Symptoms of Kundalini Awakening: What to Expect on Your Journey

22 Oct

Kundalini awakening is one of the most profound and transformative experiences a person can undergo. Often described as a surge of divine life force energy rising from the base of the spine, it can bring moments of ecstasy, expanded awareness, and deep connection with the sacred. Yet for many, it also ushers in periods of intense physical, emotional, and psychological upheaval.

From a transpersonal psychology perspective, kundalini awakening is not simply a mystical event but a unique journey of psychospiritual transformation that reshapes consciousness from the inside out. It touches every layer of the self: body, mind, and soul, awakening both the light and the shadow aspects of our being.

This article explores what kundalini awakening is, how it manifests through body and psyche, and how to navigate the whole process of its sometimes-turbulent unfolding with mindfulness, compassion, and grounded spiritual practice.

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

According to ancient yogic texts, there are two types of spiritual awakening. The ascending path, which is a gradual unfolding and returning to the true self or higher consciousness, and kundalini awakening, which is a special type of spiritual awakening.

The ascending path is slow and progressive, emerging over years of consistent spiritual practice. Yogic texts suggest that the body is purified through discipline, devotion, and balance before the energy fully awakens. Spiritual energy unfolds gently, layer by layer, allowing time for integration. Along the path, seekers may experience many profound but gentle awakenings marked by heightened awareness, mystical experience and deeper transcendental awareness.

Kundalini awakening is a particular type of spiritual awakening that is quite different. A kundalini awakening begins with such heightened spiritual awareness, just like a mystical experience, but continues to unfold through ongoing energetic, psychological, and physiological changes.

It is a distinctive type of awakening marked by a deep sense of connection to the life force energy — an energy that seems to continue reverberating long after the initial experience. This continuing movement of energy is what differentiates a brief enlightening moment, such as a mystical experience, from a sustained kundalini awakening.

WHAT IS KUNDALINI AWAKENING?

Kundalini awakening is often described as a powerful energy that rises up through the spine, transforms consciousness and unlocks deep inner wisdom. And while that might sound like exactly what you're looking for, the process can be intense and overwhelming. When the kundalini energy begins to stir, it can move suddenly, with a force that feels unstoppable and beyond your control. This rush is at once exhilarating, disorienting, and profoundly life-changing.

Many people describe this initial surge as opening into pure awareness or cosmic consciousness, a direct experience of unity and transcendence that surpasses ordinary states of perception that can only be described as a spiritual height never experienced before.

Alongside this expanded consciousness comes a range of physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms that may continue for months or even years as the energy integrates throughout the body and psyche.

Once you've had a Kundalini awakening, there's no going back. You will never be the same person you were before. The overwhelming sense of energy moving through your energetic body, the heightened self-awareness, the deep spiritual connection, and the emotional upheaval. These hallmarks of kundalini energy transform your sense of self, your beliefs, your values, and even the way your brain is wired.

KUNDALINI AWAKENING DIAGNOSIS

Kundalini awakening is complex, and in the Western world, there is little understanding of this special type of spiritual experience. Most psychological practitioners and doctors are not aware of the kundalini phenomenon or its ability to transform us in positive ways. What's more, it is common for doctors and psychologists to misdiagnose kundalini awakening as psychosis.

When this happens, experiencers get the wrong treatment and don't get the support they need to understand and integrate their experiences. Recognising the signs of kundalini awakening helps bring clarity and stability to the process. Understanding the symptoms of kundalini awakening will support a smoother and more peaceful journey.

Because the process can be so transformative, working with an experienced kundalini teacher, mentor, or therapist, especially someone informed by both yogic and psychological perspectives, such as a transpersonal psychologist, can provide grounding and guidance throughout the awakening.

KUNDALINI AWAKENING WARNING

If you have not had a kundalini awakening, as a transpersonal psychologist, I recommend that you don't go searching for one. Don't make kundalini awakening your goal on your spiritual journey. There is a more gentle approach to spiritual awakening and enlightenment that is far easier to integrate.

A kundalini awakening can be incredibly challenging and debilitating. It is a rocky road, and many people have to give up work, struggle with normal daily activities, and experience incredibly uncomfortable physical sensations.

Kundalini awakening can be dangerous. It's not that the energy itself is dangerous. It's just that the body, the vessel of spiritual energy, is not prepared. This powerful psychophysiological process can either unfold harmoniously or become destabilising depending on the individual’s readiness, health, and support system.

Why Kundalini Energy Can Feel Dangerous

Nervous system overload:
Kundalini awakening activates intense bioenergetic currents that can overstimulate the autonomic nervous system. If the body hasn’t been gradually conditioned through grounding, meditation, or breathwork, this can result in anxiety, insomnia, shaking, or panic.
Psychological disorientation:
The boundaries of ego and identity often dissolve, which can be liberating or terrifying. Without proper integration, it may resemble a psychotic break, though the underlying process is spiritual, not pathological. This overlap is known in transpersonal psychology as a spiritual emergency (Grof & Grof, 1989).
Unprocessed trauma release:
The rising energy often clears blocked emotional content stored in the body. If past trauma surfaces too quickly, it can lead to emotional overwhelm, dissociation, or deep existential fear.
Physical strain:
Intense heat, tremors, or involuntary movements (known as kriyas) can exhaust the body if not balanced with rest, hydration, and grounding practices.

Needless to say, the kundalini journey is not for the faint-hearted! And I promise you, as someone who's lived in an enlightened altered state of consciousness for over a year when I had my mystical experience, kundalini awakening is not necessary, and if you can avoid it, I would.

If, however, you find yourself on the kundalini journey as so many do, I hope this article helps you understand what's going on and how you can navigate this powerful and energised type of spiritual awakening.

UNDERSTANDING KUNDALINI ENERGY

Kundalini energy is often described as a dormant life force resting at the base of the spine, waiting to awaken through deep meditation, breathwork, or spiritual practice. This energy influences not only the physical body but also the subtler energetic and psychological layers of our being.

When it begins to move, the sensations can be unmistakable: waves of heat or vibration, surges of emotion, or spontaneous movements of the body. From a psychological and physiological perspective, these may reflect changes in the autonomic nervous system and the brain’s energy regulation mechanisms, which is why the experience can feel so powerful and unfamiliar.

Kundalini shakti represents the ultimate creative power of life itself: a divine feminine current of transformation, wisdom, and inner evolution. As this energy ascends through the body, it activates various energy centres, culminating at the crown chakra, often associated with unity consciousness and a sense of connection with the divine.

For many, this rising energy brings a deep connection and profound recognition of the sacred nature of existence and the inherent beauty of the universe. The journey involves both the ascent of consciousness and the integration of that energy into everyday life, making kundalini awakening a deeply holistic process that touches body, mind, and spirit.

WHAT IS KUNDALINI SHAKTI?

YOGIC PERSPECTIVE

In the yoga tradition, Shakti represents the divine feminine principle — the dynamic force that gives life to everything in the universe. It’s the energy of creation, movement, and transformation. Kundalini Shakti is this same life force energy in its individualised, dormant form, resting coiled three and a half times at the base of the spine (muladhara chakra), waiting to awaken.

When kundalini shakti stirs, it begins to ascend through the central energy channel (sushumna nadi), activating the chakras and progressively expanding consciousness. This rising symbolises the inner evolution from instinctual awareness to spiritual enlightenment — the journey from matter to spirit, or from Shakti to Shiva.

In simple terms:

Kundalini is latent spiritual energy.
Shakti is the divine creative power.
Kundalini Shakti is the awakening of that divine energy within the individual.

The purpose of this energy is not merely mystical. It seeks to transform and harmonise every level of being — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual — guiding us toward wholeness and unity with life itself.

TRANSPERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

From a transpersonal psychology viewpoint, kundalini shakti can be understood as a psychospiritual evolutionary force, an inner intelligence that propels human consciousness toward growth and integration, potentially revealing hidden spiritual material. When it awakens, it reorganises the psyche, releasing suppressed material from the unconscious and expanding awareness beyond the personal self.

Researchers and clinicians such as Stanislav Grof, Lee Sannella, Bonnie Greenwell, and Emma Bragdon have described this process as a biopsychospiritual transformation involving profound shifts in physiology, emotion, and perception. These changes may correspond to measurable effects on the autonomic nervous system, brainwave activity, and psychological well-being.

Modern contemplative neuroscience echoes this view: studies on advanced meditators show that sustained spiritual practice can alter brain structure and function, increase parasympathetic activity, and promote states of unity and peace — all resonant with the traditional descriptions of awakened kundalini shakti.

KUNDALINI SHAKTI IN EVERYDAY TERMS

Kundalini shakti is the life force that fuels your spiritual evolution. It’s the same creative intelligence that grows your body, heals your wounds, and inspires your highest insights. When awakened, it’s not something foreign invading you — it’s your own consciousness remembering itself as divine, interconnected, and alive.

YOGA AND KUNDALINI ENERGY

In the yogic tradition, kundalini is seen as the spiritual potential within every human being, coiled like a sleeping serpent at the base of the spine until awakened. The purpose of yoga, particularly in the tantric and kundalini schools, is not to force this energy to rise but to prepare the body and mind to handle its awakening safely and harmoniously.

Within the yoga tradition, kundalini awakening is understood as the natural culmination of dedicated spiritual practice rather than a goal to chase. Each posture, breath, and meditation gradually purifies and stabilises the body-mind system so that higher states of consciousness can emerge with balance and grace.

Classical yogic texts describe a gradual process of purification through asana (postures), pranayama (breath control), bandhas (energy locks), and meditation. These practices strengthen the nervous system and refine awareness so that, when kundalini begins to stir, the system is balanced and resilient enough to integrate the experience.

Recent research on yoga and meditation supports this view, showing that consistent practice can regulate the nervous system, enhance brain coherence, and promote psychological stability. These are all qualities that support a healthy awakening process.

KUNDALINI SERPENT SYMBOLISM

The image of the serpent is one of the most enduring symbols of kundalini. In ancient yogic philosophy and within the broader yoga tradition, the coiled snake represents dormant energy and potential — the divine energy of consciousness waiting to uncoil and rise toward self-realisation.

Serpents are also ancient symbols of transformation, healing, and renewal. Just as a snake sheds its skin, the kundalini process invites us to shed old identities and awaken to a more expanded awareness of who we truly are.

From a transpersonal perspective, this symbolism offers a psychological map rather than a literal description. The “rising serpent” can be understood as the unfolding of latent human capacities. Creativity, intuition, compassion, psychic abilities, and higher states of consciousness all emerging from the depths of the unconscious into awareness.

SIGNS OF KUNDALINI AWAKENING

Knowing and understanding the signs and symptoms of Kundalini awakening is important for the spiritual path. This knowledge can be invaluable in times of spiritual crisis and the beginning of kundalini energy moving. Being able to identify kundalini awakening and its incredible power within yourself or someone else can make the difference in getting the right support.

INITIAL KUNDALINI AWAKENING EXPERIENCE

The initial awakening can be both awe-inspiring and disorienting. It often begins with a surge of energy, mystical insight, or emotional release that feels larger than life. This is the point where many realise that something profound is unfolding within them.

DO KUNDALINI SYMPTOMS COME ON SUDDENLY?

Unlike the ascending path of awakening, which is slow and gentle, Kundalini awakening is always sudden and dramatic, often accompanied by intense energy. Usually triggered by an intense meditation, breathwork session, trauma, near-death experience, or spontaneous mystical state. The unexpected initial surge can feel like an electric current shooting up the spine or a flood of light through the body. It’s often accompanied by awe, bliss, or disorientation and can radically shift perception overnight.

4 CORE SIGNS YOU'RE EXPERIENCING A KUNDALINI AWAKENING:

Energetic activation at the base of the spine — often felt as warmth, tingling, or pressure at the root chakra (muladhara). This is the defining physiological hallmark of kundalini beginning to stir.
Spontaneous movement or energy surge upward — a subtle current or wave moving through the body, sometimes accompanied by shaking, swaying, or internal vibrations.
Emotional or existential upheaval — a sudden need to release suppressed emotion, accompanied by crying, laughter, or cathartic relief.
Expanded or altered consciousness — a sense of vastness, oneness, unity, or being “plugged into” something infinite or divine, often mixed with awe and confusion.

