Broad Overview of Kundalini Awakening Practiced Worldwide
As Of Today

The present-day understanding and practice of Kundalini Awakening is as below as is understood by the world

I am telling this because the reader must know how deviated this understanding is from its true knowledge.

This is a synopsis of how the practice is being done and what kind of experience people are expecting as of today.

These have been recorded scientifically by many researchers in hundreds of research papers and pages. These are all related to neurological analysis using instruments and imaging techniques which for an average person are of little significance in real life.

1. What is Kundalini awakening as understood today?

• The term “Kundalini” comes from traditional Indian yogic/tantric systems: a dormant energy (often depicted as a coiled serpent) located at the base of the spine (the muladhara chakra) that, when awakened, rises up through the central channel (sushumna) and through the chakras toward the crown (sahasrara). (Wikipedia)
• In many traditions, Kundalini awakening is considered a spiritually transformative event: it may involve mystical experience, expanded awareness, deep bliss, spiritual insight. (rerc-journal.tsd.ac.uk)
• Some modern definitions treat it as part of a continuum of “awakening experiences” — spiritual/energetic shifts in consciousness that happen spontaneously or through practice. (Frontiers)

2. How is it practiced / how do people engage with it worldwide as of today

• Many schools of yoga (especially those labelled Kundalini Yoga) emphasise specific kriyas (sets of movements), pranayama (breath control), mantra, bandhas (locks), meditation techniques to awaken or raise this energy. (Wikipedia)
• It’s not only limited to India: many Western yoga/meditation centres, spiritual retreats, New-Age movements have adopted Kundalini language and methods. For instance, the movement Sahaja Yoga emphasises Kundalini self-realisation and has centres in many countries. (Wikipedia)
• Some awakenings are reported spontaneously — i.e., outside formal practice, triggered by intense meditation, prayer, life crises, near-death experiences. (PubMed)
• Because of this, the practice and experience of Kundalini awakening is quite heterogeneous: in some cases structured training, in others unexpected events.

3. What scientific / research perspective shows as of today

• There is limited but growing empirical research on Kundalini-type experiences. For example, one pilot study of meditators in the traditon of Ananda Marga found that 85 % of participants described “unusual flows of energy through or around the body” when they had what they labelled rising sensations (“Kundalini-related”). (PMC)
• Another study explored psychologically, physiologically transformative effects of “spiritually transformative experiences” including Kundalini awakenings: subjects reported conscious awareness leaving the body, strong energies, mystical states. (PubMed)
• Some research points out potential overlaps between Kundalini experiences and phenomena that can have clinical implications: e.g., a case series found that what was interpreted as Kundalini-type awakening in some people had features similar to altered mental states or even psychopathology (in extreme cases). (ScienceDirect)
• Overall, because of methodological limitations (small samples, self-report, diverse definitions), the evidence is not yet robust for large-scale general claims.

4. Benefits, potentials & risks considered as of today Potential benefits/transformations

• Many practitioners report enhanced self-awareness, deeper meditation, increased energy, spiritual insight, feeling more connected, clarity of purpose. (From anecdotal and case research) (Online Scientific Research)
• Some believe that awakened Kundalini leads to purification of body/mind, raising of energy levels, more stable spiritual states. (nithyanandapedia.org) Risks/challenges • For some people, Kundalini-type experiences can be unsettling: intense physical sensations, emotional upheaval, disorientation, possible misinterpretation as mental illness. (E.g., “The Awakening of Kundalini… Presenting as Psychosis” case study) (PMC)
• Some authors argue the need for guidance/teacher, proper preparation and integration; otherwise, the process may be destabilising. (Himalayan Institute)
• Because Kundalini awakening is less studied, the paths and ‘aftercare’ are less well documented scientifically. What this world understands as of today (in plain terms)
• Kundalini-type experiences are real and reportable across traditions; common features include strong bodily energies, involuntary movements, altered affect/cognition, and profound meaning. (Frontiers)
• Outcomes can be highly positive (clarity, purpose, prosocial values) or destabilizing (anxiety, confusion, psychosis-like states). Screening, preparation, and integration matter. (ScienceDirect)
• Clinical literature urges careful differential diagnosis so that genuine spiritual processes aren’t pathologized—and true emergencies aren’t missed. Collaboration between knowledgeable teachers and clinicians is ideal. (Frontiers)
• Rigorous physiology/neuroscience specific to kundalini is still sparse; methods from meditation science (resting-state fMRI, autonomics, hormonal markers) are the next step. (Frontiers)
• For practice and teaching: emphasize gradual methods, guidance, ethics (yamas-niyamas), trauma-sensitivity, and integration protocols; track outcomes beyond symptoms (values, purpose, social functioning). (Frontiers) 

Our Study and Experiences with Kundalini Awakening

According to the promoter of this website “As described elsewhere I have been studying ancient Hindu scriptures starting about 50 years back and more intensively about 20 years back.

In this course of time, I have studied more than 600 texts. Some in original Sanskrit verses but most in translated into Hindi and English languages.

Out of these also most texts have been studied as Hindi translations together with related Sanskrit verses.

These texts have been translations by many eminent authors and scholars who, for the same text, have done the translations in different ways in different published texts by well known publishers.

A detailed but not complete list of the texts is given as repository on this website.

During the early course of my studies, I came upon a text that described the process of Kundalini Awakening.

On discovering I purchased another published text by a different author.

One general statement that I would like to give is that there is a tendency of authors and scholars to give different meanings to the same Sanskrit words.

