Kundalini Splendor

Sometimes when we do our practice, the result is profound and loving bliss. Sometimes (like today for me), the result is simply a nice routine of movement and stretching, with little play of the inner energies.

Both are good, both are welcome, both are essential. Kundalini is not something that arrives at our beck and call. We can prepare the household, set the table, and light the candles, but our precious guest may or may not show up. Kundalini will come on its own timetable and according to its own inscrutable desire. It is always in control, and we are the grateful recipients of its blessings.

Likewise, we should not, I think, construct our lives with the explicit goal of "awakening kundalini." Kundalini should be a boon which comes at the right time and place, when our spirit is ready. We may wait years, or lifetimes, but we should not try to hasten or force the opening.

But--we can do things to prepare ourselves for the experience when it happens. Most important is to build a strong foundation in every area of our lives. Foremost is the body itself--we should strengthen ourselves in every possible way, not as athletes in training, but as ordinary humans seeking to make ourselves healthy and well by following the well known guidelines for well being--eating properly, not indulging in strong stimulants or drugs, exercising in moderation and so forth. We all know what we are supposed to do to maintain our physical state.

And we should also prepare our minds, by reading wisdom literature which will broaden our perspectives and increase our mental scope. Books such as Joseph's Campbell's "Hero's Journey" and works on the Divine Feminine as embodied in the Great Goddess are invaluable, especially as directives for understanding and balancing our own male and female natures.

The writings of the Tibetan Buddhists also come to mind, especially the "Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" as well as the writings of the Buddha and other known spiritual writers (for me, the Shaiva Sutras are indispensable, though they are esoteric to say the least.) Evelyn Underhill's masterpiece "Mysticism" is critical as a guide to the spiritual journey, but it is not easy reading, not something to be skimmed in one night. (Indeed, if you tackle it, start with section two, whic is more specific on the stages of the journey). And don't forget poetry--the poems of T. S. Eliot, Yeats, Rilke, Mary Oliver, Lisel Muller, Rumi, Kabir, Hafiz, Meerabai and many others take us into the far reaches of the spirit and are worth our close attention--the more poetry you read, the more you will love it.

Don't accept or believe anything just because it exists in print or someone has said it. Argue with even the most renowned writers. Buddha said, "Be a light unto yourselves," and to me this means carve your own path, though keeping an open attitude to all other possiblities.. Don't give away your power in any area, including personal relations, but don't avoid human connections as such. It is better to explore fully the human experience as you go, so that you won't feel later that you missed something important in your life. Go ahead and fall head over heels in love even if you get your heart broken, take off and go on some wild adventure if you are young and able to and it won't ruin your life forever. You need to try certain things just to get them out of your system. If you want to live communally, do it and see how that life style suits you. If you want to be a hermit, take off for Alaska. If you think you want to get rich, join a corporation or find a stressful professional job, but don't be surprised if something seems lacking in your life-- then leave when you realize this is not the life you want.

Listen to sacred music of the sort which appeals to you (I like Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Diane Rogers, Tibetan chanting, Bach's B- Mass, almost all Requiems, as well as Mahler, Schubert, Mozart and the other greats of the standard repetoire.) Choose your own. Listen carefully as you pursue the Yoga of Music . Move with the rhythm (lots or little, whatever works). Attend carefully to what is going on inside your body. Don't just sit there. Be one with the music.

Do the form of meditation which is right for you. Some like quiet sitting. Others prefer dynamic listening or some kind of movement. There are as many approaches to meditation as there are people. You will know which one draws you.

If you like sanskit mantra, repeat mantra. If you love hatha yoga, do that. If you are struck by wonder in nature, go for rambles and excursions. But, above all, be attentive. Let youself connect in the deepest possible manner. Be ready.

Clear your emotional and psychological issues as best you can. Go to therapy if that is what is called for and if you can afford it (a big issue these days.) Let yourself uncover past trauma in order to get to the root cause and possible resolution.

Accept what comes with joy and gratitude. Who knows what the outcome will be? Believe me, anything can happen, often when we least expect it.

P. S. The books and music I mention are just my own "top of the mind" suggestions and is by no means a comprehensive list. If others have additional suggestions for reading or doing, I would welcome your response.