KUNDALINI AND CHRISTIANITY
THE MISSING LINK
The possible connection between Kundalini and Christian spirituality –
navigating the way through, from a personal experience.
This is the story of one person’s experience. (I experienced Kundalini during an Easter several years ago, even though I wasn’t a Christian at the time. In fact, I didn’t care all that much for the religion – until I started experiencing key spiritual events during Christmas and Easter times.) I am creating this site because in all that I have read on the Internet so far about Kundalini, I do not think I have read anything which established a clear, direct link between Kundalini and Christian spirituality. There seems to be much confusion and controversy about the issue.
I am creating this website on my own because I believe it is probably the only way I can get my own full message across. This website is primarily intended for those who have been through some experience of Kundalini and are also interested in Christianity, or for those who might be thinking about Kundalini but who might not have yet given much consideration to Christianity. I am doing it because I remember very well how lacking information and resources were for myself ten years ago. At some stages during my own experience I know that I nearly panicked because I felt so ill-equipped to deal with it all. My main advice to others in the same situation would overall be to stay calm and focused (I know how difficult this is but it makes things easier in the long run) because you will get through it. Whatever it is, it is never impossible to overcome. Sometimes, we need help with what we are going through - the good news is that the spiritual resources are there, waiting for us to call on them.
I am not giving my contact email because I do not wish to put myself in the position of becoming an online guru, and because I realize there are many issues which I am simply no authority to give an opinion on. I would prefer that you contact a Christian counselling service for guidance and resources. Don’t write them off because some can be very helpful in clarifying subjects of confusion, and are genuinely interested in helping you. I recommend being well prepared beforehand and if you are uncertain or intimidated about approaching a church, make a one-off visit somewhere where you don’t feel pressured to commit yourself, like a large city church centre.
In this piece, I am attempting to describe my own personal experience, in as objective terms as I can – though in truth, anything which is written is always selective and the subjective is always difficult to totally root out. I will briefly discuss my own experience of Kundalini, and then go into other subjects afterwards – I have tried to divide these into sections. I am aware that in what follows, it probably seems I have left a lot of subjects out and left a lot of questions unanswered. This is all I personally wish to cover and if something is not here, it’s most likely because I do not feel qualified to discuss every spiritual and moral question. (I already feel that maybe I have tried to fit too much into too small a space.)
‘DISCLAIMER’
I wish to make it clear that I am not working in association with anyone else – only as an individual. I am not interested in starting a new thought form, cult or ideology. There is nothing in this for me personally – I have chosen to be anonymous and am not profiting from it in any way. I do not believe that I am just making fanciful claims, but that what I suggest can be confirmed and that I can say how. Everything in this document is true according to my memory of it, but quite a few names have been withheld, in respect for other people’s privacy and reputation.
I believe that many misleading and irresponsible websites exist about this subject, and so I believe that a caution is in order. Having stated it, I am not responsible for the risks which other people might take with the process. To those who might consider trying to follow in these same footsteps as described below – I would in fact urge you not to follow the same pattern as I did. If I could do it over again, I certainly would have done it differently. (Kinesiology in particular, which I will discuss later, is supposed to be a 'natural' but nonetheless can be a very strong technique, and if you plan to use it, it is perhaps best done under the care of a professional who knows what they're doing.) Over time, I became aware that through using many of the things I learnt at church alone, I'm sure that my spirituality could still have developed, in a much safer and more guided manner. This is one of the main purposes of this website – I’d like to think that the way I did things may have helped suggest a few connections between some things previously considered unrelated, for the most part. However, along the way, I am aware that I made quite a few ‘naïve errors’ – if I can spare others going through some of the same things, then I believe that this effort is worthwhile.
Having said the above, why is it that so many people don't seem to benefit that much from church? Perhaps unfortunately we have gotten away from the original purpose of techniques, and the focus of churches seems to have changed over the centuries. Your spiritual life is a very personal thing - it's easy to judge others. Over the centuries, the church has produced figures who have contributed a great deal in the spiritual and the humanitarian sense to society. When I first started going to church, I fully expected everyone I met to be a hypocrite. But over time, I couldn't keep saying that this was the case - I did meet people with an undeniably strong wisdom and spirituality, which reflected in their lives.
