10/1/2016 KundaliniRising

HomeCDsSchoolsTantraShaktiYoga/Vedanta/TantraYogaSutras

Home About Basics Meditation Practices Philosophy Tradition

Yoga Connections Interactive Mantra YogaSutras Karma Lifestyle
Icons Mind CDs Kundalini Levels Fun/Misc.

IndexKundaliniAwakening Shakti,Kundalini,River YogaNidraCD

3SchoolsofTantra ChakraMeditation:BhutaShuddhi SwamiJnaneshvara

6SchoolsIndianPhilosophy Yoga,Vedanta,Tantra

KundaliniAwakening Search
Homepage
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
notfound
5)KundaliniRising

1 2 3 4 5 6
Server
at
Amazon
30%offor
moreon
select
Tablets.

(Clickindividualpicturesforpages/Scrolldownfortext)
SiteHomeKundaliniHomeKundaliniIndex
PreviousKundalinipageNextKundalinipage

#5:LeadingtheKundaliniupward:AfterKundaliniAwakening(section #4), its

fullforceisthenguidedthroughtheSushumnachannel,muchlikethePranathat
came before (though now in its full force), systematically piercing, and moving
through one after another of the chakras along the way. Kundalini Awakening is
followedbyKundaliniRising.AfterKundaliniRising,theKundaliniisguidedtothe
Crown.

Thesevenmajorchakras:Aswasdescribedinsection#1,theenergyofPrana
flows in the nadis, and the major vortices of the energy intersections are the
chakras. Energy is concentrated and stored at these chakra intersections. They
are the subtlety which is underneath, or provides the support for the nerve
plexusesalongthespine.Briefly,thesevenmajorchakrasare:

1.Muladhara:coccyx,baseofthespine,attheperineum
2.Svadhistana:sacralplexus,genitalarea
3.Manipura:solarplexus,navelcenter
4.Anahata:cardiacplexus,heartcenter
5.Visshuddha:thoracicplexus,throatcenter
6.Ajna:pituitarycenter,eyebrowcenter
7.Sahasrara:crownofthehead

As the Kundalini moves upwards during the phase of Kundalini Rising, it

encounters and fills each of the lower chakras, one after the other. The Ida and
Pingala nadis, coursing through the chakras, are felt more deeply, and seen as
well. During Kundalini Rising, each of the chakras is experienced in its subtler
and subtler ways, including the subtler aspects of the five elements and the ten
indriyas,whichareassociatedwiththefirstfivechakras:

http://www.swamij.com/kundaliniawakening5.htm 1/4
10/1/2016 KundaliniRising

Three groups within six chakras: The chakras function within three general
groupsofprocess,goingalongwithapredominanceofthethreeprimalelements
orgunas:

1.Tamas:Thefirsttwochakrasrelatetotheprimalactivitiesthatoperatein
relationtothephysicalworld,includingthedrivesforselfpreservation and
procreation,effectivelyobscuringhigherexperience.

2.Rajas: The third and fourth chakras, the navel and the heart centers,
involve a subtler relationship with the world, working with one's
individualityratherthanjustengagingthephysicalworld.

3.Sattva: The fifth and sixth chakras, the throat and the eyebrow centers,
begin movement away from the outer towards the inner world of purity,
intuition,creativity,andwisdom,fromwhichtheouterarises.

OpenandClosedchakras: If a chakra is open, then Kundalini Rising continues

to upwards to the next chakra. If they are all open, then it rises all the way to
the Sahasrara. However, this is commonly thought of in an opposite way. If a
chakra is closed, then the Kundalini stops its upward journey, and one
experiences that chakra more fully in an external way (what is typically called
open). This can seem to be evidence of an open chakra, but the fact that the
Kundalinidoesnotkeepgoingupwardsmeansthatthechakraisactuallyclosed.

Three knots or granthis are broken: Along the Sushumna channel there are
three knots (granthis) of energy that will be broken or untied along the upward
journey of Kundalini Rising, allowing the flow to go into and through the various
chakrasabovethatpoint:

Brahmagranthi:Blocking the flow from the first chakra, the root chakra,
muladhara,upwardtotheothersrelatedtobondagetodesires.

Vishnu granthi: Blocking the flow from the third chakra at the navel,
manipura, upward to the fourth chakra, anahata, the heart related to
bondageofactions.

Rudra granthi: Blocking the flow beyond the sixth chakra between the
eyebrows,ajnachakra, upwards towards sahasrara related to bondage of
thoughts(comparedtopureknowing).

Urdhvaretasorupwardtraveling: The energy which is normally dissipated in

the lower chakras can be rechanneled to the upper chakras through Kundalini
Rising, not being released outward from those chakras, and brought further up
theSushumnanaditowardstheupperchakras.Suchpracticesassiddhasana(the
accomplished pose), mahamudra (an asana), kapalabhati (a breathing practice),
and mahabandha (locks) are used along with concentration of the mind. This
allowsthelowerenergy(retas)tomoveupwardandbecometransformedintoa
higher energy (ojas), sometimes called effulgent, vital, creative, or spiritual
energythatisusedforhigherrealization.

To rise part way is most common: It is most common for the awakened
Kundalini to rise only to one of the lower chakras, rather than to awaken and
arise through all of the chakras, all the way to the crown. Having the Kundalini
awaken and even partial Kundalini Rising is an encouraging and inspiring
experience. It is also an experience to observe with humility, as the ego can
claimownershipoftheexperienceanddelayfurtheradvancement.

Confusing Prana and Kundalini: It was already described that when Ida and
Pingala are balanced, and Prana begins to flow in Sushumna channel, there
comes feelings of peace and a calmness of mind. While this is definitely a
desired step along the way, it is sometimes confused with Kundalini Awakening.
Sometimestherearejerksandjoltsinthenervoussystemthatcomealongwith
thisthesetooarenotKundaliniAwakeningorKundaliniRising.Itisusefultobe
awareofthedifferencebetweentheflowsofPranaandfullKundaliniAwakening
and Kundalini Rising. Then, when those very useful steps along the way come,
theyareseenassignposts,andasinspirationforthedeeperexperience.

Kundalini itself becomes a guide: As the sadhana (practices) progress,

Kundalini itself becomes a guide. This does not mean that one does not follow
externalguidance,nordoesitmeannotquestioningthevalidityof inner insights
that might be mental habits masquerading as inner wisdom. Rather, it means
that there is a magnetic pull, a directing energy that comes from the Kundalini
Shaktiitself,whichisdrawingonetowardshomethroughKundaliniRising.

Shaktibecomeslikealion:WhiletheenergyofKundaliniShaktiisaguide,itis
alsolikealionthatisrunningthroughthebodyandthemind,searchingoutand

http://www.swamij.com/kundaliniawakening5.htm 2/4
10/1/2016 KundaliniRising
eatingawaytheimperfectionsthatremain.Ifoneisnotpreparedforthis,itcan
beveryshockinganddifficulttointegrateintodailylife.Thisisnotsaidtocause
fear, but respect for the journey. Once again, it means that it is necessary to
prepare for the onslaught of such intense purifying experience. If one is not
prepared,thentheexperiencesfromKundaliniRisingthatshouldbringjoybrings
physical or mental suffering instead. Paradoxically, notice that if one does not
purify, no progress is made, while at the same time, the progress itself brings
purification.

Purify to be ready to purify: To prepare for this intense purifying experience

requires preparing, by doing the grosser aspects of purifying through work with
the body, breath, and mind. This is done through integrating practices such as
meditation, contemplation, prayer, and mantra. The practices of Yoga Nidra and
bhutashuddhi(chakrameditation)areveryuseful.Noticethewayanathletewill
practice intensely to gain strength and stamina. Then there is a period of rest
beforethedayoftheathleticevent.Atthetimeoftheeventthereisanintense
outpouring of effort. The same is done with Kundalini Awakening and Kundalini
Rising. First, you purify and practice. As you do this, you live your daily life.
Then, after being fully prepared, there comes the times of advancement in the
experiences.

Awakening versus leading Kundalini: The process of Kundalini Awakening is

not only one of awakening the energy, but also of leading it upwards, through
eachofthechakras.Themanypracticeswithbody,breath,andmind,eachhave
their effect on these various centers, and pave the way for the Kundalini Rising
tofurtherupwardovertimeandwithpractice.

PreviousKundalinipageNextKundalinipage

SiteHomeKundaliniHomeKundaliniIndex

Search Search Search Search

widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
notfound notfound notfound notfound

Server Server Server Server

at at at at
Amazon Amazon Amazon Amazon
30%offor 30%offor 30%offor 30%offor
moreon moreon moreon moreon
select select select select
Tablets. Tablets. Tablets. Tablets.

Search Search Search Search

widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
notfound notfound notfound notfound

Server Server Server Server

at at at at
Amazon Amazon Amazon Amazon
30%offor 30%offor 30%offor 30%offor
moreon moreon moreon moreon
select select select select
Tablets. Tablets. Tablets. Tablets.

Search Search Search Search

widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
widgetserver.amazon.com/invalid
notfound notfound notfound notfound

Server Server Server Server

at at at at
Amazon Amazon Amazon Amazon
30%offor 30%offor 30%offor 30%offor
moreon moreon moreon moreon
select select select select
Tablets. Tablets. Tablets. Tablets.

YogaNidraCD

This site is devoted to presenting the ancient SelfRealization path of the

Tradition of the Himalayan masters in simple, understandable and beneficial
ways, while not compromising quality or depth. The goal of our sadhana or
practicesisthehighestJoythatcomesfromtheRealizationindirect experience
http://www.swamij.com/kundaliniawakening5.htm 3/4
10/1/2016 KundaliniRising
of the center of consciousness, the Self, the Atman or Purusha, which is one
and the same with the Absolute Reality. This SelfRealization comes through
Yoga meditation of the Yoga Sutras, the contemplative insight of Advaita
Vedanta, and the intense devotion of Samaya Sri Vidya Tantra, the three of
which complement one another like fingers on a hand. We employ the classical
approaches of Raja, Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti Yoga, as well as Hatha, Kriya,
Kundalini, Laya, Mantra, Nada, Siddha, and Tantra Yoga. Meditation,
contemplation, mantra and prayer finally converge into a unified force directed
towardsthefinalstage,piercingthepearlofwisdomcalledbindu,leadingtothe
Absolute.

http://www.swamij.com/kundaliniawakening5.htm 4/4