What is Kundalini Meditation? Amazing Adventures Of The Serpent

In my decade long love of meditation and spiritual practice, rarely do I find more confusion and question than in the area of Kundalini meditation. The reason, I believe, is that the Western interpretation of Kundalini practice, ethos, and symbolism is a bit skewed, and occasionally, probably not unfairly so..:-) As there are several different popular permutations to the practice, (most notably Kundalini Yoga in Western centers) there are apt to be misunderstandings that abound. Read on as we take a quick look at my own experience with this fascinating art.

Kundalini meditation borrows heavily from Sanskrit symbology, and is replete with references to the dormant serpent energy that lies at the base of the human spine. In the meditative experience, bliss is achieved through the openings of the various energy centers (called Chakras) and the liberating of this slumbering serpent within your life force.

The peak meditative experience as described in Kundalini practice is the when this life force (Shatki) rises to the head energy center, which results in a union with Lord Shiva, the Supreme Being in this particular spiritual exercise. It truly is a fascinating journey, and while many find the various gods, mythology and magical nature of the practice to be a bit hard to understand, and occasionally hard to believe, adherents are amongst the most devoted and disciplined of the Yogic spiritual community.

Yogi Bhjan, by the way, who is credited with bringing Kundalini to the West, is a very popular and charismatic character in New Mexico, where his death only a few years ago was highlighted by then Gov. Bill Richardson giving a public speech at his memorial. Phenomenal feats, bi-location, levitation and ALL kinds of unbelievable states of seemingly impossible feats were said to have been part of his skill set while in a deep meditation...and while I have never had one myself, many believe magical powers ARE indeed part and parcel of the development and refinement of the Kundalini energy body, so if this is your cup of tea, you know where to look!

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