Kundalini Splendor

http://www.elcollie.com/st/issueone.html

In the early l990's I heard about a newsletter being pulished in Oakland by a woman who went by the name of "El Collie." This newsletter was devoted exclusively to the process of spiritual transformation, including in particular the then little known phenomenon of Kundalini Awakening. I was amazed and a bit incredulous. Nothing like this had appeared before. Yet there it was, a creation of a most remarkable woman who had herself undergone the "trial by fire" that was (for her) the experience of Kundalini awakening.

"Shared Transformation" was the given title, because in her publication she invited others to share their narratives and perspective with fellow journeyers on this obscure path. As she said, let us go through the process together.

El Collie left us some years back, but her writings are still available on the internet, due to the faithful efforts of her husband, Charles Kress, who generously put up her reflections and has kept them up on the web ever since.

El Collie was a brilliant writer and one of the most insightful and knowledgeable commentators to be found. I stil love to go back to her site and re-read her striking essays on the various aspects of Kundalini. She had prepared many chapters of a book, and these are also presented on the site.

I cannot urge you strongly enough to check out her work. It is an invaluable resource for all of us who are still pondering the nature of this mysterious process and how it might unfold for us all.

Here is an excerpt from the first newsletter, which sums up the purpose of this bold venture:

Shared Transformation Newsletter

By El Collie

The following is an excerpt from and about the Newsletter:

From 1993--2000, we published Shared Transformation newsletter to provide support, exchange information and explore experiences with those of us who are undergoing a phenomenal inner process. Considering that life is itself a transformational journey, in which we evolve inwardly and outwardly from birth to death, in the broadest sense, every one of us is engaged in some degree of transformation.

Our newsletter was specifically addressed to those invoin sudden and astonishing alterations of consciousness. These processes occur as spontaneous and often dramatic physical, mental, emotional, psychic and spiritual changes.

While they remain in the realm of the extraordinary, such experiences have been recorded in every culture of the world for thousands of years. Yet in recent times, from my own observations and from what I am hearing from others, it appears that we may be in the midst of a global shift in consciousness. Increasing numbers of people from around the world are finding themselves plunged into unexpected and mysterious processes. These range from sudden episodes of emotional catharsis to radical shifts in mental outlook. They may involve visions and revelations, or inexplicable and undiagnosed illness. Or they may take the form of paranormal encounters, psychic openings, or full blown Kundalini awakenings.

What is the purpose of these experiences? What are we transforming into? The vast literature on this subject offers many wondrous answers: physical and psychological well-being; expanded awareness of Self and cosmos; personal wholeness; internal and external harmony; union with the divine; greater capacities and richer life experience; bliss and vitality; and increased sensitivity, often with the development of psychic gifts or "siddhis".

Yet for those of us swept into the vortex of transformational forces, it's generally an uncertain and difficult process. Rather than feeling ourselves on the brink of a glorious rebirth, we may feel confused, fearful, sick, or crazy. We seem more like emotional and physical basket cases than candidates for enlightenment. We may swerve from feelings of awe and reverence to disgust and despair; from experiences of profound connectedness to stark alienation. Often we wonder if we will ever be fully functional in the world again. And we may seriously question how such strange and painful experiences can possibly be leading to anything worthwhile.

It can be deeply reassuring to realize that we are not alone in this process. And it can be encouraging to learn that many of the emotional, physical or psychic experiences that appear negative or frightening to us are a natural phase of transformation. Even the more mystical and magical aspects of the process become more real to us when we discover that others have had similar or identical experiences.lved

Through Shared Transformation, we want to offer such validation, inspiration, hope and encouragement to one another. A woman I know, having gone through a four and a half year intense Kundalini awakening with no clue of what was happening to her, announced emphatically, "No one should have to go through this alone." I think she's right. Let's reach out to one another, so we can go through it together.

© El Collie 1993

(Note: The opening sentences seem to look back on the time when the newsletter was in publication. Perhaps these comments are from Charles.)

(And here are some of the topics covered in the newsletter):

Issue 2: Kryias and Mudras part 1,
Following the River

Issue 3: Kryias and Mudras part 2,
Spiritual Oppression
(for more on Kryias and Mudras see El Collie's Spirit Dance)

Issue 4: The Open Heart,
Spiritual Stereotypes

Issue 5: Breakdown or Breakthrough?

Issue 6:The Chakras,
Losing Friends
Spirit Guides & Entities
Issue 8: What Helps\Issue 9: Dangerous Medications
Issue 10: Misguided Advisors
Issue 11: Here There and Everywhere,
Shamanic Dismemberment
Issue 12: Hypersensitivity,
To Tell of not to Tell
Issue 13: Nutrition,
Astrology and Transformation
Issue 14: Understanding Symbol
Issue 16: Panic Attacks,
Issue 17: Kundalini energy in external reality,
Issue 19: Dreams
Issue 20: Resurrecton of the Feminin
Issue 22: Beware The Men In White Coats!
Issue 25: Easing Kundalini Problems with Herbs & Supplements
Issue 33: Mending the Hoop,
Issue 37: Sacred Responsibility
Issue 42: Shamanic Ordeals, Demons or Shamanic Allies?
Issue 43: Blessings
Issue 44/45: All One