"The serpent shows the way to hidden things and expresses the introverting libido, which leads man to go beyond the point of safety, and beyond the limits of consciousness."
— Carl Jung
Kundalini: The Ancient Serpent Power
The term Kuṇḍalinī can be found in ancient Indian texts, such as the Upanishads, dating back to the 9th to 7th centuries BCE. The word is derived from the Sanskrit adjective "kuṇḍalin," meaning "circular" or "annular," and is also used as a noun for "snake" in the sense of being "coiled." The term is also found in the Mahabharata and the Tantrasadbhava Tantra, where it is used to refer to a serpent deity or a form of the goddess Durga. In Hatha yoga and the Yoga Upanishads of the 16th century, the term is adopted as a technical term and described as a dormant energy located at the base of the spine, often referred to as "coiled power."
The awakening of Kuṇḍalinī is said to involve the rising of energy from the base of the spine, through the central nadi or sushumna, and up to the crown of the head. This progression is believed to bring about different levels of spiritual awakening and experiences, leading to a profound transformation of consciousness. As the energy moves through each chakra, it is said to bring about spiritual visions, new worlds and wonders, and increasing levels of knowledge, power and bliss. According to the teachings of Kundalini Yoga, as the energy reaches each chakra, it causes them to bloom in their full glory.
The awakening of Kuṇḍalinī energy can occur unexpectedly or through intentional preparation. This process can be facilitated by a guru or teacher, but ultimately it is the student's responsibility to approach the path with an open heart and willingness to engage in practices such as pranayama, physical exercise, visualization, and chanting. Historically, individuals would visit ashrams in India to awaken their dormant Kuṇḍalinī energy through regular meditation, mantra chanting, spiritual studies, and physical practices such as kundalini yoga.
Carl Jung, the father of analytical psychology and the creator of Jungian psychotherapy, was one of the first Westerners to examine Kundalini, a concept in yogic philosophy that represents a type of "corporeal energy." In 1932, Jung delivered a series of lectures on Kundalini to the Psychological Club in Zurich, which later formed the foundation for his book "The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga." In this book, he combined the concepts of Kundalini with his own theories of Jungian psychology. He saw himself as a "phenomenologist" and believed that the Western emphasis on external control has caused a widespread psychic dysfunction due to neglect of internal reality. He used observations of his patients to validate his ideas about the dangers of the ego becoming inflated by unconscious contents.
The American comparative religions scholar Joseph Campbell describes Kuṇḍalinī as a coiled female serpent, a serpent goddess that resides in a dormant state at the base of the spine. The goal of yoga is to awaken this serpent and guide it up the spine to the crown of the head. This awakening process is believed to transform the psychology and personality of the practitioner.
Kundalini, (the magical power of the human organism) is awakened only by will, and blood is the vehicle of the spirit. The pineal gland is the channel of direct spiritual energy and can be motivated by constant self inquiry. This is not an obvious mental process, but a truly thought-free consciousness - a formless plane of pure being.
— Laurence Gardner, Genesis of the Grail Kings
Buddha and Kundalini
After the Buddha achieved enlightenment while meditating under the Bodhi tree, he was shielded from a violent storm by a protective cobra, Mucalinda, which emerged from the tree's roots and spread its hood above him.
This story has connections to kundalini symbolism. The tree symbolizes the Buddha's spine, and the cobra represents the "serpent energy" rising through the sushumna channel.
In some depictions, you may see a seven-headed cobra behind the Buddha, representing the seven main chakras along the spine. In the Yoga tradition, the number of serpent heads corresponds to a yogi's spiritual progress, with seven indicating completion.
Furthermore, this story illustrates the result of a kundalini purification process. The raging storm serves as a metaphor for intense emotions. According to the legend, the Buddha still experiences emotions, but he remains unaffected by them. He sits calmly under the cobra's hood, observing these emotions from a place of inner peace and detachment.
Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
— Jesus
Andrey Plaskin, www.nefertaritomb.com
Andrey Plaskin, www.nefertaritomb.com
Engraving by James Basire Sr. (1730–1802)-From Bryant’s ‘Mythology’, 1775.
The Orphic Egg
The world egg, cosmic egg, or mundane egg is a mythological motif found in cosmogonies throughout the ancient world. The world egg is the beginning of the universe or the birth of a primordial being that comes into existence by "hatching" from the egg.
According to Orphic mythology, the egg represents the cosmic egg or world egg from which the universe was born. It embodies the concept of the cosmos in its potentiality, containing within itself the seeds of all existence. Within this egg, there existed Chaos, the void or formless state preceding the ordered universe.
The breaking of the egg signifies the beginning of the cosmos, with the emergence of various divine beings and the unfolding of the universe.
Mucalinda and the Buddha. From chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com
Crowned nāga flanked the stairs entrance of Pura Jagatkarta.
Naga statue: The 'Sanctuary of Truth' Pattaya, Thailand.
Kundalini and Alchemical Art from the Medieval Period
The process of kundalini metamorphosis is often described using alchemical metaphors. One such metaphor is the association of the seven chakras with the seven classical planets, as depicted in the 14th century alchemy text "Emblèmes de Solidonius" by Nicolas Flamel. The seven figures surrounding the Holy Grail in this text are said to represent these seven planets, and by extension, the seven chakras in the human body. As you can see, the serperts representing the Kundalini energy are clearly illustrated. "Emblèmes de Solidonius" by Nicolas Flamel.
The double-headed eagle is a longstanding emblem that can be found across various cultures and spiritual practices. It symbolizes attaining spiritual enlightenment, with the eagle representing the triumph of the spirit over physical matter. The two heads depict the merging of duality into a single divine unity. In alchemy, the double-headed eagle signifies the completion of the alchemist's grand achievement, the process of achieving spiritual enlightenment. From: Figurarum Aegytiorum Secretarum, 18th century.
Serpent Staffs in Various Traditions
Bishop Vladimir Sokolovsky with his bishop’s staff.
Bishop's crosier of His Eminence Angelos, Metropolitan of Avlona and Viotia, Greece.
Staff of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch , representing the rod of Moses
On the Whitehall Building in New York City. From joindiaspora.com
The Scepter of Staff represents forces associated with a kundalini awakening.
Pinecone Staff of Osiris. Egyption museum in Turin, Italy 1224 BC
Egyptian god Osiris with Staff
Historically, Kundalini has been a significant concept in various Indian spiritual traditions, particularly within Tantra and Yoga. It is mentioned in ancient texts such as the Upanishads, the Tantras, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
One of the earliest references to Kundalini can be found in the Upanishads, specifically the Śhaṭ-Chakra-Nirūpaṇa Upanishad, which describes the awakening of Kundalini through the practice of yoga and its ascent through the chakras.
Another important historical example is the Tantric tradition, where Kundalini is considered a central aspect of spiritual practice. The Shiva Samhita, a Tantric text, describes Kundalini awakening and provides guidance on how to awaken and control this energy.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a foundational text on yoga philosophy, also mention Kundalini indirectly. Patanjali speaks of the awakening of spiritual energy through the practice of yoga and meditation, which aligns with the concept of Kundalini.
In modern times, Kundalini has gained popularity in the West through the teachings of various spiritual leaders and gurus. For example, Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in the introduction of Indian philosophies to the Western world, discussed Kundalini in his lectures on Raja Yoga.
One of the most influential figures in popularizing Kundalini Yoga in the West is Yogi Bhajan, who founded the Kundalini Research Institute and introduced Kundalini Yoga to a global audience.
Quotes about Kundalini:
"There is a force within that gives you life - seek that. In your body there lies a priceless jewel - seek that. Oh, wandering Sufi, if you are in search of the greatest treasure, don't look outside, look within and seek that." - Rumi
"The awakening of Kundalini shakti... is the beginning of the spiritual journey." - Swami Vivekananda
"Kundalini is not a power. It is not a force. It is a potential. It is your potential. When you become realized, when you become enlightened, when you become a self, you will know what Kundalini is. You have to become your self." - Yogi Bhajan
The rising of Kundalini energy through the spine is often described as a profound and transformative experience in spiritual practice. According to traditional Hindu and yogic teachings, Kundalini is believed to reside at the base of the spine, specifically in the area of the first chakra, known as the Muladhara or root chakra.
When Kundalini is awakened, it is said to gradually ascend through the central channel of the body, which is known as the Sushumna Nadi in yogic terminology. This channel runs parallel to the spine and is considered the pathway for the flow of spiritual energy.
The ascent of Kundalini energy is typically depicted as a gradual process, wherein it moves upward, piercing through each of the chakras along the spine. There are seven main chakras in total, each associated with specific psychological, emotional, and spiritual qualities.
As Kundalini rises, it activates and purifies these chakras, leading to a heightened state of awareness, spiritual awakening, and ultimately, self-realization. The ascent of Kundalini is often described as a transformative journey, marked by intense sensations, visions, and states of consciousness.
Various spiritual practices, such as yoga, meditation, chanting, and breathwork, are believed to facilitate the awakening and ascent of Kundalini energy. These practices aim to balance the energy flow within the body, remove blockages in the subtle energy channels, and prepare the practitioner for the safe and harmonious awakening of Kundalini.
The rising of Kundalini energy is a powerful and potentially destabilizing experience if not approached with proper guidance and preparation. Therefore, it's often recommended to undertake such practices under the guidance of an experienced teacher or spiritual mentor who can provide support and guidance throughout the process.