Kundalini
is the energy of the Divine as it is experienced in the individual. Kundalini
binds us when we project its energy into the world and yet, kundalini
liberates us when we return this energy to its divine origin. Our spiritual
practice focuses on the raising of the kundalini from the chakra at the
base of the spine to the chakra in the crown of the head—awakening
a powerful transformative energy. This energy has the capacity to wash
away our deepest tensions, eliminate our misunderstandings about our true
nature, and to expand the flow of creative energy and consciousness within
us.
Kundalini is both the energy and essence of life and the practice of becoming
aware of it. The practice of Kundalini Mahayoga is the blissful dissolution
of dualistic consciousness into the awareness and experience of the unity
of all reality. In this way, our practice serves as a means to profound
spiritual awakening and re-union with the divine.
Kundalini MahaYoga is the spiritual practice that comes to us through
the Tantric Shaivism and Tantric Buddhist traditions. It is a yogic system
aimed at transforming our understanding of the three elements of our existence:
body, mind, spirit. It is the yoga that explores kundalini, which is the
energy of life or the Divine as it is experienced in the individual. The
practice of Kundalini Yoga carries the awareness of this energy to such
a point that it may be grasped not only as the power of the individual
self, but also as the fundamental power of the infinite Self, which is
the source of everything. This creative energy is referred to as "dynamic
stillness".
The Eyes-Open Class
The eyes-open class is the primary method in our practice that allows for the direct transmission of energy from the teacher.
The class is about having a concrete experience of the vital force that connects alls things and binds us together as one while being in full touch with our senses and in view of the material world. Eyes-open class allows us to sense that subtle inner force at work even in the most powerful of dualistic experiences—providing insight into the unity of life.
In this class you are establishing a flow between yourself and the teacher, internalizing that energy to create a deep connection to your inner Self. It is the energy that flows through the teacher that gives you the energy and inner strength to become aware of your inner Self.
Our practice is about awakening and experiencing Kundalini —the energy of life, or the Divine, as it is experienced in the individual. That awakening reveals our complete and total unity in the Divine.
Our practice is about experiencing That.
Inner Practice
The means by which we develop a flow of energy and contact with the divine
within. Sitting in meditation on a regular basis is a critical component
of our practice. It is the time when we withdraw our energy and attention
from the ordinary sense of purpose and begin to examine the deepest treasure
of our existence. Our inner practice allows us to make contact with a
deeper resonance, that higher awareness informing our mind, emotions,
and indeed, our life of the true essence of Life. Daily practice is key
to the transformation of our awareness from the mundane to the divine-it
is the method by which we allow the kundalini within to rise.
Transmission of Energy
The means by which we gather spiritual nourishment. Traditionally known
as shaktipat, or the descent of grace, the transmission of energy is the
gift that we receive from the teacher that can deeply change our awareness.
It is love, unconditionally given. It is the nourishment that allows us
to get in contact with the creative power within us that is the source
of all of life. Having a relationship with a teacher that can transmit
that love and energy, or "shaktipat" the fire that ignites and
sustains our inner growth~ is a true treasure. While recognizing the importance
of the teacher in each individual's spiritual growth, Khecaranatha is
not at all interested in "guru worshipping". You are free to
decide the kind of relationship you want.
Service
The means by which we consciously extend our spiritual understanding into
life--loving and serving the people whom we say we love and then expanding
that love and service to the community around us. Rudi said, "if
we cannot build into our day the simple capacity to love and open to our
fellow man, we cannot claim to have a spiritual life." In the highest
sense, service is about giving what is wanted and needed to the people
around us, not getting what we want. If we can love and serve the people
around us, we can serve God.
Conscious Choice & Disciplined
Action
We are either consciously choosing to grow spiritually or we are unconsciously
choosing not to. Every day we are faced with important decisions about
our the direction of our life. We must have the consciousness to know
what we are choosing.
When our spiritual life is our priority it is very important that we make
choices that reinforce that priority. That priority is expressed in the
actual choices that we make--talking about making decisions based on our
wish to grow and making the sometimes difficult choices that do truly
contribute to our growth are not the same. Conscious choice is the careful
selection of that which truly supports our inner growth, sometimes even
at the sacrifice of some worldly gain. This comes not from a rejection
of the world but from the understanding of the commitment required to
grow spiritually and accepting that some activities, even though they
may seem attractive at the time, do take too much energy from us. Recognizing
that, we make the conscious choice to not choose them.
In order to keep our attention and awareness within ourselves during intense
times, whether in a challenging conversation or during a major event in
our life, we must have the discipline to manage our energy what we call
disciplined action. Growing spiritually is a gift but one that requires
responsibility, discipline, and balance. Disciplined action is the act
of keeping our awareness and energy inside and not acting upon or creating
tensions in ourselves or those around us