Kundalini yoga: Encyclopedia II - Kundalini yoga - Underlying philosophy

Kundalini yoga - Underlying philosophy

Sovatsky (1998) describes 'kundalini yoga' as an energetically guided yoga. This means that the discipline is informed by the Hindu understanding of pranotthana, or "intensified life-energy". Pranotthana is sometimes thought to lead to spontaneous psycho-motor manifestations which, according to Yogic hemerneutics, might be interpreted as signs of psycho-spiritual growth and bodily maturation.

The word, 'kundalini', literally means "the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved." It is a metaphor, a poetic way of describing the flow of energy and consciousness which already is said to exist within each person. The practices are said to enable the person to merge with or "yoke" with the universal Self. This merging of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness is said to create a "divine union" called "yoga."

The practice of kundalini yoga is universal and non-denominational. It is a yoga designed for householders, for people who have to cope with the daily challenges and stresses of holding jobs, raising families, and managing businesses. It does not require that the person leaves his home, become an ascetic, or sit in a cave.

However, according to many teachers of meditation, and the school of Transpersonal psychology, it is not considered wise to engage in contemplative practices, such as kundalini yoga, without the guidance of a credible teacher, or without thorough foreknowledge of the chosen spiritual path. Many spiritual teachers and psychologists consider any intense contemplative or spiritual practice without the support of a cultural context, or without the support of thorough psychological and physical preparation, to be unfortunate, or even dangerous. Both Bogart (1991) and Lukoff, Lu & Turner (1998) has noted the growing occurrence of meditation-related problems in western contemplative life. Bogart (1991) also discusses situations where meditation might be contra-indicated or inadvisable due to special psychological dynamics.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Underlying philosophy", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki