Kundalini "the 'original' coiled serpent"...anyone here familiar with it?

by lurk3r 65 Replies latest jw friends

  • Chalam
    Chalam

    Hi,

    Kundalini is not a spirit.

    Can I ask what is is then? I think we are safe to assume we are not talking about a physical snake entering ones body?!

    This is from the wikipedia page

    Kundalini ( ku??alini ????????? ) Sanskrit, literally "coiled". In Indian yoga, a "corporeal energy" [ 1 ] - an unconscious, instinctive or libidinal force or Shakti, envisioned either as a goddess or else as a sleeping serpent coiled at the base of the spine, [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] hence a number of English renderings of the term such as 'serpent power'

    So what is a Shakti?

    Shakti, from Sanskrit shak - "to be able," meaning sacred force or empowerment, is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that move through the entire universe. [ 1 ] Shakti is the concept, or personification, of divine feminine creative power, sometimes referred to as 'The Great Divine Mother' in Hinduism. On the earthly plane, Shakti most actively manifests through female embodiment and fertility - while also existing in males, in its potential, unmanifest form. [ 2 ]

    Not only is the Shakti responsible for creation, it also the agent of all change. Shakti is cosmic existence as well as liberation, its most significant form being the Kundalini-shakti [ 3 ] , a mysterious physiopsychospiritual force.

    So wikipedia agrees, it is a spiritual force, not a physical creature.

    Nice touch that the Shakti claims to be "responsible for creation"! No suprises there.

    2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (New International Version)

    4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God

    What's your take on what this Kundalini is then?

    Regards,

    Stephen

  • Chalam
    Chalam

    Another gem from the wikipedia page...

    In Shaktism, Shakti is worshiped as the Supreme Being.

    All the best,

    Stephen

  • poppers
    poppers

    So if "creation" is explained through a lens other than Christianity it is suspect? Kundalini lies within everyone; is it any wonder then that it will be interpreted in different ways dependent upon one's belief system or cultural upbringing? Therefore, those people who have an awakened kundalini will naturally relate to it in different ways: Christians may interpret it as "demonic" and condemn it to others (and there are Christians who don't see it that way at all) while a Hindu may worship it and pursue its awakening. The nature of duality accounts for this and all other perceived differences. Discover what is nondual and differences dissolve.

  • Chalam
    Chalam

    Hi,

    So if "creation" is explained through a lens other than Christianity it is suspect?

    I agree. I believe God made the world, not a spirit call Shakti but we are free to choose what we believe.

    Kundalini lies within everyone; is it any wonder then that it will be interpreted in different ways dependent upon one's belief system or cultural upbringing?

    I am happy Kundalini does not lie within me. From what I read of the experiences of those who have had the "Kundalini rising" there seems to be a common legacy of fear and other negative things. No wonder the spirit is described with two heads, one white and one black. It seduces you with a nice feeling and then leaves you oppressed.

    Therefore, those people who have an awakened kundalini will naturally relate to it in different ways: Christians may interpret it as "demonic" and condemn it to others (and there are Christians who don't see it that way at all) while a Hindu may worship it and pursue its awakening. The nature of duality accounts for this and all other perceived differences. Discover what is nondual and differences dissolve.

    OK, you are free to choose you path and peruse it. I prefer not to have a spirit take up residency in my body and talk to me, give me "words" of knowledge for people and such as has been described in this thread. This Kundalini spirit is a direct counterfeit of the work of the Holy Spirit IMHO. The Spirit of Jesus I have invited, is welcome to talk to me and give me words of knowledge for people and the like. He never makes me feel oppressed, in fear, in condemnation and such-just happy all day long!

    All the best,

    Stephen

  • poppers
    poppers

    This Kundalini spirit is a direct counterfeit of the work of the Holy Spirit IMHO.

    That's just it - this is your opinion only. People live their lives based on opinions for the most part and refuse to look at life without them. This means they live an illusory life that is continually distorted by their opinions. Who/what are you without your opinions and beliefs? You would rather cling to a belief system because it defines you, but that definition is only conceptual - find out what's real and not idea based.

