Ryan Molkentin, Author at NURTURE YOUR SPIRIT

7 Major Types of Spiritual Awakening

October 9, 2023

Spiritual awakening has an air of secrecy around it. What does it really mean to have a spiritual awakening? And are there different types of spiritual awakening? Short answer: Yes, there are several different types of spiritual awakenings you can have. In fact there may even be an infinite number of awakenings that are possible. Including: Here are the most notable and common types of spiritual awakening broken down a bit further. The 7 Major Types of Spiritual Awakening 1. Ego Death Ego death refers to the realization that there is no self. Your individual self identity disappears in the awakening of ego death. Ego death is a common occurrence among psychedelic users. It’s reported to be a feeling of being completely unified with all that exists. The lead up to ego death can be scary as you may actually feel like you are dying. Once you “die” to your identity, you then awaken to your true self which is all that exists in the universe. 2. Kundalini Awakening Kundalini awakening is a form of bodily energetic awakening. Kundalini is a divine energy that resides in the body at the base of the spine. When Kundalini awakens it will feel like a surge of intense energy rushing up your body. This type of awakening is unique because it begins with the body. The rising kundalini will open and activate your bodily energy centers. This will allow you to connect to divine energy much more easily. 3. Top Down Spiritual Awakening A bodily energetic awakening may also begin from the top down. Divine energy may enter in at the crown chakra or third eye chakra and act in a very similar way to a Kundalini awakening. This type of awakening is often how Kundalini awakens for people who are more in their heads and are less grounded. The effects of this type of awakening are similar to Kundalini awakening, however the energy begins in the top chakras. Learn more about top down spiritual awakenings here. 4. Awakening to Love Another type of spiritual awakening is the awakening to love. You can enter into a state of infinite and divine love with specific spiritual practices. This often occurs along side the opening of your heart chakra. Opening your heart chakra and awakening to divine love can feel like a warm sensation in your chest, merging with the feeling of love, orgasmic feelings in the body, and “blissing out”. 5. Non-dual Awakening In the Zen Buddhist tradition, they have a specific type of awakening known as a non-dual awakening. This is the realization that everything is one and that all separation is only an illusion. In a non-dual awakening you awaken to the truth that nothing is separate. In a non dual state of consciousness everything is unified in your experience. There becomes no separation between things like: All is experienced as one in the most profound sense. 6. God as Self Realization There is a profound type of awakening where you realize your own divine nature. This can happen in many ways. One way it can happen is through a non-dual awakening where everything merges in your experience including “God” and “self”. Another way it might happen is through a Kundalini awakening where divine energy literally awakens and surges through your body. 7. Samadhi Samadhi is the highest state of being while still being attached to the body which is achieved through meditation. Samadhi in the yogic traditions refers to the state of being where you merge completely with the divine. You enter into divine consciousness during a samadhi state. This state is said to be very pleasurable and utterly perfect/ peaceful. Overlap between types of Awakening These different types of spiritual awakening are not mutually exclusive. Some awakenings may fall under several of the categories listed above. You might enter into a Samadhi state, but that might also touch much of the same experience as a non-dual awakening. Another example of this is a top down awakening just being a different form of Kundalini energy awakening for example. It’s hard to draw hard borders on spiritual experiences and thinking about awakening requires a bit of nuance. Allow yourself to flow into the grey area between black and white when trying to understand the different types of spiritual awakenings.

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7 Best Meditation Teacher Training Certifications of 2024

October 9, 2023

Don’t forget to take the free quiz at the end of this article to find out which certification is the best fit for you! There are dozens of meditation instructor certifications on the internet today. It’s hard to know which one to choose, and which one is the best bang for your buck. Luckily, I did the hard work for you and found the best meditation instructor certifications on the internet today. Meditation instructor certification courses give you comprehensive online and/ or offline training to teach and guide mindfulness meditation to beginner and intermediate students. Each of the courses listed below are accredited on some level and allow you to receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of your training. It’s important to note that there is no governing body that oversees meditation instructor certification accreditation. However, some programs are more credible than others. Many high quality programs are unofficially recognized by other organizations such as the International Association of Yoga Therapists and The Awareness Training Institute. But even some of the best programs aren’t “accredited” by these institutions. > see my article “How To Lead A Great Guided Meditation” I analyzed dozens of meditation teacher training certifications offered in 2024 and here are the top 7: #1 Meditation University’s Meditation Teacher Training (MTT-200) Kevin Ellerton’s Meditation University has recently released a state of the art all encompassing meditation teacher training. In Meditation University’s training not only will you learn about the various types of meditation, but you’ll also learn pranayama, kundalini, how to mantra, and yoga nidra. Meditation University’s meditation teacher training is taught by 13 highly experienced teachers each with a specialty in a specific area of meditation. Another notable point about Meditation University’s program is its entire section teaching you how to create a full time income teaching and selling your meditation skills after certification. All in all this meditation teacher training is both highly in depth and broad in scope making it one of the best options available. Noteworthy for: Being the most comprehensive meditation teacher training program available Teacher: Kevin Ellerton + 12 other teachers Available online: Yes Duration: 200 hours at your own pace Price: $3000 (scholarships are available) Accreditation: Internationally accredited and overseen by the International Mindfulness & Meditation Alliance and The Meditation Organization Check it out here. #2 Sura Flow Certified Meditation Coach Training Sura Flow is ranked #1 on our list because they are on the cutting edge of training meditation teachers and practitioners. Not only does Sura Flow’s course teach you every aspect of meditation, but they also teach you how to coach others to get the most out of their meditation practice. This approach leads your students to have the greatest spiritual and mental transformations possible through meditation. This is a 12 week long certification program taught by expert meditation teacher Sura Kim. This is an in-depth meditation course that is best for teachers, coaches, and instructors. Noteworthy for: The best for meditation coaches Teacher: Sura Kim Available online: Yes Duration: 12 week program (300 hours) Price: Depends (Multi-factorial) Accreditation: Sura Flow accredited meditation coach certification with completion Check it out here. #3 The Path’s Meditation Teacher Training The Path’s meditation teacher training ranks #3 on our list for the incredible in-depth training you receive for one of the lowest prices in the industry. Not only is this an entirely affordable course, they offer scholarships as well! The Path’s meditation teacher training hosts real live classes online and group sessions over 12 weeks. This meditation teacher training is rich with meditation knowledge and gives you real experience guiding meditations in group settings before graduating with your certification. Noteworthy for: Best for the price Teacher: Dina Kaplan Available online: Yes Duration: 12 week program Price: $1,099 (scholarships available up to $400 off) Accreditation: The Path accredited meditation teacher certification with certificate of completion Check it out here #4 Unplug Certified Meditation Teacher Training Unplug’s meditation teacher training program ranks #2 on this list because it’s the most well rounded of any other program out there. Unplug’s program consists of 200 hours of in depth training and community practicum laid out over a 6 week period developed by world renowned teacher Davidji. Unplug also gives recent graduates lifetime free access to the unplug app and continues to keep in touch with and answer questions well after the program finishes. With world class teachers comes world class prices, with the ultimate price tag being $3,500. Noteworthy for: The best for new meditation teachers Teacher: Davidji Available online: Yes Duration: 6 week program (200 hours) Price: $3,500 Accreditation: unplug accredited meditation teacher certification with certificate of completion Check it out here #5 Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Program Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Program is the gold standard for meditation certification. Graduates from this program are among the most qualified meditation instructors in the entire world being taught by world class meditation teachers over the course of 2 years. The program has both psychological and spiritual depth and brings in renowned guest lecturers such as Eckhart Tolle and Dan Siegel. The program also includes a mentorship program that pairs students with experienced meditators for guidance and support throughout the course. Noteworthy for: Being the most in-depth in-person certification program Teacher: Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach Available online: Yes (in-person practicum) Duration: 2 Years Price: Calculated after acceptance into the program (It would be wise to assume this one has a hefty price tag due to it’s in depth nature and 2 year duration). Accreditation: Upon graduation you receive a certificate of completion from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, Sounds True, and the Awareness Training Institute. Check it out here Bonus: Jack Kornfield’s Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals Course Jack Kornfield offers his own independent meditation course that focuses on the fundamentals of mindfulness meditation. Although it’s not an official meditation teacher certification, it does give you a deep dive into 31 lessons of mindfulness meditation content + a certificate of completion for just a measly $29! Check

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Spiritual Awakening At A Young Age? Yes, It’s Possible

August 29, 2023

Enlightened master Sri Ramana Maharshi became enlightened at just 16 years of age in 1896. There are many examples throughout history of people who have had spiritual awakenings early in life, so this isn’t a secluded event. But what does it mean if you have a spiritual awakening or enlightenment experience at a young age? Is spiritual awakening at a young age even possible for you? Spiritual awakening can happen at any age. Though the average age of spiritual awakening is 28.7 years of age according to a recent 2023 study, enlightenment experiences can happen significantly earlier in life. > see also How Many People Are Spiritually Awake? (Awakening Statistics) What is a spiritual awakening? Spiritual awakening refers to the experience of shifting your consciousness through profound spiritual realization. They are moments in time where you have a perspective altering spiritual insight. Enlightenment on the other hand is a term that refers to complete and absolute understanding of the universe and reality. A spiritual awakening is how we become more enlightened. Can You Have A Spiritual Awakening At A Young Age? The age of the physical human being does not matter here, it is the age of the soul that matters. If you are an old and spiritually advanced soul, then you will experience spiritual awakening much earlier in your life. Spiritual awakening can happen at any age. There are plenty of examples of young people becoming enlightened or having spiritual awakenings throughout history. The most notable example of a young person experiencing spiritual awakening is Ramana Maharshi. He was just 16 when he become fully enlightened! Could you imagine if you were that wise before becoming a legal adult? In the Hindu literature there are stories of Krishna being completely awake and enlightened as a baby! Though the vast majority of people that do end up having a spiritual awakening experience will have one in adulthood. A study in 2023 found that the average age of spiritual awakening is 28.7 years of age. What Does It Mean To Wake Up At A Young Age? If you are experiencing spiritual awakening in your teens or early 20s it means that you have an old and spiritually advanced soul. This means you’ve done a lot of spiritual development in past lives. The part of you that is infinite and without physical form (your soul) is well developed and has been in physical form for probably hundreds if not thousands of lifetimes before this one. You are probably nearing the end of your reincarnations in the physical form on Earth if you have a spiritual awakening that young. Conclusion You can have a spiritual awakening at any age. It is not the age of the physical being that matters, rather it is the age and development of the soul. Everyone is at a different place in their spiritual path, so you shouldn’t be too worried if you either haven’t had a spiritual awakening yet or are experiencing spiritual awakening at a very young age. Go with flow of your path and allow your life to unfold how the soul desires. Good luck spiritual seeker 🙂

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Is A Kundalini Awakening Safe?