TYPICAL SIGNS KUNDALINI ENERGY IS ON THE MOVE

As well as these core symptoms of kundalini awakening that come on fast, there are other common features such as;

Vivid dreams, mystical visions, lucid dreaming or moments of expanded awareness.
A deep sense of emotional pain and egoic suffering.
Awareness of unresolved trauma, beliefs, and emotional patterns.
Waves of emotional release, sometimes accompanied by tears or euphoria.
Physical pains and sensations.
Heightened sensitivity in the body, especially around the spine or base of the skull.
Periods of deep inner stillness alternating with intense activity or restlessness.
A spontaneous need to reassess life purpose or spiritual direction.
A deep longing for connection or meaning.
Desire to seek a greater sense of purpose or unity with something beyond yourself.
Emerging psychic abilities.
Increased compassion and empathy.

An inevitable healing process and journey.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF KUNDALINI RISING

As kundalini energy ascends through the subtle channels of the body, intense heat and other physical symptoms can emerge. Many of these sensations reflect the nervous system adjusting to an increase in energetic flow.

Common physical signs include:

Waves of heat, cold, tingling, or electric-like currents moving up the spine
Spontaneous body movements, tremors, or postures (known in yoga as kriyas)
Fluctuations in sleep patterns, appetite, or sexual energy
Temporary heart palpitations, pressure at the crown, or pulsing sensations
Lucid dreams or altered states of consciousness between sleep and wakefulness
Body experiences, such as out-of-body sensations and near-death experiences
Psychic phenomena kinetic energy

The solar plexus chakra, associated with personal power and will, often becomes highly active at this stage, bringing both empowerment and emotional volatility.

From a transpersonal and psychophysiological standpoint, many of these sensations mirror changes in autonomic regulation and brainwave activity observed during deep meditation or flow states (e.g., Newberg & Waldman, 2016).

EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Kundalini awakening profoundly reshapes the psyche, sometimes causing suffering during the transformation process. It can feel like living through multiple lifetimes of emotional growth condensed into one period of transformation.

Emotional and psychological shifts may include:

Sudden waves of extreme bliss, love, or unity, followed by deep sadness or grief
Peace and inner calm as old patterns are released
Heightened intuition, creativity, and empathy
Release of long-suppressed emotions or traumas
A deeper sense of purpose and authenticity
Periods of confusion, sensitivity, or existential questioning
Spontaneous psychic or intuitive perceptions (clairvoyance, psychic visions, inner knowing, vivid synchronicities)

Over time, these effects often integrate into greater emotional balance, inner peace, and spiritual maturity. From a psychological perspective, such experiences can be understood as a reorganisation of consciousness, aligning unconscious material with higher awareness.

As old patterns are released and the heart chakra is activated, it can bring about a deep sense of spiritual awareness, including an expansion into expanded consciousness, and a newfound understanding of the interconnectedness of all things, leading to a more profound sense of oneness and unity.

Increased ability in intuition, communication, and empathy often emerges, allowing for greater clarity and expressive confidence. Intuitive guidance becomes more accessible, supporting decision-making and self-awareness. Many individuals notice a deepening of their spiritual connection with higher powers or the universe.

SENSORY CHANGES

Kundalini awakening can dramatically heighten perception. Sensory sensitivity is common as awareness expands beyond ordinary limits.

Possible sensory shifts include:

Intensified colours, sounds, and tactile sensations
Subtle internal tones (ringing, buzzing, or humming) as energy flows through the subtle body
Activation of the third eye, leading to vivid imagery or mystical visions
Heightened sensitivity to light, smell, or energy in environments and people
Feeling light in the body
Psychic senses, such as smelling scents that have no physical source
A sense of expanded awareness or connection to nature and the cosmos

These sensory openings and heightened awareness can be beautiful but also overwhelming. Many people experience synesthesia or cross-sensory perception, for example, seeing sounds or smells as colours.

Gentle grounding practices—such as time in nature, mindful movement, or community support—can help balance the nervous system while allowing the insights of awakening to unfold safely.

COPING WITH THE SYMPTOMS OF KUNDALINI AWAKENING

The practices listed below should help you navigate your kundalini symptoms in a more comfortable manner. The goal is to integrate the energy, process what's arising, and stabilise the nervous system.

While many of these practices can stimulate the kundalini experience, research suggests that they can also support and stabilise the body and psyche to accommodate this powerful energy in a post-hoc manner. The key is not to overdo it and overwhelm the system even more.

Dietary and Lifestyle Changes

During kundalini awakening, the body and energetic system undergo significant transformation, often prompting changes in dietary and lifestyle habits. Many find themselves naturally gravitating toward lighter, plant-based foods or noticing shifts in their sleep patterns and energy levels.

These changes are the body’s way of adapting to the increased flow of energy and the awakening process. Listening to your body’s needs becomes essential; resting when needed, eating intuitively, and creating nourishing routines support your integration and help the nervous system stabilise.

Ultimately, honouring your body’s wisdom becomes a key part of grounding the awakening into daily life.

Grounding and Embodiment

Incorporating grounding practices—such as walking barefoot, spending time in nature, gardening, or engaging in gentle physical activity—can help stabilise the energy and promote overall well-being. Embracing a balanced lifestyle not only supports the kundalini awakening but also enhances your sense of connection, clarity, and vitality throughout the entire journey.

Embodiment practice not only helps you stay grounded but also teaches you to remain as the observer of physical sensations in the unfolding of the dormant energy.

These practices bring balance to the expansive spiritual energies and ensure that awakening remains integrated, not overwhelming. A grounded body supports a clear mind — allowing spiritual insight to take root in lived experience.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness are foundational tools for anyone experiencing a kundalini awakening. These practices help cultivate a deep sense of spiritual awareness and inner stillness, making it easier to navigate the powerful energies and sensations that arise during the awakening process.

Regular meditation allows you to tune into subtle shifts within the body and mind, fostering a greater sense of harmony and balance. Mindfulness-based activities, such as yoga, tai chi, or qigong, further support the flow of energy and help maintain equilibrium.

However, meditation can either stabilise or amplify kundalini energy, depending on the style and the state of the practitioner. This is not a time to engage in intense concentration meditation, long silent meditation retreats, energy raising visualisations or astral projection.

Instead, choose gentle meditation practices like Metta or loving kindness meditation, mindfulness of the body, or even walking meditation. These sorts of meditation will help you stay grounded.

Breathwork

Breathwork can also be both a catalyst for kundalini energy and a stabiliser. It's important to choose a gentle balancing breathwork practice like alternate nostril breathing or belly breathing and avoid more energising breathwork like Kapalabhati, Bhastrika, or Tumo. Any breathwork that requires holding the breath for extended periods should probably be avoided. And bandhas are a definite no.

Yoga and Kundalini Yoga

During kundalini awakening, yoga should serve as a grounding and stabilising practice, not a method of ascension or energy control. That means that Kundalini yoga should be gentle, if not avoided altogether. Likewise, avoid heat-building or forceful practices like hot yoga and inversions. These more dynamic yoga practices will irritate and stir kundalini energy when what you need is stabilising and grounding.

Instead, focus on slow, restorative schools, traditions and postures that bring the energy down and back into the body. Try a gentle hatha, slow yin, or Scaravelli yoga class.

Think of yoga at this stage not as awakening the serpent, but as soothing it, creating a safe and sacred space for integration.

TAKE-AWAY INSIGHT

Kundalini awakening is not a path to be sought for its own sake, nor a spiritual badge of honour. It is a profound initiation into the mystery of consciousness itself, one that unfolds differently for everyone. Whether gentle or intense, spontaneous or cultivated through practice, the experience ultimately invites us into deeper alignment with life, love, and our true nature.

The key lies in balance: grounding the energy, honouring the body, and cultivating awareness through meditation, breath, and mindful living. Support from experienced teachers, transpersonal therapists, or spiritual guides can be invaluable in integrating the experience safely and meaningfully.

When navigated with care, kundalini awakening can become not a source of suffering but a doorway to inner freedom and a return to the natural, radiant wholeness that has always been our essence.