The following
answers by Shri Anandi Ma are gleaned from http://www.dyc.org
The following
answers by Shri Anandi Ma are gleaned from http://www.dyc.org
A powerful yogi awakens the aspirant's Kundalini by a transfer of his or her
energy to the aspirant. This process, known as Shaktipat, activates the dormant
Kundalini and is like lighting a candle with one that is already lit and glowing.
Shakti means power or energy in Sanskrit, and pat means transfer. Thus Shaktipat
is transfer of energy.
A powerful yogi can transmit energy to an aspirant and awaken the Kundalini.
This is accomplished in one of four ways: by touch, gaze, sound or thought.
The yogi may touch the disciple and transmit energy through physical contact,
or gaze at the disciple and energy flows from the yogi's eyes. The yogi may
utter words which carry energy or, more subtly, energy can be transferred directly
by the yogi's thought or will. The process of Shaktipat can be performed only
by those yogis who have gained complete control over the life force, which in
Sanskrit is called prana.
In every human being there is a source of divine energy. The Sanskrit word
for this source of energy is Kundalini. Kundalini is in two states: the dormant
state, and the active, aroused, or awakened state. When this source is dormant,
a person leads an incomplete, unfulfilled life. One's understanding of the universe
is restricted, and everything is perceived and interpreted according to a limited
capacity.
On the other hand, when the source is active, progress is rapid on the path of spiritual evolution. One realizes the full potential of body and mind, attains inner peace, harmony and integration, and ultimately experiences the sublime truth of unity in diversity -- the fact that all life is one and is bound by that divine power called love. The purpose of Kundalini Maha Yoga is to awaken this source of energy if it is dormant, or to intensify the activity if it is already awakened. Thus, Kundalini Maha Yoga is a direct method for spiritual evolution.
Kundalini is the divine energy. She manifests both in the cosmic form, encompassing all of creation, and in the personal form. God creates the universe by producing subtle energies in an act of divine will. This can be compared to the process wherein sparks are generated from a single source of fire. The individual manifestation of Kundalini is like a spark of cosmic Kundalini.
Some people may have fears about working with the Kundalini, but it is absolutely safe to practice Kundalini Maha Yoga under the guidance of a realized teacher.
Kundalini Maha Yoga is an ancient universal science, perfected over thousands of years. It is not a religion, but a spiritual practice that brings the experience of lasting inner peace and happiness to individuals of any belief or religious affiliation.
Once the Kundalini is awakened, the student may have a variety of experiences: seeing flashes of light or colors, hearing internal sounds of bells ringing or bees humming, spontaneous vibrations or movements of the body, and greater mental peace, to name a few. Different individuals will have different experiences -- there is no definite pattern applicable to everyone. Once the Kundalini is awakened, this fact becomes known through the student's own experiences. If at this stage the student persists in spiritual practices like meditation, then the Kundalini will travel upward from the base of the spinal column where She lay dormant before.
During Her upward journey through the spinal column, She pierces all the chakras in succession and ultimately reaches the sahasrara. When this happens, the student attains a state of transcendental consciousness called samadhi, understands one's true identity, and is thereby liberated.
There are many spiritual disciplines and techniques which do not directly aim at awakening the Kundalini. However, the Kundalini must be aroused if there is to be any degree of spiritual progress. Therefore, if a spiritual discipline is successful, it means the Kundalini has been awakened in at least an indirect way. The practitioner may not be aware that the progress and experiences are the result of the active Kundalini unless, of course, the discipline aims directly at awakening the Kundalini. However, the Kundalini does keep working and is the source of enlightenment.
Once the Kundalini is awakened through Shaktipat initiation, She does not become dormant except in some very special circumstances. The Kundalini will always try to make Her upward passage. She will try to keep the aspirant on the spiritual path by providing the necessary encouragement and protection.
Self-realization is the ultimate and the most desirable state to be attained, and the awakened Kundalini leads to this state. However, even when the Kundalini is aroused and spiritual evolution is substantially hastened, there is no guarantee that Self-realization will be attained in the current lifetime. Therefore, it is encouraging to know many tangible benefits are gained even during the early states of the awakening and upward travel of the Kundalini.
Awakening the Kundalini has a general purifying effect on the body and mind. For example, the aspirant's health often improves; the student often feels light and energetic; the mind becomes restful. Diseases of the body and mind are caused by irregularities in the functioning of the prana, which can be gradually eliminated once the Kundalini is awakened.
At more advanced levels of the Kundalini's progress the benefits are intensified and encompass more subtle realms. The student can achieve peace and mental control, can become more creative, can develop a profound understanding of nature and experience inner joy. The aspirant becomes a stronger individual, a more complete person who can function in adverse circumstances with great poise, and is able to consciously absorb prana from the universe and direct it for physical and mental well-being. Ultimately, the student encounters total reality, the absolute truth, knowledge of the Self.