August 28, 2023

If you’ve heard the horror stories of people experiencing Kundalini syndrome and being sent to the psych ward after a Kundalini awakening, you’re probably wary of trying Kundalini yoga for yourself. So is Kundalini awakening safe? Kundalini by itself is neither good nor bad inherently. However, when handled improperly a Kundalini awakening can be potentially traumatic and lead to a negative awakening experience. Though Kundalini can cause a negative experience for an unsuspecting person, it isn’t physically dangerous in any way. So yes, Kundalini awakening is safe. What Is A Kundalini Awakening? A Kundalini awakening is the process of activating the divine Kundalini energy in your body. Kundalini energy is a form of divine feminine energy aka Shakti. This Shakti energy lays dormant in most people throughout their entire lives. However, some spiritual seekers end up awakening this powerful divine energy. When Kundalini awakens it will transform your life, mind, and consciousness. Because it is such a powerful energy, it has the potential for great positive change or great negative experiences. This is why understanding how to handle Kundalini awakening is important before you begin the process. > see also Kundalini Awakening (Everything You Need To Know) The Benefits Of Kundalini This powerful divine energy known as Kundalini can completely transform your life for the better. You may find yourself becoming more aware than ever before and aligning with your highest self after Kundalini awakening. Here are some of the potential benefits from awakening your Kundalini: When handled properly, Kundalini can be a powerful tool for positive change in your life. However, when handled improperly Kundalini can be a messy situation… Potential Negative Side Effects Of Kundalini When negative side effects are experienced after a Kundalini awakening it is known as Kundalini syndrome. If you don’t understand Kundalini and try to awaken if you will likely have some negative side effects. Kundalini yoga should only be practiced by advanced spiritual seekers who have guidance and a deep understanding of the process. Here are some of the potential negative side effects you could experience if you mishandle Kundalini: Is Kundalini Awakening Physically Safe? You may experience sensations of burning, or energy jolts throughout the body. Though you may experience physical symptoms from a Kundalini awakening, this is still mostly a mental side effect. You are completely safe physically when your Kundalini awakens. No one has every directly died from a physiological response to awakening their Kundalini. Is Kundalini Awakening Mentally safe? The main issues that arise with Kundalini are the mental side effects when improperly handled. Many people that accidentally awaken their Kundalini will think they’re going crazy and have a mental break. This can lead the average person that is unfamiliar with Kundalini energy to check themselves into a psych ward. Kundalini can completely alter your consciousness. This can lead to a sense of disconnection with reality and cause panic attack like symptoms. At the end of the day these are only temporary experiences. Kundalini awakening won’t leave any lasting negative changes, as most of these negative symptoms calm down within a few days of the awakening.

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Kundalini Syndrome (7 Negative Side Effects of Kundalini)

