The Awakening of Kundalini

by Gopi Krishna

Book Overview

In this book Gopi Krishna deals specifically with the subject of meditation and with the question, what should everyone know about higher consciousness? He shows that the science of Yoga is far more... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 052547398X
• ISBN13: 9780525473985
• Release Date: June 1975
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 129 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Effects, side-effects and popular misconceptions

The Awakening of Kundalini, not exactly a how-to-book, describes the effects, possible side-effects, misconceptions and spontaneous experiences of people from all walks of life and from different cultures, different backgrounds, many of whom have never consciously worked on awakening kundalini. The author briefly touches upon the practices from other traditions, such as the cultivation of sexual energy as practiced in Taoist tradition (for more on this, you may check one Mantak Chia's books). He points out that the goal of yoga, and the goal of awakening of kundalini is union with the divine, as well as that all of the alchemical practices are focused on changing the flow of energy from having it flow downward and outward, to having it flow inward and upward. "In a healthy and harmonized system, on the arousal of Kundalini, a constant stream of sublimated reproductive energy, in radiating waves, rises int the brain, causing an inexpressible state of rapture and a breathtaking, marvelous transformation of consciousness. The pressure on the organs of generation is instantly released and the sexual appetite diminished or completely lost." A good deal of this books deals with all sorts of things that may go wrong in people who are not properly prepared (all esoteric systems begin by preparing the idividual through an assortment of practices related ot physical, mental, emotional and spiritual purification) or who approach the practice with primary focus on material or sexual gratification instead of spiritual. "Whatever the approach to the supernatural, the occult, and the divine, the ultimate target will remain the same, for the soul will never rest content until it has the beatific vision of itself. Those who take to yoga or any other occult or spiritual discipline, even if they gain a certain amount of calm and deeper insight then before, will still continue to try other methods and disciplines until the Supreme Light is experienced."

Not kundalini light

This book is NOT kundalini for dummies. Gopi Krishna is so far beyond most of us intellectually that the book can be a difficult read at times; but so worth the effort for the information that it contains. He takes a well-grounded, well-rounded view and approach to the subject. He appeals to both the rational and spiritual sides of human nature, unlike many "experts". After all, we are not stictly spiritual beings; neither are we strictly rational. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants the whole picture of kundalini.

a non fantastic account of one awakening

A Kundalini awakening may not be desired. This is at least one thesis of the book which is proven. Gopi Krishna was a middle class clerk who practiced meditation and began to experience an awakening of the kundalini, an energy source at the base of the spine which he admits he cannot fully explain. He does not try to theorize into divine origin of this power, but rather puts forth his experience, which is often harrowing, insatiable appetitites, the feeling of buring up, inability to sleep, and he hopes that medical science will continue to study this phenomenon, so that the ancient ideas can be elucidated by modern science. It is also an autobiography. Krishna's father basically became a sort of attic-hermit, a sannyasin that didn't quite leave the house, but became somewhat of a burden on the family, and led them to poverty. Gopi Krishna does not judge, but the reader wonders about those effects on the author. What I like best about this book is its realism in dealing with a topic which westerners especially have turned into a mushy neo-hippy thing for those who have lost their sex drive. There is no practical advice for the awakening of Kundalini, as Krishna asserts it must be at least somewhat random, it can happen by accident, and one might meditate and practice yoga for years and years and never achieve it. There is some discussion of the saving of semen which will go through the spine to the brain, and some discussion of the traditional powers ascribed to an awakened kundalini, but very based, and trying to be very honest. Very sober.

A wonderful discovery

I consider this book as being one of the most reliable in this area. It really goes deep in the information about the Kundalini, the serpert, and show us how to awake it. The author speaks clearly about it, in a way anyone can understand and practice his teachings. It's related to Kundalini Yoga and the teachings of India and Tibet about the power of this energy that lies asleep inside of us.