The Kundalini Experience: Psychosis or Transcendence by Lee Sannella

Kundalini in the concept of Dharma, refers to a kind of primal energy or shakti said to be located at the base of the backbone. Different spiritual customs teach methods of awakening kundalini for the intended purpose of reaching spiritual enlightenment and a range of supernormal capabilities.

Writer Joseph Campbell represents the idea of Kundalini as the body of a coiled girl serpent a serpent goddess not of gross but of refined substance which is usually to be thought of as surviving in a torpid, slumbering state in a subtle center, the first of the seven, close to the base of the spine the aim of the yoga then being to rouse this serpent, lift her head, and bring her up a subtle nerve or route of the back to the so called thousand petaled lotus Sahasrara at the crown of the head.

She, increasing from the cheapest to the best lotus middle, will go through and wake the five between, and with each waking the psychology and personality of the specialist will be completely and fundamentally altered. Kundalini awakening is thought to result from profound meditation, and therefore enlightenment and bliss.

However, as every individual is unique, Kundalini awakenings can occur through a number of methods not limited by deep deep breathing. This awakening consists of the Kundalini physically moving up the central channel to attain within the Sahasrara Chakra at the top of the head. Many systems of yoga give attention to awakening Kundalini through yoga, pranayama deep breathing, the practice of asana and chanting of mantras. In physical conditions, the Kundalini experience is frequently reported to be a feeling of electric energy running over the spine.