Ultimately, each person’s experience is unique and individual. There is probably no textbook which can tell you exactly how to go about things. In some cases, you need your own spiritual guidance and personal conscience. Guidance can take many different forms. It may be by intuition, a dream, or an unusual coincidence – it isn’t always direct. Over time, you will become more sensitive to and able to trust in your guidance – this is all a part of developing your own relationship with God. But ultimately, you must be responsible for your own actions – and this, in my opinion, is a large part of acquiring spiritual maturity. (Something I find very disturbing is just how invasive, thoughtless and irresponsible some people can be, supposedly ‘in the name of God’.)
You cannot try to reduce everything about the spiritual process down to just technical, academic type detail. God’s part in the process must always be acknowledged, and this simply goes beyond technical detail at some point. We live in an age in which it seems important to dissect, rationalize, analyse, confirm and know a textbook answer to everything – it reflects our modern thinking which tends to dwell in the ‘concrete’ and material world. Some things you just have to accept through faith. If you try to over-rationalise or over-intellectualise everything, you are never really going to be able to ‘get it’.
I have tried to briefly explain some common Christian terms and concepts. (Many of these can be confusing for the beginner, as they can have quite a different and more esoteric meaning than their common, everyday usage.) I hope that I have done so accurately – any mistakes are honest errors on my part, as in my time I have undertaken very little formal study about these matters. I have tried to include a brief description of Kundalini and the chakras. If you are already familiar with these, you may wish to skip them.
I'm sorry if this document seems very long to go through - some of these are very complicated subjects, and I don't feel that there is much point discussing them if you aren't prepared to do justice to them properly. Topics begin with a discussion of Kundalini, then the differences between the Christian and Eastern points of view, and what is basically involved in adopting the Christian religion. The rest essentially deals with theories about the experience (how it is brought about and how to deal with it) and its relevance to modern spirituality. Overall, it is my attempt to reconcile the two traditions with each other.
The conflict between Christianity and ‘New Age’ religions
Spiritual discipline/dealing with the after-effects
Kundalini and Christianity in history
It is surprising to me how these days, the word ‘chakra’ is so commonly used. It is a Sanskrit term, meaning ‘wheel’. They are not visible to most people, however, I believe that some day, the existence of the chakras will be commonly accepted. We are not usually aware of them, on the day to day level. However, they play an important part in our physical health and our well being. They provide a good way of explaining the interconnection between the mind, body and spirit.
Each chakra is supposed to appear as a different colour, and to correspond to different light and sound frequencies, from lower to higher. There are seven major chakras. However, there are also said to be some minor chakras, and some which exist outside of the body. These ‘external’ chakras are very interesting, but their function as yet isn’t that well understood, and is very difficult to grasp, so I intend to stay here with a description of the seven major chakras.
The first chakra is located at the base of the spine, and points upwards. The next five point horizontally, and are like two spinning vortexes extending out to both the front and the back of the body. The seventh chakra is located at the top of the head, and is a single vortex pointing downwards.
Each chakra is also associated with different physical organs, emotional states, and also environmental elements. This shouldn’t be so surprising – man has a large capacity to ‘self-determine’, but is also in many ways a product of and dependent upon the environment. We require air to breathe, water to drink, food for energy, the sun for warmth, etc. We can also be subject to many interactions from day to day on the human level. And all this shows up in the system of the chakras.
It is not really wise to think of any particular chakra in isolation – each one has an effect and influence on all the others. The following is probably a very oversimplified description, but is how I think of the chakra system (quite often, the function of the chakra can seem quite obvious, from its location). If you don't like to think 'connection to' you can think 'dependence upon', as far as I'm concerned.
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Base of spine. Red in colour. I think of this chakra as being our connection to the very core of the mineral earth. It is related to our most basic life force, or will to live in the physical world.
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Navel area. Orange. Connected to the element of water, and to the reproductive organs and the bladder.
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Solar plexus. Yellow. The digestive system. I think of this centre as being related to our metabolism of sun energy, via the vegetable matter we eat which has already processed it through photosynthesis into energy in the form of kilojoules/calories.
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The heart area. Green. Circulation. To me, this is the centre of our connection to other humans or any other blood-circulating creature, for that matter. For this reason, it is seen as the centre of the love we feel towards others.
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The throat area. Blue. Is related to respiration and our connection to the element of air (I know that many would disagree with me and say that this belongs to the fourth chakra).
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The back of the head/the point between the eyebrows. Indigo/violet. Associated with the lower brain.
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The crown of the head. Described as white/violet in colour. The ‘seat of enlightenment’, and integration of all that below. Associated with upper brain.
Kundalini is also a Sanskrit term which is translated as ‘coiled serpent’. (I think it's an unfortunate analogy - it reminds a lot of Christians of the serpent in the Old Testament - but it's the only one we have.) This is a reference to the latent spiritual energy which is supposed to lie dormant at the base of the spine. When awakened, it begins to ‘unfold’ and move up the spine, activating the chakras in sequence along the way. The energy associated with the lower chakras is redirected upwards. Great heat is felt in the spine, especially in the chakra points. When the energy reaches the crown of the head, and all chakras are simultaneously activated, ‘enlightenment’ is attained. But this is not exactly a finish. Rather, it’s only the beginning of a new journey.
Kundalini is described as a form of rebirth, enlightenment, or spiritual awakening. It may be significant that many old paintings of the saints and other religious figures often show white lights or halos surrounding their heads (the site of the crown chakra) as a sign of their enlightenment. Many have drawn attention to this.
People who have been through Kundalini are able to convert and use the physical energies of the lower chakras for a spiritual purpose. The energies are thereby ‘transformed’. It is said that the Kundalini process allows for the unification of matter and spirit. Some people seem to experience Kundalini quite spontaneously. But usually, if occurs after a long, concerted process of sanctification, purification and cleansing. If you think this sounds similar to the Christian tradition, in my regard you are right.
In my case, I experienced Kundalini at the age of 27, during Easter 2000. The millennial date didn’t mean much to me. (There is a lot of evidence that 1996 was probably the true 2000th year since Christ’s birth.) But I was a bit disconcerted – to say the least - about the timing during an important Christian festival. If it hadn’t been for the fact that I’d also experienced another significant spiritual ‘turning point’ the previous Christmas, I would’ve thought it was all mere coincidence. It was certainly the last outcome I expected. I had always believed in the past that Christianity was a dying, defunct religion which was holding back the entire spiritual progress of humanity! I thought it was all just dogma. So what I experienced seemed to make no sense at all.
My Kundalini experience seemed to include all the usual features i.e. feelings of great heat in certain areas of the spine moving up to the top of the head, a great sense of being spiritually ‘reborn’, beginning to experience a lot of supernatural phenomena, and great feelings of spiritual elevation, joy, liberation, enlightenment…in fact, words just can’t really totally describe it.
Kundalini still plays an ongoing part in my life. Each day, I am still aware of sensations of heat in my upper chakras, and it is when this is at its strongest, in fact, that I seem to feel at my best. It is not something I wish to try to ‘switch off’. I suffer no negative physical, mental or emotional effects. At certain times in the past, when I was going through in retrospect my most intense periods of growth, there were some testing and gruelling moments along the way. But this is now quite some time ago.
I am these days a baptised Christian. Converting was sometimes a very difficult and challenging process. Virtually the only thing I knew about in the beginning was that you were supposed to ‘forgive others their transgressions’. It can be so difficult, as I came face to face with. It just did not seem like something I was able to do in my own strength. Looking for some inspiration, I started watching a video tape about Catholic mystical experiences. I did feel very moved, inspired and uplifted by the video. It felt like the beginning of a new awareness inside me. I felt a nearly overwhelming feeling of complete and unconditional love and forgiveness towards anyone who had ever wronged me in the past. Later that evening, I heard a male voice by my left side say one word, very quickly – ‘Yes.’ – although I could see no one beside me.
It was the only supernatural voice I believe I’ve ever heard – before or since then. Some people claim to receive very lengthy, ongoing and direct ‘messages from God’. I personally do not and I think this serves to highlight how God can appear to, speak to and be experienced by people in a variety of different ways. He may not always speak through supernatural, mystical events – many times, it’s just the simple, common events of our day to day lives and those unusual ‘coincidences’ which we sometimes become aware of, which seem to contain a lesson or a message.
I can these days say that I'm happy to be a Christian. But in the beginning, it was very difficult to come to terms with all this. In the past, I did all that I could to avoid Christians - I felt that most were superior, self-righteous hypocrites, and sometimes, I am still very disappointed with what I encounter in church. The people I am closest to are still mostly non-Christians. Learning to experience my spirituality all over again in a new, Christian context felt almost like beginning from scratch. I think that there were many things I at first misunderstood about the religion. There seem to be many misconceptions among the general public as to what the religion is actually about. It doesn't make it easier that the churches themselves seem to differ on some fairly fundamental points.
I don't believe that I'm the only one who has ever had this difficulty - some of the strongest evangelists for Christianity were once among its strongest opponents, or the least saint-like individuals. How do you explain it? It is very difficult. But that's the transforming power of it. Sometimes, the Spirit seems to come into the darkest areas - maybe simply because that is where there is the most need. At any rate, the Spirit never works in an unguided, unknowing manner.
I am not trying to suggest in this website that I think Kundalini is something which must be experienced in order to gain ‘enlightenment’. I personally believe that there may be a variety of forms of enlightenment. People can have spiritual moments which don’t seem all that dramatic or spectacular, but which can still have a very deep, profound and long-lasting effect upon their lives. Focusing mainly upon ‘experiences’ themselves is, in my opinion, a very shallow, superficial and egotistical way of looking at it. What is really important is overall, long term spiritual growth and development. The real task is integrating the experiences in your day to day life – what is the real meaning behind them? What is your mission? How are you going to apply it all? (If someone receives a major physical healing through spiritual means, then that is a great miracle to be given thanks for. However, you would also hope that it extends as well to the recipient's emotional and spiritual life.) Maintaining humility and focus is very important during Kundalini, and there are several ways in which you can keep this in front of you, which I intend to discuss a bit further later.
THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND ‘NEW AGE’ RELIGIONS
I am quite aware of the dangers present in trying to compare New Age/Eastern religions and Christianity with each other. Many people have tried and lost their way in the muddle of it all. There are various things which may appear the same or similar, at least on the surface. But there is much about Christianity which sets it apart. Time and again in the Bible it is stated ‘you shall have no other gods before Me’. Christ in the Bible is the only one who is born the Son of God and therefore has a singular status. He is not just another prophet, guru or teacher.
One thing I find quite astonishing is the number of 'New Age' writers who say they invoke the name of Christ or the Holy Spirit in their prayers/meditations, and who seem to believe in the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Fatima and Lourdes, but who don't seem to take the religion itself that seriously. (It's probably no wonder that after years of reading this sort of thing, I was very confused when I first started going to church! The modern tendency seems to be to try to keep all our options open, so that we don't have to decide on anything in particular.) The fact is that Christ made very strong statements about Himself, His role and ministry - and they only become clearer when you understand them in the context of Old Testament scripture and prophecy. People were evidently drawn to Him and He treated those who came to Him very humanely and compassionately, yet He was unmistakably firm in His principles. The whole design and purpose of His ministry is very clear - and I don't see how you can ignore all this or brush it aside, focusing on just a few parts of Jesus' ministry in isolation. Likewise, the miracles at Fatima and Lourdes were very clearly intended to affirm the status of the Church (specifically, the Roman Catholic Church). They had a very definite meaning and purpose.
God in the Bible is described as a very personal God. In Eastern religions God is usually a more amorphous figure – God is some kind of unifying ‘force’ behind nature, or God may not exist as a being outside of us at all. Rather, God is the spiritual potential residing within us – we are God and on the same level.
Experiencing Christian spirituality is more than just some ‘state of consciousness’ – it is described rather as a personal relationship with Christ, who intercedes between us and God the Father to atone for our faults and imperfections. Christians themselves are not perfect – they may strive to do the right thing but like everyone else, they slip up from time to time. This is the reason why they regularly perform rituals which ‘reconcile’ them to God the Father through the sacrifice of Christ, as commemorated in the Eucharist/Holy Communion.