August 27, 2023

Activating kundalini has become somewhat of a fad in the spiritual space. Though Kundalini awakening can be an incredibly life transforming process, it isn’t risk free. Many inexperienced seekers that awaken their Kundalini end up experiencing something known as Kundalini Syndrome. This is when you experience negative and sometimes traumatizing side effects from awakening your Kundalini. This tends to happen when individuals don’t have proper knowledge and guidance when activating their Kundalini. What is Kundalini Syndrome? Kundalini syndrome is what can happen when Kundalini awakening goes wrong. Kundalini syndrome is defined by a specific set of negative physical, mental, & emotional symptoms that occurs during and after Kundalini activation. In most cases when done properly there should be no issues with the activation of your Kundalini. Problems arise when spiritual seekers attempt to awaken their Kundalini without proper preparation, knowledge, and guidance. The side effects of mishandled Kundalini can be incredibly uncomfortable, scary, and sometimes even traumatic. People have been sent to the psych ward many times due to an inability to handle a Kundalini awakening. This is why it’s important to do heavy research and preparation before you ever try this on your own. 7 Negative Side Effects of Kundalini There are distinct set of physical and mental symptoms that come alongside Kundalini syndrome. These are the side effects you should be on the look out for if you think you’re suffering from a bad Kundalini awakening experience. 1. Overwhelming Energy Sensations The first and most immediate physical symptom you can experience is energy pulsations and vibrations in the body. Kundalini is a powerful energy that exists in the body. When it is released it will cause feelings of energy shooting throughout the body. Some describe this as: To someone that is unfamiliar with Kundalini, this can be extremely jarring and anxiety inducing. However, energy pulses during an awakening are normal and should be expected. 2. Anxiety And Fear The biggest and initial emotional response you may have to awakened Kundalini is fear and anxiety. As with an intense and major shift in life there will come fear. This Kundalini energy is completely transformative. The experiences that arise in that can be scary. Many people may mistake a Kundalini awakening for a panic attack if they are unfamiliar with the phenomenon. Fear, anxiety, adrenaline, and racing heart are shared symptoms of both panic attacks and Kundalini awakenings. 3. Inability To Sleep The most frustrating negative symptom that I personally experienced from Kundalini awakening was the inability to sleep. After an abundance of energy is released in the Kundalini process you may struggle to sleep. This is completely normal as your body and mind are amped up from the activated Kundalini energy. In most cases, this should only last 1 or 2 nights until your energy levels settle down. Still, not being able to sleep after Kundalini awakening can make you brutally tired and irritable the next day. Can’t sleep after kundalini awakening? Here’s why. 4. Burning Sensations In The Body One of the worst physical symptoms experienced during Kundalini awakening is a burning sensation in the body. Burning sensations have been reported during unexpected awakening experiences. This usually only happens in people that accidentally awaken their Kundalini but haven’t done any spiritual work to open their chakras and align their lives. This burning sensation occurs as the Kundalini energy rises through the body’s chakras and those energy centers are spiritually “gunked up”. The burning sensation is the Kundalini literally burning the gunk up in those areas to open them and flow through them. It is the process that occurs when Kundalini energy must force its way through closed chakras. 5. Sensory Overload After Kundalini is awakened you may find your consciousness is hyper vivid. This heightened awareness can lead to sensory overload. You may experience things like: This is a product of Kundalini energy expanding your awareness. At first the process can be overwhelming, but with time you will come back to a tolerable baseline. 6. Increased Negative Emotions Kundalini awakening may cause trauma and negative emotions to be brought to the surface. This is done to heal these negative aspects of yourself, however when these arise they can be extremely unpleasant. Many people report experiencing emotional turmoil during their awakenings like depression, past trauma arising, and fears. 7. Disconnection From Reality A Kundalini awakening can throw you so much for a loop that you are unsure of what is real and what isn’t. This is one symptom that can lead people to think they’re going crazy. The experience of your Kundalini awakening can cause disorientation. You may be thrust into a completely new way of existing after Kundalini awakening. This can leave you questioning everything. Some report feeling detached and disconnected from their physical bodies after their Kundalini activates. How To Handle Negative Symptoms Their are 2 major things you should know about handling a negative Kundalini awakening. How To Handle An Unexpected Kundalini Awakening 1. You Must Surrender The first thing you should immediately do if you’re experiencing negative side effects from activated Kundalini energy is surrender. The only way out of this experience is through. Let your body relax and give up control. This is a divinely orchestrated experience. When you trust in the process and surrender everything will fall perfectly into place. 2. Seek Guidance Finding someone who can guide you through the experience will be incredibly valuable. Find a spiritual mentor at a local yoga studio, Hindu temple, or spiritual center. They will understand what is going on and will be able to guide you safely through the experience. How To Find A Spiritual Mentor How To Avoid Kundalini Syndrome If you’re a spiritual seeker and you’re interested in awakening your Kundalini there are some things you should know to avoid Kundalini syndrome. 1. Research And study You need to be totally prepared for this experience. Make sure you research and study everything you can about Kundalini and other spiritual practices before you

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How To Meditate For Spiritual Awakening

August 23, 2023

Meditation has long been held as an important practice for spiritual growth. The earliest known evidence of meditation used for spiritual enrichment is back in 1500 BCE from the Hindu Vedic literature. Spiritual awakening, enlightenment, and meditation have gone hand in hand since the beginning of spiritual pursuit in human history. So, how exactly do you meditate for spiritual awakening? Here’s the formula: Intention + Mindful observation + Habit Those 3 simple steps will create more spiritual growth than you could ever hope for if you do so consistently. What is Spiritual Awakening? Spiritual awakening refers to the process of “waking up” to profound spiritual truth. A spiritual awakening is a profound experience that shifts your consciousness and understanding of reality. The process of waking up spiritually happens when you gain understanding and insight into the nature of reality. Can you see how meditation might help here? Meditation puts you face to face with reality. The more time you spend being present with reality and observing life the more insights you will find. Can Meditation Help With Enlightenment? Meditation can help raise your consciousness, hone your awareness, and ultimately aid you in attaining enlightenment. In fact, meditation is a central practice on the path towards universal consciousness. Some form of meditation can be found in every great spiritual tradition for this very reason. The Buddhist and Hindu traditions have a particularly strong practice of meditation. Enlightenment is a bit different from awakening. Awakening is the process of attaining enlightenment. Enlightenment is the end goal of complete understanding of the nature of the universe. Meditation can help you have a spiritual awakening and attain enlightenment. Best Types of Meditation For Spiritual Awakening It’s true that meditation is one of the most powerful tools for spiritual growth, but which type of meditation is best? Mindfulness Meditation The simplest type of meditation is also the most useful for spiritual growth. This simple type of meditation is known as mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation involves consciously observing everything and anything that appears. This an be anything from thoughts & emotions to feelings, sights, and sounds. Mindfulness is a good one to start with as it is the basis of all other types of meditation. You don’t always need to go complex to get what you want. In fact, this simple type of meditation may be most beneficial for your journey towards awakening. Vipassana Meditation Vipassana meditation is a specific type of meditation that is designed to help you awaken. Vipassana is believed to be the meditation taught by Buddha and roughly translates as “insight meditation”. Vipassana is based in mindfulness meditation, but it’s a bit different. The practice of Vipassana instructs the meditator to be completely nonreactive. No matter the discomfort or desire to quit, Vipassana meditation continues until the session is finished. The reason Vipassana meditation sessions are laid out in this way is so that you can begin to see the nature of your suffering. After deep Vipassana sessions, meditators report having powerful spiritual breakthroughs. Vipassana meditation sessions are notoriously long. Some retreats involve meditating for several hours a day for days on end. Transcendental Meditation Transcendental meditation’s (aka TM) purpose is to get you into a deep state of relaxed alertness where you can transcend your mind and access greater consciousness. This particular technique involves mindfully focusing on a specific sound in your environment to bring you into a deep meditative state. The focus on a particular sound in transcendental meditation is known as a silent mantra. A mantra is simply something you repeat over and over again or refocus your attention onto. This refocusing over and over again brings you into deep present alertness. The state of mind that TM gets you into is perfect for having spiritual insights and will be very helpful on your journey towards enlightenment. Tracking Your Spiritual Progress How do you know where you are in the process of waking up? Are you fully enlightened after a single awakening? Not quite. Meditation will help you progress down the spiritual path, but having even a couple of awakenings from meditation doesn’t mean you’re enlightened now and finished with your spiritual journey. There is a well documented path towards enlightenment in the Buddhist tradition. Find out what stage of your spiritual journey you’re in here. Happy meditating spiritual seeker!

