We all have life energy, which some call life force or prana.
It’s the reason we’re alive on this planet. Kundalini energy is a form of this life energy that tends to lie dormant until you awaken it through practices such as meditation, yoga, or chakra work. It’s popular talk among Hindus and some other spiritual circles.
Essentially, kundalini energy is within you, but sleeping at the base of your spine until you wake it up.
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
"Kundalinī is the feminine form of the Sanskrit adjective meaning "circular" or "coiled." In yoga, the word applies to the life force that lies like a coiled serpent at the base of the spine and that can be sent along the spine to the head through prescribed postures and exercises."
Think of it as that coiled serpent, waiting patiently for you to engage in spiritual practices. As you do, the serpent gradually awakens and is activated in an amazing way that will benefit your life.
Now, when I say serpent, I don’t mean a negative thing. Some people think of serpents as evil or bad things, but this is not the case in religions like Hinduism. I like to think of it as like when a snake coils up getting ready to strike.
Are you interested in exploring meditation? Read this next: 8 Meditation Tips for Beginners: Quiet That Mind
Think of Kundalini energy as a tree of life within the body.
Coming from yoga and tantric literature, Kundalini is assumed to be the energy of the Divine. It can lie dormant for years but can be awakened through various means such as the practices of yoga, meditation, and fasting.
It is an explosive energy that just lies in wait until it is triggered by you. Once triggered and awakened, it can remove energy blocks throughout the energy or chakra system.
An ancient, complex energy system originating in India in the Vedas from 1500 -1000 BC, the chakras are the body’s energy centers that run up and down the spine.
Each person at the very core has an energy system comprised of meridians and chakras. Energy flows through these continually, but over time they can become blocked or become stagnant due to stress, illness, negativity, and so on.
Haven’t you ever just felt like you were up against an invisible force? No matter what you did, you just kept hitting that wall? This could be because your life force energy is experiencing a block or is not flowing as it should.
There are seven chakras, or energy centers, that run along the spine. Kundalini energy, when awakened, runs from the bottom of the spine to the top of the spine, removing energy blocks and bringing abundant positive energy to the areas. Chakras look like a wheel or flower and energy swirls around them.
Yes, Kundalini energy can be used as a healing force.
It is best to awaken such energy gently over time, as waking it quickly may create some psychological stress for you. Kundalini energy is known to bring about emotional, mental, and physical healing to the body.
There are many benefits of Kundalini energy, and many men and women can attest to this.
Whether it’s by meditation, yoga, qi gong, or other spiritual practices, Kundalini energy simply makes your life energy flow easier, and you experience much more peace and joy.
As you awaken your Kundalini energy, you experience more creativity, peace, and wisdom in your life. After all, this energy is connected to the Divine.
As you awaken this energy, you will begin to understand things in your life better.
"Kundalini meditation is not a set of beliefs or religion. Instead, it's a system for evoking energy inside yourself and developing mind-body awareness." - Very Well Mind
One popular practice is to do a simple daily Kundalini meditation.
Some people like to start their daily practice as soon as they get up. Some prefer right before they go to bed. As long as you aren't practicing directly after you eat (Your body will be focused on digesting your meal.)
It should be private, quiet and free of any interruptions to help you focus. You can lay out a mat, a pillow, or a chair that you will feel comfortable in.
You should be comfortable, on the ground with your legs crossed, or sitting on a chair. Make sure either way that your spine is straight.
Traditional Kundalini has different significance tied to practicing for 3, 7, 11, 22 or 31 minutes, as each relates to opening up certain areas of our body, including increased blood circulation (3 minutes) and a reduction on anxious thoughts (22 minutes).
You start wherever you feel comfortable, and try to build on your practice time each day.
You can set a timer so you don't have to keep checking. Make sure your timer is not an annoying or jarring sound, as you will be in a very relaxed place at the end, and that could undo all your hard work!
This will help you to direct the energy. It also helps keep you focused! You will chant or repeat your mantra on your inhale and exhale.
Your mantra should be something that reflects the place you aspire to be, rather than where you are now. If you want to feel less stressed, find a mantra that will lead you to that state. It can be a more traditional Hindu spiritual word, or something as simple as - "I feel at peace".
This can be the hardest part. Simply breathing in (inhale) and breathing out (exhale) through your nose, while not allowing any other thoughts to penetrate your focus.
Keep your pace slow, aiming for an inhale that fills your lungs for a 7-8 count, then releasing it in a slow exhale for a 7-8 count. The point is not to hold your lungs until they burst, but to develop a rhythm that will aid in your relaxation.
If your mind wanders, come back to your mantra and your breath. Repeat your mantra out loud or in your head as you inhale and exhale.
Note: It can be common to feel dizzy at first, but stop if this happens to you.
Once your timer goes off, take one final, deep breath in, then relax and exhale. In traditional practice, you would bring your palms together, or raise your arms in the air as a final gesture to close out what you have just accomplished. If you don't want to do these, you can simply nod, or thank yourself, whatever feels comfortable.
Give yourself a few moments to sit in your space. You don't need to immediately jump back into your day. Part of meditation is to reflect on your practice, and appreciate the quiet moments before returning to your regular world.
As you regularly perform spiritual practices, signs of your Kundalini energy awakening can include some physical symptoms such as headaches, pain, digestive issues, fast heartbeat, muscle twitches, and emotional issues.
These are but temporary, so just keep going with your spiritual practice. If you are concerned about something, seek out a spiritual mentor for assistance.
You may also find yourself hot in pursuit of creative endeavors or get in touch with your intuitive side as you continue awakening your life energy, knowing things that only could be known through spiritual influence.
As you continue to move forward in your spiritual search, know that as you engage in spiritual practices like meditation and yoga, your Kundalini energy is awakening and moving up through your chakras, unleashing creativity and wisdom.
As you grow spiritually, you are letting go and allowing life to simply happen in a way that is for you. Observe synchronicities and miracles that may occur in your life. Keep a journal and keep track of your growth and things that occur in your life.
Spiritual awakening is a wonderful experience and the sky’s the limit when it comes to your awakening. Enjoy the journey.
Photo by Chelsea Gates on Unsplash
4 comments on “What is Kundalini Energy? The Benefits & How Can It Help You”
I be good at it like meditation the most important thing is to do the spiritual excercice in a disciplined way.Do it daily and regularly for years and years.without even thinking you have attained Kundilani.
Excellent meditation! From experience it is quite common to feel spacey at the end of kundalini meditations and I have found stamping my feet on the ground helps to ground you back into your regular world. Also agree that having a spiritual mentor is a great idea if you are new to meditations as often information is passed to you that a mentor may be needed to explain.
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback Eric! I'm sure this will help other people in their practice as well. 🙂
Very interesting, I've learned a lot