Kundalini in the west/a little history

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone. This post came on another list and thought I pass my

response along.

 

Harsha

 

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could anyone tell me the differences between Kundalini and

Kriya yoga. Or is one part of the other, or only different words for the

same ?

 

Thanks and blessings

Victor

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Hi Victor. Kundalini Shakti is really at the heart of all yoga and is

embedded in virtually all Eastern traditions regardless of the name or label

that is given. If you look at any school of yoga, tantra, or various

traditions (Shakti, Shaivite, Kashmiri Shaivism), there will usually be some

descriptions of Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Kriyas, Mudras, Mantras, and

different types of meditations on the energy centers and Kundalini Shakti,

and descriptions of the Goddess, etc.

 

Even in Advaita Vedanta, we see that Shankracharya has written great hymns

to the Goddess. At a very practical level, the notion of the Divine Mother,

Shakti, the Goddess, is intertwined with most Indian Philosophies. Hatha

Yoga Pradipika, for example is one of the classics of Kundalini Yoga and

describes how one moves from the physical aspects to the mental aspects (Raj

Yoga) through various types of postures and mudras and pranayama.

 

As far as I know, Swami Vivekananda in the late 1800's introduced the notion

of Kundalini Shakti in the West. The term Kriya Yoga was popularized by

Swami Yogananda who came to the U.S in the early 1900s and settled here.

Again, awakening the Kudnalini Shakti is central to that tradition as well

although they do not engage in very heavy duty pranayama exercises.

Kundalini related literature from the East started to be translated into

English in the early 1900s, and one of the earliest translations which is

still widely available today was by Arthur Avalon (Shakti Yoga). It is a

translation of an esoteric text and describes the process of raising the

Shakti by a variety of Kriyas and Mudras and Pranayamas.

 

There are many good books on Kundalini Yoga from a variety of people

belonging to different schools. Swami Sivananda's books on Kundalini, Hatha

Yoga, and Pranayama are widely available and are quite comprehensive and

excellent. The Himaylayan Institute founded by Swami Rama also produces good

literature on the topic. Just look around and see what appeals to you. In

the past, many of these teachings were kept secret. Today, however, there is

enough literature on the topic to satisfy everyone's curiosity.

 

Love to all

Harsha