the ancient Greek tradition in which the ancient Greek god Hermes disseminator was the symbol through which the ancient Greeks wanted to pass on this mystic knowledge. Apart from these major energy channels which we mentioned, there are another 72,000 smaller ones within the body.
If we wanted to depict an image of our energy channels, it would probably look like that of the human central nerve system and that of the circulatory system. There is something very similar in the traditional knowledge of Chinese acupuncture and the Japanese Shiatsu which give us information on the parallels through which the cosmic energy flows through and is distributed throughout the human body.
It is thought that all beings live in an ocean of energy which is the cause and source of their energy (vital) strength. Oxygen is only the cause of life on the physical level.
“Prana” is the “oxygen” for the human energy level. The aim is therefore for us to learn how to use this energy. We must be able to draw energy and distribute it appropriately. That of course, is not as simple as it sounds because powers are activated which we first have to be in position to control. That’s why along with practice and exercise, a high level of self control is both necessary and required on all levels.
According to the practical knowledge of Yoga, the learner must achieve to activate the undeveloped force of Kundalini which in turn will move upwards through the central “Sushumna” channel.
While moving upwards it activates different “Chakras”, which function like spinning wheels on fire. Every awakening of each “Chakra” corresponds to the activation of equivalent energy forces to the point that they reach the head with the aid of Yoga – where the alleged Lotus of the thousand petals lies or the Sahasrara Chakra .
Whoever manages to achieve this, they will have completed the process of bringing opposite energy forces into harmony, thus exceeding the binary state and reaching a state which only those who reached it can describe. That is how they conquer peace. All the rest of us will continue to live in a world full of contradictions until we gradually reach the same level as them through the evolution process.
The various exercises that lead to the awakening of the “Kundalini” and the “Chakras” include conscious breathing (through the Pranayama science), body purification exercises, controlling various centres (Bandhas) so that the energy can be captured or directed to different parts of the body at will e.t.c.
What is equally important is the Asanas (Poses of the body which help those learning), the Mudras (Meditation exercises according to the Asanas while the fingers are in specific positions) as well as the Mantra (Characteristic phrases, words or sounds which “release energy” and are related to the power of sound and creative speech) which need to be learnt by anyone practicing or learning Yoga.
All these fields are just smaller branches and of a greater science which is no other than that of Yoga. Every Chakra entails so many things like: its position, color, characteristic sound, body organ, a God which governs it, a natural element with which it identifies and many other things which, however, will be mentioned in a future article.
Different Yogis brought the Kundalini exercise to the west and there are many similar systems. I personally had the joy to practice the Paramahamsa Satyananda Kundalini and Kriya Yoga, and under Cammie Dunaway’s guidance the Kundalini Yoga system of Yogi Batzan. I also was initiated as Reiki Master in Kundalini Reiki and Vajra g-Tummo, (Tibetan Kundalini) under the guidance of Mochammad Fathony.
More on kundalini yoga in www.kundaliniyogaclub.com
Kindly offered by Mr Spyros Kapnias-Garundananda and www.iyogaclub.com
