Kundalini or Heart Attack?

This article relates to: Orgasmic Kundalini Rush, Tantric Taoist Awakening

Q. Heather42 asks: Just checking, but you do realize these are similar to symptoms of heart attack? Some preliminary heart attack events do not necessarily involve chest pain, and/or the person can be asleep during the chest pain phase. The time frame of early morning, abdominal tingling, and immobility, especially of arms, are all classic symptoms associated with heart attack. Has Scott had his heart checked lately?

A. Rev. Hall: Thank you for your concern. I am sure that Scott appreciates it. Perhaps at his next physical, an EKG could be run to rule out any atypical cardiac abnormalities. Though it seems unlikely, it would do no harm to have a test run. I am not a physician, so I cannot speak to whether there is a rare cardiac symptomatology that would match the experience Scott is having. The experiences Scott is having are rather common for those who are having quasi – Kundalini or Shakti Prana experiences, but seem rather atypical for cardiac problems. To further delineate:

1. No Pain: Typically, though not always, a cardiac event will entail angina often radiating down the left arm. Though there are cases of cardiac events where patients do not recall any pain, Scott claims numerous Kundalini experiences, distinctly remembered, never with any angina or arm pain.

2. Pleasure: Scott recounts how these events are quite pleasurable to him. This is quite common among meditators who are moving Shakti Prana ( Shakti Kundalini ) and have low fear and karmic resistance to this bioenergy movement. The pleasurable sensations also can become distinctly Tantric in nature for some people. I have never heard of any cardiac events described this way.

3. Creativity: Scott says “When I wake up I feel different, slightly energized, slightly creative.” This state of feeling quietly energized and creative is routinely reported by practitioners of Kriya Kundalini techniques, especially with Tumo and Cobra Breath. It seems to be one of the hallmarks of Shakti Prana as the energy moves into the higher Chakras, especially Ajna ( the Third Eye. )

4. Paralysis: Scott: “I am a sleep or half asleep when it happens 4:30 to 6:00 (AM)…it is never painful but pleasurable, I have tried to move my arm to share it with my wife, but generally can’t move (my) arm, except once, I am awake at this point trying to enjoy and understand it. ”

As I understand Scott’s description of this aspect of his experience, it is likely that he is having what sleep researchers call “sleep paralysis”, a state often linked to lucid dreaming and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. When it occurs in REM sleep it is called REM atonia. This state is characterized by paralysis shortly after waking up (hypnopompic paralysis) or, shortly before falling asleep (hypnagogic paralysis). This happens when the sleeper is awakened from an REM state into a fully awake state, causing the person to be aware, but unable to move.

In the yogic tradition, this state is thought to be the “dream body” separating from the physical body, where out-of-body travel might occur. It is thought that one of the stages of the journey to enlightenment is “witnessing sleep,” being lucid and in a state of Witness Consciousness while asleep. A variation of this is present when you are in an authentic state of Yoga Nidra. Not the “Yoga Nidra” class you are taking with 10 other people, but the real deal, the Yoga Nidra Theta states familiar to Yoga Masters.

There is also a Hindu mythos that Rakshasas (Hindu demons) attack persons in this state to hinder their progress towards enlightenment. This pertains to those who experience a fear reaction in this state and is, in my opinion, an anthropomorphic external projection of the internal experience. That is, we create an external threat out of our internal fear. This can seem quite real.

5. Tantric and sexual in nature: Scott has stated: “It is very intense when it happens, it feels like an orgasm but different.”

Scott is experiencing a mild variant of the “full body orgasm” first discovered in the West by Wilhelm Reich. As we are able to let go of our neuroses, (our fears, frustrations, physical tensions, stress, our karma) and activate our life force ( Qi, Chi, Ki, or in this case Shakti Kundalini ), we can attain a highly charged energetic state of non genital full body orgasm which floods the entire body and psyche. In a kind of feedback loop, the orgasm itself then continues to release old neuromuscular tensions in the body (somatic karmic patterns).

This is cultivated in Tantra and is predicated on one’s ability to both charge the body with life force AND surrender to its flow. In Scott’s case, it is happening spontaneously after being relaxed by a full nights sleep, which lowers psychic and somatic karmic resistance. For many men, morning is a time when Tantric sexual energy can peak due to elevated testosterone, and a relaxed, rested state. Being able to share this with a partner in an awakened Tantric or Kundalini state (somatically and spiritually), can amplify the experience and one can attain ecstatic, transpersonal, often mystical states of awareness while speeding your liberation from your karmic patterns ( karma burning ).

Taoist Tantra training will enhance this process. This will, at minimum, improve your physical and mental well being, personal power, and creativity. If one attains an enlightened Bodhisattva consciousness, what began as personal accrual of bliss may radiate outward as a boon to humanity in general. (c) 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

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References:
Reich, Wilhelm The Function of the Orgasm: Discovery of the Orgone, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1986.

Conesa, J. (2002). Isolated Sleep Paralysis and Lucid Dreaming: Ten-year longitudinal case study and related dream frequencies, types, and categories. Sleep and Hypnosis, 4, (4), 132-143.

Schneck JM. Sleep paralysis and microsomatognosia with special reference to hypnotherapy . The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 1977; XXV:72-77.

Takeuchi T, Miyasita A, Sasaki Y, Inugami M, Fukuda K. Isolated sleep paralysis elicited by sleep interruption. American Sleep Disorders Association and Sleep Research Society, 1992; 15: 217-225.

Ohayon MM, Zulley J, Guilleminault C, Smirne, S. Prevalence and pathologic associations of sleep paralysis in the general population. Neurology, 1999; 52:1194-1200.

Mind / Body Unity
Like “ordinary” orgasm, these full body or energy orgasms unite mind, body and spirit. The difference is one of intensity and duration. In ordinary orgasm, the peak intensity is relatively short, perhaps only a moment, followed by a short “afterglow.” The Tantric energy orgasm tends to be longer and more intense. It may or may not have an identifiable genital aspect. It may not feel sexual in the usual sense at all, but tends to be immensely satisfying leaving one “…feeling completely sated unlike anything ever experienced before…”

In ordinary sex, the life force overwhelms the mind and emotions temporarily. In Tantra, we prepare the mind, body, and emotions through techniques that still the mind, transmute negative emotional karma, and energize the body. Like any Yogic or Taoist practice, this starts with discipline, and ends with letting go. In other words, the practice ultimately “requires a complete surrender of both mind and body” and results in feeling “completely at peace in every way possible.” The energy streaming will be “more whole and encompassing…”

So, a fairly healthy balance of life force, trust, and self-responsibility creates a state of pleasurable surrender, high levels of sexual and spiritual energy, reunification of disparate aspects of self, satiation, and peace. And this is just the beginning…. © 2006 Keith E. Hall, All rights reserved.

Hear another womans experience

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Relaxing, Surrender, and Trust
This is an essential part of Tantric practices, or of any authentic spiritual practice. Will and power are important to start and remain on the spiritual path, however this needs to be balanced by letting go. Will alone will not take you to self-realization. One needs to know when to let go, to surrender the ego’s agenda.

This can be crucial when applying Kundalini techniques to your practice. Shakti prana or Kundalini will seek to purify you. If you are not willing to let go, then the energy gets enrolled in a war with competing, fragmented aspects of yourself. This is never fun and can be annoying, even detrimental to authentic progress. So, when you say “for the most part it runs the show all by itself…it seems to assume a total control all by itself if I let it”, you are obviously trusting, letting go of your resistance, and surrendering to the experience.