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What is Kundalini Awakening? (9 Signs & Symptoms)

August 23, 2023

Being able to awaken and harness your Kundalini has been a well sought after ability for spiritual seekers. Being able to understand Kundalini energy and what it can do for you can make a huge impact in your spiritual journey. Let’s talk everything you need to know about Kundalini awakenings. What Is Kundalini Energy? Kundalini energy is a divine energy that usually lays dormant in the body at the base of the spine. Kundalini energy is a powerful life force energy often known as “shakti” that can flood through your body when activated. When Kundalini energy awakens in the body it can cause powerful transformations and cause an increase in consciousness. This powerful energy is said to lay dormant in the root chakra of most people and most will go their entire lives without their Kundalini activating. The Kundalini Serpent Kundalini comes from the Sanskrit word “Kundal” which means “coiled”. In Hindu literature Kundalini is symbolized as a coiled up serpent sitting at the base of the spine ready to spring up and strike. This coiled imagery symbolizes how Kundalini energy shoots up through the body when it becomes activated. Kundalini Awakening Signs & Symptoms Kundalini awakenings are a very distinct spiritual experience. There are several tell tail mental, physical, and spiritual signs that your Kundalini has activated or is activating. 1. Body shakes, shivers, & convulsions Kundalini energy can cause surges of energy in the body that create shaking in the body. This can manifest itself as body shivers and sometimes even convulsions. 2. Feeling warm The energy released in the body during a Kundalini awakening can feel warm and expansive. You may feel warmth emanating up and throughout your body during the awakening. 3. Increased consciousness Your awareness may become increased during and after a Kundalini awakening. As divine energy is released you will be more attuned to the divine in your everyday life. 4. Increased emotional and spiritual sensitivity You will become more sensitive to your emotions and inner energies when your Kundalini is released. 5. Energy pulses & vibrations Kundalini energy is so powerful that when it rises it will send energy pulses throughout your body. This manifests itself in many physical ways, one of which is vibrations. You may feel vibrations in one or more chakras during an awakening. 6. Sensations of bliss or pleasure Feelings of bliss and pleasure are commonly reported during Kundalini awakenings. When Kundalini rises through your sacral chakra you may even feel orgasmic energy being released. 7. Fear and anxiety On the other hand, you may feel increased fear and anxiety if you don’t know what this intense energy is. The resistance to this great Kundalini energy can create an anxious state of mind. 8. Emotional release and crying When Kundalini energy flows through your chakras it begins to unclog and clear out any blocked chakras. When your heart chakra gets opened and energy flows through it you may experience a great emotional release. This release can look like crying, laughing, or deep feelings of love. 9. Feelings of oneness with the universe In a peak Kundalini awakening state you connect with the divine energy of the universe. Kundalini is cosmic energy that has been placed in your body. When it awakens you can experience union with the divine. Kundalini Awakening Vs. Spiritual Awakening Is a Kundalini awakening the same thing as a spiritual awakening? Yes and no. A Kundalini awakening is a form of spiritual awakening, but it is much different than what you might think of as the stereotypical awakening. Most of what we think of when we say “spiritual awakening” is usually a profound spiritual insight that changes our perspective on reality. However, a Kundalini awakening is more of an activation of divine energy in the body. Kundalini awakenings can however lead to the stereotypical spiritual awakening later on as your awareness may increase from the Kundalini energy. What Causes A Kundalini Awakening? If you’re attempting to have one or have already had a Kundalini awakening, you may want to know what actually causes it. There can be many things that trigger a Kundalini awakening. 1. Pranayama The #1 most common technique used to awaken Kundalini is pranayama, otherwise known as breathwork. There are many different forms and variations of pranayama used to awaken Kundalini and attain higher states of consciousness. The most notorious variation is known as the Breath of Fire which involves rapid rhythmic breathing from the belly to activate the Kundalini. There are other forms of pranayama used to awaken Kundalini, another technique is described here by Siva Ananda Online. You can find all sorts of other variations with a quick Google search as well. 2. Meditation Meditation sessions with a focus on awakening your Kundalini can activate this potent energy. Specifically meditation combined with breathwork and visualization can awaken Kundalini. Deep states of meditation have also been known to activate Kundalini. 3. Working with a guru If you’re working with a true spiritual master, they will have the ability to awaken your Kundalini energy. When a guru activates your Kundalini purely with their own mind, power, and touch it is known as Shaktipata. A guru might not directly trigger an awakening in you, but could also guide you to awaken your own Kundalini. Your guru will know when it’s the right time to awaken your Kundalini and will show you the practices to do so. 4. Spontaneous awakening Kundalini may become activated for what seems like no reason at all. Some people experience spontaneous Kundalini awakenings. If this happens, it may be a divinely orchestrated event. When this happens in an unsuspecting person it can be quite the shock. What Happens After Kundalini Awakens? After your Kundalini becomes activated you will notice several shifts and changes. Kundalini is a divine and transformative energy that will change your mind, body, and spirit. One of the things that people report after a Kundalini awakening is life transformations. Some find that their priorities shift after

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How Many People Are Spiritually Awake? (Statistics)

August 17, 2023

Determining the amount of spiritually awakened people in the world is a tricky endeavor because “spiritually awake” is a subjective term. According to the research on spiritual awakenings, between 34% and 41% of people have had a spiritually transformative event in their lives. However, according to independent polling the number of people who have actually had a spiritual awakening is only 8.2%. Experts estimate that only 0.0001% of the population is fully enlightened. According to Google trends the term “spiritual awakening” has been getting consistently more popular as a search term. More people are interested in spiritual awakening or have had a spiritual awakening than ever before. Clearly there is at the very least more interest in spiritual awakening than in the past. I also suspect, there are more people who have experienced a spiritual awakening than ever before as well. Defining Spiritual Awakening How do you determine the difference between enlightenment and spiritual awakening? Let’s take a closer look at the two terms. Spiritual Awakening When we talk about spiritual awakening we’re talking about specific events that cause profound shifts in consciousness that are spiritual in nature. The scientific literature calls these Spiritually Transformative Experiences aka (STEs). STEs are defined as: “a mystical experience involving feelings of expansion (including conscious awareness leaving the body), energy rising up the spine, a sense of being enveloped in light, love or part of a unified energetic field.” (see source here) Learn more about the signs and symptoms of spiritual awakening here. Enlightenment Enlightenment on the other hand is the spectrum of how spiritually awake someone is. Spiritual awakenings lead to an increase in an individual’s enlightenment. Full enlightenment is an incredibly rare occurrence, and is completely different from single spiritual awakening experiences. The amount of fully enlightened masters is thought to be extremely small. Spiritual Awakening Statistics So what does the data say? Let’s take a look at some of the numbers from research, polls, & experts in the field. Has had an STE (according to research) Has had a spiritual awakening (reddit poll) Reddit poll calculated with viewers who didn’t vote Fully enlightened according to experts Percentage of the population 41% 34% 8.2% 0.0001% The Scientific Literature One study released in 2022 researched how prevalent spiritually transformative experiences (STEs) were in the population and sought out to describe what those awakening experiences were like. The study used prior research from a Gallup poll that found STEs to affect around 41% of the population. This particular study also found that the average age for a spiritual awakening is around 28.7 years of age. My Independent Research I felt like 41% was a pretty high number, so I decided to run a poll of my own. I asked a general reddit community r/polls “Have you ever experienced a spiritual awakening?” Here were the results: I received 61 responses, of which roughly 34% said they had experienced a spiritual awakening. This could be an artificially high percentage as 195 additional people viewed the poll but did not vote. It’s possible the poll is biased, as people that didn’t know what spiritual awakening is simply didn’t vote. If we redo the math and assume that those that didn’t vote hadn’t experienced a spiritual awakening we get 8.2% (the math being 256 total ÷ 21 that experienced a spiritual awakening) which seems to be a more realistic number. I suspect that if everyone voted on the poll the true percentage would be closer to 10-15%. And even that number is higher than I expected! Before I dug into the research I would have suspected only around 5% or less of the population to have experienced a spiritual awakening. According To Experts Aside from research and polling data, we should consider what the spiritual experts say about how many people are spiritually awake/ enlightened. Spiritual expert Ken Wilber estimates the number of fully enlightened individuals to be around 0.0001% of the population, or 1,000 totally enlightened masters from every 1,000,000,000 people. This estimate is only taking into account fully spiritually developed individuals, not the average person that has a one-off STE or spiritual awakening experience. Statistical Causes Of Awakening Another area of awakening that has research to back it up is the causes of spiritual awakening experience. Steve Taylor published a research paper in which he calculated the causes of spiritual awakenings. Taylor surprisingly found that the #1 cause of spiritual awakenings was psychological turmoil like depression or traumatic events at 23.6%. Out of 161 reports of spiritual awakenings here were their causes: Causes of spiritual awakening Number of people Percentage (%) Psychological Turmoil 38 23.6% Nature 29 18% Meditation 21 13% Watching an Arts Performance 21 13% No Discernable Trigger 11 6.8% Drugs 8 4.9% Participating in Creative Performance 7 4.3% Athletic Activity 7 4.3% Sleep Deprivation 6 3.7% Reading Spiritual Literature 4 2.5% Fasting 3 1.9% Sex 3 1.9% Prayer 3 1.9% Surprisingly, Taylor’s research indicates that the number one cause of spiritual awakenings are actually things considered psychological turmoil like depression, anxiety, and traumatic experiences, while the least common way that spiritual awakening occurred was through prayer. Things To Consider Spiritual awakening is a difficult thing to measure, and all estimates and polling data should be taken with a grain of salt. Spiritual awakening is a subjective and personal experience that may be different for everyone. Polls are subject to a lot of bias and their results aren’t always accurate to the true population. I think the takeaway here should be that spiritual awakening is on the rise as noted by the google trends data, and that it’s likely that more people have had spiritually profound experiences than we might have previously thought. There tends to be a cultural taboo around talking about these spiritually transcendent events, but the truth is that it’s far more common than initially thought. With spiritual awakenings on the rise, it’s important to know you’re not alone. It’s also important to note how spiritual awakening and enlightenment are different.

