Introduction: Kundalini and kundalini problems

Introduction

There are moments when you suddenly come into contact with a force that is greater than yourself, yet it comes from within. The world around you is the same, still all seems different. Perhaps it was triggered by a situation on the outside – for instance the first kiss you share with a lover, an unexpected panoramic view whilst hiking in the mountains, or a deep silence between musical notes in a piece of music. The lover was already there, the mountains have been there for centuries and silence is just silence. Still – you feel energy a radiation or force that did not seem to be there before. It can make you very happy, but it can also leave you feeling a little unsettled. It can pass in a flash, but a part of it can stay with you.

   Sometimes we experience such a change in our perception without any apparent reason. For instance, when we ‘accidentally’ deeply relax or sink into a meditative state, possibly without sitting down especially to do that. Also with deepened or expanded awareness we experience in our body that something changes, something that not only has to do with consciousness, but also with energy – like all that we are aware of relates to the way our energy flows, radiates or stagnates.

   It can be confusing. Often the temptation is to think that something in the immediate surroundings has changed – for instance, that you have suddenly been exposed to energies from an unknown source. Whilst indeed that could be the case, the essence of what happened is often that we experience one way or the other a direct contact with the source in us – not as a manner of speaking but literally a source of creative power, energy. When this source is being tapped into, and energy is released from it, it can be a healing experience but it can also turn a lot upside down. It is nothing less than a particular variant of the creative primal power, the universal force of life, which underlies all possible experiences. It is this power, that enables us to move, see, smell, taste, hear, and feel – to be conscious.

   We have this power in us, we are born with it. A strong concentrated quantity of it is located in the pelvis – the individual source in us is there. Usually the energy will slowly, in dribs and drabs, release itself from this reservoir. The more your energy circulates through your body, the more conscious you can become of what is going on within yourself and your perception of the world around you can be clearer.

In the outer material world we might succeed in ‘becoming rich while we are asleep’, but inner wealth means that we consciously experience life, which firstly means that we are awake and bright and we feel what is alive in us.

   An ancient, from origin Indian name for the concentrated energy in the pelvis is ‘Kundalini’. Those who want to follow the spiritual path will most likely come across this name sooner or later. The intensity of this energy supply is so strong that it is rightly compared to a nuclear reactor, and even with an atom bomb. This personal source firstly supplies the energy for our growth and health, and is also involved in healing processes that the body needs.

Secondly, this energy is the basis for all movement, awareness, development and creativity, for the full flourishing of consciousness. In order for this to happen, our energy needs to flow freely through the many energy channels and centres in our body, so that the higher functions of consciousness can also be brought into operation within us as humans.

   Ultimately, the energy from the pelvic source strives for conscious union with the omnipresent cosmic energy, the ‘Mahakundalini’ from the great cosmic Source. In principle there will always be a degree of connection between our personal energy and the omnipresent life force, although mostly without us being aware. Self-awareness and conscious self-actualization require a process of letting go of everything that interferes with the circulation of our energy. In order to achieve real clarity and presence of mind, a transformation process is needed. This too is an energy issue.  Consciousness and energy cannot be separated. The way in which we experience the world and ourselves, either seemingly ‘enclosed in ourselves’ or being transparent for energies and open to what we perceive, all depends on the overall condition of our body and its energy system.

   Normally consciousness and energy function on the ‘automatic pilot’ along with the so-called ego, which is partially conscious and partially unconscious - the thinking, emotional and willing “I” that we usually identify with. When body and energy system are being released from these cramps, openness will arise in which we cannot only realise what we truly are but through which we can also feel ‘one’ with all that we perceive, here and now.

The transformation we are dealing with, is not just a matter of thinking, it is not even just a change in consciousness. Actually all we experience has to do with the way our energy flows and radiates - in, through and from ourselves.

  The harmonious and conscious connection of personal and cosmic energy is healing, becoming whole or one. This is the conscious return to the great Unity of all there is. In many spiritual and religious traditions a lot of different names are being given to this becoming whole, this being absorbed in the union of all that is – for instance with the word ‘yoga’, the term ‘Tao’ and the expression ‘God’s kingdom on earth’.

