How Kundalini Awakens: Many Paths, One Purpose
In this section, we’re going to take a deeper look at the different ways in which Kundalini can be awakened. There are many unfoldings and there’s no one size fits all scenario. As mentioned before, the process is highly individualized, though there are general themes.
So how can Kundalini be awakened? Well, let’s explore some of the many different ways.
Preparatory and Direct Yogic Methods
There are advanced Yoga practices that can be engaged to gradually prepare the body and the system for Kundalini awakening.
There are also some Yoga practices that can be used to directly stimulate and draw the Kundalini upward with certain meditations, pranayama, and asanas.
Why I Don’t Teach These Advanced Methods
Personally, I don’t teach or instruct these advanced Yoga practices that involve actively attempting to awaken Kundalini. The two main reasons are:
Firstly, I am admittedly not astute enough in my understanding to do so. My awakening took place in a more indirect way and so that is the approach that I’m most familiar with and the one that I feel is safest for those I work with.
Secondly, I feel these methods can be dangerous in the sense that they can bring about an awakening before a person might be truly ready. This can lead to a very difficult and turbulent process, to say the very least.
I’m here to support those who might have ended up awakening their Kundalini as a result of practicing some of those methods, but I’m not here to share those methods myself.
Trauma-Triggered Awakening
The other ways in which Kundalini comes to be awakened can be through traumatic experiences, either emotional or physical. The intensity of certain trauma can be enough to cause an explosion of prana, causing Kundalini to begin to rise.
For example, a person in extreme fear for their life can have their Root chakra undergo extreme pressure. The Kundalini resides nearby and can be triggered into an awakening as a result.
Of course, this is a rare occurrence. We hear about lots of people experiencing trauma but few having Kundalini awakenings because of it.
Plant Medicine and Substances
As well, certain drug use, typically plant medicine, can lead a person to experience a Kundalini awakening. Once again, just like with the advanced Yoga practices, this can lead to someone experiencing a rising before they may be fully ready, resulting in an unnecessarily challenging unfolding.
And of course, as with trauma, having a Kundalini awakening due to the use of drugs is rare. Many people use psychedelics, hallucinogens, entheogens, and plant medicine, such as magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, cannabis, peyote, DMT, San Pedro, LSD, and the like. Most do not experience a Kundalini awakening. Only a few.
So, relying on drug use to awaken Kundalini or to develop spiritually is, in some respects, a waste of time. Of course, this can be argued, and I myself can put together a strong argument for the use of plant medicine as well.
But in the case of those interested in Kundalini awakening, I would rather steer clear of drug use to avoid unnecessary complications. There are far more reliable and comfortable methods to awaken Kundalini at a gentle pace.
Passive, Gentle Approaches and Core Practices
These methods involve a more passive approach to the awakening of Kundalini. When one engages in meditation on the breath, on awareness, on the Self, or on the Heart with sincerity, intensity, and devotion, this can gradually prepare the system for Kundalini to rise smoothly and easily on its own.
Kundalini does not necessarily need to be poked, stimulated, or forced to awaken. It can awaken on its own when the inner stage of one’s system has been properly set. We set the stage by engaging sincerely in genuine spiritual practices.
Meditating on the breath is a powerful and effective way to cultivate spiritual growth. Inadvertently, when the time is right, Kundalini will begin to rise.
Self-Inquiry and Ramana Maharshi
The same goes for engaging in the practice of Self-Inquiry. One can sit in meditation and ask “Who am I?” repeatedly. This practice will lead one’s awareness to their true nature, which is the non-dual Self, Source, or God.
Once this dawning takes place, then Kundalini can begin to rise on its own. This is how my unfolding went, generally speaking.
This is also the method that the great saint, Sri Ramana Maharshi, spoke of in regards to Kundalini Shakti. He said some Yogis work actively to awaken it and others simply engage in Self-Inquiry and it awakens on its own.
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Devotional Acts and Contemplative Prayer
Other effective spiritual practices can be devotional acts, such as deep and sincere prayer or mantra practice. If we look at the Christian contemplative monks and nuns, they are known to have engaged in deep prayer. Some report that at some point, their prayers turn to silence, which is essentially meditation, and then they feel transformed by the Holy Spirit from within.
This is no different than a Yogi engaging in a mantra meditation practice, entering into stillness, and having the Kundalini awaken.
If one is to engage in devotional acts with the intention of spiritual development and awakening Kundalini, I don’t mean just saying a couple of prayers before bed or chanting now and then. I mean a full, wholehearted devotion to the practice.
Keep in mind, many people pray and chant. Few experience Kundalini awakening. A certain depth of commitment is required. It’s important that we always use our discernment when considering the different approaches to our spiritual practice. We have to be critical to avoid spinning our wheels.
Shaktipat Transmission
There is another interesting way in which Kundalini can be awakened, known as shaktipat. Shaktipat is the transmission of spiritual power, known as Shakti, which is what Kundalini is in essence. Everything in existence is energy. And shaktipat is an energetic transmission.
Some who have reached an advanced level of Self-Realization and the Kundalini process are able to offer shaktipat to spiritual seekers. It’s kind of like a boost which can serve to help another’s Kundalini to become activated or even fully awakened.
I’ll be explaining the difference between Kundalini activation and awakening in the next part of this series.
Further into the series, I’ll also go more in depth into shaktipat, but for now, it’s important to understand that shaktipat is not a cheat code or a free pass on the spiritual journey.
One must be able to openly receive shaktipat when and if it is offered. Being in a position to accept it requires a certain level of spiritual development. Furthermore, a seeker that receives shaktipat still needs to do their spiritual work.
Spontaneous Awakening and Past Lives
Another way in which Kundalini can be awakened is simply spontaneously. For some people, for some reason or another, though they may have no spiritual practice or life, undergo an awakening seemingly out of the blue.
One reason for why this could happen is because they could have put in a lot of sincere spiritual work in previous lifetimes that has carried over into their current lifetime.
Pre-Awakened in This Lifetime
Finally, there are some who come into their current lifetime with an already awakened Kundalini. This is because they experienced an awakening in their previous incarnation. They may not necessarily know that their Kundalini is awakened. They may not necessarily know anything about Kundalini at all.
But when the time is right, certain key events will unfold in their life which will spark the revival of their spiritual process so that they can continue where they left off in their previous lifetime, within the new context of their current lifetime.
Occult Methods: A Caution
There do exist some occult methods of awakening Kundalini as well. These approaches often involve the misplaced intention to use Kundalini for purposes other than Self-Realization and spiritual transformation. We don’t need to get into this today. This path is asking for trouble.
What’s Next in the Series
In the next part of the series, we’ll take a look at the different types of Kundalini awakenings and the difference between an awakening and an activation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Start with simple, daily practice: breath-based meditation, gentle self-inquiry (“Who am I?”), or heart-centered awareness. Keep sessions modest and consistent, prioritize sleep and nutrition, and include grounding habits like walking or time in nature. Let the system “set the stage,” rather than trying to push energy.
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Red flags include nervous-system overload (anxiety spikes, insomnia, agitation), compulsive practice, chasing phenomena, or life functioning getting shaky. If this shows up, pause forceful pranayama/asana, return to basic meditation and grounding, and consider guidance from a calm, integration-oriented teacher.
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Slow down. Focus on integration: regular meals, hydration, sleep, light movement, and gentle meditation. Avoid stacking ceremonies or new stimulants. If you feel persistently dysregulated, seek support from someone who respects both the spiritual process and nervous-system care.
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Look for humility, clear boundaries, no guarantees, and emphasis on your inner practice after any transmission. Transparent lineage, consent, non-coercive ethics, and encouragement to go slowly are green flags. Hard selling, pressure tactics, or “instant enlightenment” claims are not.
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Yes. Deep, consistent devotion can settle into silence and catalyze the same inner transformation described in yogic language. The label matters less than the depth and sincerity of practice, along with readiness and steady integration.
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If you feel called to explore your awakening more deeply, I’d love to walk beside you. Book a one-on-one session with me and let’s bring clarity, grounding, and guidance to your unique journey.
- Brent Spirit
More Helpful Links
The Truth About Twin Flames & Kundalini Shakti Awakening: My Journey | Part 70
Kundalini Awakening - How Long Does It Take? |Part 21
Kundalini, Energetic Balance, and Staying Grounded | Part 3
Kundalini Grounding & Spiritual Emergency Course
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