Spiritual Emergence or Kundalini awakening brings many shifts in energy and consciousness as it works through the chakra system. Chakras have unique characteristics and hold unconscious material that may be unloaded, as well as spiritual potential.  It is  helpful  for students to understand these life-changing openings in order to better navigate this powerful process.

THE 3RD EYE

            This chakra, located between and slightly above the eyebrows, is considered the command center of the entire subtle body system.    There are many esoteric and meditation practices that emphasize putting attention on this 3rd eye, with the belief that this will prepare one to awaken their entire energy system with fewer problems. As energy moves upward to here from the other chakras, the subtle body may be affected, and you may feel merged with the universe, or lose all consciousness of separation from the cosmos. 

            Stimulating the Third eye generally sends energy back down through the lower chakras to further clear deep-seated conditions and toxins and to strengthen the system.  Spiritual traditions have emphasized the need for a guru or guide to help you through this process.

 AWAKENING THE THROAT CHAKRA

            The 5th chakra, Vishuddhi, is in the cervical plexus behind the throat. The work brings one to terms with the opposites and allows consciousness to understand and accept both the light and dark aspects of life.  Because sound/voice is so much a part of our daily functioning, this chakra usually needs little stimulation.  If for some reason the person has learned to suppress their feelings and self-expression, yogis say their energy has become stuck, and more stimulation of this chakra is called for.

AWAKENING THE HEART

            The 4th chakra, is in the center of the chest in the spine, parallel to the heart.   If we could move through life with no disappointments and no loss or grief, then our heart chakra might stay, but every pain or contraction creates protectiveness and defensiveness.  When this chakra is initially stimulated there may be some resistance, emotional pain, defensiveness or waves of old grief.

Once the kundalini has risen to this point,  a spiritual awakening is triggered, for many people a profound love.  You may temporarily have clairvoyant or psychokinetic experiences, or even a capacity to heal.  It can be like an emotional roller coaster for a while, but as the work here settles out there is a deep peace and internal happiness

THE SEAT OF POWER

            The 3rd chakra, Manipura, located near the naval, is where our sense of a personal identity lives. It is the power center, concerned with survival and accumulation.  The quality of energy here has a great impact on the fire and energy that moves through all our organs.  When out of balance a person may feel weak, ineffectual, depressed, energy deficient and helpless.

             Both the upper and downward flowing pranic energy flows in circulate in the 3rd chakra center and here these energies need to  be rerouted to move in tandem downward to the other chakras and then upward through the body to exit through the crown chakra. This process is initiated when the 3rd chakra awakens. 

            When this chakra is fully awakened by kundalini the sense of a separate identity is seen as illusory, and there is a profound change in how the will, spiritual intuition, and intention is experienced. This is a major turning point in a spiritual awakening, and after manapura is awakened its energies must cleanse the lower chakras before their powerful and benevolent spiritual powers may. If permitted, old dysfunctional relationships tend to fall away. Occasionally much of a person's previous life falls away.

THE PROCREATIVE CENTER

            The second chakra, is related to the sex center. This area is believed to be the storehouse of the collective unconscious, holding many dark energies— terror and fear. Conversely, this is where many of our positive emotions, like love, security, and trust, are connected. To experience these emotions properly and to there fullest, this center must be opened. For this reason many spiritual traditions emphasize opening or awakening chakras in the upper body first, but eventually the issues related to this area will need to be addressed. When this deep unconscious material is cleared out a person is said to be free from anger and greed, to feel integrated, calm and fearless, and able to have a strong will and dedication to spiritual life.

THE FOUNDATIONAL CHAKRA

            At the base of the spine is the foundational chakra, muladhara, which holds you into a sense of having a body. Here also our spirit becomes identified with the limitation of time and space.  Our life force is rooted here and active, because of this pranic energy is moving throughout our body.  Kundalini is said to be the residual energy that is stored here, holding us in stasis, unless or until it is jolted into awakening and winding upward through our bodies.

           Kundalini arises from this point But it is not until the other chakras have been properly stimulated that a full awakening offers. Then there may be a profound letting go into living a life of internal freedom. It feels like the ground breaks underneath you and you are standing in space.