A new word
I came across a new word recently - "kundalini". It was in a Christian prayer and spirituality newsletter and as I consider myself fairly well read in this area, I rarely find words that are totally new. I thought of a fairground conjurer (perhaps the great Kundalini!) or perhaps the name of an obscure Italian monastery. Not being in the reference library nor having the Encyclopedia Britannica to hand I typed the word into my Internet search engine and was rewarded instantly by being directed several articles on Kundalini.
Hindu and buddist
Kundalini is a word describing the awakening of physical sensations in the body when pursuing an yogis path to enlightenment in both Buddhism and Hinduism. Keuzer defines it thus: "Kundalini'' literally means coiling, like a snake. In the classical literature of hatha yoga kundalini is described as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine. The image of coiling, like a spring, conveys the sense of untapped potential energy. Perhaps more meaningfully kundalini can be described as a great reservoir of creative energy at the base of the spine. It's not useful to think of kundalini as a foreign force running up and down our spine. Instead think of kundalini energy as the very foundation of our consciousness so that when kundalini moves through our bodies our consciousness necessarily changes with it. The concept of kundalini can also be examined from a psychological perspective where it can be thought of as a rich source of psychic or libidinous energy in our unconscious.
Christian
Is a reference to such a phenomenon expected or helpful in a Christian Spirituality newsletter? Is it right to accept such a mystic phenomenon as being the product of certain ascetic and meditative practices irrespective of the religious context in which such meditation occurs? Or if we start thinking like that are we becoming irredeemably New Age?
Some people think that religious boundaries are irrelevant in describing this as on objective phenomena "If you believe that kundalini is at the basis of spiritual progress then every valid spiritual tradition must have some awareness of kundalini. Christianity (especially Quakerism and Pentecostalism), Sufism, Qabalistic mysticism, alchemy and magick all have literature which demonstrates some awareness of the kundalini process." Is this too new age to be Christian?
Toronto Blessing
The signs of an awakened kundalini do sound remarkably like some descriptions of the Toronto Blessing phenomena and the side effects of evangelical revivals. Briefly, according to classical literature the signs of an awakened kundalini can be grouped into: mental signs, vocal signs and physical signs. Mental signs can include visions that range from ecstatically blissful to terrifyingly frightful. Vocal signs can include spontaneous vocal expressions that range from singing or reciting mantras to make various animals sounds such as growling or chirping. Physical signs include trembling, shaking and spontaneously performing yoga postures.
Christian meditation
Some Christians are more open to the possibility of spiritual insights from outside the traditional canon than others. John Main devised his techniques of Christian meditation after experiences in the east with eastern religions. Western Christianity was formed in dialogue with the Greek philosophical understandings of the early centuries. There is a long tradition of ideas from outside the faith being taken over and Christianised as we have learnt from others.
Context
The context of the article in which I found the word kundalini is important. It was in an article cautioning those on the spiritual journey against becoming indiscriminate seekers after experiences. The authors of the article were writing to those on the Christian spiritual journey who are trying to make sense of spiritual experiences using insights from eastern religions. I wonder if this because similar insights from Christian mystics are inaccessible or is it because there is an expectation that the Church has nothing to say to explain their experience?
Wild goose chase?
Highly charged spiritual experiences have popular attraction, can throw valuable light on what we are all called to, and they can inspire us to pursue our inner journeys. But if we let them, they can lead us on a wild goose chase that deflects us from our spiritual goal of growing into the likeness of Christ.
