Kundalini Response
by Jodo Arboleda
The concept of Kundalini worship had escaped my knowledge up until now. However, there were instances in my Christian journey that involved this concept. In my early years as a Christian, certain churches and events I attended held altar calls that put worshipers in an atmosphere of hysteria. There would be people falling down at touch of an elder. There would be loud outbursts of laughter as well as wailing. There would be people shaking as they lay down on the floor. At that time, being a young Christian, I had been taught to believe that the presence of God had caused such behavior. And so, I myself longed to experience what my peers encountered-- the supposed spiritual touch of the Lord. True enough, there were times that I did indeed feel God's overwhelming presence overcome me, and I am thankful for that. On the contrary, having the Kundalini touch in my infant years caused me to have a thirst for the feeling instead of actually pursuing genuine worship. I sought the gift, and not the Giver.
This, I believe, is the faultiness that comes with this brand of worship. It is vital for every Christian to feel God's glory in their lives. Like Moses and our Savior Jesus, we all need that mountain experience where His love and power are felt so tangibly that we are filled with inexpressible joy and unending praise. But we should never base our pursuit of God on that experience. The Kundalini form of worship is rather misleading since it sets our minds on having that feeling, and if we leave church not feeling that touch, we often become discouraged-- at least, that's how I felt when I was in that season. Thanks to God; He has revealed to me that there will be mountaintop moments in our journeys as followers, but there will also be "walks in the valley," and there will be times that God will be silent, almost to the point that we feel He has eluded us entirely. And that is where our faith grows-- when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, and we can still lift our voices saying, "You are with me, Your rod and staff, they comfor me."-- Psalm 23:4
The Kundalini teachings are now a treacherous substance to me. I find it alarming to know that certain churches use such a concept that could in fact be traced down to pagan rituals and tradition. Although worshipers are taught that is is an expression of God's presence in our lives, I have learned to be more watchful as it says in Paul's epistles. For in the coming of age, many will arise showing us a way that seems "godly," but could in fact be a rod leading us away from the act of worshiping in Spirit and Truth.
This, I believe, is the faultiness that comes with this brand of worship. It is vital for every Christian to feel God's glory in their lives. Like Moses and our Savior Jesus, we all need that mountain experience where His love and power are felt so tangibly that we are filled with inexpressible joy and unending praise. But we should never base our pursuit of God on that experience. The Kundalini form of worship is rather misleading since it sets our minds on having that feeling, and if we leave church not feeling that touch, we often become discouraged-- at least, that's how I felt when I was in that season. Thanks to God; He has revealed to me that there will be mountaintop moments in our journeys as followers, but there will also be "walks in the valley," and there will be times that God will be silent, almost to the point that we feel He has eluded us entirely. And that is where our faith grows-- when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, and we can still lift our voices saying, "You are with me, Your rod and staff, they comfor me."-- Psalm 23:4
The Kundalini teachings are now a treacherous substance to me. I find it alarming to know that certain churches use such a concept that could in fact be traced down to pagan rituals and tradition. Although worshipers are taught that is is an expression of God's presence in our lives, I have learned to be more watchful as it says in Paul's epistles. For in the coming of age, many will arise showing us a way that seems "godly," but could in fact be a rod leading us away from the act of worshiping in Spirit and Truth.
What is Kundalini?
Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Definition of KUNDALINI: the yogic life force that is held to lie coiled at the base of the spine until it is aroused and sent to the head to trigger enlightenment
Origin of KUNDALINI: Sanskrit kuṇḍalinī, from feminine of kuṇḍalin circular, coiled, from kuṇḍala ring. First Known Use: 1897
In some tantric forms of Yoga, the cosmic energy believed to be within everyone. It is pictured as a coiled serpent lying at the base of the spine. Through a series of exercises involving posture, meditation, and breathing, a practitioner can force this energy up through the body to the top of the head. This brings about a sensation of bliss, as the ordinary self is dissolved into its eternal essence, atman-- (Sanskrit: “breath” or “self”) Basic concept in Hindu philosophy, describing that eternal core of the personality that survives death and transmigrates to a new life or is released from the bonds of existence. Atman became a central philosophical concept in the Upanishads. It underlies all aspects of personality, as Brahman underlies the working of the universe. The schools of Samkhya, Yoga, and Vedanta are particularly concerned with atman.
Definition of KUNDALINI: the yogic life force that is held to lie coiled at the base of the spine until it is aroused and sent to the head to trigger enlightenment
Origin of KUNDALINI: Sanskrit kuṇḍalinī, from feminine of kuṇḍalin circular, coiled, from kuṇḍala ring. First Known Use: 1897
In some tantric forms of Yoga, the cosmic energy believed to be within everyone. It is pictured as a coiled serpent lying at the base of the spine. Through a series of exercises involving posture, meditation, and breathing, a practitioner can force this energy up through the body to the top of the head. This brings about a sensation of bliss, as the ordinary self is dissolved into its eternal essence, atman-- (Sanskrit: “breath” or “self”) Basic concept in Hindu philosophy, describing that eternal core of the personality that survives death and transmigrates to a new life or is released from the bonds of existence. Atman became a central philosophical concept in the Upanishads. It underlies all aspects of personality, as Brahman underlies the working of the universe. The schools of Samkhya, Yoga, and Vedanta are particularly concerned with atman.