Lifestyle Considerations

The importance of lifestyle in managing a Kundalini process cannot be overstated.  Usually the enhancements that Kundalini is trying to bring about cannot happen without substantial changes in lifestyle.

Changes of this type can be quite challenging, especially if one has obligations and responsibilities, such as a dependent spouse or children.  But failure to make the necessary changes will usually make the process more difficult, prolong its duration, and affect its outcome.

During the time a process is very active it is imperative that the body be able to provide the quantity and quality of vital energy that the brain requires. This ability is impacted by numerous factors, of which the following are primary.

Diet:

A healthy diet is essential for a successful process.  But diet is individual in nature, and what is good for one person to eat may not be good for another.  It is therefore very important to be aware of how one's body reacts to different foods, and to consume those that enhance the process.

In general, one should eat as natural and healthy a diet as possible, emphasizing organically grown fruits and vegetables, and avoiding heavily processed, artificial or ‘junk’ food.

Meat, particularly red meat, tends to temporarily inhibit a Kundalini process.  This may be useful if one needs to be more ‘grounded’ for a period of time.  If consumed, it should be organically raised, from animals that are fed on natural and appropriate feed.

Sleep

Kundalini is often highly active during sleep, and an adequate amount of sleep is essential for a healthy process.

Physical Fitness

The ability of our body to provide the necessary quantity and quality of vital energy is closely connected to our level of physical fitness.  Emphasis should be on moderate forms of exercise, done in nature, such as walking or gardening.

Stress

The effect of stress is to produce toxins in the body that detract from the quality of vital energy going to the brain.  As much as possible, stressful activities should be avoided.  If that is not possible, then stress-reducing activities, such as spending time in nature, should be done.

Alcohol, Smoking and Recreational Drugs

These also tend to seriously degrade the quality of vital energy or prana in the body, and should be avoided.

Concentration

If mental difficulties arise during a Kundalini process, it is strongly advised that intense forms of concentration be reduced or stopped.  These may be work related, or part of a spiritual practice, such as meditation.  If one injures a muscle from over-exercise, doing further exercise with that muscle does not facilitate the healing process.

Sexual Activity

New activity in the brain must be fuelled by increased energy from the body.  At first such energy is supplied by the sex organs, in the form of prana.  In time the nervous system becomes adjusted to extracting the energy from other organs and tissues in the body.  Until this happens, it is essential that sexual activity be kept at a level that leaves enough vital energy for the brain.  This may mean a reduction in activity, or total abstinence.  If feelings of mental distress arise after sexual activity, then it is too frequent.

Another problem may arise when the sex organs are stimulated to hyper-activity but the quality of the energy produced is poor.  This may be due to an impure or toxic state of the body. In this case the energy would actually be harmful for the brain.  So in order to protect the brain from harm, the transformation and transmission of the sexual energy is blocked, forcing this heightened activity to be expressed outwardly.  This may result in an intensed sexual appetite that cannot be satisfied.

If this happens it is strongly advised that every effort be made to purify the body (as outlined above) so that the process may continue in a more healthy way.

Relationships

As Kundalini can have the effect of transforming a person’s personality, and often requires them to make major lifestyle changes, it can also be very stressful for a spouse or other family members.  Therefore it is essential that these people be educated about what Kundalini is and what it is trying to accomplish.  

Kundalini is a natural process with a desirable goal, similar to pregnancy and childbirth. When family members realize this they may be more understanding and willing to make the adjustments in their lifestyle necessary to facilitate the process. In the end, most people undergoing a Kundalini process have no choice but to make such adjustments.