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At the base of the spine there lies a sleeping serpent of energy. In it’s dormant state, we may never realize that it is there. Awakening this coiled and perfectly poised serpent is the basis of spiritual enlightenment, and the act of doing so is what Kundalini Yoga is all about.

The practice of Kundalini Yoga encompasses many levels. Though it is a physically demanding practice, it is also, ultimately, a spiritual journey that expands the consciousness of the individual many times over as it strengthens their bodies and calms the mind. Through Kundalini Yoga techniques, it is possible to accelerate our spiritual development, experience the oneness that comes with the bliss of enlightenment and travel to worlds beyond this one; the Astral Plane, where we eventually end up re-learning something about ourselves that has long been forgotten; that we are timeless beings who have taken the initiative to be ‘in existence’ here on this Earth in order to learn more about all of the ways that we exist. We have come to this Universal University for a reason, and that reason must be found within each one of us if we are to move into the realm of the enlightened.

Kundalini Yoga is comprised primarily of Sutras, or specific poses that channel and release energy and facilitate the rise of the Kundalini upwards, into each of the chakras of our body. Breathing techniques and mantras are also used by the Kundalini Yoga practitioner to take the focus off of one’s thoughts and instead to place it directly in the experience that is being had.

Kundalini Yoga is renown for it’s effects on our consciousness, and it is a practice that has been used for thousands of years in order to prime the pump for Astral Projection, or the ability to be outside of our body in full consciousness.

Raising the Kundalini up from the Root chakra and into the higher realms of the Third Eye and the Crown chakras, we take the initiative to grow. When this serpentine energy finally breaks through, it can be intensely traumatic, beautiful, all encompassing and sometimes, too much for the individual to handle. Though it is tempting to try to do it alone, Kundalini Yoga works much better in the presence of a diligent and well trained instructor.

When we look at our spirituality through the lens of the sleeping Kundalini, we have imagery which we can use to focus on and facilitate these mystically enlightening experiences on our own, thus further progressing on our path to true understanding. Working with Kundalini energy is one of the best ways to develop our natural vision and to see the way through our thoughts to the actuality of what our experience with divinity really is. In this way, we can become enlightened. It is not some something special, reserved only for wise men and sages. It is a part of who we are.

Angie Hewerdine

Rooted in the traditions of Hindu mythology, Kundalini energy is the dormant energy that resides in the body.  Located at the base of the spine, this “coiled energy” is tied to the Root Chakra and is often referred to as the “serpent power”.  Often awakened through the practice of Kundalini Yoga, this force is believed to have powerful consequences for the mind and body.  Often compared to astral projection, Kundalini awakening involves all energy fields in the body and can be an intensely spiritual experience.  Thought of as a healing force, Kundalini has tremendous benefits, making it an increasingly popular practice.

Awakening the Kundalini

The Kundalini is believed to reside at the base of the spine, in the Root Chakra.  When it is awakened, it will rise up through the spine upwards, activating all other chakras on its way out of the body.  Often said to be a powerful force as it surges through the body, Kundalini awakening can cause physical reactions, such as tremors, muscle jerks, vibrations, electrical sensations, sounds or voices, and hallucinations.  These sensations can be the biggest obstacles in attempts at both Kundalini awakening and astral projection, often leading to an overpowering fear of the unknown.  In time and with practice, it is possible to overcome this fear and achieve success in the field of traveling the astral plane.

Major Benefits of Kundalini Awakening

There are several physical, spiritual, and mental benefits that come with repeated Kundalini awakenings.  Depending greatly on individual goals as well as tenacity in practicing, this spiritual practice can benefit all areas of life.  In order to succeed in reaping these benefits, it’s important to understand the proper ways to treat your body and practice in order to yield the most from Kundalini awakening experiences.

• Body Purification—Many believe it is important to keep the body as pure as possible when attempting to work with this energy force.  Alcohol, drugs, caffeine, prescriptions, and other impurities can hinder the ability to work with the energy or benefit from the practice.  It is also believed that a vegetarian diet can work to improve the effects of all similar practices.
• Stress Reduction—Because of the desire to work through a spiritual transformation, it is also necessary to remove any unnecessary factors that cause stress in your life.  Making changes to eliminate these things can help you achieve the spiritual transformation that comes with Kundalini awakening.
• Get Support—When you decide to work with Kundalini exercises, it often helps to talk about the experience with others that have had it.  This can help you gain knowledge about it and get a realistic perspective on what it will be like as you move through the practice for yourself.
• Knowledge—Studying astral projection, out of body experiences, and Kundalini awakening can help to remove any fear that may reside in you with regard to the practice and help to encourage success as you move forward.  You can read accounts of others, study the works of the originators of the practices, and learn about chakras to improve your chances of success in working with Kundalini.
• Grounding—Understanding what it means to ground yourself and routine practice of grounding exercises will also help you work towards better alignment of energy forces in the body and improve the results of Kundalini exercises.
• Spirituality—Because of the fact that Kundalini awakening is a highly spiritual practice, it’s important to understand your own spirituality as well as your spiritual goals as you work with the force.  Routine work with meditation and other spiritual practices are common for those with an interest in Kundalini awakening.

Kundalini and the Chakras

The Kundalini force resides in the Root Chakra and is therefore tied to all other chakras.  When awakened, it will move from the Root Chakra upwards, through all others, until it reaches the Crown Chakras.  This practice connects all energy fields, yielding better alignment within the chakras.  This harmony is one of the main benefits and motivations for those that work with Kundalini.  Whether done through Kundalini Yoga or some other spiritual practices, this power can help you find answers, gain spiritual enlightenment, and find your way to better mind-body harmony.

Representative of the Sanskrit word for primal life force, Kundalini is often referred to simply as the Holy Spirit.  Understanding it and how it relates to you can take time and study, but it is a powerful force that can affect many areas of life.  Kundalini is tied directly to the seven chakras, more specifically the Root Chakra.  The force of Kundalini is almost always directly related to the force of sleep and the awakening of the spirit that can occur through sleep, meditation, yoga, and many other practices.  Also called “second birth” or “baptism by fire”, most western cultures see Kundalini as a metaphysical force with great power.

The Coiled Energy of Kundalini

Directly translated from its Sanskrit origins, Kundalini means coiled energy.  Thus, the force itself is said to be serpent-like, as it rests in the soul until it is awakened through various practices.  These exercises of spiritual awakening are practiced to achieve spiritual enlightenment, knowledge, or heightened experiences.  This dormant energy force is also referred to by many as the “subtle body” and its rising is tied to astral projection and many other metaphysical experiences.  As the Kundalini awakens, it can allow you to see other worlds and gain experiences not possible in the physical world.  The force of controlling the Kundalini and awakening it at will can be a powerful tool.

Approaches to Awakening the Kundalini

Like all other worldly experiences, there are many different approaches to getting the Kundalini to rise.  Because it is coiled at the base of the spine, the Kundalini will rise up from the root of your body and eventually to the top of the head.  The two main approaches to awakening are the active and passive approach.  For the active approach, it will be necessary to participate in physical exercises, such as meditation, yoga, visualization, and concentration.  The passive approach involves complete surrender of control.  Through release of control over the body, you may allow the Kundalini to awaken on its own, without the use of active physical practices.  This can also involve working with another that has previously experienced the awakening of the Kundalini.

Physical Effects of Kundalini Awakening

Throughout the process of the rising of the Kundalini, there can be various physical reactions.  Because this force is rising up out of the body, the physical body can be left with many involuntary movements and reactions.  There are often involuntary jerks or tremors, energy rushes or vibrations, intense feelings of heat or cold, headache, feelings of bliss, and changes in sexual desire.  These feelings can occur as the Kundalini awakens and as it begins to recoil, as well as through all other stages of the experience.