Trust
Part of what makes this a pleasurable event for you is a level of self-responsibility, and the absence of fear. Fear changes to anger, manipulation, and stubbornness, resulting in a more unpleasant feeling. Disharmonious, irritating, distracting, perhaps scary. The energy runs around in a circle recreating fear. When one’s resistance is much higher than the available free life force, no kriyas, no streaming occurs. If one is resistant, stubborn, unable to let go, AND running higher levels of life force through one’s body and psyche, the kriyas that occur will be perceived as unpleasant, annoying, embarrassing, or scary. If you have enough trust in your Higher Self, in the Divine, then your surrender will bring anything from a mildly pleasant sensation of streaming or release, to an exquisite energy “orgasm.” This may or may not be interpreted by the psyche as sexual in nature, but tends to be characterized physically by, as you say, being “completely undulating…smooth, rhythmic and steady”. © 2006 keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 3: Mind / Body Unity

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A woman’s Orgasmic Rush, Kriyas, & Arousal

Q. Elizabeth: Just wanted to let you know that I found this exchange ( Orgasmic Kundalini Rush, Tantric Taoist Awakening ) incredibly interesting and enlightening. I occasionally have similar experiences, always either directly upon awakening or when in a completely relaxed state…I have always simply attributed it to some of the best orgasms I have ever had – an incredible gift! Never really spent much time trying to analyze the experiences, just appreciate when it happens and hope like hell I will be blessed with another one again soon! What has always struck me as strange about the whole thing is that I am not aware of sexual dreams/thoughts or feelings prior to or while it happens.

I have learned over time how to lengthen the experience once it starts, but for the most part it runs the show all by itself. It has always been clear to me that while some part of it may indeed be rooted in sexuality, it seems to be generated completely in and/or through the mind…I have learned that sometimes I can “help” to lengthen the experience…the description given by this gentleman described my experiences very closely…

Rev. Hall: So, is this experience associated with or related to any sexual activity, directly or indirectly? Prior to or after?

Elizabeth: Perhaps indirectly, who knows? … But not directly in any way that I am aware of…I do know that there is absolutely no comparison to these occurrences and any orgasm I have ever experienced previously. These are so much more whole and encompassing and involve so much more of my complete self.

Rev. Hall: So, would you say there is no sexual arousal at this time?

Elizabeth: Most definitely incredible sexual arousal, completely different than anything I have ever experienced before. AND – it never begins with sexual arousal; rather, always leads to it as one of the end results. The other end results are feeling completely sated unlike anything ever experienced before, and at the same time completely at peace in every way possible – all is right and harmonic in my little piece of the world, if only for a brief time.

Rev. Hall: Would you say that relaxing into, or surrendering to the experience is a component of how you “help” lengthen it?

Elizabeth: Absolutely – I have learned that it requires a complete surrender of both mind and body – as I said earlier, it seems to assume a total control all by itself if I let it. Just takes me away for a brief time – kind of like a mini-vacation to some unknown destination. There is no sense of time. It has never scared me or seemed negative in any way, as powerful as it may be.

Rev. Hall: Once the experience begins, would you characterize it as sexual in the genital sense, sexual in a more diffuse “all over the body” sense, or non sexually pleasurable energy “flows”?

Elizabeth: Most definitely the entire body…both sexual energy AND energy flows throughout every part of my body and, just as importantly, in my mind. The end result obviously consists of genital pleasure, but that is almost a “side-effect” of the whole body experience. I never have to touch myself in any way, although I always end up completely undulating in some strange fashion – sometimes it’s hard to remember afterward exactly how my body did respond, I just remember smooth, rhythmic and steady movement – which is definitely one of the things that increases the length of the experience. That is one of the aspects of it that has always amazed me – the fact that I do NOT have to touch myself in anyway, but simply surrender to the movements of my body. All I know is that I will be eternally grateful if I continue to occasionally receive what I have come to know is an amazing gift.

Rev. Hall: The parts of your experience that I would like to comment on are your being present with surrender, relaxing, trust, and a sense of harmony and unification of mind and body.

Part 2: Relaxing, Surrender, and Trust

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Grounding & Can I get via the Internet?

Scott: Can I have your thoughts on this (unnamed website’s) grounding section?

