Kundalini: The Energy of the Depths

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SUNY Press, Jan 1, 1988 - Religion - 223 pages
Kundalini's power lies dormant in humans until it is awakened. The awakened Kundalini expresses the primal divine impulse and ultimately joins the individual with the divine. The development of the book parallels the development of the Kundalini within. Part One exposes the awakening and unfolding of the Kundalini; Part Two describes the piercing of the energy centers and the stages of ascent through the body; and Part Three examines Kundalini's relation to sexual expression.

The book provides a deep understanding of Tantra and of the underlying purpose of Tantracism. The author carefully considers the Caryakrama practices of sexual expression as a means of awakening and controlling Kundalini.

Silburn draws together passages from the Trika, Krama, and Kaula systems ranging through Abhinavagupta and Lalla and provides both translation and commentary for them. Chapters on the Chakras, the Nadis, and on mantras further elucidate the topic and lead to a forceful conclusion: Kundalini is the source of ultimate human knowledge and power.
 

Selected pages

Contents

The Dance of Siva
5
Rhythm
7
Return to the Heart
9
Serpent of the Depths
15
Sivas Triple Emission and the Three Aspects of Kundalini
19
Supreme Emission
21
Lower Emission and Pranakundalini
23
Para or Purnakundalini
24
Vedhadiksd
102
Somanandas Saktavijnana
105
Analysis of the Saktavijnana
111
Sanskrit Text in Devanagari
117
Goraksanathas Amaraughasasana The Natha
121
Amaraughasasana Excerpts
124
Analysis
129
Illustration
133

The Coiled Kundalini Within the Body
25
Susumnd Cakra and Trikona Median Way Wheels and Triangles
31
Illustrations
34
Various Means of Unfolding the Median Way
37
Vikalpaksaya Destruction of Dualizing Thought
38
The Syllable OM and the Synchronization of the Breaths
46
Contemplation of the Extremities kotinibhalana
49
Retraction and Expansion of Energy
50
The Parabija SAUH and the Rod Practice
55
Visarga Unmana and Kramamudra
59
Movements of Kundalini Related to a Yogins Practice
63
Pranakundalini Breath Energy
64
Adhahkundalini Lower Energy
65
Slow and Gradual Way
66
Incomplete or Defective Ways
68
Various Reactions Occurring in a Yogin
71
Sixfold Upsurge of the Breath and Corresponding Forms of Bliss
75
Tantraloka V 100108 p 411
79
Cosmic Kundalini or the Intimate Sacrifice
81
Vedhadiksa Initiation through Penetration
87
The Plenary Oblation
88
Penetration of the Guru into the Disciples Breaths
89
Initiations by Piercing of the Centers
91
Mantravedha Piercing of the Centers by Means of Mantra
93
Nadavedha Piercing through Mystic Resonance
94
Binduvedha Piercing through Virile Potency
95
Saktavedha The Socalled Energy Piercing
96
Bhujahgavedha The Socalled Serpent Piercing
97
Paravedha Supreme Piercing
98
Outer Initiations
99
Abhiseka Consecration
100
The Androgyne Ardhanarisvara
137
Kundalini and Sexual Life
138
Effervescence and Fervor
139
Transfiguration of the Body and of the Universe
143
The Mantra SAUH and KHA
151
KHA The Mantra of Resorption
153
Kulamdrga The Esoteric Way
157
Effects of the Caryakrama Practice
160
Uncertainty and Fluctuation kampa
163
Esoteric Gatherings yoginimelaka
165
Quiescence and Emergence
168
Caryakrama and Kramamudra
170
Madhyacakra and Anucakra
172
Yoginibhu
174
The Gurus Operation Concerning Them
175
Kulayaga Esoteric Sacrifice Excerpts from Tantraloka Chapter XXIX
177
Main Wheel and Secondary Wheels
182
Description of Madhyacakra or Urdhvadhaman
186
Santodita Quiescent and Emergent
187
Quiescence Emergence and Kaula
193
Union or Fusion
195
Mantravirya Peculiar to Dhvani Sound Vibration
197
The Supreme Mystical Attitude Khecarimudra
198
Definition of Omnipenetration Mantravyapti
202
Rahasyopanisad Krama
203
THE EIGHTFOLD WHEEL and THE EIGHT BHAIRAVA
205
CONCLUSION
207
INDEX OF SANSKRIT TERMS
215
ABBREVIATIONS AND WORKS
221
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About the author (1988)

Lilian Silburn is Director of Research at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris. For many years she has been respected worldwide as a leader in studies of the Shaivism of Kashmir. She has published many books and articles on the subject.

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