metaphysics and mystics
the mystery of kundalini
The Seven Chakras Of the Human Body
In recent years, Kundalini has become a buzzword in new age circles, scientists, psychologists and doctors. Increasingly people are growing disenchanted with orthodox medicine and exploring alternative healthcare and mind-body medicine.
There is hence an increasing interest in the body as more than merely flesh and blood.
Across faiths and nations, scientists are exploring the potential of kundalini for mental and physical healing. There is also a great interest in maximising human potential. The notion that we are using 10% of our available brainpower has caused many to embark on explorations into the unlocking the other 90%. Many believe that Kundalini activation holds the key. Some say it is the only way of attaining Divine wisdom.
Kundalini activation has been well-received by all religions largely because of the mechanistic nature of its activation. It is generally accepted to be innate in all people. Similarities have also been drawn with the christian faith, between the mystical descent of the holy spirit and kundalini awakening, where the phenomenon of both lead to the reception of spiritual gifts such as clairvoyance and clairaudience. Universally, it has been experienced as a tingling up and down the spine, bestowing increased bliss and concentration.
Kundalini is believed to be a coiled energy resting in the base of the spine. It can be awakened actively or passively.
The active approach involves systematic physical exercises and techniques of concentration, visualization, breath manipulation known as pranayama, and meditation with the aim of leading the energy to progress up the spine through seven energy centres on the spine known as chakras. These techniques are sometimes lumped under the category of kundalini yoga. The passive approach is a path of surrender where one lets go of all the impediments to the awakening rather than trying to actively awaken the kundalini. A chief part of the passive approach is shaktipat, where one person is initiated by another who has already had the kundalini awakened. Shaktipat is temporary but offers the student a taste of awakening.
Kundalini awakening has been experienced as intense heat or cold in the body, visions or sounds, diminished sexual desire, increased pressure in skull, irregular heartbeat, trance-like and altered states of consciousness, a permanent state of orgasm and a blissful feeling of infinite love and universal connectivity, transcendent awareness.
Part of the mystery of kundalini awakening is that it can happen anytime. One can prepare for ages and not see any results and another can experience an inconvenient awakening when least prepared. A spontaneous awakening can result in 'Kundalini crisis' or 'spiritual emergency', where the awakening is experienced unpleasantly.
Hence it has generally been agreed by most masters that effective kundalini awakening should not be attempted alone but in the presence of a master, with a strong body, strong nerves, discipline and a spirit of surrender.
Hindu spirituality has been of continuing interest to the western world for the last four decades, with the transmigration of ideas and spiritual leaders between east and west and the successful import of yoga into the global lifestyle, kundalini awakening will no longer be shrouded in hindu mystery and may very well be integrated into our daily lives in the next two decades.
Text by Sonia Ong
There is hence an increasing interest in the body as more than merely flesh and blood.
Across faiths and nations, scientists are exploring the potential of kundalini for mental and physical healing. There is also a great interest in maximising human potential. The notion that we are using 10% of our available brainpower has caused many to embark on explorations into the unlocking the other 90%. Many believe that Kundalini activation holds the key. Some say it is the only way of attaining Divine wisdom.
Kundalini activation has been well-received by all religions largely because of the mechanistic nature of its activation. It is generally accepted to be innate in all people. Similarities have also been drawn with the christian faith, between the mystical descent of the holy spirit and kundalini awakening, where the phenomenon of both lead to the reception of spiritual gifts such as clairvoyance and clairaudience. Universally, it has been experienced as a tingling up and down the spine, bestowing increased bliss and concentration.
Kundalini is believed to be a coiled energy resting in the base of the spine. It can be awakened actively or passively.
The active approach involves systematic physical exercises and techniques of concentration, visualization, breath manipulation known as pranayama, and meditation with the aim of leading the energy to progress up the spine through seven energy centres on the spine known as chakras. These techniques are sometimes lumped under the category of kundalini yoga. The passive approach is a path of surrender where one lets go of all the impediments to the awakening rather than trying to actively awaken the kundalini. A chief part of the passive approach is shaktipat, where one person is initiated by another who has already had the kundalini awakened. Shaktipat is temporary but offers the student a taste of awakening.
Kundalini awakening has been experienced as intense heat or cold in the body, visions or sounds, diminished sexual desire, increased pressure in skull, irregular heartbeat, trance-like and altered states of consciousness, a permanent state of orgasm and a blissful feeling of infinite love and universal connectivity, transcendent awareness.
Part of the mystery of kundalini awakening is that it can happen anytime. One can prepare for ages and not see any results and another can experience an inconvenient awakening when least prepared. A spontaneous awakening can result in 'Kundalini crisis' or 'spiritual emergency', where the awakening is experienced unpleasantly.
Hence it has generally been agreed by most masters that effective kundalini awakening should not be attempted alone but in the presence of a master, with a strong body, strong nerves, discipline and a spirit of surrender.
Hindu spirituality has been of continuing interest to the western world for the last four decades, with the transmigration of ideas and spiritual leaders between east and west and the successful import of yoga into the global lifestyle, kundalini awakening will no longer be shrouded in hindu mystery and may very well be integrated into our daily lives in the next two decades.
Text by Sonia Ong
The connection between the practice of divination and that of medicine- A Tarot reader's Perspective
Tarot and all forms of divination are all methods for guessing the future based on the omens of today. These forms of divination has been passed down through the ages and have records on how they should be used correctly.
However, many people do not trust these guesses in the future as they state that these are without basis and with logic. They lack belief and faith, which is essential upon the use and operation of tools for divination. Moreover they view divination as random without a specific purpose or motive. When the reading or the diviner tells these people their fortunes, due to their lack of faith and concentration in the cards, the result proves to be false.
Yet an equal number of people can attest to the correctness of these methods to divine into the future. Being a Tarot reader, I would use tarot as and example. Tarot is an art of fortune telling. It is the most powerful tool in the Western tradition in which fortunes are told. There are several stories on the origin of Tarot. Some say it is an art, which has existed since the time of the pyramids. Some say that it is an art of gypsies
However, the first traces of the cards are form in the 14th century in the form of the Visconti-Sforza deck. The fact is it contains many icons and images which Psychiatrist, Sigmund Freud and management Guru, Carl Jung has mentioned in their books.
The reason why these people can use and believe in Tarot is the fact that tarot is a recorded system. The meanings of the 78 cards, the system of the spreads and the kabbalah have existed for ages. Individuals add their own meaning to the cards and come up with decks in their own images. These individuals have experiences with readings and through the records of these readings they develop their meanings and understanding of how better to divine the future. For instance, the 3 of swords upright in a reading concerning relationships is often referred to the card of sorrow and most tarot readers will in the same way. This method of recording readings and divination is similar to the methods of a doctor treating a patient.
Through the ages, the use of medicine developed from an art, which is random to an science with logic and system. How was this possible? In ancient times, healers and doctors did not really record the methods of how an illness is developed, what are the symptoms and how is it treated. These healers and doctors practiced through word of mouth and much knowledge is lost. It was only during the times of the greeks, the time whereby writing is developed that cases of illness are recorded, the types of medication used. As these information is useful to the society, a lot of effort and money has been placed in the preservation of these records and so the medicine became more and more accepted as a science. Yet medicine is also unpredictable. The most common of diseases could still kill if the patient, who is taking the medication, lacks the belief in that it will cure him of illness. New diseases and uncertainties are constantly developed. Hence there is research and development of new medications and treatments.
In view of motives, Divination and medicine are similar. One can aid the person in the curing of subconscious anxiety whereas the other cures the person physically. Both have established systems, which could be recorded and developed. Both can have repeatability in results. However, divination is not seen in positive light as there are many in the field who does it out of selfish and self fulfilling reasons. Moreover, these individuals tend to bend the readings or deceive the clients in order to achieve gains in their favor instead of the actual act of helping others. It is my sincere hope that in the future there are organizations which could develop the arts of divination in the positive manner. That is the reason for me to teach others Tarot and make them aware of the positive manner to use this art to act as a medicine to heal and not to deceive.
I leave you with an excerpt for the Alchemist.
"When people consult me, it's not that I'm reading the future; I am guessing at the future. The future belongs to God, and it is only he who reveals it, under extraordinary circumstances. How do I guess at the future? Based on the omens of the present. The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better. Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his children. Each day, in itself, brings with it an eternity."
Contributed by Rowen Ong, Singapore, established tarot card reader and teacher since 1995.
Rowen runs monthly tarot meetup sessions and a very popular 'Tarot House Singapore' group on Facebook
However, many people do not trust these guesses in the future as they state that these are without basis and with logic. They lack belief and faith, which is essential upon the use and operation of tools for divination. Moreover they view divination as random without a specific purpose or motive. When the reading or the diviner tells these people their fortunes, due to their lack of faith and concentration in the cards, the result proves to be false.
Yet an equal number of people can attest to the correctness of these methods to divine into the future. Being a Tarot reader, I would use tarot as and example. Tarot is an art of fortune telling. It is the most powerful tool in the Western tradition in which fortunes are told. There are several stories on the origin of Tarot. Some say it is an art, which has existed since the time of the pyramids. Some say that it is an art of gypsies
However, the first traces of the cards are form in the 14th century in the form of the Visconti-Sforza deck. The fact is it contains many icons and images which Psychiatrist, Sigmund Freud and management Guru, Carl Jung has mentioned in their books.
The reason why these people can use and believe in Tarot is the fact that tarot is a recorded system. The meanings of the 78 cards, the system of the spreads and the kabbalah have existed for ages. Individuals add their own meaning to the cards and come up with decks in their own images. These individuals have experiences with readings and through the records of these readings they develop their meanings and understanding of how better to divine the future. For instance, the 3 of swords upright in a reading concerning relationships is often referred to the card of sorrow and most tarot readers will in the same way. This method of recording readings and divination is similar to the methods of a doctor treating a patient.
Through the ages, the use of medicine developed from an art, which is random to an science with logic and system. How was this possible? In ancient times, healers and doctors did not really record the methods of how an illness is developed, what are the symptoms and how is it treated. These healers and doctors practiced through word of mouth and much knowledge is lost. It was only during the times of the greeks, the time whereby writing is developed that cases of illness are recorded, the types of medication used. As these information is useful to the society, a lot of effort and money has been placed in the preservation of these records and so the medicine became more and more accepted as a science. Yet medicine is also unpredictable. The most common of diseases could still kill if the patient, who is taking the medication, lacks the belief in that it will cure him of illness. New diseases and uncertainties are constantly developed. Hence there is research and development of new medications and treatments.
In view of motives, Divination and medicine are similar. One can aid the person in the curing of subconscious anxiety whereas the other cures the person physically. Both have established systems, which could be recorded and developed. Both can have repeatability in results. However, divination is not seen in positive light as there are many in the field who does it out of selfish and self fulfilling reasons. Moreover, these individuals tend to bend the readings or deceive the clients in order to achieve gains in their favor instead of the actual act of helping others. It is my sincere hope that in the future there are organizations which could develop the arts of divination in the positive manner. That is the reason for me to teach others Tarot and make them aware of the positive manner to use this art to act as a medicine to heal and not to deceive.
I leave you with an excerpt for the Alchemist.
"When people consult me, it's not that I'm reading the future; I am guessing at the future. The future belongs to God, and it is only he who reveals it, under extraordinary circumstances. How do I guess at the future? Based on the omens of the present. The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better. Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his children. Each day, in itself, brings with it an eternity."
Contributed by Rowen Ong, Singapore, established tarot card reader and teacher since 1995.
Rowen runs monthly tarot meetup sessions and a very popular 'Tarot House Singapore' group on Facebook