Rev. Hall: I do not recommend trying anything of this sort via the Internet or books. It is hubris to think that one can safely and efficiently teach people one has never met these potentially life changing Kundalini meditations via a webpage. There is a value to websites that teach very simple techniques for relaxation and basic beginner’s meditation, but Kundalini work needs to be done personally with a guide who has “gone before.” No authentic and ethical teacher would hand out powerful techniques via the Internet or books in general circulation.

Let me make an analogy here. Let’s say you wanted to learn about brain surgery. You could go online and search for information, maybe even buy a medical text on this topic. If you were very attentive, you might be able to memorize the various techniques, and the order in which they might be done.

At this point we might begin to realize some difficulties. We need the tools, supplies and some experience to safely apply the technique. Where are you going to get the surgical tools, blood, drugs, and experienced guidance?

Now to make this metaphor even more ludicrous, remember we are trying to do the brain surgery on ourselves! Of course, no one in their right mind would attempt this. It would be stupid, arrogant, and unlikely to have a good outcome. We understand that this is silly because any modern adult has some basic understanding of what brain surgery is, who should be performing it (board certified surgeon), what kind of school should teach it (medical college), and what kind of environment it should occur in (hospital operating room).

My point is that, in contrast to our general familiarity with the concept of brain surgery, very few people in the West have an accurate perception of what Kundalini Awakening is, what it’s purpose is, and how to support it efficiently and safely. Within those cultures that have been familiar with this sort of Awakening for millennia, no one would try to do this on their own, anymore than any westerner would attempt brain surgery on themselves.

Anyone who thinks they can teach grounding or Kundalini activation solely through visualization is mistaken. Mental visualization is the least important aspect, and is generally not used at all in many schools of Taoist training. Though I use some visualization in training of students, this is a small part, and generally not the most efficient; though it can make the mind feel occupied and “safe.”

Other more efficient and dynamic aspects to this training include:

– Proper internal muscle control.
– Bioenergetic alignment and your “agreement” with gravity.
– Removal of muscular armoring.
– Emotional release / transmutation.
– Coordination of intent, visualization, muscular and energetic movement, and breath.

Ask any teacher who is competent and deeply experienced, and they will tell you that one cannot skip these steps, serious imbalance can result. It can be like trying to push too much voltage through too high a resistance, a short circuit and meltdown can occur. Conversely, it the resistance is vastly higher than one’s level of free life force, maybe nothing, or hardly anything, of an authentic energetic and evolutionary nature may occur.

If you master these rather simple aspects listed above, you can expect to experience:
– Increased awareness and intelligence.
– A noticeable improvement in your ability to open deeply to pleasure.
– Self responsibility and empowerment.
– Higher emotional “intelligence” and understanding.
– A gradual unifying of your disparate physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual selves.
and much, much more….

You need to be in the physical presence of an authentic teacher in my opinion. Cyber fantasy just won’t cut it…. © 2006 Keith E. Hall, All rights reserved.

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Kundalini Heart Attack

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Part 3: Suggestions

With proper training, The various Tantric and Taoist forms of energy awakening will:
– Promote better sex and relationships.
– Heal and rejuvenate the body.
– Improve creativity and productivity.
– Banish fear through personal empowerment.
– Facilitate inner and outer harmony.
– Unite Mind, Body, and Spirit for a Joyful Life!

I would suggest:

1. Seek out some Tantric Taoist Kundalini training. Though your experience is not Kundalini, strictly speaking, it could intensify and lead to an abrupt Kundalini Awakening. This can be spiritually auspicious, but very, very tricky.
2. Other systems that are familiar with these energies are Tantric Qigong, T’ai Chi, and Bioenergetic Analysis. The first two are ancient Taoist disciplines, Bioenergetic Analysis is a body oriented psychotherapy derived from the work of Dr. Wilhelm Reich and his student Alexander Lowen. These systems have a powerful, truly grounding aspect not present in a balanced way in other systems.

3. I am very familiar with this expression of life force that you are experiencing. If you cannot find a teacher in your area, I would be happy to work with you. Balance is what is needed to allow this expression of psyche and soma to continue to blossom easily, safely, and joyfully. © 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights Reserved.

Part 4: Grounding & Can I get via the Internet?

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Shakti Prana, Resistance, & Freedom

Shakti Prana is an expression of earthly chi and is often one of the first signs that one’s life force and spirit is seeking actualization, or liberation. It is characterized by uncontrolled, spontaneous movements of a mildly convulsive, undulating, or vibrating quality. It may happen in a sexual or nonsexual context, awake or asleep. It is called streaming, kriyas, and body orgasm by many. Those who call it Kundalini are ill informed as true Kundalini, though sharing some of these qualities, is different, and very powerful, potentially dangerous.

Shakti Prana becomes more apparent when this energy overcomes our resident resistance. Ordinarily we have enough energy to run our minds, bodies, emotions at a certain level. Either by increasing our life force, or decreasing our resistance, there will then be a surplus of energy available. You are experiencing this surplus as an energized pleasure and enhanced creativity. This is a very normal experience in this state.

Resistance tends to keep our energy “locked down,” allowing just enough life force so we may participate in the dream of the herd, our social consensual reality. Resistance is mostly fear. It can have a touch of sadness or anger or many subtle variants, but the main force that keeps our energy low is simply fear. Anxiety. Stress. Being ill at ease. Call it whatever you want, fear is the glue that holds us to our illusions.

Freedom involves giving up our “death wish,” our dream of fear and suffering. Few people authentically do this, though we may pretend to. We are supremely resistant to accepting the power, joy, and pleasure that is our birthright, preferring the mild amusements, silent desperation, and secret yearnings of our materially obsessed world. This resistance is not only of the mind, it is very present and deeply stored within the body. We may fool ourselves and others, but our bodies are always telling us the truth, if we could but listen.

When these sort of energy events begin to occur, whether spontaneously, or because of diligent training and practice, it is always an important signpost on the evolutionary highway. The expression or form that the energy takes may vary greatly and depends on the ego fixation and the ratio of energy to resistance of the individual in this present time. Some people experience great pleasure or bliss, others may experience some confusion or other expression of the shadow side at first.

Energy free and strong enough to move the physical body spontaneously can heal and set you free! © 2006 Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved.

Part 3: Suggestions

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Orgasmic Kundalini Rush, Tantric Taoist Awakening

Scott asks: I have been told by some people I have chatted with that I am experiencing a Kundalini Rush…I get hit with a wave of orgasmic energy, it starts in the stomach area and spreads quickly…It gets tingling. But it hits you like BAM. First you feel like you are going forward then it engulfs you and you go backwards and fall into it…It can happen twice in a row or just once. When I wake up I feel different, slightly energized, slightly creative. How and why is this occurring? Any thoughts?
Thanks
Scott

Rev. Hall: By stomach, do you mean abdominal area?

Scott: Yes and lower back

Rev. Hall: Does it spread through narrow channels (perhaps in the spine or back?) or more diffusely and generally throughout the torso?
Scott: It starts like pins and needles and grows in intensity and pleasure, it could be
through channels, but it happens fast.

Rev. Hall: By “it hits you like BAM”, do you mean that it is abrupt, or is it painful?
Scott: I am asleep or half asleep when it happens 4:30 to 6:00 AM…it is…pleasurable, I have tried to move my arm to share it with my wife, but generally can’t move my arm…I am awake at this point, trying to enjoy and understand it, not fighting it like I did at first. Yes, abrupt because It comes out of nowhere…

Rev. Hall: “First you feel like you are going forward then it engulfs you and you go backwards and fall into it “–So you are lying down when this happens? if so, on your back? or some other posture?

Scott: Yes, lying on back asleep, so it feels like a powerful force hit me (as if) I go forward and then lean back…It is very intense when it happens, it feels like an orgasm but different.

Part 2: Shakti Prana, Resistance, & Freedom

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Taoist / Tantric Sexual Practices

First of all, let me state that there is virtually no Western medical research into this topic, other than several studies which link improved health and well being in general to non-tantric sex on a regular basis, with a partner. There are some physicians who still do not believe that there is such a thing as female ejaculation!

Tantra and Taoism have recognized the reality of the female ejaculation for many centuries. It is a result of a very high-energy g-spot orgasm and is a tremendous generation and release of energy. This is both a great blissful joy, and perhaps a bit of a potential problem.

Taoist practices assert that 1 drop of semen is equivalent to 100 drops of blood in terms of vital life force. It is likely that something similar is true for the female ejaculate. While the analogue in men is the blood, I have heard some Sifus state that for women it may be related more to certain secretions in the brain. There is a somewhat coarse colloquialism that describes this energetic and hormonal or neurotransmitter loss!

On the other hand, these Eastern traditions assert that non-ejaculatory sex strengthens the chakric energy system and the endocrine glands associated with them. There are probably two main pathways for this. One is directly through the Tumo channel, and the other through spinal channels. The spinal route is more indirect, stimulating the hypothalamus, which then stimulates the endocrine glands, and can be quite powerful. There are several Kundalini practices which facilitate this, two of the most powerful are the Transmuting breath (with golden nectar) and the Cobra Breath. These are oral traditions and must be received by initiation.

There are systems in Tantra for devitalizing or withdrawing the energy from the ejaculate. There are other Tantric practices which can recycle the energy of the ejaculate such as soixante-neuf (Congress of the Crow), forms of Vajroli, and the famous Tantric Milkshake. Some of these require a partner, others do not.

Of the techniques that you are familiar with, I feel that T’ai Chi (yang long form, 2x a day) and the sexual application of the microcosmic orbit may be most helpful. The Taoist bone washing may help also. Further Tantric training would ideal, along with more weight bearing and resistance type exercises. Copyright 2006, Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved

Some Western medical references:
Sex…has been known to relieve the symptoms of specific medical conditions, such as menstrual problems, osteoporosis and arthritis.
–Dr. Barbara Keesling

Post-menopausal females who are sexually active have a lower risk of osteoporosis because they produce more estrogen.
– Patricia Birch, a psycho-sexual and relationship therapist for the NHS

Sex also improves the production of estrogens – good for skin and hair and for the prevention of osteoporosis.
– Oswalt Kolle, The Great Taboo: Sexuality and Aging

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The Power of Surrender

Being an externally oriented, aggressive culture, we often forget that Yin is equal in power to Yang, and a balance of both is required for health, longevity, and joy in life. It is best to cultivate not only your life force and power, but also your ability to relax and let go. Without surrender we just enroll our vitality in recreating our old patterns more powerfully, stubbornly insisting in consuming our life force in the repetition of old habits, thought patterns, dysfunctional emotions and behaviors.

Some Practical Suggestions. For those whose of us who wish to balance our yin and yang aspects, power and surrender, action and receptivity, the ego and the awakened Self, I would suggest:

1. 1 hour of T’ai Chi, Qigong, Yoga per day. If your resistance and stress levels are high, you need these practices to ground you and balance your energies, especially if you are also practicing Tantra and / or Kundalini techniques. While Tantric Qigong(sm) takes only 10 minutes, those who are in a state of both high energy and high resistance need more, an hour per day minimum.

2. Bodywork. This is a helpful adjunct to further cultivate surrender. Somatic Release, Rolfing, deep tissue styles are preferred. For some, a vigorous Thai massage can also work.

3. Progressive Relaxation. Teach yourself to relax, breathe, and let go with this helpful tape.

4. Breath Coaching. Focus on the continuity of consciousness and the energizing, yet relaxing power of the breath. Essential skills for Tantra and true meditation.

5. Presencing(sm). Similar to breath coaching. Observing the continuity of consciousness and breath, with the mindfulness of recognizing karmic patterns and cultivating the ability to let them go.

Develop Beginner’s Mind. Let go of your expertise, your hubris. Let go on a physical, emotional, and mental level. Let go of your insistence on recreating your karmic habits. Let go and fall into the arms of your lover, your bliss, your Divinity. Copyright 2006, Keith E. Hall. All rights reserved

See also: Orgasmic Kundalini Rush

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