Christianity is the most absolutist and demanding religion that there is. It does not sit well with most modern moral attitudes, or the ‘me-centred’ philosophy of many 'New Age' religions. This philosophy is carried through and preached in most of our modern culture and media. Those who lead this movement can be very charismatic, smooth talkers who can make their message seem very convincing, ‘logical’ and acceptable – at least on the surface. Many of them make the ‘bestseller’ lists in the bookstores, and their works are available and are quoted just about everywhere that you go. It is as if we are being encouraged to ‘pick and choose’ what we want God to be. This gives us complete control over everything – we are on the same level as God, if you like. Many of us are terribly afraid of letting go of even one bit of this power or control. Even Christians can be. Yes, part of the spiritual process seems to involve the inner being and the experience itself can be very ‘uplifting’ and fulfilling. But this is not supposed to be the main aim of the process.
Yet I don’t view my Kundalini experience as being necessarily in conflict with my Christianity. To me, the ‘chakra’ system fits in quite well with Christian teaching and philosophy, and I am more on the side of it being a universal-type phenomena which is not limited to or confined to the East. I don’t believe it is as yet fully understood by any culture. Some knowledge of it and experimentation with it may lead to some quasi or pseudo type religious experiences. But I don’t believe it has progressed much further than that, at present. For these reasons, I advise great caution and perhaps a reconsideration of approach, or an exploration of alternatives, for many Kundalini aspirants who may think it is the only worthwhile route.
I am a Western female. My spiritual background before Kundalini was that I wasn’t fully committed to any particular ‘organised’ religion. I had a belief in God but only a very vague idea about the whole thing. I’ve read a little about Eastern spiritual traditions but am not all that well-versed. I didn’t practice any TM or yoga. My main background was in kinesiology (I will go into more detail about this later). Looking back, obviously my spiritual training could have been better. Many techniques used to raise Kundalini are taught these days – some of them rather forceful and geared around ‘accelerating’ the process. When not combined with more traditional techniques and character development, I don’t believe that people are given a very good grounding or preparation for dealing with Kundalini over the long term. It is a process which can have an infiltrating effect upon your whole life and being. But we live in an age in which we tend to want things quickly and instantly – with the utmost speed and convenience. At one stage, I did realise that maybe I wasn’t yet ready for my next stage of spiritual development, and took a whole year off. In retrospect, this year probably made all the difference. After it, I believe that in my life and in my mind set I was much better prepared for dealing with Kundalini.
One minister I knew felt that Kundalini was in conflict with Christianity because it was a primarily self-centred, self-absorbed, inwardly directed process which did not recognize God’s grace. In turn, I would suggest that virtually all spiritual practices probably run the same risks – including prayer or fasting, as Jesus cautions in the New Testament. There are many Christians who totally reject anything which, to them, is of the East – including incorporating any forms of meditation, visualisation, or an appreciation of the natural creation. The Christian religion has, in recent times, become increasingly secularised in virtually all churches. The mystical experience is often downplayed or discredited and those who experience it viewed with suspicion or as some kind of threat to the established order.
I sometimes get very frustrated because I seem to hear Christians talk a lot about wanting more religious and church unity, wanting a more dynamic, closer relationship with God, wanting to ‘shake up’ the old established order and etc. But in most cases, this is all that it seems to be – just talk which they never seem to end up putting into practice. When it comes down to it, most of them are very intolerant of anyhing which is outside of their own experience and background. It most often seems to be the case that when someone comes along who wants to ‘move forward’, they just meet with a lot of negativity, suspicion and rejection.
These days I have come to accept that perhaps most people are somewhat afraid and suspicious of anything which is outside of their own experience – and this is probably what leads to most intolerance and prejudice. I also sometimes suspect that many feel a sort of attack upon their own faith or their own spiritual life – even if this is not what was at all intended. I am no longer concerned about people who jump to quick judgements and conclusions and are like over the top Inquisitionists. (I still have people who tell me to “Get rid of all those crystals and pyramids in your house.” There aren’t any and never have been! I will not have anything in my home when I am not sure of the thought forms or beliefs behind it.)
I actually have quite a few Protestant friends (including some ministers). But it seems to be extreme Protestants who have the greatest difficulty coming to terms with Kundalini. They tend to be the most opposed to new revelation. To them, salvation is through faith in God's grace – we do not merit it through our own works or our own efforts. This is a correct and important point. However, at times in the past, it has been carried through to extremes. It was one of the main reasons for doing away with such mystical devotions as the Rosary, for example. On the other hand, churches such as the Roman Catholic or the ‘charismatic’ Pentecostal churches (different as they may be) are more open to the idea of a direct, mystical experience of God. This is a very involved issue and I do not intend to go into detail about it at this point except to briefly touch upon one of the main issues the Church seems to have with the Kundalini experience.
When I first joined the Catholic Church, I was actually quite surprised by how many parallels I could see with Eastern religions. As I later found, it's no mere coincidence. Many of the earliest Christians didn't entirely give up their former pagan beliefs and practices - instead, it appears that they modified and adjusted many of them to give them a new meaning, and incorporated them into their new religion. The later Protestant churches sought to remove most of these influences, denouncing them as idolatry. (We all know people who merely seem to be 'going through the motions' at church or in saying their prayers. To me, this indeed isn't that far removed from mere idolatry. Idolatry can be defined as anything we worship more than or in the place of God - which can include many things.) Among the similarities:
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The recitation of mantra-like prayers on strings of beads. The very specific rituals, rhythms, postures and 'chants' followed during services.
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The ornateness and iconography in cathedrals and temples. Later Protestants burnt or painted over many church paintings and decorations. Some even objected to the wearing of crucifixes. (In some cases, the reason for the artwork in churches was for the religious instruction of peasants who couldn't read or write. This is how we today have the 'Stations of the Cross'.)
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The worship of the Virgin Mary. Many have compared this to the old worship of female deities and fertility goddesses. The worship of Mary, the angels and saints was too close for comfort for many to the worship of multiple deities in Eastern religions. The closest the Protestants would come to 'pluralism' was the concept of the Holy Trinity.
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The celebration of Christmas and Easter very close to the winter solstice and spring equinox respectively. (I have a Protestant Christian friend who doesn't seem to believe in Easter, and regards it as a 'pagan festival'.)
Needless to say, a closer look at the history of the Church can be very disillusioning. In retrospect, Martin Luther was an educated man with legitimate concerns about the corruption and abuses of power in the Church of Rome at that time. You could also say that he had his own personal and spiritual uncertainties and insecurities - which apparently at one point drove him close to a breakdown. The Protestant movement seemed to begin with great hopes and ideals - unfortunately, it merely seemed to degenerate into the splintering of groups, with persecutions and violence proliferating between them. How are people supposed to have faith in such a divided body, unsure of its future and identity? This was not how it was originally intended to be. In my mind, it is the fault of several parties, and because we have forgotten and mishandled our original legacy, concentrating on inappropriate areas.
This can be fraught with difficulty, but can also be a great bonus and blessing. Many Christians, disenchanted with church, choose to practice privately and alone, in isolation. This is not really an ideal situation – there are many ways in which you can gain value from interaction with others of your faith. Christianity is very geared towards ‘corporate’ worship which has existed since its earliest times. But it’s probably best to go into it with eyes open.
I was baptised in a Catholic church, but couldn’t stick it. I clashed with the local priest about some issues – it wasn’t that he was more traditional/old-fashioned and I was less so. If anything, it was the other way around. But I was seen as a ‘non-conformist’ in my congregation, though I did nothing against church rules or policy. I had initially thought that the Roman Catholic Church, with its strong central authority, would have a great deal of uniformity amongst its followers. But this isn’t really the case and there is actually quite a wide range of diverging opinion, belief and worship style. Like any other church, it has its more conservative and its more liberal wing. (I know this doesn't sit very well with what I've said above, and I'd be the first to admit I don't find it an ideal situation.)
I started attending a small Anglican church – the services were very similar to what I was now used to, and I appreciated the warm and friendly atmosphere. I was aware of still getting spiritual value out of the prayers, readings and fellowship with others. (I haven’t been confirmed in this church, however, so I am able to receive Communion but am not a full member.) I never fail to leave a church service feeling ‘uplifted’ and strengthened afterwards.
Don’t go by first impressions. A church community may appear quite okay on the surface – many of the newer churches know how to put on quite ‘slick’ services – but you don’t have to scratch far under the surface to find chinks such as factions, divisions and grievances. No church community is ever going to be perfect and sometimes you just have to take ‘the good with the bad’ – to shut out the negative elements and put your focus on God. He is whom you should rely on most. Try however to find a place in which the atmosphere is predominantly mutually respectful and supportive. I am not suggesting that you should ignore or brush under the carpet any problems which are serious or ongoing. But sometimes, I have to overlook things which are not according to my taste, in order to gain the overall benefit - which, for me, outweighs the drawbacks. If you put your full trust or expectations in church members or leaders, then sooner or later you are going to be let down or disappointed, when you see their more human, fallible side.
By first impressions, I am referring mostly to those things which appear on the surface - like setting, lighting, symbolism, music, theatrics, etc. It's easy to be side tracked by these things, especially if you come from a spiritually confused background. However, some people who have highly developed their intuition are able to quickly sense whether something 'isn't right'. These days, when I first encounter a new place or group of people, I focus a great deal on how that environment or the presence of those people makes me feel inside. Sometimes it's like a feeling which literally washes over me - it can be a feeling of spiritual nurturing or nourishment, or it can be a feeling of heaviness, oppression, tension, etc, which can be very draining.
I recommend sticking with the more established, conventional, mainstream churches which are at least publicly accountable, and avoiding the new cults, sects and offshoots. They can be tempting for many but they are not the answer, regardless of how ‘in order’ they may appear to be on the surface. Remember that when you go to TM or yoga classes (I've heard of some which can try to combine their practices with 'Christian' spirituality) these are often not just classes which are designed to help you learn to relax or to become more fit. TM or yoga has a belief system or philosophy behind it, in its own right, which may not actually be compatible with the Christian faith. You're entitled to know more about this, before you join.
I obviously became a Catholic because I had a very strong response to watching a video about Catholic spirituality. A few months after I started attending this church, one morning I became aware of a feeling like a very light ‘pressure’ descending upon me, during a service. I quickly went into a very strong spiritual state and at the same time, my attention seemed to become fixated on the tabernacle (the tabernacle is the storage place for the Communion hosts or wafers, and is an object of reverence and worship in Catholic churches). Thereafter, I was always able to feel strongly the ‘presence of God’ when sitting in front of the tabernacle. I have not experienced anything like this in any other church. In the Catholic Church, the Communion host is seen as being quite literally ‘the body of Christ’ and hence having special mystical properties. In other churches, the meaning of the ritual is more metaphorical/symbolic. But as said above, I still seem able to receive great spiritual value and upliftment in other churches, albeit in apparently different form.
Be careful whom you choose to confide in, to begin with. If you are unfamiliar with Christianity, then at first many of the terms of reference and the ‘jargon’ which other Christians use is likely to be new and sometimes confusing to you. Likewise, much of your own way of speaking about things and your terms of reference may seem ‘different’ to them, and you might find that questions will be asked – which can become problematic and lead to misunderstandings, if you are not careful. You might think you can use quite casually certain terms of reference and it won’t be noticed, but most likely it will be picked up upon. I have tried to highlight in this document the most basic points which commonly cause confusion, but it is an involved area which requires some study.
I might say to a fellow Christian that I experienced feelings of heat in my body during a service, but I am not going to use the word ‘chakras’. I know that if I did, I would most likely instantly be judged as a ‘heathen’. Does this ever cause me inner conflict? Yes, sometimes it does but that’s the way things stand, at the present time. I’m sorry if it seems like I’m encouraging a kind of deceit or avoidance, but I have come to accept that there are some certain subjects which I just cannot discuss with most of my fellow Christians. In my case, I became very tired of feeling like I had to defend myself and justify myself at nearly every turn – in the end, it felt like it was distracting me from my spiritual focus, and was not worth the hassles and energy. I do believe, however, that if you attend a church then you should respect that body's position on spirituality and morality.
Many people reading this site, I suppose, would have in the past become alienated by the teachings and the practices of the Christian Church, and hence consulted other traditions. I can empathise with and relate to all this, believe me - it's exactly what I went through myself, at a younger age. I had some negative early exposure to Christianity and wrestled with what I actually believed in for a long time. I obviously have some quite mixed feelings towards the Church. On the one hand, I respect its role and its traditions. I actually don't have that much of a problem with its teachings and doctrines. I am now in my thirties - I'm no longer so impressionable and can see many of the flaws which were in my western liberalist upbringing. However, there are undeniable problems and corruptions present within the modern day Church. For those who struggle with aspects of Church teachings, I feel that there needs to be more positive and constructive help available. But what disappoints me the most, I suppose, is the spiritual dryness, complacency, disunity, and the lack of true humility and service in many churches. A focus on these areas, I believe, would do more to improve the position of the Church in the world and its relevance than anything. (This is perhaps a bit of a generalisation, as I do know there are many Christians who take their faith seriously and who have given great service - no disrespect is intended here towards these people.)
I make these points as precautions because people who have been through Kundalini can have a tendency to be a bit naive, gullible and easily taken advantage of by others. It is often their lack of 'worldliness' which makes them candidates for Kundalini in the first place, and the process itself can tend to exacerbate the trait even further. Abuses can and do occur in church and the structure and dynamics of church settings can easily be used to brush over or cover them up. The victim of the abuse is isolated by the larger group, and they are often made to feel that it is somehow 'their fault' that it happened. It happened to me on one occasion, and it is very difficult to deal with. These days, I feel that I have learnt to recognise when this is happening, and to not let myself become involved in certain situations. It is important for everyone to be open and accountable - no matter how 'elevated' their ministry. When things start drifting away from this, get yourself out of the situation immediately.
I would include spiritual abuse as a type of abuse which can be encountered in churches. In my opinion, it can be just a hurtful and damaging as any other type of abuse. Your spirituality is a very personal and sacred thing to you. For a long time, I didn't want to discuss the spiritual events of my life with anyone else. The first few times I tried to do so - in an attempt to find some spiritual support - I ended up deeply regretting it.
It is important to support and respect church leaders, and to understand that many times, it is not an easy position to be in. Church leaders are usually born with a natural gift for leadership. Unfortunately, some of them seem to begin enjoying the power, control or influence they have over others. It's a hidden trap for all people in a position of leadership. The night before His death, Jesus counselled His disciples, who would move into their own ministries subsequently, about the need for an attitude of service and humility towards others. He illustrated His point by washing their feet - much to the astonishment of the disciples. This was the custom before a banquet, and was a task normally performed by a slave. It is an act which is still reenacted annually in many churches. Pointedly, this took place after the disciples had already been bickering about who would have the highest position among themselves. From Luke 22:24-27:
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (NRSV)
I include this section because if you are new to Christianity and someone hasn't been there to give you a good introduction, it can be difficult and confusing to know where to start, in looking for information. I cannot provide it all here, in this website - I can only give you a 'starting point'. However, I think it would be wrong for me to create a website like this and not give readers something to go on with. (It is very difficult to recommend sources which deal with both Kundalini and Christianity together - I haven't been able to find any to date which have been that helpful. Therefore, in this section I am staying with Christian material.) I have been fortunate enough to have had access to strong Bible teaching and a very good Christian library, in my area. There is a wide range of literature available, from study resources to high quality fiction. These days, I have become much more selective about what I read, listen to or watch on TV, so my local Christian library has been invaluable.
Obviously, at the top of the list is the Bible. I have three versions – the NIV (New International Version), the NKJV (New King James) and the NRSV (New Revised Standard). Sometimes you can buy a couple of versions in the one book, so that you can compare passages and their interpretations. The NIV seems to often be used for serious study. It tends to be clearer and easier to understand than the NKJV, though the language in the NKJV can be more eloquent and ