This energy is often seen to be “dormant” in most people. That isn’t inferring that you have no life force, since obviously you are alive. It’s that all aspects of us can be more or less energized by this Shakti. It’s even more specifically referring to our individual consciousness, our ability to be aware of the connectedness of all things through this all pervading, sacred force. Here is rather mundane but simple analogy. We could view ourselves as distinctly separate from the other organisms around us in nature having no real connection to them. Or, we can see that we share a tremendous amount in common. All plants and animals (and humans) are deeply connected by the mere fact that we all breathe the same air and have the same water and other nutrients flowing through us. We all share the same Earth and live under the same Sun and Sky. Together, we make up our living environment.
Under certain circumstances, the Kundalini energy awakens and begins to rise through the body, piercing and opening the charkas (representing levels of awareness) as she moves in her undulating, snake-like fashion. As Kundalini releases stored and blocked energies (and perceptions), her movement can be quite intense and often leads to mental states that seem out of this world. Circumstances that stimulate Kundalini awakening are many and varied, but are usually triggered by such things as extended periods of meditation, yoga, fasting, stress, trauma, psychedelic substances, or near death experiences. When released, it creates a vertical connection between the chakras (integrated perception) by opening the subtle channels known as nadi (see chakras). More specifically, it activates the “central channel” that moves up the spine called Sushumna Nadi. The movement of Kundalini can also be seen as a result of the chakras connecting to each other (high levels of perception). Theoretically, as the chakras clear, the opening of one can enhance the opening of the one above or below it. This connection is what most opens our hearts and our minds to a unified, higher spiritual perception. All the various yogic practices are all designed to help this process of unification.
In summery, Kundalini Shakti represents our individual, animating life force as well as our individual awareness or “consciousness”. She represents our most clarified and integrated physical, mental, emotional and spiritual processes and how these in turn help us see our deepest connection to all of life.
Artwork by Bruce Bowditch
