kundalini awakening

[Stylites]

In a discussion on kundalini and the Holy Spirit, it is understandable that some try to tie it into a discussion of what Hindus believe about it, even though that was not the topic of discussion. This is because the word is widely seen as a part of mystical Hindusim. But kundalini is not the same as Hinduism, nor goddess worship nor reincarnation.

Kundalini is a universal human spiritual experience, totally separate and independent from the confines of what any particular religion tries to box it into. Is kundalini dangerous? Certainly, only insofar as kundalini manifests the spirit, and the spiritual life itself, Christian or otherwise, is froth with danger; hence the prerequisite for the cardinal virtues of fortitude and faith.

It was odd, though, to see the discussion of kundalini and the Holy Spirit devolve by some into discussions on witchcraft, devil worship, Lucifer, the anti-Christ, blasphemy, deception, apostasy, idolatry, and even homosexual sex.

As a wise man once said: "Wherever there is something Holy, evil comes to mar, destroy, deceive, and persecute Christ."

And it could be added: "And afterwards it pats itself on the back for thinking it was doing God's holy will in doing so."

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[mercytruth]

Kundalini is the name of a Hindu goddess. Why use the name of a Hindu goddess to explain a mystical experience? How is this 'universal spiritual experience' imparted and received?

From the very beginning of the apostolic church, water baptism preceded the anointing of oil, and the laying on of hands by an ordained minister for the impartation and reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Simon Magus tried to buy this gift from the apostle Peter.

How could this gift of the Holy Spirit be equated with kundalini, described by you as a 'universal spiritual experience'? And if it is not equated with the Holy Spirit, why should any Catholic or Christian desire a spiritual experience apart from the Holy Spirit?

God's peace.

[Elizabeth502]

Originally Posted by mercytruth

Kundalini is the name of a Hindu goddess. Why use the name of a Hindu goddess to explain a mystical experience?

Precisely. Why, indeed?

The Roman Catholic Church has possibly the most developed and integrated spirituality of all faith traditions. That spirituality includes an abundance of terminology to describe the action of the Holy Spirit -- terminology derived from ancient Christianity through modern times, in conjunction with the experience of mystics and insightful writers, many of whom have been canonized. Catholic spirituality is sufficient unto itself and has an integrity, comprehensively. There's no need to "borrow" terms from other traditions or to strain to make connections, including inappropriate connections which belong to polytheistic traditions

In general, I find that those who feel a "need" to borrow from, explain, or construct artificial equations with Christian experience relative to other traditions are insufficiently educated in the fullness of Catholic spiritual tradition (prayer, The Writings of the Fathers, lectio divina itself, Lives of the Saints, and fine orthodox writers from Tomas a Kempis to C.S. Lewis to contemporary spiritual writers (both religious and lay people) on prayer & contemplation.

[Stylites]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth502

The Roman Catholic Church has possibly the most developed and integrated spirituality of all faith traditions. That spirituality includes an abundance of terminology to describe the action of the Holy Spirit -- terminology derived from ancient Christianity through modern times, in conjunction with the experience of mystics and insightful writers, many of whom have been canonized. Catholic spirituality is sufficient unto itself and has an integrity, comprehensively. There's no need to "borrow" terms from other traditions or to strain to make connections, including inappropriate connections which belong to polytheistic traditions

Indeed. That kundalini is a truth which happens to be described in another faith tradition, it is therefore a part of the Catholic faith, because the Catholic faith contains all truth.

[Elizabeth502]

Originally Posted by Stylites

Indeed. That kundalini is a truth which happens to be described in another faith tradition, it is therefore a part of the Catholic faith, because the Catholic faith contains all truth.

No. Kundalini is not "a part of the Catholic faith." The term is outside of the Catholic faith. Whether the experience of the Holy Spirit does or does not have in common with it experiences described by other faith traditions is very theoretical (academic). It may be of interest to those who study Comparative Religions, but for the Catholic, kundalini is an imported term, not a Catholic term.

P.S. Stylites, please graduate to becoming a "professional" Catholic. I mean that in all charity and sincerity. When you become more literate in Catholicism, you will not be attracted to borrowing terms from contradicting religions, which confuses and unnecessarily complicates the Christian journey, which is complicated and challenging enough.

[Stylites]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth502

No. Kundalini is not "a part of the Catholic faith." The term is outside of the Catholic faith.

Certainly the term in outside of the Catholic faith, but the truth of kundalini is not outside of the Catholic faith, since the Catholic faith contains all truth.

Originally Posted by Elizabeth502

P.S. Stylites, please graduate to becoming a "professional" Catholic. I mean that in all charity and sincerity.

Thanks, but amateurs do it out of love; professionals do it for payment, prestige and accolades.

[Elizabeth502]

Originally Posted by Stylites

Certainly the term in outside of the Catholic faith, but the truth of kundalini is not outside of the Catholic faith, since the Catholic faith contains all truth.

The term is not proper to the Catholic faith. Period. We're talking about terms here. And we have been specifically warned against a syncretic approach to our Catholicism, by our Church leaders. Borrowing terms from other religions, in a way so as to draw an equivalency or interchangeability, is an activity which belongs to syncretism. Catholicism is not a syncretic religion.

Thanks, but amateurs do it out of love; professionals do it for payment, prestige and accolades.

No. We all "profess" (literally) our faith, and in professing it, we are bound to know it thoroughly (and to learn better what we only know insufficiently or inaccurately). Consecrated religious literally make professions of vows, and they are paid pittances (stipends), and in fact live a vow of poverty, which relegates them pretty much to a subsistence lifestyle. They hardly enter the professed stage "for payment, prestige, and accolades." You are using secular language and concepts inappropriately in a religious context.

So I repeat my advice : Become a "professional" Catholic (in level of expertise, commitment, and authenticity to the terms & concepts of Catholicism), rather than a witness to a syncretic set of beliefs which confuse and distract.

[Stylites]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth502

The term is not proper to the Catholic faith. Period. We're talking about terms here. And we have been specifically warned against a syncretic approach to our Catholicism, by our Church leaders. Borrowing terms from other religions, in a way so as to draw an equivalency or interchangeability, is an activity which belongs to syncretism. Catholicism is not a syncretic religion.

I'm not combining different forms of religious beliefs and practices, just stating a truth that kundalini exists in all mystical traditions and is the root of all human-supernatural experiences. This has nothing to do with the beliefs and practices of religion.

[BluesPicker]

Originally Posted by Stylites

I'm not combining different forms of religious beliefs and practices, just stating a truth that kundalini exists in all mystical traditions and is the root of all human-supernatural experiences. This has nothing to do with the beliefs and practices of religion.

Your statement is an opinion that is worthless because it has no truth to it. It is contradictory to the Spirit of God, His Word, the Holy Bible. It is also contradictory to Holy Traditions and Teachings of the Catholic Church. Which by the way your definition or Soma's definition is completely false. The Universal Church is called so because it is about Jesus Christ and founded by Jesus Christ. The Reality of Gospels about Jesus Christ are Universal Truths.

Each time one does not give true honor and glory to God they blaspheme God. This is done each time you make your false statements concerning the Holy Spirit equating Him to or as deriving from some pagan practice.

Another fallacy you are under is your statement about amateurs. Professional dedicate their life work to their professions and who says they can't love their life work?

Another fallacy is that you seem to think all opinions are equal. This goes back to my first statement, also. If one has a brain tumor and needs surgery do you go to a taxi cab driver who is some amateur biologist who loves to dissect brains or do you go to a neurologist?

Satan would have people to believe many delusions. Granted you have the freedom to open yourself to the demonic realmn, impede your Salvation and live in mortal sin.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers,....11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not,.... liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.... Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14Not giving heed to...fables, and commandments of men, ....that turn from the truth unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus, 1:13-16).


1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
.

1 Know also this, that, in the last days, shall come dangerous times. 2 Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked, 3 Without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness, 4 Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasures more than of God: 5 Having an appearance indeed of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid. 6 For of these sort are they who creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, who are led away with divers desires: 7 Ever learning, and never attaining to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no farther; for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was (2 Timothy 1-9).



Should we rebuke people who come to decieve:

Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:
- by participating directly and voluntarily in them;
- by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;
- by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;
- by protecting evil-doers.

It is a sin not to. Further more if one consistly reject the Word, God may pull back His Hand of Protect because the Holy Spirit will only be grieved so much:

5 Deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

*Note: Obedience to Jesus Christ will destroy demonic strongholds, even the demon called Kundalini.

Some are delibrately calling Kundalini Yoga medative practices Contemplative Prayer when it is Centering Prayer....centering on the coiled serpent energy supposely at the base of the spine. If one does a seach on YouTube many video presentations are about "Kundalini & Bowels." The bowels are viewed as the coiled serpents at the base of the spine, energy rises up to the brain, sprouts wings and takes off. This is pagan Hindism.

Does Christ found His Church wanting us to mix with pagan religions? Lets hear what He says:

34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it (Matthew 10:34-39).

BP

[Elizabeth502]

Stylites, language matters. This is why our Church has spent about 2000 years defining beliefs within a system of understood language (called Systematic Theology) and is so passionate about the faithful learning correct terms particular to our faith and not other faiths.

In that respect, it's important not to create false equivalencies by importing terms from elsewhere. Whether or not some academic, some theologian, some well-meaning spiritual writer, some monk or priest, etc. uses terms from different faith traditions interchangeably does not actually mean that they are indeed the same thing. They are not necessarily equivalencies. They may be, but that (again) is an academic question which belongs to the realm of speculation, rather than a curiosity we should be pursuing as Catholic pilgrims, not New Age pilgrims.

Whether you remember this or not, within the last 18 months in the Church, there was an uproar about a theologian (Elizabeth Johnson) inventing new terms for the manifestation of God within creation. Sounds "innocent," enough, until you look (which is what the bishops did, analytically) at the implications of that "new theology," It implied something distinctly different from orthodox Catholicism regarding the ultimate transcendence of God our Father, and how our share in God's divine life does not mean that God surrenders his Otherness despite His profound intimacy with us. The Church (and the Church Fathers) have made it clear that there remains a mysterious, dynamic paradox in God by which he is both Father and ineffable, infinitely approachable and infinitely Other -- simultaneously. (I'm only illustrating the trouble with diverting from an orthodox path with casual definitions.) Sr. Johnson's "new theology" corrupted that exquisite understanding and teaching.

In order to be brothers and sisters to followers of other traditions, it's not necessary to patronize them by inserting their theologies into Catholicism. (I'm not saying you are; I'm suggesting that whichever Church figure is doing so is doing the Catholic laity a disservice.) Language is connected both to concepts and to culture. Simply to lift a term from elsewhere and create an equation is sloppy academics. And while still undiisciplined, for a Catholic scholar or cleric to state that a _________ experience in someone else's religion could be similar to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Christian experience is slightly more acceptable than saying the reverse, which is what you and some others continue to do. It's an improper manipulation of terms which belong with integrity to Christian theology, not to Hindu or any other theology.

[Stylites]

Originally Posted by BluesPicker

Your statement is an opinion that is worthless because it has no truth to it.

Actually. opinions are found in graduate-level studies, not in heaven. My statement is the truth, but don't take my word for it, go and see for yourself. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you into all truth.

[mercytruth]

Originally Posted by Stylites

Actually. opinions are found in graduate-level studies, not in heaven. My statement is the truth, but don't take my word for it, go and see for yourself. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you into all truth.

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you into all truth.[/quote]

This scripture is also quoted as referring to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. She claims to be the Holy Spirit.

http://holyspirit-shekinah.org/index.htm

I sure hope and pray that you are not caught up in this age old gnostic deception of distorting the sacred scriptures in order to teach another gospel.

May the one true God deliver us from all gnostic, and New Age deceptions through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[FCEGM]

Originally Posted by Stylites

I'm not combining different forms of religious beliefs and practices, just stating a truth that kundalini exists in all mystical traditions and is the root of all human-supernatural experiences. This has nothing to do with the beliefs and practices of religion.

OTC, it reflects a monistic view of existence and is thus incompatible with the Catholic Faith.

[Elizabeth502]

Originally Posted by Stylites

I'm not combining different forms of religious beliefs and practices, just stating a truth that kundalini exists in all mystical traditions and is the root of all human-supernatural experiences. This has nothing to do with the beliefs and practices of religion.

It has everything to do with it, because beliefs & practices are intertwined with experiences. Again, if you were perhaps slightly more literate, you would know how Christian mystical experiences have helped to form Catholic doctrine (along with Scripture and sacred Tradition).

It is a false statement that "kundalini exists in all mystical traditions and is the root of all human-supernatural experiences." Not in the Catholic Church's doctrine, it isn't. You will not find a discussion of "kundalini awakening" or "kundalini experience" in any authoritative discussion of Catholic spirituality or Systematics. It is a heterodox concept and term.

I have no doubt that some religions insist that universally, every spiritual journey can be explained in terms that are unique to their faith-language. They may apply their own terminology universally, but the Catholic Church does not. It actually respects other religions more than that. You won't find in any authentically Catholic literature a statement that Buddhists and Hindus "experience the Holy Spirit." You might find a Catholic or Protestant theologian speculating on the possible convergence of religious experience, but rarely would a real academic be so undisciplined as to exchange one term for another, between two entirely different theological systems.

Please learn your faith.

[johndoe100]

The Protestant Charismatics have had bad experiences with Kundalini Spirituality. *Do a Google search for the, "Toronto Airport Blessing" *and you will see worshippers barking like dogs and doing all kinds of crazy stuff. Watch the YouTube, "Kundalini in Action & Toronto Blessing"

Todd Bentley and the Lakeland Outpouring was a Protestant Revival that went bad. *Watch the YouTube, "Todd Bentley Violence Collection Video"*

The Roman Catholic Church is well structured, so we will never slip into that sort of Spirituality. *However, here in America people are free to worship anyway they see fit. *Watch the videos, and if that is who you are, then go for it. *The Protestants are wised-up now, so you will probably have to go back to India to find a church. *Bye!