Neurological symptoms, Kundalini Energy and Spiritual Awakening

It is an interesting situation to be a board-certified neurologist experiencing a kundalini awakening as part of my spiritual journey. I say this because the experience of a kundalini awakening can mimic neurological symptoms such as headache, insomnia, anxiety, tingling, spontaneous kriyas (spontaneous body movements), altered states of consciousness, lightning-like shocks, or seeming explosions of light in the inner eye. Of course, in the situation of a kundalini awakening, medical testing does not reveal any abnormalities. I had an explosion of light in what felt like my brain during a yoga class, and I felt like I would pass out from the energy shooting up very pleasantly into my head. In prior years, I would have felt I was having a stroke. However, I was accustomed enough to these manifestations and releases of energy during breath work practices that I accepted it as part of the kundalini energy rising. Most everyone on the path will have energetic manifestations accompanying their spiritual awakening. They can be subtle and quite pleasant, hardly noticeable, or in some cases more pronounced and potentially challenging. Additionally, they often occur in conjunction with emotional purging, so therefore may be confused with psychological problems or mental illness. Having unconscious or subconscious emotions come to the surface is also part of the spiritual path. Therefore, it is crucial to have reverence, patience, and acceptance for this entire awakening process. One of the most profound lessons I learned from my own path is that suppressing and burying emotions is unproductive and, although often born of compassion by many healthcare providers, is detrimental to spiritual growth and psychological well-being. Sitting with the discomfort and grounding the energy and emotions is the path and will ultimately lead to liberation.

I wanted to share this story because I have heard from many of those who have or are having uncomfortable kundalini awakening symptoms. Of course, always rule out a medical or mental health issue first and foremost. If medical issues are ruled out, there are approaches that may help.

1. Know Your Self

   
   

To me there is a difference between a kundalini awakening and a spiritual awakening. A spiritual awakening is the realization that you have never been a separate person but are instead the pure awareness in which all phenomenal things appear. A spiritual awakening happens in a moment and is not necessarily mystical at all. It is just the realization of who you have always been. It can be a spontaneous experience of awakening, but often occurs during spiritual practices under the guidance of a self-realized being.

A kundalini awakening is when dormant life force energy starts to awaken in the body (classically at the base of the spine) and moves through the chakra system clearing, releasing and purifying the subtle energy body in preparation for the new level of consciousness. It is akin to a rewiring process that enables the body to hold the new level of energy necessary for a full realization of the Self. A kundalini awakening can occur before, after or concurrent with a spiritual awakening and may last minutes to decades.

Knowing who you are, i.e. a spiritual awakening, allows for a more dispassionate witnessing of the kundalini process. Rather than identification with the body mind (the ego construct) that is going through a kundalini process, you are able to identify as the space in which it is all happening, the pure neutral witness or awareness. Therefore, knowing your true identity beyond the ego construct leads to less suffering and more grace during the kundalini process.

Spiritual awakening, i.e., the experiential knowing who you are, has been what all traditions have been pointing towards. In Yogic traditions, it is believed that kundalini awakening will lead to spiritual awakening, but some beings with a spiritual awakening have little in the way of kundalini symptoms and some beings with a pronounced kundalini process have not experienced a spiritual awakening. Having studied in yogic (Kundalini, Hatha and Advaita Vedanta) and Zen Buddhist traditions, I understand the importance of the spiritual awakening as the basis of true awakening. Many beings can be chasing mystical experiences and experiences of elevated levels of consciousness for years and still not rest in the soft, pure reality of their true being. Therefore, I would recommend the guidance of a trusted spiritual guide or a non-dual teacher on the path to Self-realization so that you can rest in the Self that is the same no matter what happens.

2. Grounding

Grounding the excess kundalini energy can be helpful. Go outside. Go into nature. Walk barefoot in the dirt or in a body of water or lie with your back against a tree. Lie on the bare ground and breathe. Breathe slowly and deeply and let the electromagnetic energy of the earth ground your excess Kundalini energy. The more time you can spend with Mother Earth, the better. If you cannot spend time in nature, then lie down in your bed, breathe and allow the energy to move through you without resistance.

3. Contemplation

Fear is very common during a Kundalini Awakening. If you are experiencing excessive fear and anxiety, consider spending time in contemplation. Ask yourself what this emotion (e.g., fear) is trying to tell you. The body may be trying to communicate that it does not feel safe, for example. This is a common occurrence. You can contemplate the question, “Is it really true that I am not safe right now?” or insert any other phrase, such as “Is it really true that I am unworthy?” Contemplate your question daily for 10 minutes for 30 days. Find a healthcare professional or spiritual guide familiar with Kundalini awakening to help you. This fear is part of the path and will release more and more once it is allowed to be as it is.

4. Allow what is to be

Don’t resist your emotions, sensations, or spontaneous kriyas. They want to be seen. When they have been fully seen is when they will subside. Welcome them. Love them. Have the full experience of them. The way through is the way in. The way in is the way through, as they say. Be completely present to the entire experience. However, don’t mistake the experience as You. You are the pure awareness, the space in which this process is happening. Make space between who you are and the body-mind's experience. Don’t believe the mind’s stories. The mind will make up endless stories about what is happening. Don’t believe the thoughts. This is very important. Just experience the raw emotions and sensations no matter how long it takes.

5. Opt for heavy and nourishing foods and practices

If you have having a challenging time, reduce any energizing spiritual practices such as aggressive pranayama or physical yogic practices or exercising that move Kundalini energy, and instead opt for silence, stillness, gentle loving movement, and heavy grounding nourishing foods like root vegetables, heavy grains, healthy fats, warm dairy, and kitchari (a grounding Ayurvedic dish). Use balancing warming herbs and spices and adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha if not contraindicated. Spend time with pets and with humans who are calm, loving, and centered, and avoid ungrounded situations and people if possible. Spend a lot of time listening to your Self and what you know deep down inside is right, nourishing, and healing for you now that you are deconstructing. This may be a complete change in diet and activity.

6. Seek Guidance

Working with the guidance of a psychotherapist or spiritual mentor who understands the kundalini process can help to expose the conditioned patterns of the mind that can contribute to emotional overwhelm. Learning to be open and vulnerable with love, kindness, and compassion towards ourselves during this time makes the process more grace-prone and harmonious.

In Summary

Awakening kundalini energy is a beautiful transformative process which will connect you deeply to yourself in ways never imagined. This force works uniquely in each body and your journey will be your own. It is common to have some challenges, so it is important to remember that kundalini is working for you towards the highest good for both your healing and awakening.

References:

1. Greenwell, BL. The Kundalini guide: a companion for the Inward Journey. Vol 1: Energy. Published by Shanti River Press Ashland OR. 2014

2. Greyson B. Some neuropsychological correlates of the physio-kundalini syndrome. J Transpers Psychol 2000, Vol 32 (2) pp123-134.