Many of these are not accurate and often misleading with authors giving their own impression instead of direct meaning of the Sanskrit word according to the dictionary.

For example, I have studied about six versions of Shrimad Bhagwad Gita by several eminent well-known authors and scholars. One of these being published by Isckon and authored by revered Shrila Prabhupada ji.

He, in Shrimad Bhagwad Gita has translated the word ‘Buddhi’ as ‘Bhakti’.

This he has done in not one but numerable verses. This is one example of deviation.

Similarly, the word ‘Hari’ that refers to Bhagwan Krishna has been referred to Bhagwan Vishnu in a number of texts. (As such fundamentally there is no difference between the two but for the sake of understanding the difference needs to be understood).

I can give similar examples from most of the texts.

Therefore, my analysis of all texts, although started with studying translated Hindi texts, I shifted to studying both the Sanskrit verses and the Hindi translations.

In Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, Bhagwan Krishna has said that it is the nature of mankind to derive deep meanings from what he is saying, and people do not take the direct meaning as such.

Therefore, in the context of the subject and study of Kundalini awakening, it must be kept in mind that what I am writing below is based on NOT my personal interpretations, but direct word to word translations of verses.

At the outset I must say that Kundalini awakening, that has remained a secret and elusive path, is NOT meant for the kind of experiences that modern day research is recording in their numerous theses.

These scientifically recorded experiences are such as mood shifts, enhanced self-awareness, deeper meditation, increased energy, spiritual insight, feeling more connected, clarity of purpose, purification of body/mind, more stable spiritual states, energy moving up the spine and so on. Let me tell you that Kundalini awakening is far ahead of these.

Kundalini awakening is not meant to have such superfluous or insignificant experiences.

Kundalini is a much deeper science and needs to be understood in an entirely different perspective.

According to the text I have studied; to proceed on the path of Kundalini Awakening, one needs to understand the process of life first as has been explained in scriptures.

One also needs to understand and follow the fundamental laws that have been described in ancient Hindu texts.

All these have been explained extensively in my SRS series of videos on YouTube described on the home page.

Links to YouTube also given on the home page.

The Western and even Indian researchers have been trying to align with the modern way in which the scientific research work is conducted

"This is erroneous and a great deviation from the objective and purpose of Kundalini Awakening (KA).

Second, almost all modern day teaching of KA is relying upon ‘meditation’ upon chakras as the ultimate path to KA.

Here there are two aspects.

First the process of meditation that has been adopted by the West is incorrect.

The real process of KA is a set of Yogic exercises together with certain specific Pranayams and several other practices. This is followed by extensive practices of Dhyan (not meditation) on the chakras.

Furthermore, this needs to be followed up with specific Sadhana using a certain Sanskrit Mantra and technique.

This alone takes years of dedication.

A fascinating result that the process of KA gives is just after the first step, if one is able to complete that first step. This first step alone requires dedicated six months of practice together with extensive food control and regime.

This first step results in the disciple leaving the ground sitting in Lotus position. This is like a frog jumping up and down and later floating in air and going anywhere at will.

The reader may disagree in the first instance that how can this be possible, but this is what the text says.

What ancient tales from east describe about eminent sages flying in air at will, are true. And this is the result of the very first step.

A well-known contemporary Guru and some of his disciples in India had achieved this and this is recorded on videos.

This is to be practiced together with a specific set of Yoga asanas and mudras that are effectively to physically activate the seven Chakras. Also, together with the practice of Dhyan on the seven Chakras as specified. These are to be followed by a Sadhana that may take a few years. Then the disciple gets in one-ness with Bhagwan Shiva Himself. And the Kundalini is awakened.

The awakening of Kundalini is liberation or salvation complete in itself. I have myself been practicing several of these techniques in real life and the results are astonishing.

The Yogasanas practiced in this system of KA are primarily to gain complete control over your own life force.

This really means that you gain a complete control over your life force.

This means that you develop powers to ward off any kind of fatal attempts on your life physically or otherwise.”

Connection with Tantra?

“Let me make it very clear that the process described in the text has absolutely no connection with Tantra as Tantra is understood today.

The process of KA does require extensive sadhanas, but there is no connection with any ‘Tantric’ practice as erroneously understood today.

Tantra has been today related to certain obnoxious practices followed by certain sects among Hindus today. This has been much maligned in the last many decades. People do not understand, and Tantra has become a big no no. Tantra is a huge science in itself and needs to be understood in correct perspective and knowledge.”

Connection with Sex?

According to ancient Hindu texts sex is an essential requirement to continue the process of life on Earth.

Accordingly, scriptures prescribe sex only for the purpose of reproduction.

Modern Western thought, that is based upon principles derived from, now under question, Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, erroneously proposes that sex is just for fun.

This has led to degeneration of family values and systems.

As Hindu scriptures prescribe sex essential for the process of life itself, the process of Kundalini Awakening deeply relates to developing complete control over the process of sex.

Especially among modern day humans, where the Western thought prescribes freedom to the senses and complete satisfaction of the senses, Hindu scriptures prescribe complete control of the senses.

This concept is far advanced to freedom of senses or suppression of senses.

Kundalini Awakening process develops that control over one of the most powerful senses among humans, that of sex.

This control is extremely difficult to achieve and an all-round development as a human being only, leads to developing this kind of control.

This is the ultimate control over the process and force of life itself.

Details cannot be described here and may be delivered only to qualified practitioners only. 

(Guru Diksha Does NOT include detailed information on Kundalini Awakening)