________________ No wonder then that the Shiv Samhita repeatedly mentions the necessity of this knowledge of Kundalini to be guarded intensely and passed on only under the guidance of an adept Guru. The important question that the seeker of Kundalini Yoga needs to ask oneself is; Why do I feel the need to awaken my Kundalini? The question looks simple, but needs an intense Swadhyay (self-study) to reach to the real answer. The concept of Integral Chakra Psychology can help us understand this better. A householder preoocupied with so many duties may feel the need for energy to carry on with their household duties. For example, when a baby is born, the mother's sleep deprived and feels the need for extra energy. Frustrations and tiredness make us feel the need to be over-energetic. However, we can simply follow some discipline and tap to the extra energy within us. We do not need to go to extreme lengths to activate our Kundalini. Rather, activating this energy using incorrect method causes more imbalance. The Brahma Purana mentions certain emotional aspects in association with each chakra as follows: Muladhara Survival, Security Swadhishthana Comfort, Pleasure, Sensuality Manipura Control, Power, Authority Anahat Love, Compassion Vishuddhi Self-Identity, Acceptance, Esteem, Expression Agnya Truths - Knowledge, Awareness, Intuition Brahmasahastra Higher Reality, Spirituality, Religiousness On a closer scrutiny, these emotions can also be seen as the categories of our potentials. To manifest these potentials, we need to see them as our objectives after which one of the others become the techniques to attain that objective. Thus Spirituality can be our objective as also could be a technique to feel secure, feel powerful or may be help us feel more confident. Similarly, the need to awaken our Kundalini could be for the purpose of liberation or compassion, as much as it could be for the purpose of feeling powerful for all the various wrong reasons. Thus we often find yogis showing off their powers' in an attempt to market themselves. Was the intention here really spiritual or was it simply to impress the onlookers, or to attract customers? Or is it as we see nowadays, a trap to lure innocent devotees and loot them of their belongings, or victimise them for personal sexual gratifications under the garb of spiritual service? This discussion may seem a bit harsh, but is necessary to make the seeker aware of the pitfalls. The student of Yoga, as mentioned earlier needs to do a study regarding his/her purpose of awakening the Kundalini. Simultenously, unfortunately nowadays, the student also needs to do a study of the Guru before submitting completely to him. Lastly, it is important to remeber that nature ensures abundance of energy for everyone, but it is equally important that we stay connected with nature and not go against it. Vachaspati Mishra in his commentry to the Yoga Sutras mentions how it was possible for him to experience unlimited energy and sit for long hours in one posture, unaware of the wordly happenings, simply by remaining involved in his work. It is thus a myth that you have to sit in meditation for long to arouse this energy. It is essential that we live life purposefully, focus on our breathing, and reduce the fluctuations of mind by meditation. The attempt should not be to awaken the energy but rather channelize it positively. FINAL - 16-01-19 RRS would site યોગમાર્ગની અંતર્દષ્ટિ ,227
