Dear Jack:

The so-called "kundalini awakening" is very dangerous psychologically and spiritually. It, in essence, opens a door whereby demons can enter. We have had clients whose demonization began with the "kundalini awakening".

For the sake of our readers, here is some detail on Yoga and Kundalini:

According to Yogi Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati, "All Yoga is Kundalini Yoga: While some people use a specific terminology "Kundalini Yoga" for certain practices, all of Yoga actually leads to the activation of Kundalini. Thus, in a sense, all of Yoga is Kundalini Yoga, regardless of whether you use that specific name."

Kundalini (Sanskrit for "coiled") is the ridiculous notion that at the base of the spine is coiled an unconscious, instinctive, libidinal force. This force is called Shakti, thought to be a goddess or a sleeping snake.

Yoga and Tantra are specifically designed to awaken this snake, this energy by preparing the body and spirit with the Yoga exercises, chants, etc.

I find it interesting that this "energy" is envisioned as a snake -- the symbol of Satan.

There is no such thing as practicing Yoga without the connection to these demonological aspect. Thus, Christian should never practice Yoga, Those who do put themselves at risk.

The problem is that according to yoga masters, and former yoga masters who have converted to Christianity, it is impossible to remove the Hinduism from yoga even if one does not practice any overt Hindu spirituality in doing it.

The very movements and postures themselves are designed to create states of consciousness that a Catholic should not be messing with. Since these postures are inherently tied to the Hindu spirituality we take a risk in practicing them -- specifically to awaken the snake, the kundalini.

Especially since using yoga postures are utterly unnecessary and other exercises can do what it needed, why take the risk?

Here is a warning from none other than Carl Jung, who's psychology was intertwined with the occult:

quote:

---

"One often hears and reads about the dangers of Yoga, particularly of the ill-reputed Kundalini Yoga. The deliberately induced psychotic state, which in certain unstable individuals might easily lead to a real psychosis, is a danger that needs to be taken very seriously indeed. These things really are dangerous and ought not to be meddled with in our typically Western way. It is a meddling with Fate, which strikes at the very roots of human existence and can let loose a flood of sufferings of which no sane person ever dreamed. These sufferings correspond to the hellish torments of the chönyid state..."
--C. G. Jung, Introduction to The Tibetan book of the Dead

---

I think anyone interested in Yoga ought to read an article by Subhas R. Tiwari, a professor at the Hindu University of America. He is a graduate of the famed Bihar Yoga Bharati University with a master's degree in yoga philosophy.

The article is Yoga Renamed Is Still Hindu

Also of interest are the words in an Open Letter to Evangelicals about Hindu evangelization:

quote:

---

Hindus everywhere are becoming stronger and more assertive: ... 2) The West is clearly open to the Hindu message, ready to hear about yoga, meditation, mysticism, healing and the ancient ways. Such "products" were too sophisticated for public consumption 30 years ago, but today they're the hottest item on the shelf. Not a small part of this phenomenon is related, indirectly, to the coming of age of the New Age movement...

---

Consider these words a warning:

quote:

---

A small army of yoga missionaries - hatha, raja, siddha and kundalini - beautifully trained in the last 10 years, is about to set upon the western world. They may not call themselves Hindu, but Hindus know where yoga came from and where it goes.

---

This letter was written in 1991. Since then the "missionaries" have already set upon us and in large part have converted many, even those in the Church.

The Hindu writer made a factual error, however, is saying the Vatican permitted the practice of yoga. He misinterpreted the document. A Christian reflection on the “New Age”  mentions yoga negatively as a list of practices inconsistent with Christianity.

Some of the Church documents that do give us the principles to make a prudent decision include:

Christian Reflection on the New Age

On Some Aspects of Christian Meditation

Some good insights from a former new ager: The Cross and the Veil

Also is an article be the great Father Hardon, may he rest in peace:
Why Yoga is incompatible with Catholicism

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary