How to Use Kundalini Energy for Self-Healing

Here is a quote from Yogi Bhajan, whose teachings were the inspiration for this article:

The process of self-healing is the privilege of very human being. Self-healing is not a miracle, nor is it a question of being able to do something that most people can't. Self-healing is a process that occurs through the relationship between the physical and the infinite power of the soul. It is a contract, a union--that is the science of kundalini yoga.

Kundalini Energy

Kundalini energy is experienced when the energy of the glandular system combines with that of the nervous system to create such a sensitivity that the brain as a whole receives signals and integrates them. The autonomic and voluntary nervous systems come under conscious control, allowing a person to become completely aware of himself and his environment. The kundalini energy is the creative potential of everyone; in its experience lies the realization of that potential.

Some say that mankind once lived in total God-consciousness. Between man and God there was no difference, except that man was manifest on this earth and God was unmanifest. Then man turned from God-consciousness into maya, the illusion of the senses, so God separated man's consciousness into two halves. One half man uses to live his earthly life, but the higher consciousness remains sleeping until man evolves far enough to be able to use it again. The story of Adam and Eve might be said to represent this fall from grace, the garden of Eden being a state of total awareness, the apple representing maya, and the serpent representing kundalini, divine knowledge.

In fact, the kundalini energy has often been called 'serpent power,' a name whose sinister implications hardly do justice to the benign reality of this energy field. The yogis of India regard it as the embodiment of 'Adi Shakti,' the primal creative power. It is the energy that developed us, gave us the shape we have, and brought us on earth. It is pure energy, without residue. The word itself is sometimes translated 'coil of the beloved's hair.' In its dormant state, it lies coiled at the base of the spine.

In a functional sense, all that needs to be done to activate the kundalini is to uncoil this energy and connect it with the pineal gland at the top of our heads, which after a child reaches 8 years of age normally ceases to secrete fully. When that master gland, the 'seat of the soul,' taps the energy of the kundalini, it will begin to secrete as it did when we were young. This is the state called 'kundalini risen'; some call it enlightenment."

Awakening the Kundalini

The process by which this unfolding occurs is complex. The kundalini will not awaken and rise until two energies are integrated and balanced. These two forces are apana and prana. Apana is an eliminating force; it affects functions operating on both gross and subtle levels in the body to expel negative energy and waste. In reference to the process of raising the kundalini, it might be considered the 'vital air' below the navel.

Prana is the 'vital air' above the navel. The life force penetrating every atom of our form, and indeed, of the universe, is stored in our bodies at the eighth thoracic vertebra, the part of the spine located near the bottom edge of the shoulder blades. This pranic center, by means of the 'pranic nerve,' enervates the U-shaped muscle responsible for autonomic nervous system function--heartbeat, movement of the diaphragm, responses beyond our conscious control. The ancient yogis could create pranic energy reservoirs at the 'pranic cavity' and live on that reserve.

To stimulate the kundalini, one must inhale and hold the breath, directing prana down to the navel point. Then one exhales and 'holds the breath out' (i.e., refrains from inhaling), drawing apana up from the base of the spine to the navel point. When prana and apana meet and unite, a tremendous 'white heat' or 'tapa' is created at the navel point. The combined energies are often described as the filament of sushumna ('silver cord'), a nerve current or 'nadi' thought by some to correspond to the governor vessel meridian of Chinese medical theory, and by others to correspond to the central nervous system of Western medical theory. When the energies combine, this sushumna lights up like the filament in a light bulb suddenly plugged into its source of electric power. Responding to breath control and mental direction, the integrated energies depart the navel point and descend to the base of the spine, where they stimulate the dormant kundalini. Further breath control and the appl! ication of the will cause the force to rise, along with the kundalini power, charging the higher centers of consciousness, the chakras. In this way a person's energy can be transmuted into higher forms.

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Well, that's the theory of kundalini yoga. Now here are a few practical applications of this theory:

To Open the Heart Chakra

Sit in a comfortable, cross-legged position. The mantra (sacred chant) is SAT KAARTAAR ('a' as in 'bus'; 'aa' as in 'far'), which means 'true doer.' As you say SAT, the hands are pressed together at the center of the chest as if in prayer (fingertips pointing up). As you say KAAR- the arms are extending out in front of you with palms facing out and fingers pointed straight up. As you say -TAAR the arms are moving out to the sides parallel to the floor, palms still out and fingers still pointed up. Then bring the hands back together as if in prayer. Make the transition from step to step in a flowing movement. Repeat this process for 3, 11, 31, or 62 minutes.

Dealing with Depression

Sit with a straight spine in a comfortable, cross-legged position. Arms are extended straight out in front of you, parallel to the floor. Close your right hand into a fist. Wrap the fingers of your left hand around your right-hand fist. The bases of the palms touch. The thumbs are close together and are pulled straight up. The eyes are focused on the thumbs.

Now inhale for 5 seconds (do not hold the breath in); exhale for 5 seconds; hold the breath out for 15 seconds. Continue.

Start with 3-5 minutes and work up to 11 minutes. Build up the time slowly. In time, you can work up to holding the breath out for 1 full minute. However, take care not to hold the breath out so long as to make yourself dizzy or nauseous.

Improving Sexual Potency

Stand with the right leg bent forward enough so that the toes can't be seen over the knee. The left leg is straight back, with the foot flat on the floor at a 45 degree angle to the front foot. Extend the right arm straight out in front of you, parallel to the floor. Make a fist as if grasping a bow. Pull your left arm back as if pulling a bowstring back to the shoulder. Create a tension across the chest.

Face forward. Fix the eyes above the front fist to the horizon. Hold the position for 3-5 minutes, then switch legs and arms and repeat.

Note

The information in this article is not intended to be a replacement for competent medical care. The directions stated are not intended as a prescription for any mental or physical ailments, nor does the information claim treatment or cure for any problems.

More information

This article is taken from the book "Yoga for Health and Healing." This profusely illustrated book offers yoga for over 100 specific physical problems, describes eight meditations for healing others, and explores the issues of health maintenance through yoga and healthful lifestyles.

For more information, surf to http://www.2u3d.com/yoga.