At first the complete ascent of Kundalini lasts only a very short period of time (in seconds or minutes). This gigantic force descends then into one of the lower chakras. Until Kundalini is established for good in the crown centre (Sahasrara), the aspirant must try to experience these elevated states as often as possible. Usually the yogi is advised by his master to consciously guide the descent of Kundalini and not allow it to go lower than heart centre (anahata chakra). Apparently Kundalini active in the first three centres is quite dangerous because it includes the amplification of the ego and an unrestrained sexual desire.

• If the energy is awakened and ascends through Pingala Nadi, a powerful sensation of warmth appears along the back at first and then in the whole body. On the other hand, if the energy ascends through Ida Nadi, a sensation of coldness is perceived.
• When Kundalini enters the central spinal channel, called Sushumna, a specific sensation of unification appears in the whole being and the respiration may stop for a short time.
• When Kundalini reaches Anahata chakra, heart palpitations can be observed.
• Sometimes itches can be felt in the fingers or the whole body may start to tremble. Tradition mentions that the ascent along the back to the top of the head can be felt in different ways: as the slow motion of an ant, the sinuous movement of a snake, the hopping of a small bird, the slow advance of a fish in calm water, or as the leap of a monkey to a distant tree.

All these signs are mentioned in traditional Hindu scriptures,especially in Yoga and Tantra. The wise yogi Ramakrishna, one of the greatest masters of mysticism in modern India, described his experiences regarding Kundalini in almost similar terms. Speaking of the different ecstatic states towards which he was naturally “inclined”, he said:

"In these ecstatic states of Samadhi, the sensation of the Spiritual Current can be felt as the movement of an ant, of a fish, monkey, bird or snake. Sometimes, the Spiritual Current ascends through the spinal column, crawling like an ant. Other times in Samadhi, the soul swims happily in the ocean of divine ecstasy like a fish. When I recline on my side, I feel the Spiritual Current pushing me like a monkey and playing joyfully with me. I rest still. This current can reach Sahasrara in a single jump, like a monkey. That is why you see me springing up sometimes. Now and then, the Spiritual Current goes up like a bird, hopping from branch to branch. When it stops, I can feel it as a fire. Sometimes the Current is slithering like a snake. Ascending in a zigzag line, it finally reaches my head and I experience Samadhi. The spiritual consciousness of a man is not awakened until Kundalini is ascended."

An Exercise for Awakening Kundalini - Uroboros

Uroboros – the snake that swallows its own tail – is an ancient symbol of continuity, of the great vital principle and of the union between the sky and earth. Sometimes the body of the snake that swallows itself is represented half light and half dark, similar to the Chinese Yin-Yang symbol. It shows the game of polarities in nature and the harmony in apparent contrast. Thus Uroboros serves as an important symbol in the Gnostic tradition, whose adepts aspire to unified consciousness by transcending the ego personality and the mind.

This is also the Archetype symbol revealed to the chemist Kekule in a dream in the 19th century, which gave him the idea that the molecular structure of benzene was a closed ring of carbon atoms.

In the modern esoteric school of Arica, founded by Oscar Ichazo, Uroboros is an exercise in which the energy is accumulated in the being through the control of respiration. In the inhalation, attention is focused on the perineum area in order to feel the energy at this level. The energy is then directed through the spinal column, from the base to the top of the head. It is next led around the curve of the skull and begins its downward journey during exhalation. Thus the energy moves from the top of the head towards the forehead, where it splits into two going towards the eyes. Further on, the energy descends along two paths, on each side of the nose and upper lip and it unites again at the chin. The energy continues to descend down the chest area, down to the abdominal zone and the genital organs. During this exercise the aspirant perceives an intense light both within the head area and along the entire energetic route.

Awakening of Kundalini - Testimonies

One of the richest autobiographies is that of Swami Muktananda, a master of the Siddha Yoga Indian tradition who has attracted many western disciples. Regarding kundalini, he sometimes noticed his body moving involuntarily and other times he stood immobile in strange positions. He also observed powerful energy currents in the body, unusual patterns of breathing, inner lights and sounds, terrifying visions and noises and many other extraordinary mystical phenomena. During meditation for example, he used to smell fragrances and taste nectar and often experienced ecstasy.

He also noticed unpleasant secondary effects. “All my body was hot, my head felt heavy. Every single cell of my body started to groan.” He specifically noticed that his anal area was very painful. Moreover, he mentioned that from time to time he was overwhelmed by sexual desire – a confession also made by the sufi disciple Irina Tweedie. The connection between the stimulation of the vital force and sexual energy is recognised by all esoteric traditions, especially Tantra and Taoism. Swami Muktananda’s perfecting of the Kundalini process required a few years. It reached the climax when he traveled beyond such experiences in order to permanently establish himself “in perfect peace and self-possession”.

In the incipient stages of Kundalini’s awakening, Swami Muktananda often used to be annoyed and afraid, having absolutely no control of his body’s movements. He felt clumsy performing yoga positions and dazzling lights appeared in his head. For a while he believed he was losing his mind. It is easy to imagine the diagnosis he would have received had he asked a psychiatrist and not a Guru (spiritual master). Once the initial difficulties were overcome, everything progressed along perfectly. He later became a master himself and so could help many people on their Spiritual path.

Another biography that tells of spontaneous awakening of Kundalini is that of Gopi Krishna, a teacher and superintendent in Kashmir. As a child Gopi Krishna had many psychic experiences. He however became agnostic but constantly practised meditation for many years. He did not have any further mystical experiences until 1937 when at age 34, he experienced a spontaneous awakening of Kundalini which radically changed his life. Since that time his consciousness remained awake, as a lighted area, increasing and decreasing mysteriously. Then in 1943 he had a powerful experience of Kundalini that lead to Samadhi. He described this state as: “I distinctly felt an incomparable sensation of beatitude in all my nerves. It moved from the tips of my toes and my fingers and other parts of the body towards the spinal column where, concentrated and intensified, it ascended to the upper region of the brain. Thus it made me feel even better. I felt the beatific and frantic torrent of an extremely rare radiant neuron secretion. In the absence of a more adequate name, I called this “nectar”…”

This ineffable sensation disappeared when he focused his attention upon it, but it continued to flow even more intensely when he ignored it. Unexpectedly, he felt a stream of liquid light, murmuring like a waterfall, entering the brain through the spinal channel. His body started to shake and he was surrounded by a halo of light. He became one with the surrounding environment and he felt overwhelmed by ecstasy.

These were followed by feelings of terror, weakness and indifference towards others. There was a bitter taste in his mouth, his throat was dry and burning, he felt his body was pierced by countless hot needles, and suffered insomnia. In the dark he could distinguish a reddish light surrounding him. From time to time, he endured back pains. He thought Kundalini was operating abnormally and that he could die.

Once the Kundalini process started within him, Gopi Krisha was completely at its discretion. Many years had to pass for him to reach physical equilibrium and an inner calm state. When Kundalini was established, Gopi Krishna obtained extraordinary mental powers that he gradually perfected, such as mental creativity and complete serenity.