Spirituality Studies 10-2 Fall 2024 63 Monique Rebelle In Bardo Thödol, the invocations and prayers practiced helping the spirit of the one who just passed away to ascend and exit through the crown chakra, are all asking for not giving to the scary demons of negative emotional states. Being unable to conquer emotions, the spirit is doomed to the repetition of another lifetime in saṃsāra (Evans-Wentz 1935, 183). Emotional hyper-sensitivity is caused by Kuṇḍalinī occupying the second chakra. If that chakra does not open with Kuṇḍalinī energy reaching it, Kuṇḍalinī may keep on moving in the body or may coil back. Kuṇḍalinī can also continue the upward current, omit the second chakra and possibly enter some other chakras. Going through an event of this kind would be difficult to deal with, because only a complete passage leaves one fully aware and at peace with the occurring phenomenon. 4 Kundalinī and the First Two Points of Transcendence If during the ascension process Kuṇḍalinī current is very strong and fast, then not all of the points of transcendence are noticeable. If Kuṇḍalinī progress is very slow (takes years, decades or longer), then these points are also hard to notice, even if the perception of another dimension is apparent. To be able to consciously witness the step-by-step process all the way is rare. Nevertheless, the points of transcendence are very important, and their presence decides about the course of the Kuṇḍalinī movement. I understand “points of transcendence” as conditions that allow Kuṇḍalinī to pass from one chakra to the next. 4.1 Kundalinī and the First Chakra In my understanding, the same physical manifestations of Kuṇḍalinī awakening are also recognized in other religions and spiritual traditions as signs of awakenings. Likewise, the methods of using one’s body to consciously evoke a connection with higher consciousness are similar all over the world. It needs to be understood that the transit of Kuṇḍalinī through the first chakra does not guarantee surmounting a moral or religious threshold as it is often portrayed in the classical and even contemporary texts, such as the one of Ravidra Kumar and Jatte Kumar Larsen (2004, 50): “When the root chakra opens, one transcends the eternal enemies, greed, lust, anger, attachment and ego.” With the passage of Kuṇḍalinī through the first chakra one does not experience higher consciousness or becomes free from bad habits and low morals – one experiences only physical symptoms. These symptoms may as well include betterment of health and higher physical energy. A possible great result of just breathing techniques is well articulated in Gheranda Samhita (2004, 103): “Bliss arises in the mind and the practitioner of pranayama becomes happy.” We can attest that while the Kuṇḍalinī awakening process begins in the first chakra, one can experience physical manifestations of various intensity, but also no such symptoms at all. • Kuṇḍalinī resting in between the first and second chakra can affect both chakras at once. The first chakra is closer to the anus area and the second one to the genital area and Kuṇḍalinī may respond to an emotional trigger first and then begin to uncoil in the first chakra. • Kuṇḍalinī can also be provoked to awaken and rise by sexual stimulation, which besides the physical can also be expressed through the emotional chakra. The discharge of sexual energy with orgasm takes place in the physical and emotional dimension as Kuṇḍalinī energy releases through the first and second chakra. • There are breathing practices that can help to awaken Kuṇḍalinī. • Kuṇḍalinī often starts moving in times of physical danger to the body, and especially when death seems inevitable. • In my understanding, from reports from my students and Kuṇḍalinī experiencing groups, it is harder for Kuṇḍalinī energy to rise towards the second chakra in an unhealthy body. That’s when the first chakra is congested with stagnant energy. In my understanding, the probable reason for multitude of uncomfortable symptoms accompanying Kuṇḍalinī awakening is that the powerful current has not entered the second chakra and can be felt in the body. The point of transcendence between the first and second chakra occurs when we lose attachment to the body and focus on emotion. I understand that this condition has a chance of fulfillment only when we are directing our full attention towards the state of detachment from the body. At the time of the mortal danger to the body and the sense of a loss of the body, Kuṇḍalinī can begin uncoiling. Keeping the focus away from the body allows for the process of transcendence from the material to emotional dimension to occur. When presenting the main doctrines of yoga, Mircea Eliade (2009, 5) writes that liberation cannot occur if one is not first detached from the world.
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