In ancient yoga theory, Kundalini is considered a tangible life force, often symbolized as a sleeping serpent. It is closely related to what Vajrayana Buddhism refers to as Tummo (Inner Fire)—although the two share similarities, they also have significant differences. Today, we’ll talk about how to awaken Kundalini and the entire process of its rising.
First, we need to understand why we should awaken Kundalini. This energy represents our innate spiritual force, which must connect with the universal energy. Only then do we have a real chance of breaking free from the narrative of the 3D world and elevating the level of our life. We know that Qi (life force) rises when it is refined and sinks when it is turbid. So when Kundalini rises, it means our Qi’s vibration frequency is increasing—becoming lighter and clearer—causing our physical body to evolve. As it ascends, it connects to universal energy, and we transition from an earthly soul to a higher-dimensional soul, potentially even escaping the cycle of reincarnation and transcending the Six Realms and Three Worlds. This is a major milestone in the journey of spiritual cultivation.
To awaken Kundalini, we need two key elements:
The internal factor is the energy of the Root Chakra (Muladhara). First, we must clearly understand that energy has no inherent attributes. It's only due to our dualistic mind that we label energy as high or low, good or bad, positive or negative. Because of this, we perceive energies as having various qualities. The Root Chakra holds raw, generative energy—the force of life and creation, capable of generating storylines or karma.
This energy is based on the ego and contains all the wounds and traumas accumulated over lifetimes. These are like compressed energy clusters. When excessive, they become burdens on life, manifesting as negative energy. When balanced, they make us long for stability and reproduction. Only when this energy is cleansed and purified can it rise upward, pass through our body, and connect to universal energy via the Crown Chakra. So, under the influence of the dualistic mind, the soul moves in three directions:
This means the Root Chakra energy contains fear energy, sexual energy, and spiritual energy.
Everyone has this to some degree. It stems from a lack of safety, leading us to seek external validation through material things, attention, or love. When fear dominates the Root Chakra, energy descends, giving rise to negative expressions like possessiveness, anger, or violence. It can lead to depression, anxiety, even suicidal tendencies. Some try to shift fear onto others, transforming it into aggression. This explains why many violent criminals often have tragic childhoods—a result not only of this lifetime but multiple past lives.
If fear is minimal, we gain fearlessness, becoming more proactive and assertive in life. Most people hover in a state of relative balance, where fear and generative energy are stable. This fuels sexual energy, a natural reproductive instinct. However, when repressed or overindulged, this energy lowers in frequency, and we might fall back into lower vibrations.
Both fear and sexuality are low-frequency energies that create karma and narratives. These energies and their compressed information are stored in our lower three chakras, hidden within our energy channels (nadis). When they surface, we experience physical or external challenges.
So, where is spiritual energy?
It’s always been there. As mentioned earlier, energy has no intrinsic qualities. Our dualistic mind assigns them. If we return to a state before dualistic thinking, we access spiritual energy. This is why Buddha said, "You are already complete." All we have to do is let go of judgment.
But what about the stories and karma created by our dualistic mind? What about the knots in our Qi, or karmic energies? As long as we have a karmic body, these exist. When we return to the pre-judgmental state, spiritual energy is activated. Its power begins to manifest and reconcile with karmic Qi, gradually unlocking the body. This is the internal process of Kundalini rising.
The external factor determines whether Kundalini can truly rise.
As mentioned, Kundalini needs to rise and connect to universal energy via the Crown Chakra. But how high can it connect? Which dimension can it reach? That depends on frequency compatibility.
You might ask: “If energy has no attribute and is pre-judgment, shouldn’t it be the same frequency?”
Yes—and no.
It depends on how far we've gone in our practice, and how much illusion we've let go of. If we can completely detach from all forms, we return to the Field of Emptiness, where being and non-being coexist. This is the Source, our spiritual home. But if we detach only partially, we connect only to corresponding dimensions.
This external factor is called wisdom. The depth of our wisdom determines:
This is why wisdom cultivation is constantly emphasized in spiritual paths—called "cultivating both essence and life" in Daoism. Without wisdom, karmic Qi stops surfacing, and we remain in a plateau state.
Hence, both internal and external factors are essential.
There are two common methods:
This second method is faster. When blessed by the cosmos, one strongly feels the surge of energy. As mentioned in my video “Are You an Old or New Soul on Earth”, old souls tend to choose method one—slower and more challenging, with many tests and karmic trials. Cosmic grace usually comes in the later stages of practice.
New souls often receive divine energy earlier, allowing for faster transformation by purifying karmic energy swiftly. This doesn’t mean one type is superior—it’s about breaking limiting subconscious beliefs to accelerate your progress.
If Kundalini is awakened via divine grace, one might first experience a strong energetic surge, like two serpents rising up the sides of the central channel, spiraling around it, and reaching the Crown Chakra.
However, this is not the full rising, just the initial surge.
After that, cosmic energy and Kundalini begin repeatedly washing the body’s karmic Qi.
You then feel the left and right channels.
During this phase:
Sexual thoughts or images may arise. At this moment, direct your focus to the perineum, use spiritual energy to neutralize sexual attributes, and return it to high-frequency spiritual energy. This is not repression through willpower but transforming energy’s quality.
Eventually:
As the lower chakras and side channels clear, energy moves into the upper three chakras and deeper layers of the central channel (Sushumna).
Eventually:
Finally, Kundalini breaks through the Crown Chakra,
This is a general overview of Kundalini rising. In truth, it contains many intricate details, which a single explanation can't fully capture. Everyone’s journey differs based on personal karma and the depth of dualistic mind, so the order and intensity of experiences may vary.
However, the core path remains the same.
In the end, all spiritual practices lead to the same truth.
And the ultimate truth is simple:
We just need to continuously detach from illusions,
And find the unshakable true self within this ever-changing mind.
Then, when we choose to play again, everything becomes easy.
Because the moment the mind moves—the story begins anew.
As the Diamond Sutra says:
"The Tathagata comes from nowhere and goes nowhere."