Kundalini

Kundalini (Sanskrit कुण्डलिनी, kuṇḍalinī — "the coiled one", from kuṇḍala — "ring", "spiral") is a dormant spiritual energy, symbolically depicted as a serpent coiled three and a half times at the base of the spine (in the Muladhara chakra, मूलाधार).

Awakening of Kundalini

The goal of tantric practices. The awakening of Kundalini is the central aim of tantric practices: the energy rises through the central channel Sushumna (सुषुम्ना), sequentially activating the seven chakras.

Union with Shiva

Samadhi — the state of unity. Upon reaching the Sahasrara chakra (सहस्रार, "the thousand-petaled lotus" at the crown), Kundalini unites with Shiva (शिव), symbolizing the union of individual and cosmic consciousness — the state of Samadhi (समाधि).

Sources

• Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th c.)
• Shat-Chakra Nirupana (16th c.)
• Tantric Agamas

Modern Context

Today the concept of Kundalini is used in:

• Kundalini Yoga — the school of Yogi Bhajan
• Human Design (#15) — as the "energy of the Sacral center"
• Body-oriented psychotherapy (#36) — certain branches

Kundalini Syndrome

Spontaneous awakening. The experience of spontaneous Kundalini rising has been described in psychiatry as "Kundalini syndrome" — a phenomenon without a definitive clinical classification. It lies on the boundary between spiritual experience and a psychic crisis.