Bizarre distortions

Since ancient times, people have shown an interest in the ‘awakening’ of the primal power in themselves, that is to say: to increase its intensity, and to awake the energy to function on the cosmic conscious level. Not just to become ‘one’ but also because throughout the process miraculous healing and so called ‘psychic’ abilities could develop. Since living memory numerous methods, techniques and rituals have been developed in order to circulate the energy through the body, concentrating on the higher energy centres in particular. In some cases, the approach is gradual and very cautious, in others the risk of derailment is taken for granted.

   Obviously a powerful force that plays a role in all our experiences can also lead to unpleasant episodes. This can occur particularly when there is a sudden, unprepared or totally accidental release of more energy from the source in the pelvis. Besides from following yoga or meditation classes or other forms of ‘awareness training’, enhanced Kundalini activity can, for example, also be stimulated through being involved in a traffic accident or by a fall on the tailbone. Exhaustion can also excite the pelvic energy source, and your energy can even be shaken through emotions. In a way some people are extra sensitive to energetic changes within themselves as well as energetic influences from their surroundings, possibly without being aware of their sensory intake.

   Shocking experiences and/or higher sensitivity can at times lead to bizarre distortions of the body energy system, physical symptoms (but often without medical apparent cause or organic disturbance), a flow of energy which is either far too high or at a big loss, as well as psychiatric disturbances like manic psychoses.

In a certain sense, the disruption of the ‘normal’ energy circulation underlies all possible forms of disharmony that humans can experience - just as all that humans experience is in fact based on the operation of this life force.

   Since disruptions like this may build up gradually and arise unnoticed they can also overwhelm someone, whilst the person involved often has no idea, what sort of process underlies this situation; just as many others around him, including therapists, have no insight in what is going on. Of course this is the result of the materialistic perspective, particularly in Western medicine science, which   always looks for physical symptoms and causes thereof, has little or no attention for the subtle energy processes that occur, and does not look at the patient as a unity of body, soul and Spirit. Eastern approaches, like Tibetan and Chinese traditional medicine sciences and meditative disciplines, contain much more expertise concerning the energy processes and the cohesion of these three ‘components’ of our being. However, some Eastern ways, like many forms of Indian yoga, focus very strongly on transcendental experiences and are therefore less suitable for people that have a job and family and/or are living in a busy, stressful society.

   The disruption of someone’s energy system can also be the result of a wrong practice of yoga, meditation, ‘awareness training’ or (psycho)therapy. An Indian teacher, Rajneesh Chandra Mohan (better known as ‘Bhagwan’, later as ‘Osho’) warned his public in the eighties - insightfully noted: ‘You either become enlightened, or you go insane’. To awaken the energy from the pelvic source without following the established canon of practice comes with high risk. You can create a problem for yourself, for instance, if you do not maintain the flow of energy through your legs and feet to the earth. Unfortunately the importance of this is often unknown by therapists and trainers, who at times aim too strong towards catharsis, a powerful emotional - and therefore energetic- discharge. If the Kundalini-energy becomes disconnected from the earth, unfortunately in some occasions a weekend workshop or training can end up with admission to a psychiatric ward.

‘Kundalini’ as search term

Self-will is a central problem to Kundalini issues. Often at first people live their lives in a way that estranges them from their being and their source, based on resistance to their life as it comes to them. And the problems arising from this will be dealt with in the same estranged way. A very charming and conscientious lady, who started to read books on spirituality around her 50^th birthday, stated later that when she was reading chapters on ‘the awakening of the Kundalini’ she initially thought, ‘This sounds like a walk in the park’.  This intention has caught up with her with seven psychoses and psychiatric admissions in the subsequent period of fifteen years. ‘I had not understood the importance of grounding’, this lady declared later, by which time it had become almost impossible for her to do so.

   It is to be expected, in the near future, that such eagerness in making contact with this primal power can potentially cause trouble to a lot of people. Since in the meantime the word ‘Kundalini’ is often used as a search term by the novice spiritual seeker to browse the internet, hoping to cure ailments, to find great unification or an expansion of consciousness somewhere in between. Next to much good advice, a substantial amount of information on the Internet is far from helpful; but this independent information-seeking behaviour can easily lead to the illusion that one could start managing with this primal power by themselves.

   This is based on a modern trend that is much more general. More often therapists and counsellors receive emails, whats-apps or phone calls from people who want attention and information, but they do not want to be helped. They want contact and attention, ask some questions and through the misconception that in this way you really ‘do something about your problems’ they believe to be able to work it out in their own way. Not seldom the most diverse and conflicting approaches are being applied, and so in the meantime the problems intensify.

People that would be horrified by the idea of turning their abdomen into a pharmacy through a combination of various kinds of medication often do not hesitate to turn their energy system into a potpourri of which no one understands anything anymore.

   In case of problems with Kundalini this way of managing energy flows involves more risk. The ‘Kundalini process’ can be really temperamental. If the released force from the pelvic source has been thrown off direction through unconventional exploration (or by accident), often the information, good or bad advice and possible help, come too late. In fact not many Western yoga teachers and other health-care professionals know how to harmonize a disrupted Kundalini process, and even in the East you have to be very lucky to find one. 

Besides incorrect or misapplied ‘techniques to improve awareness’, the use of drugs and/or alcohol can cause much damage in this context.

Furthermore there are some specific groups at risk, like health-care workers themselves, and perhaps contrary to what one might expect, artists. Health-care workers often catch stress from the empathic interaction with their clients, without being aware that this relating to and empathy with their clients can lead to disruption of their own energy system and eventually can cause illness. On the other hand, the reverse also can happen, with clients picking up disharmonic energy patterns from their health-care worker.

   Artists exploit the pelvic source even more by their creative work. But also performing artists, like musicians, often are exposed to immense pressure caused by the need to work in fullest concentration, with presence of mind. When ‘the pressure is on’, an overflow of energy is generated, and still continues even after the performance has been delivered. In the long run this can lead to exhaustion, yet even before this happens, the excess of non-released energy forges ahead within the body and causes the energy levels to be overloaded. This is experienced as tension, and the temptation can be very strong to take medication, alcohol or drugs against this, while this will only, directly or indirectly, worsen or at least maintain the problem. Something similar applies to everyone who remains focused on performing while it is time to let go, a problem that plays a role in all sorts of jobs, yet is mostly caused in the first instance by factors from within the person self.

Intensifying Confusion

It is understandable that the subject ‘Kundalini’ fascinates many people. Those who use this inner force the right way, open up the way to spiritual transformation from within. Moreover, those who connect this personal energy in a harmonic way with cosmic energy can come to increased awareness and great creativity, and in many ways be a healing presence for others. It is of great value if you learn to live from this primal source. However, we encounter a puzzling paradox: without making contact with the pelvic source, there is not much possibility to raise awareness or for development, whereas tapping directly into this source also can lead to problems. The search is for a path that combines a way of life with ‘personal growth’ leading to a gradual and safe development of our inner strength.

   Unfortunately, not just the amount of information about Kundalini and its related problems increase, but also the confusion about one or the other intensifies. Some authors of books and websites take over misconceptions of others, and many, including some alternative healers, do not know what it all is about. Nowadays knowledge is being spread that used to be shared with utmost care, only via word of mouth, in order to prevent adventurers or wizards’ apprentices from doing foolish things. Which is precisely what they are doing now: they unleash the proverbial power that is uncontrollable, and the genie pops out of the bottle and cannot be pushed back. Some books and websites even describe the psycho-energetic state, known in the West as ‘manic psychosis’ as the state of ‘enlightenment’ many people are aiming towards.

   It is of great importance to understand what the purpose of the energy from the pelvic source is: oneness and further evolution of our consciousness through creative self-actualization. The perceivable reality is a process in which the creating Spirit apparently wants to manifest itself, a process in which life is continuously renewed, turned around, transformed. The complete human being is involved in this transformation process, with body, mind and soul. This requires that our energy must flow optimally throughout the body, and also through the energy layers around it. In this way a harmonious connection is possible between ‘heaven’ and ‘earth’ through us, and if this is the case we are open for inspiration from our being, our Higher Self that is of divine origin.

   Our body with its energy system in and around it is actually a sort of antenna system that can be tuned in on subtle, but also powerful healing energies that help us here and now, in our daily lives, to truly be ourselves and to deliver the right creative contribution. In chapter 17 (‘Receiving inner guidance’) we come back to this.