  • Chalam
    Chalam

    Hi,

    OK cool. Let's agree to differ, we are free to have our own opinions, and can believe what we like.

    It is my opinion that our opinions oppose and thus can't both be right! As I said to my JW friend once, what are the options?

    1. You are right and I am wrong.

    2. I am right and you are wrong.

    3. We are both wrong.

    Either God made the world or a spiritual force called Shakti.

    As for myself, I believe God is the Creator, not Shakti or any of these other options out there.

    All the best,

    Stephen

  • lurk3r
    lurk3r

    Chalam.Poppers. Please, hold up.

    Chalam - While I donlt know you, I respect your views immensely. I envy your faith that you posess within yourself. While I don't know you, I do know by your posts, and expressions of faith, as to why you feel the way you do. Not only yourself, but others here on this board too.I don't know that you read through this thread or not, but a few threads back, I did say that in the end, ALL of this Kundalini(I know not a better name for it as i can only go with similar experiences that others have had) brought me around to coming to the stark conclusion that your God, Christ, exists. Please don't judge...yet. That little story I have started relaying, is my very first experience EVER( to my knowledge) with regards to KNOWING, without a doubt and for myself, that there IS a spirit world. As much as it already apparent to you, by what the bible says, there is NOTHING that can substitute real life experiences. It brings about a more complete and better understanding than living on faith alone. Also Chalam, it is ONLY by the permission of God that these things happen, the bible makes that clear. Job was "afflicted", through the PERMISSION of God....and it as a direct result of this, that Job was made stronger, and he was able to see the error of his ways. I don't think this is open to interpretation either, but if you feel it is,please, lets us discuss it futher.

    Also Chalam, it is with respect towards you as well that I would like to make an observation, about Jesus. I read the Book of John for the very first time the other night(well 3/4 of it) and really enjoyed it. The perception of Jesus, is very hum drum to most people these days. Fight it as you may, and I'm not saying you should, or even asking you to, but when Jesus talked with the lady from the well, he displayed some very "creepy" traits. I say that also with no disrespect towards Jesus either. He told that lady she had 5 previous husbands, and the reason she didn't have one now, was cause she currently wasn't married to the man. I don't care HOW loving a person is, but if someone did that to me, that I did not know, I think I would get freaked out. That woman did not run away, and she used his saying these things as a source of comfort. If i remember it correctly she was excited about it and told her friends. That would be referred to in this day and age as a psycic ability. Why did she not shrink away in fear? Please, do not think I am trying to be an ass, I'm just making abservations. i KNOW that your knowledge of the bible is greater than mine...but please don't go quoting me 100 scriptures to show me how wrong i am, I get the jist and would like to keep this more conversational if we could.

    Also, on the surface Chalam, this site, IS NOT loving. One has to look past a lot of things before it can be seen.

    Poppers - I enjoyed reading your defense. I love it when people are passionate about their beliefs, whatever they are, as long as it's grounded in some sort of truth. No, I am not even insinuating that aren't grounded in this regard, but I would love to chat about it a bit. Poppers - How do you KNOW, for a certainty that Kundalini is indeed "natural"? I dispute nothing you say in your posts, I would like to know how you, for yourself truly KNOW this. Would you please share? Mine was awakened, and if i was not observant to my surroundings, I would naturally assume that it came out of nowhere and that it was indeed natural. I am not familiar with kundalini in depth, and I am not trying to stir up a bees nest. I do know from reading that it "starts" often at the base of your spine. What causes it to start it is really at the root of my wondering. A sneeze is natural. Everyone does it. But something has to trigger it. "Spontaneous" is a word often used to describe the process too. Thanks for your input.

    lurk3r

  • poppers
    poppers

    but I would love to chat about it a bit. Poppers - How do you KNOW, for a certainty that Kundalini is indeed "natural"?

    What matters most is your own direct experience (and that's what I base my statement on), not others' opinions or beliefs about something that they have only heard or read about. What one is always left with that has the greatest relevance is one's own direct experience. How that experience is interpreted is based on one's beliefs. If those beliefs are confined to one area of thought (Christianity, for example) it will likely be a more frightening experience.

    On the other hand, if those beliefs are not so rigidly confined and there is a curiosity to be open to other explanations there will be evidence found that awakened kundalini can be spontaneous, arising out of the natural unfolding of one's own life. More usual is that it is stimulated to awaken through various means like meditation/breathing exercises/or activities like hatha yoga - even some traumatic event can awaken it, or some sutle shift in perception. However it happens, there can be a deepening appreciation for all of life as a result. What often results from awakened kundalini is a transformation of one's limited idea of "self" into a realization that one is not actually separate from anything.

    With this in mind, to resist awakened kundalini is to keep in place a limited "idea of me" with its list of prejudices and preferences, and so, that "self" remains the focal point of separation from what appears to be "other". Such resistance can take the form of fearful ideas that "I" am possessed by "something" outside of myself. This caters to religious fears (especially Christian) that are themselves founded in duality - what religion doesn't understand is usually made out to be "demonic". That resistance, then, becomes a source of suffering and fear that keeps duality in place - there is "me" that is possessed by an "evil spirit"/kundalini.

    On the other hand, allowing the kundalini to "do its thing" (which is a kind of purification process) will enable the body and mind to transcend duality more quickly so that one eventually realizes the nondual nature of reality - that "you" are not the body or the mind, and that what you really are is not separate from anything. It is in the realization of the nondual that fear dissolves, along with any sense of separation. This is where "wholeness" is found. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he said the kingdom of heaven lies within - "heaven" is when there is no separation, you are one with "what is" - I and my father are one; I am that I am - these are classic declarations of nondualism. If you want to read a more nondual approach to Jesus then read the gospel of Thomas.

    An awakened kundalini is one avenue for this to happen, but it isn't the only way. The greatest discovery in life is found in the realization of what's actually real right now rather than what is believed to be real. Religion, by and large, keeps you trapped in beliefs and ideas about what awaits you in the future if you are "good enough" or "do the right things" or have the requisite "faith", and that keeps you ignorant of what's actually real and true and right in front of you in this very moment.

  • Chalam
    Chalam

    Hi lurk3r,

    Thanks for the post :)

    Let me try and respond to some of the things you have raised.

    OK, belief in the supernatural is paramount for me, after all God is supernatural by definition. The bible is full of good supernatural stuff. Christians are to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Spirit of God) and exercise spiritual gifts. Have a read about some of them here 1 Corinthians 12

    Get into a church where they are functioning and you will see and feel for yourself. Words of knowledge (like the example you quote regarding Jesus), healing, prophetic visions and such. The bible says to desire the greater gifts.

    I too have seen enough evidence for the spiritual realm to believe it exists, both good and bad. I have been thinking about this verse since I read it earlier.

    11 If a snake bites before it is charmed,
    there is no profit for the charmer.

    Another way of putting it is "all that glitters is not gold". So be careful what Pandora's boxes you go opening.

    Anyhow, glad you liked the book of John. Move on to Acts-plenty of supernatural stuff in there. I guarantee, before too long you will feel the Spirit of God talking to you. You can always ask Him.

    You might like this guy. He has plenty of awesome things happen. They are long but well worth the time. Part 3 left me reeling-I have though about it many times since I watched it the other year.

    David Hogan 01 - a missionary raising the dead and healing ...

    David Hogan, Part 2 - a missionary raising the dead and ...

    David Hogan, Part 3 - a missionary raising the dead and ...

    All the best,

    Stephen

  • still_in74
    still_in74

    Doofdaddy said: This has left me with an acute ability to read people's inner truth (despite what they tell me).

    so doofdaddy, what do your abilities tell you about JW's when they walk in the room?

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit