As I mentioned before, the first instance was in January 2018, when an electric shock ran through the Muladhara chakra, and something like an explosion occurred in the Ajna chakra, causing energy to be released. I thought this was "drowsy Kundalini," but after experiencing the second instance, I realized that the first instance was not really what could be called Kundalini. It was simply a pressure on the lid of a previously blocked nadi (energy channel) or chakra, which suddenly released. It was a very simplified event, completely different from the second instance.
Here is a brief timeline of the events that occurred before that.
- - January 2015: First yoga experience, a 2-week intensive retreat at an ashram in India. Afterwards, a period of inactivity.
- October 2016: Resumed yoga in a local studio in Japan. 90 minutes, once a week.
- August 2017: Increased the frequency of yoga, almost every day for 90 minutes.
- October 2017: Distracting thoughts decreased. Finally, I started to feel like I was doing yoga. I could finally do a headstand, although only for a short time.
- November 2017: I started hearing "nada" sounds, about 3 months after starting yoga almost every day.
- January 2018: First Kundalini experience. An electric shock in the Muladhara chakra and an energy explosion from a point a few centimeters above the skin between my eyebrows (Ajna chakra?). Only a small amount of energy.
- November 2018: Second Kundalini experience. The Kundalini energy itself had not yet risen. Only two lines of light rose.
The second occurrence happened 10 months after the first. The second time was also a Kundalini experience, and it happened while I was lying in bed. The first time, it happened while I was dozing off in a recliner, so I might be the type of person who is prone to experiencing things while sleeping. I will briefly describe the experience. Initially, while I was sleeping and dreaming, my entire body started rotating. The axis of rotation seemed to be from the head to the feet, and it was a leftward rotation. This "rotation" is interesting because the book "Kundalini Yoga" by Masaharu Naruse also mentions that rotation is key. I wasn't consciously aware of the rotation, and I haven't read that book in months, so I had forgotten about the concept of rotation, but I was unexpectedly rotating in my dream. While I was having this dream of rotation, the lower part of my back, around the area behind my navel, suddenly became hot, and I felt a strong pulse. The pulse was very strong in that area. I also felt a strong energy, and the way the energy was moving felt like boiling magma, although not as hot as magma. Because I was asleep, it might have just been a dream, but I felt something abnormal in my body, so I regained consciousness. Eventually, the boiling sensation subsided, and the heat gradually disappeared. It seemed that the heat didn't rise to my chest or head, but remained in the same place and then disappeared. I woke up and put my hand on that spot, and it was quite warm, but not enough to cause a burn.
I thought it was an interesting experience, so I went back to sleep, but that night, about 2 hours later, two small energy streams suddenly appeared in my lower back, one on each side. These streams of light energy shot straight up from my waist towards the area above my eyes on my skull, taking about 2-3 seconds to reach the skull. They stopped at a slightly curved point on the skull. For about 10 seconds, the energy streams remained in place, but then they gradually disappeared. The movement was like a long balloon being filled with air, where the air enters from one side, but when it deflates, the entire thing deflates simultaneously.
I knew that Kundalini energy rises through the Sushumna nadi, so it was surprising that the two streams rose not through the Sushumna, but from the sides of it. Ida and Pingala are supposed to spiral around the Sushumna, so the fact that they rose straight up suggests that they might be different nadis. Or, perhaps it was just a dream? I still have a slight feeling of energy in my head, but so far, there have been no changes in my daily life.
I was worried that I might develop Kundalini syndrome like Gopi Krishna, but after a few days, my physical condition seems to be normal, so it seems there is no problem for now. In his case, the problem was that he awakened through the Pingala channel and was not using the Ida channel, so at least I can feel a little relieved that I am ascending symmetrically on both sides.
Even though I experienced Kundalini, nothing has changed particularly, but if I were to say something, I feel a little more energetic. The "magma" that I initially felt didn't actually ascend, but rather, just two tiny streams of light ascended, so it might be a very small amount of energy. Perhaps, when the main energy center ascends, there will be more changes. As for the changes, my body feels warmer than before, so I feel like I might be a little more resistant to the cold, but my inherent tendency to be cold hasn't completely disappeared.
In Gopi Krishna's experience, he heard a "Gom" sound, but in my case, I was in a state of dozing off and dreaming, so I don't remember it clearly, but when I regained consciousness, I didn't hear that "Gom" sound, but rather the usual "Pii" high-frequency Nada sound. I was half asleep, so it's a bit vague.