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What Triggers A Kundalini Awakening?

August 17, 2023

A Kundalini awakening can be an incredibly intense and life changing experience. If you’re currently experiencing or want to experience a kundalini awakening, you likely want to know how it can become activated in the body. Kundalini can become activated in many ways. The most common ways that a Kundalini awakening begins is through spiritual practices such as pranayama and yoga. Kundalini can also become active spontaneously or by working with a spiritual master who is familiar with Kundalini. What is Kundalini? Kundalini is a divine bodily energy that lays dormant at the base of the spine. A Kundalini awakening is when this energy becomes activated and rises up through the chakras. In Hindu philosophy Kundalini energy is symbolized by a serpent coiled at the base of the spine ready to spring up into the body. The activation of Kundalini causes several drastic emotional, physical, & spiritual changes in the individual. The experience is often described as intense and problematic for people who don’t know what Kundalini is. What Causes a Kundalini Awakening Many different factors contribute to how and when your Kundalini awakens. Here are some of the most common things that can trigger a Kundalini awakening. 1. Spiritual Practices There are several different spiritual practices that have been known to cause a Kundalini awakening. Pranayama Pranayama is a spiritual breathing technique. A form of pranayama combined with visualization is what caused my Kundalini awakening in early 2023. The most common pranayama practiced to activate Kundalini is called The Breath of Fire which involves rapid and rhythmic breathing with a focus on the lower belly. Meditation Deep and prolonged meditation sessions can sometimes cause your Kundalini to awaken. Meditation can help balance your chakras, relax the body, and hone your focus. All of these are things that can aid in the process of awakening Kundalini. Specific types of meditations combined with visualizations, breathwork, & mantras can cause your Kundalini to awaken. Yoga The yoga I’m referring to here is not the exercise positions commonly practiced in the United States. Yoga in the Hindu tradition refers to a set of spiritual practices that are for the purpose of helping the practitioner grow spiritually and awaken. There are dozens of different types of yoga that can be practiced, too many to all be listed here. In fact pranayama and meditation listed above are forms of yogic practice. These different yogic practices can lead to the awakening of your Kundalini. 2. Energy Transference A spiritual master or guru can cause your Kundalini to awaken via energy transference. When a guru causes an awakening in a student or individual simply by touching or focusing their energy through you it is known as Shaktipata. A master can do this by guiding your Kundalini energy up your body through the chakras with special advanced techniques. 3. Spontaneous Awakening Sometimes Kundalini can become activated spontaneously. There may not be a specific reason that you’re aware of that triggers the Kundalini awakening. It’s also possible that life changes or deep inner changes can cause this energy to become activated. This can make it seem spontaneous even though there were external and internal changes that triggered the Kundalini. When Kundalini spontaneously arises it can catch unsuspecting people off guard. How To Tame Your Kundalini How To Handle An Unexpected Kundalini Awakening Mishandled Kundalini awakenings can be traumatic, damaging, and deeply unpleasant. When or if your Kundalini awakens you should know how to properly handle it. When Kundalini awakens it will cause several physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms including: When this occurs it’s important that you know what to do with it. Surrender to the energy The first thing you need to do when this energy awakens in you is to find somewhere quiet to lay down. You need to completely surrender to this experience. Kundalini energy will rise through the chakras, clearing out any blocked chakras. This process can cause shaking and shivering. This shaking will only get worse if you resist. Allow the Kundalini to flow through you. Grounding exercises After your initial awakening of Kundalini energy, you will be likely be highly sensitive. It’s almost like you had a little bit too much caffeine and your consciousness is extra sensitive and aware. To bring you back down to earth you can practice certain grounding exercises such as: These exercises will balance out the effects of increased energy being held in your body from a Kundalini awakening. Wrapping up Kundalini is a very powerful spiritual energy that can cause drastic changes in mind and spirit. Kundalini becomes awakened when certain spiritual techniques such as meditation, pranayama, and visualization are practiced. A guru or spiritual master can also awaken Kundalini and help you process the experience properly. Once it awakens, it’s important to surrender to it, allow it to flow through you, and practice grounding exercises to balance out its effects.

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11 Causes Of Spiritual Awakening

August 14, 2023

Spiritual awakening is one of the most mysterious and elusive events a human can have. Perhaps you’ve even decided that you want to experience awakening for yourself. How do you even experience it? What are the things that cause a spiritual awakening? Core Insights What Causes Spiritual Awakening? Many things can cause a spiritual awakening. There are certain spiritual techniques that can trigger a spiritual awakening as well as the possibility of it happening by random chance or by working with a guru. There are many potential factors that can cause a spiritual awakening you should know about. Here are all of the things that can cause a spiritual awakening: Traumatic Events According to current spiritual awakening statistics, the most common cause of spiritual awakening is “psychological turmoil” causing around 23.6% of awakenings. This psychological turmoil can mean many things including: Spiritual awakenings are like a life ring thrown to a drowning sailor. They’re your brain’s last option. A break from your current reality becomes a way to detach from all of the pain being experienced. These breaks from reality allow detachment from your ego. When you hit rock bottom the only way out is into something greater. This is when spiritual awakening is most likely to happen. Major Life Transitions Major changes in our lives can shake things up so much that we trigger an awakening. During these periods of drastic change we can begin to view reality from a new point of view. If the perspective shift is just right or intense enough, it can cause a spiritual awakening. Some of these major life events include: This is also a reason why spiritual awakenings can be lonely and hard. Spiritual Practices & Meditation There are many spiritual practices and techniques that have been developed over many thousands of years that can aid in the awakening process. I triggered a kundalini awakening in myself after practicing a particularly powerful visualization technique in 2023. Here are some practices and techniques that may cause a spiritual awakening: Some are more potent than others. Different practices may be right for you depending on the speed and intensity you want for your spiritual growth. According to research done on the causes of spiritual awakening, meditation was the cause of spiritual awakening 13% of the time. Spending Time In Nature There is something spiritually profound about spending time deep in nature. It connects us back to our spiritual roots. Spending time in nature reminds us of the interconnectedness of all things including ourselves with the rest of existence. In the face of vast beauty you can’t help but feel insignificant. These realizations come much more naturally in nature than they do in our regular life. According to the research spending time in nature was a cause of spiritual awakening 18% of the time. Spontaneous Awakening Sometimes there is no reason for a spiritual awakening. It may just strike you like lightning for no apparent reason. Some people are meant to awaken from birth. You could say it’s their destiny in a way. Another way of explaining this is karma. Everyone has a unique karma or destined life path they are going to follow due to past actions in this and past lifetimes. Some people’s karma involves spiritual awakening while others’ does not. For some people awakening happens randomly and naturally. Some advanced souls just stumble upon profound spiritual experiences, insights, and awakenings naturally. Working With A Guru One thing that is guaranteed to speed up the awakening process is working with a spiritual master. If you’re learning from a guru who is enlightened or awakened they will be able to pass on that information and wisdom to you faster than you could attain it on your own. If the guru is enlightened enough, they can give you direct spiritual downloads just by being in your presence or by touching you. This direct transfer of divine grace is known as shaktipat in the Hindu tradition. The bigger problem is actually finding a truly enlightened guru. Psychedelics Something that can cause a spiritual awakening in you in a very immediate way are psychedelics. Psychedelics are potent substances that drastically change your consciousness. Many report that the states encountered are blissful, divine, and expansive. Others report that psychedelics helped them achieve breakthroughs in their understanding of the divine. These substances include: A common experience on high doses of these substances is the dissolution of the ego and mergence with divine consciousness. Divine Grace It may be entirely possible that your spiritual awakening was divinely orchestrated. You may have spirit guides working to help you wake up in this lifetime. You may have no control or say in the matter and simply be blessed with an awakening from seemingly nowhere. This spiritual experience may be given to you as a gift randomly by the divine. Near Death Experiences Near death experiences are commonly reported to be mystical and transcendent experiences. Near death experiences are sometimes also out of body experiences, leading to realizations that there is more to life than just the physical body. People who experienced a near death situation come back to say their perspective on reality is forever changed. During the period of death many people say they peak behind the veil and merge with universal consciousness before being revived and coming back to life. Reading Spiritual Books Reading literature by the most enlightened beings to walk the earth can also cause spiritual awakening. By reading spiritual books you’re directly downloading information from spiritual masters. These books can shift your perspective in just the right way to cause a profound spiritual insight or awakening These books can also teach you specific techniques and practices that cause spiritual awakening. By practicing what you learn in these books you can get closer to awakening yourself. Guided Meditations There are guided meditations just sitting on YouTube and around the internet that will guide you into a spiritual awakening. Some of these guided meditation are lead by highly

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