The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga

1. Kundalini Yoga: A Map of Inner Transformation

Indian philosophy is namely the interpretation given to the precise condition of the non-ego, which affects our personal psychology, however independent from us it remains.

Inner Journey. Kundalini yoga, far from being a mere physical practice, is a profound psychological map charting the journey of consciousness from its most basic, earthly roots to its highest, most transcendent potential. It offers a framework for understanding the stages of inner development, using the symbolism of the chakras as guideposts. This journey is not just about personal growth but also about connecting with the universal, non-ego aspects of the psyche.

Symbolic System. The chakras, nāīs, and Kundalini are not to be taken as literal anatomical structures but as symbolic representations of the subtle body and the flow of psychic energy. They provide a language for describing the complex and often elusive processes of inner transformation. This system allows for a deeper understanding of the interplay between the personal and the impersonal, the conscious and the unconscious.

Western Relevance. While rooted in Eastern traditions, Kundalini yoga offers valuable insights for Western psychology. It provides a framework for understanding the often-bizarre and seemingly meaningless symptoms that can arise during periods of intense inner change. By recognizing the symbolic significance of these experiences, we can move beyond a purely pathological view and embrace the transformative potential of the psyche.

2. The Kleśas: Seeds of Individuation and Conflict

There is the kleśa of dividing and discrimination, of becoming a personality, an ego, where there is also the aspect of hatred.

Dual Nature. The kleśas, often translated as "afflictions," are not simply negative forces but rather the very energies that drive individuation. They represent the initial urges of the libido as it emerges from the unconscious, pushing us to form a distinct personality and separate ourselves from others. This process of differentiation inevitably involves conflict and even hatred, as we struggle to define our boundaries.

Discrimination and Separation. The kleśa of discrimination, asmitā, is the urge to become an ego, a centered self, distinct from others. This urge is accompanied by dvea, the force of separation, which can manifest as hatred or fear. These forces are necessary for the development of individuality, as they create the boundaries that define the self.

Transformation through Understanding. The key to transcending the negative aspects of the kleśas lies in understanding their sūkma, or subtle, aspect. By recognizing that the personal resistances and hatreds are merely external manifestations of a deeper process of individuation, we can begin to integrate these energies and move beyond the limitations of the ego. This understanding allows us to see the paradox of life, where love and hate, unity and separation, are intertwined.

3. Tattvas and Saskāras: The Building Blocks of Experience

The tattva, being the essence of things, is psychologically again a sūkma aspect of things.

Essence of Reality. Tattvas are the fundamental essences or principles that underlie all phenomena. They are not concrete substances but rather abstractions, like the concept of energy. In psychology, libido can be seen as a tattva, representing the underlying force that drives psychic processes. The Eastern mind tends to concretize these abstractions, viewing them as existing substances, while the Western mind sees them as ideas.

Inherited Patterns. Saskāras are the impressions or tendencies that are carried over from past experiences, similar to our concept of heredity or the collective unconscious. They are the pre-existing conditions that shape our perceptions and behaviors. In psychology, archetypes can be seen as the closest equivalent to saskāras, representing the innate patterns of the collective unconscious.

Psychological Significance. While the Eastern understanding of tattvas and saskāras is deeply rooted in philosophy and metaphysics, they have significant psychological implications. They highlight the fact that our minds are not blank slates but are shaped by both universal and personal experiences. Understanding these underlying forces can help us to better navigate our inner world.

4. Mūlādhāra: The Earthly Foundation of Consciousness

We are in our roots right in this world—when you buy your ticket from the streetcar conductor, for instance, or for the theater, or pay the waiter—that is reality as you touch it.

Root Support. Mūlādhāra, the root chakra, is not simply a physical location in the perineum but a symbol of our conscious, earthly existence. It represents the foundation upon which our personality is built, the everyday reality of our lives, where we are bound by instincts, impulses, and the demands of the material world. It is the place where the gods, or the impersonal aspects of the psyche, are asleep.

Conscious World. This chakra is not a place of darkness or unconsciousness, but rather the very world in which we operate daily. It is the realm of our personal lives, our duties, and our responsibilities. It is the place where we are most adapted, most reasonable, and most "normal." Yet, it is also the place where the self is asleep, where we are often unaware of the deeper forces that shape our lives.

Potential for Transformation. Despite its seemingly mundane nature, mūlādhāra contains the potential for transformation. It is the place where the Kundalini, the sleeping serpent, lies coiled, waiting to be awakened. This awakening represents the possibility of transcending the limitations of our ordinary consciousness and embarking on a journey of inner growth.

5. Svādhihāna: The Descent into the Unconscious Waters

The way into any higher development leads through water, with the danger of being swallowed by the monster.

The Baptismal Fount. Svādhihāna, the water chakra, symbolizes the descent into the unconscious, the realm of emotions, instincts, and the unknown. It is the place of baptism, of rebirth, and of the encounter with the leviathan, the monstrous force that threatens to overwhelm the ego. This journey is not without its dangers, as it involves confronting the shadow aspects of the self.

Feminine Symbolism. This chakra is associated with the moon, a feminine symbol, and the yoni, the female organ. It represents the womb of rebirth, the source of new life, and the power of the unconscious to transform and regenerate. It is a place of both destruction and creation, where old patterns are dissolved and new possibilities emerge.

The Night Sea Journey. The symbolism of svādhihāna is closely linked to the myth of the night sea journey, where the sun descends into the waters of the unconscious, undergoes a period of transformation, and emerges reborn. This journey is a metaphor for the process of individuation, where we must confront our inner demons in order to achieve wholeness.

6. Maipūra: The Fiery Crucible of Emotions

After baptism you get right into hell—that is the enantiodromia.

The Fire Center. Maipūra, the fire chakra, is the realm of emotions, passions, and desires. It is a place of intense energy, where the raw power of the unconscious is unleashed. This chakra is often associated with the solar plexus, the center of our gut feelings and instincts. It is a place of both destruction and creation, where old patterns are burned away and new possibilities are forged.

The Release of Energy. When we become acquainted with the unconscious, we often experience a release of pent-up emotions. Old buried feelings come to the surface, and we may find ourselves overwhelmed by desires, passions, and even rage. This is the fiery crucible of maipūra, where we must confront the raw power of our instincts.

The Fullness of Jewels. Despite its chaotic nature, maipūra is also a place of great potential. It is the source of our energy, our passion, and our drive. It is the place where we can find the "fullness of jewels," the treasures that lie hidden within our emotional depths. By embracing the fire of maipūra, we can transform our raw emotions into a source of creative power.

7. Anāhata: The Heart's Awakening to the Self

In anāhata you behold the purua, a small figure that is the divine self, namely, that which is not identical with mere causality, mere nature, a mere release of energy that runs down blindly with no purpose.

The Air Center. Anāhata, the heart chakra, represents a shift from the fiery intensity of maipūra to a more subtle and refined state of consciousness. It is the realm of air, of thought, and of feeling. It is the place where we begin to detach from our emotions and to see them from a more objective perspective.

The Birth of the Purua. In anāhata, we first encounter the purua, the divine self, the non-ego that is not identical with our personal ego. This is the beginning of individuation, the process of becoming conscious of our true nature. It is the moment when we realize that we are not simply a collection of emotions and desires but a unique and individual expression of the divine.

The Power of Reflection. Anāhata is the place where we begin to reflect on our experiences, to understand the patterns that shape our lives, and to make conscious choices. It is the place where we can begin to integrate our emotions and our thoughts, our personal and our impersonal aspects, and to move toward a more balanced and integrated self.

8. Viśuddha: The Realm of Abstract Thought and Ether

In viśuddha we reach beyond our actual conception of the world, in a way we reach the ether region.

Beyond the Elements. Viśuddha, the throat chakra, represents a transcendence of the four elements and a movement into the realm of ether, the most subtle and intangible of all substances. It is the place of abstract thought, of concepts, and of the recognition of the psychical as the fundamental reality.

Psychical Reality. In viśuddha, we begin to see that our thoughts and feelings are not simply byproducts of our physical existence but are real and substantial forces in their own right. We recognize that the world is not just a collection of material objects but a manifestation of psychical energy. This is the beginning of a new understanding of reality, where the inner world takes precedence over the outer.

The Power of the Word. Viśuddha is also the center of speech, of the power of the word to create and transform. It is the place where we can give voice to our inner experiences and share our insights with others. It is the place where we can begin to articulate the subtle and often elusive truths of the psyche.

9. Ājñā: The Union of Consciousness and the Divine

In ājñā the devī has returned to the god and they are one again.

The Command Center. Ājñā, the third-eye chakra, represents the union of consciousness and the divine. It is the place where the individual self merges with the universal self, where the ego dissolves into the non-ego. This is the culmination of the Kundalini journey, the moment of enlightenment and liberation.

Beyond Duality. In ājñā, the duality of subject and object, of self and other, is transcended. We realize that we are not separate from the divine but are an integral part of it. This is the experience of unio mystica, the union with the ultimate reality.

The Winged Seed. The symbol of ājñā is a winged seed, representing the potential for new growth and transformation. It is the place where the individual self is no longer bound by the limitations of the ego but is free to soar into the infinite realms of consciousness.

10. The Interplay of Personal and Impersonal Experience

It is a peculiar fact that in the East they put these cakras not below our feet but above.

Two Perspectives. The journey through the chakras highlights the interplay between the personal and the impersonal aspects of our experience. From a personal perspective, we may feel that we are progressing upward, moving from the lower chakras to the higher ones. But from an impersonal perspective, we may see that we are always rooted in mūlādhāra, the earthly foundation of our existence.

Reversal of Perspective. The Eastern view often reverses our Western perspective, placing the unconscious above and the conscious below. This highlights the fact that our understanding of reality is always shaped by our own cultural and personal biases. By recognizing the limitations of our own perspective, we can open ourselves to new ways of seeing the world.

The Importance of Both. Both the personal and the impersonal aspects of our experience are essential for wholeness. We must embrace our earthly existence, our emotions, and our desires, while also recognizing the transcendent potential of our consciousness. The journey through the chakras is not about escaping the world but about integrating all aspects of our being into a unified whole.

Last updated: January 18, 2025