   In general we do not make good use of our antennas. The emphasis on thinking draws too much energy to the head (just like some emotions) and so it becomes full. Thus, we hold on to our emotions in the chest, stomach/solar plexus area and the rest of the body; besides which we do not let our love flow. This creates inner dividedness and as a result of this, we experience misunderstandings about the correct way to handle our energy system, and ourselves. Whereas Kundalini from the pelvic source is directed towards transformation, firstly she then stands for the task to clear the path, unblocking the way for transformation, for us to become whole and creative.

   We could call this command or task a sacred purpose. And from an existential point of view the importance of this exceeds the subjective wellbeing of the person in question. If necessary, Kundalini energy will proceed with rigour. Everything that does not belong in you has to go. Also if this causes discomfort, or it may not be suitable for you to let go, because in that moment you just want something else than what is apparently necessary. A situation perceived by our ‘ego’ as irritating and disturbing, or even dramatic, can be a complete different matter for our ‘being’, a temporary but constructive discomfort, an experience that is neither negative nor positive, or even a welcome challenge.

   On a deep but usually unconscious level, our being seems to know that in essence it is about not resisting our experiences in any way, or not resisting the One in which we are always embedded anyhow. Everything comes and goes, except for what is and will be – and what we essentially are. We have nothing else left but to stop all resistance against our destiny and to cooperate in order to fulfil our existential destination, even before it is clear to us what that might be. We can make our lives much easier by learning to live in trust, surrender and obedience to the inspiration that arises from our being.

   One way or the other it seems difficult to accept this plain advice. Whereas our energy could flow naturally, like the exhalation that flows and the next inhalation arises by itself, we find we should do our best, that we have to make an effort to achieve something – and this ‘something’ usually refers to an ‘ego’ driven action. Consequently we obstruct the happiness that we are looking for.

   It can be different, and when the energy from our pelvic source starts to work, it must be different. Of course we can continue to undermine our inner strength, however it is also possible to harmoniously work with her. We would like to make that clear in this book.

 

Who will benefit from this book?

   This book has come into being due to growing interest for good information around the subject of ‘Kundalini’ and all that is connected with it. Through his involvement in coursework in this area, Ad van Beckhoven noticed a profound lack of knowledge on possibilities how to address issues regarding ‘Kundalini’ processes, in order to calm them down.

Whilst preparing to write a book, Ad interviewed various people with experiences in this field. It then seemed unexpectedly difficult to produce a balanced report with practical recommendations from this. When the project was already years in progress, one of the interviewees, Peter Kampschuur, offered his assistance. Following this, the already interviewed people were approached for a follow-up interview, or asked for additions in writing to their prior stories, in order to bring their process in picture since the first interview contacts.

   The inclusion of this material made the book more valuable, since it no longer was just a description of one moment, but it reflected a longer period of time. Alongside these personal stories in addition some reports from other experienced people are included in the book. Out of the collected material a selection of 15 stories has been made, together representing a wide range of Kundalini experiences, not just negative but also positive, so that these reports form valuable examples of ways in which people can grow through psycho-energetic problems.

   In order to protect the sincerity and privacy of those that have been interviewed, most personal stories are being published under a pseudonym.

  In the meantime the ‘theoretical’ chapters and advices were not just based on individual experiences but also come from having run a therapeutic practice for many years; in the end all of this has resulted in a book that is to the authors’ belief, balanced in every aspect. After reading the book, those that take it to heart will have discovered the most important steps to be taken in order to rebalance the harmony in his or her energy system.

   Actually this book is for everyone who is interested in the connection between healing, spirituality and energy. However, it is primarily meant as help and support for people who have difficulties with Kundalini one way or another, or more generally speaking, people who experience psycho-energetic problems and want to understand more about the nature of it all.

   Secondly, the book can offer guidance for health-care professionals who are keen to understand how to help these people – and perhaps also themselves. Psycho-energetic problems require an approach that generally is not available within the regular (mental) health-care system.

 We discuss some misunderstandings that account for lopsided growth and stagnation in the transformation process, and we also highlight the necessary steps to regain the right energetic connections and the flow in ourselves, and how we can improve this.

   Those who agree that consciousness and energy are two sides of the same coin will be able to experience this book as a plea for spirituality to its core, with your feet firmly on the ground. That is exactly what we need to unite heaven and earth within us, allowing our inner strength to fulfil her destiny.