Yoga and the Kundalini

Since ancient times, yogis have practiced Kundalini Yoga in the hopes of connecting with the deepest levels of energy in the body and mind.  Considered to be the center of all energy forces in the body, yoga is always tied to this coiled energy force.  Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga, all energy centers or chakras in the body will be opened to allow the body to become stronger and more harmonious with the mind.  Yoga’s origins in Sanskrit translate to the “Union with Source”.  All yoga is tied to the Kundalini and regular practice is believed to have transformative powers.

Gaining a Basic Understanding of Kundalini

In time and with practice, it’s possible to have an understanding of your constant connection to this deep energy source.  This “Serpent Power” translates from the Hindu word meaning “sacred transformative energy that awakens consciousness”.  With people worldwide studying awakening practices for Kundalini, its power is understood and appreciated in most cultures.  Through meditation and many other exercises, you can find the path to connecting with and awakening this deep-rooted force.

Because it is connected to the Root Chakra, Kundalini can be found in all energy centers.  Work with the Kundalini allows the body and mind to become more harmonious, as it connects all chakras in the deepest possible levels.  As Universal Energy, Kundalini encourages spiritual enlightenment, healing, and energy flow between all chakras.  With harmonious chakras, you will benefit from all energy centers working together to improve physical reactions, emotions, health, and many body systems.

Not everyone wants to have an out of body experience. There are many people who are happy to stay on the physical plane, drifting only in dreams to the more subtle realms of existence. They may not realize that those dreams are astral experiences, too, taking place in the subtle realms between conscious and unconscious awareness in a world where the laws of time and space do not apply.  People who are curious about the nature of dreams and the possibility of exploring other realms of existence can totally develop these capabilities and have out of body experiences on their own using these breathing techniques to get them started.

The process of astral projection begins with the breath. Every minute of every day our lungs work tirelessly to fill us up with the breath that gives life to our animated physical bodies and brings life force energy into our subtle energy centers, which form the physical basis for very aspect of our lives. We rarely pay attention to our breathing, unless it is hindered in some way. Meditation and relaxation practices throughout the ages have asked us to focus on the breath as a way to attain stillness of mind and body. Astral projection also requires such stillness and relaxation, and focusing on the breath is the fastest and surest way to calm the mind chatter and relax the body for journeying into the subtle astral planes.

One of the best ways to facilitate astral projection is to merge your own breath with the cosmic breath. That is, visualize your breath flowing out into the Universe, out into the subtle realms where you already exist as an energy being, and drawing upon that energy, bringing it back into your body through your breath. You can also visualize your chakras filling up with colored light and energy with each breath that you draw into your body. Any visualization that connects the physical body with the energy that is flowing into your chakras will help facilitate the out of body experience, as it merges the two realities and creates a bridge between the physical and etheric.

It is important to maintain this cosmic breath for as long as possible when you begin the process of astral projection. Not only will you be paying attention to the physical aspects of the breathing; how it is affecting your body, but you will also be inviting your energy body to come out to play, so to speak, strengthening your awareness of the many levels of you. Affirmations done while breathing can also benefit the astral projection process. For instance, as you visualize and fully feel the cosmic breath coming into your chakras and filling up your whole being, you can mentally affirm to yourself, verbally or with intention, that you are a being of light that exists on many realms and in many worlds simultaneously.

Such affirmations take the edge off of the physical sensations that separating from your body may cause, and they tend to alleviate that sense of surprise and awe each time the transition from the physical to the etheric is made, thus minimizing sudden jolts back into your body before you are ready to do so.

Breathing techniques such as these are fundamental in establishing a routine if you are wanting to become adept at astral projection, and they will also assist the new traveler in reaching an out of body state for the first time, making it much easier to experience the astral planes if you have never been able to do it before. The importance of breathing as a focal point and a tool for projection can not be understated, no matter how often you have set out upon the journey into the astral planes.

Many are of the belief that we all encounter some form of out of body experience at some point. Because phenomena like astral projection can occur on a conscious or subconscious level as well as through voluntary or involuntary means, many who experience it are unaware of it and not in control of it. With so many people doubting its existence due to lack of concrete evidence, astral projection is the source of much debate worldwide. The practice itself dates back thousands of years to the Ancient Egyptians, who traveled the astral plane as a spiritual practice. Today, people practice astral projection for various reasons and with varying degrees of success. With practice and the use of helpful tools, you can learn how to travel the astral plane to achieve your goals of spiritual enlightenment, healing, or whatever motivates you to astral project.

Preparing to Astral Project

If you’ve decided to attempt to achieve astral projection, there are a few things you’ll want to do before you get started. Before you can successfully astral project, the first thing you must do is overcome any fear associated with the experience. Like all things unknown, there is a natural amount of fear associated with attempting to astral project for the first time. In order to succeed, it’s important to overcome that fear through learning about the practice and preparing for it. It may help to speak to others that have experienced it for themselves before trying to move forward with plans to astral project. It’s also a good idea to work with meditation, visualization, and other altered states of consciousness before working with astral projection. By gaining a comfort level with these experiences, you will become more at ease with the experience of astral projecting.

The next thing to do in preparation for astral projection is to determine your goals. Traveling the astral plane is done for a variety of reasons, and success is easier to achieve with a better idea of what motivations you have for attempting astral projection. Are you seeking spiritual enlightenment? Are you in search of healing? Do you want to find a solution to a real world problem? There are many reasons people attempt to astral project and various places they may want to go. Because astral projection defies the laws of the physical world, it’s possible to travel through time and space in a way that is impossible with the physical body. Many attempt to astral project as a group and plan to communicate in an “Astral Temple”. Whatever goals you might have, defining them ahead of time will increase your chances of success.

It’s also important to prepare a space that is safe and comfortable for astral projection. Because the body temperature often drops during astral travel, it’s important to make sure you have enough blankets to stay warm and that you will be undisturbed for the duration of the experience. When you’re ready to begin, you’ll want to find ways of calming the mind to achieve successful astral projection. It may take some time to discover the method that works best for you because there are several different ways of astral projecting. When you feel you are fully prepared, it’s time to attempt astral projection.

Types of Astral Projection

When attempting to astral project for the first time, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the types of astral travel that are possible. One of the most mysterious types of astral travel is somnambulism, or sleepwalking. During this type of astral travel, the astral body is unable to separate from the physical body to achieve astral projection. The astral body then takes over the physical body and controls the physical body. This is one of the most misunderstood forms of astral travel and can be very difficult to cope with. Interdimensional projection is another type of astral projection. This occurs when you witness events from other times or places from above, without the ability to interfere with them. This is similar to a near death experience and involves traveling to a higher realm.

During a near death experience, which is a form of spontaneous out of body experience, the person floats above his or her own body during some kind of severe physical trauma or illness. Remote viewing is another type of astral projection, which is considered conscious voluntary astral projection. This allows you to project yourself to be witness to specific events. With so many possibilities when traveling the astral plane, it’s best to make sure you understand the proper methods of preparation before attempting to astral project.

Many are of the belief that we all encounter some form of out of body experience at some point. Because phenomena like astral projection can occur on a conscious or subconscious level as well as through voluntary or involuntary means, many who experience it are unaware of it and not in control of it. With so many people doubting its existence due to lack of concrete evidence, astral projection is the source of much debate worldwide. The practice itself dates back thousands of years to the Ancient Egyptians, who traveled the astral plane as a spiritual practice. Today, people practice astral projection for various reasons and with varying degrees of success. With practice and the use of helpful tools, you can learn how to travel the astral plane to achieve your goals of spiritual enlightenment, healing, or whatever motivates you to astral project.