Kundalini crisis is a name for symptoms that occur when the upward flow of energy to the higher spiritual centers in the body far exceeds the energy to the lower chakras. This creates an imbalance that can result in symptoms that can range from mild ones such headaches, insomnia, and heart palpitations to those that are more severe, such as migraines, sleeplessness, heart arrythmia and psychological instability. Sometimes the latter can be so acute as to be misdiagnosed as schizophrenia.[1] If kundalini crisis continues long enough, one’s entire health may go into serious decline.
Most spiritual seekers think that upper chakra development is a good thing. But this is not the case if it is not balanced by equal development of the lower chakras. This is because the upper and lower chakras are designed to work in balance and synergy with each other. The functions of the upper chakras are supported by complementary functions of the lower ones. If the former is developed far in excess of the latter, disharmony may result that can affect every aspect of one’s physical and psychological health.
Spirituality is supported by the upward flow of energy within the body-field. And yet health requires the downward flow of energy to nourish the vital organs in and below the third chakra.[3]
Spiritual Awakening Requires Enormous Amounts of Life-force
The average person’s brain uses about one third of their vital-energy. But when the higher spiritual centers in the brain fully awaken, they consume much more. This can cause the life-force to be drawn upwards from the lower chakras to supply that energy.
If that upward flow of energy is sustained for too long, one’s physical wellbeing can suffer as a result. This is why some people who go through a powerful spiritual awakening may suffer negative physical symptoms, or a crisis in their physical and psychological health.[4]
Health Problems Associated with Awakening
There are many stories from India about people who suffered health issues when they awakened spiritually.
Some yogis focus very intensely on the higher chakras in their quest for enlightenment. In the process of this, they may neglect to cultivate the lower ones sufficiently. This may result in an awakening of the higher chakras in a state known as samadhi. In samadhi there is tremendous upward flow of energy to the higher chakras.
The resulting bliss can be so intense that they lose all cares for the world, or even if they live or die. They may sit for days, neither eating or drinking, nor laying down to rest. If this continues for too long, it can be very damaging to their health. But if the lower chakras are sufficiently developed, their life-force will eventually return back downwards restoring health and equilibrium. Then they will be able to sustain their exalted spiritual state in their lives.
But if the lower chakras have not been sufficiently developed, the life-force may not return downwards. In this case their high spiritual state may cause their body to whither and perish. They gain spiritual riches, but lose their health. In essence they have sacrificed the body’s life-force to create a heightened spiritual state.
These seekers are like the plant that produces a sublime flower only to fall to the earth and perish. But according to their beliefs, to die that way is perfectly acceptable – for by awakening spiritually, they believe they have fulfilled life’s purpose.
India is not the only place where some spiritual seekers have developed the higher chakras at the expense of the lower ones. There are many stories of Western saints whose abnegation of the lower chakras caused their health to suffer.[5]
But this sacrifice is not the only path to enlightenment. There is another in which both awakening and radiant health can be experienced together.
How to Experience Both Awakening and Radiant Health
There are many seekers, especially those in the modern West, who are not drawn to extreme austerity, nor are they satisfied to let our bodies languish. They want to have both awakening, and long healthy lives.
Fortunately, there are traditions that teach us how to achieve this. Among them are yogis of a different persuasion. They focus on developing the lower chakras in tandem with the higher ones so that their energy remains balanced as they become spiritually actualized
The Taoists of China also teach the equal cultivation of the upper and lower chakras. They are famous for their spiritual attainment as well as their extreme longevity and physical prowess. It is not uncommon for some to remain strong and vital to well over 100 years of age.
Conclusion: The Roots of the Tree of Life
“Just as the roots of the tree make the fruit possible, the lower chakras support Divine Realization.”
The human field is created according to the principle of polarity. The development of the higher chakras must be accompanied by that of the lower ones in equal degree. This produces a synergy in the field that makes the Realization of body and Spirit possible.
Each chakra has its own profound gift. To become fully actualized requires the embodiment of all the chakras. To achieve this can take a life-time, or even many incarnations. This will result in each person becoming their own special and unique expression of the Divine. This is the most sacred journey any of us will ever take.
[1] According to the author, The Kundalini Experience: Psychosis or Transcendence? was written in part to address the misdiagnosis of higher spiritual states as schizophrenia. The Kundalini Experience was written by Lee Sannella MD.
When the upward rush of spiritual energy occurs without the balancing effect of sufficient development of the lower chakras, certain symptoms result. These symptoms are known as kundalini crisis.
[2] This results in the massive over-use of opioids and other drugs in our society. 80% of Americans take acute headache medication at least 10 days a month. 20% of Americans take pharmaceuticals for anxiety and depression. And just under 20% of Americans use sleep medication.
[3] “All living bodies are polarized. Subtle energy must move downward from the head to the feet…Any method to assist the correct movement of subtle energy through the body will cause healing.” Quote by Laurence Wilson, M.D. Source: dr.wilson.com/Articles/meditation.htm#intro
[4] In India the imbalance in the field caused by rapid and intense spiritual awakening is known as kundalini crisis. Its symptoms can include headaches, heart palpitations, insomnia, emotional instability and general poor health. For a clinical description of kundalini crisis see the book The Kundalini Experience by Lee Sannella, PHD.
[5] The dichotomy between the awakened spiritual states of the upper chakras and the physicality of the lower chakras occurs not just in seekers of the East, but in the West as well. This is illustrated by the following quote from Galatians
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other…”Galatians 5:17