Also, after the second Kundalini experience, I feel like my libido has decreased significantly. I have a feeling that the focus point of energy inside my body has shifted from the heart to above. I haven't felt much sensation in the Manipura chakra (solar plexus chakra around the navel) before, but now I feel like something is present there. There are energy changes in various parts of my body. Overall, I feel more energetic. My libido has decreased, but I have been consciously practicing Brahmacharya (abstinence) and have been careful not to have nocturnal emissions. So, my libido was already reduced, but it has decreased even further.
In summary, the changes are:
- - I have become more energetic than before. Since I was originally not very energetic, I may have finally become normal.
- My libido has decreased significantly. Could it be that my libido has been sublimated into a higher energy?
- My stomach and chest feel slightly warmer than before. I thought I had become more resistant to the cold, but I still feel cold when I wear thin clothes, so it's not that much.
- My back muscles may have become a little stiffer.
- I have become less negative.
- My sleep time has decreased. I used to sleep 8 hours, but it has decreased by 10-20%, to about 6 hours.
- My voice has become clearer than before.
However, since the energy level and consciousness level have been decreasing by a few percent each day, it might be better to consider this as an initial stage. In order to establish this feeling, it may be necessary to review lifestyle habits, continue yoga, and, as mentioned in various books, experience this many times in order for consciousness to completely change. About two weeks have passed, and it feels like about half of it has returned to normal, but I can still feel changes. In order to maintain the state immediately after the experience, it may be necessary to review lifestyle habits even more.
I can feel that people can change little by little every year, and that's what makes life interesting. The current feeling is completely different from the state of consciousness when I was a child. I have been making significant changes to myself every few years, but the pace may have accelerated recently.
I haven't specifically practiced Kundalini Yoga, I'm just doing regular yoga. I do pranayama as part of that, but that's about it.
■Kundalini and Anahata Sound
Regarding the statement by Holy Mother (Shri Ma) that "people hear the Anahata sound before Kundalini awakens," I don't know which one is the Anahata sound, but perhaps I am already hearing it. This is a subtle area.
There are several possibilities.
- - Already, the Anahata sound is being heard.
- Are you not hearing it yet? Even if you are not hearing it, do you have any Kundalini experiences? There is a possibility that, like Gopi Krishna, one might experience Kundalini before hearing the Nada sound.
According to the writings of Gheranda Samhita, the sound of Anahata is associated with light, so it can also be interpreted as a sound that is heard after the Anahata chakra begins to move. Alternatively, although it is a speculation, it may be the sound that is heard after the energy block called Vishnu Granthi, which is located on the nadi in the Anahata chakra, is broken. However, this is also a subtle point. I would like to observe it a little more.
■Signs that a suprasensory world exists
In "Meditation and Mantra" by Swami Vishnu-Devananda, it is written that hearing the nada sound is a "sign" that a suprasensory world exists, and that this can lead to certainty. In my case, I could not completely believe it because it could also be a possibility of tinnitus, but by experiencing something close to kundalini as described in the scriptures, I have become even more certain that the suprasensory world described in the scriptures actually exists.
■Kundalini needs to be raised multiple times
According to "Kundalini Yoga" by Masaharu Naruse, or "Kundalini Yoga" by Swami Sivananda, it is necessary to continue practicing until kundalini is raised and held in the head. It is not something that can be done once and finished. I will add this or write it separately on another occasion.
Ideally, if there were a reliable guru with experience in kundalini nearby, that would be great, but that is not always the case.
■Given to those who do not seek
I have been trying to solve the mystery of the phrase "given to those who do not seek" since I was a child.
For some reason, this keyword has been coming to mind in various situations, but the definite basis for it was unclear.
Now, I think that the basis is that the "those who do not seek" refers to people who hear the nada sound, which is a sign of purification of the mind, and that the "given" part is kundalini.
After searching and searching, I feel like I have reached a very simple conclusion.
It seems that there are two directions.
- - As Shivananda says, "relax" and purify with a "peaceful mind" to reach the nada sound, and naturally reach Kundalini. This is a slow path. A path of letting go.
- This is a path of seeking special experiences and undergoing intense practice. This is a rapid path. A path where purification is not emphasized, and one does not reach the nada sound, but reaches Kundalini. This is a path of obsession. A path of exerting effort.
The latter often seems to have the potential to suffer from Kundalini syndrome. People often consider their experiences to be special, but while there is no need to deny the experience itself, the act of considering it special or seeking a particular experience is ego, and that ego will hinder purification.
I would like to aim for the former. However, from the perspective of others, both may seem the same. The former still has the aspect of the experience being special, and the difference may only be in the way the mind is used. The key point seems to be "releasing" oneself. Even if Kundalini is awakened by force, if purification is not achieved, one will suffer. The person in the latter case may accept that suffering as necessary, but the former may reach growth smoothly without such suffering. Probably.
■ Most of the time is spent on purification.
The "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" (by Swami Vishnu-Devananda) states the following:
One must begin with purification. The rest will come automatically. In fact, most of the time, we spend time on purification.
It may take one lifetime, ten lifetimes, ten million lifetimes, or just 10 seconds. Any of these is possible.
I think this is probably true. If there is no change even after doing yoga or spiritual practices, it is likely due to a lack of purification.
Therefore, even if people talk about chakras, it is actually not relevant to most people.
The state of bliss after the second Kundalini experience has largely returned to normal after about two weeks, but even so, the experience of a state of bliss and fullness of energy, even for a short period, is significant. Becoming positive is being filled with such overflowing energy, which is completely different from thinking or suppressing thoughts with mantras. I felt like I had become a completely different person, so maintaining that state is a challenge for the future. Living in Japan, one encounters negative people, has poor meals, or has a poor living environment, and for various reasons, one's state and energy level decreases. As is said in the world of yoga, when dealing with Kundalini, it is likely to collapse unless one stays at an ashram and strictly adheres to diet and lifestyle, which seems to be true. Fortunately, in my case, I have not had a terrible experience after Kundalini, so I am doing relatively well with this level of energy decrease.
■Is it necessary to raise Kundalini from the Sushumna channel?
I mentioned earlier that raising Kundalini from the Pingala channel can lead to Kundalini syndrome. However, in "Kundalini Tantra" by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, it states, "While it is common to raise Kundalini from the Sushumna channel," followed by, "Classical texts state that it is not necessarily required to raise it from the Sushumna channel." According to the book, raising Kundalini from the Pingala channel grants external powers (Siddhi), raising it from the Ida channel grants the ability to foresee the future, and raising it from the Sushumna channel leads to liberation in life (Jivanmukta). Satyananda explains that this is likely because the purpose of the classical texts is liberation, so they describe the method of raising it from the Sushumna channel. He also states that awakening the Sushumna channel is far more difficult than awakening the Ida and Pingala channels, requiring special knowledge and the help of a guru or divine power. Therefore, it makes sense that Indian saints who possess the power of object manipulation and destruction, which is a power related to the Pingala channel, or Western witches who possess the power of clairvoyance and precognition, which are powers related to the Ida channel, are not necessarily liberated. It is understandable that it is difficult to find liberated individuals because awakening the Ida and Pingala channels is relatively easier than awakening the Sushumna channel. As a characteristic of Indian saints, India has more male practitioners, which makes the Pingala channel more likely to awaken, hence the prevalence of stories about object manipulation. On the other hand, Western witches are often female, which makes the Ida channel more likely to awaken, explaining the prevalence of stories about clairvoyance. Of course, there are cases where both or the opposite occurs, but this pattern is likely more common.
It is also understandable that people who aim for liberation often possess the powers of Siddhi but do not consider them important and instead strive for liberation through the Sushumna channel. They are diligently practicing because liberation is difficult, so they are not fixated on Siddhi. If Siddhi (power) is the goal, one may become obsessed with it and ultimately fail to achieve liberation.
In my case, I have not yet experienced the sensation of the Sushumna channel moving, but rather, I feel that two lines of light have simply passed through, so my interpretation is that the Ida and Pingala channels have been activated. However, many books state that "Kundalini awakens only after the Sushumna channel is purified," so I was unsure about this. I had a question: "What was that then?" Based on Satyananda's explanation, it is also possible that it was something else. However, at the present time, as mentioned above, I have not experienced any significant changes other than increased physical strength, reduced sleep time, and improved consciousness, so it feels like it is just an increase in physical strength. It is said that one awakening is not enough, and subsequent maintenance is important.