Guest guest Posted August 13, 2001 Report Share Posted August 13, 2001 I am reposting this from last year. Those interested in a discussion of Kundalini Shakti and the role it plays in Jnana can look at Sri Ramana's comments on the topic. The Sage in a clear and simple way points out the role played by the Shakti in Self-Realization for those who tread the path of Shakti Yoga. ******************************************************************** 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. 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2001 Report Share Posted August 14, 2001 Harsha & Friends, Thanks Harsha for such a lucid exposition of the status of Kundalini and the Shakti of which she is the personal representative. yours in the bonds, eric , "Harsha" <harsha-hkl@h...> wrote: > I am reposting this from last year. Those interested in a discussion of > Kundalini Shakti and the role it plays in Jnana can look at Sri Ramana's > comments on the topic. The Sage in a clear and simple way points out the > role played by the Shakti in Self-Realization for those who tread the path > of Shakti Yoga. > > ******************************************************************** > > 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. 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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