Kundalini, from my understanding, is like psychic energy, mental energy, human potential. It no doubt has physical correlates that Western science could understand. Kundalini is envisioned as a coiled serpent inside the body that can be liberated through various meditation techniques and unlock human potential and realize higher Self or “godhood”, in Hinduism. In Advaita Vedanta, a dominant theology in Hinduism, all humans have God as their nature, but they don’t realize it due to delusion (traditionally, it was attributed to the goddess Maya- goddess of illusion). Having a wrong view of God, though, can lead to delusion, at least according to Hindu thought, so again, kundalini type practices are considered somewhat esoteric, because it’s possible for a person to drive themselves insane, or delude themselves, by being exposed too much information, or incorrect information. It could become a big “ego trip” or “melt your brain”, so to speak. Some researchers have noticed that when yogis are asked to create kundalini energy, there is a large spike in gamma waves in the brain. Gamma waves are usually assosciated in normal people with intense experiences or feelings (I almost wonder if Instant Shine doesn’t produce gamma waves, I wish I had the money for an EEG machine, or I’d try it).
The goal of Hatha Yoga, BTW, is through physical exercises and mental discipline, to awaken kundalini, and later “God Realizaiton”, though this is seldom taught in Western yoga classes. Kundalini Yoga is just a term to distinguish the spiritual practice from the secular practice.
There is a similar concept in Tibetan Buddhism, involving such things as energy winds (rlung) that are harnessed in the practice of “tummo”: “inner heat” (candali in Sanskrit). I’m sure you’ve heard of Tibetan monks sitting out in the snow, half naked, and are kept warm through some esoteric means. The practice is actually not a cool parlor trick, but to generate intense feelings of compassion or “willpower”. It’s a tantric practice, and traditionally was not taught until a person had reached a certain level, because it can have negative consquences if “mis-used”. Sort of like playing with fire, that sort of thing.
And of course in many other forms of Buddhism, such as Theravada or some Mahayana schools, there are meditations where a person is to imagine themselves becomming compassion, like a flame that spreads outward and envelopes everyone with warm heat. I don’t know exactly what sort of waves are produced, but it’s probably gamma waves, maybe some alpha wave activity too.
I really would like to try out an EEG machine one of these days, but the cheapest ones are at least $500 dollars. I’d be curious to know exactly what my brain is doing.
My advice Data, is I don’t think you should pursue it right away, even if you think it sounds interesting. You seem to be dealing with depression, perhaps having some bitter feelings, and it might mess with your head and make things worse (BTW, I don’t pretend to have a “kundalini awakening”, just that I believe that gamma waves can produce some of the same feelings, such as intense energy, focus, or expansive thinking). Usually in Hinduism and Buddhism, in schools that practice such things, they focus on the Bramaviharas first, which are attributes that should be cultivated to have an appropriate sense of self- compassion, appreciation/joy, love (maitri- similar to philia / agape in Greek), and equanimity or tolerance/forebearance.
My own personal feeling, a great deal of interest in kundalini yoga is done by hucksters and people peddling snake oil, and people wanting easy answers to difficult matters. India is full of “Godmen”, from what I have read. These are the equivalent of Jerry Fallwell or Oral Roberts. They go around impressing people with parlor tricks and claim to have realized their god nature, etc., yet usually they have skeletons in their closet, live lavish lifestyles, and usually are not very well read, etc.
BTW, when I said “yogi mind”, that means, tending to think about things alot, intellectualize things, get caught up in details. That’s how my head has felt in the last few days.
I’ll see if Tisha can move it over to mine.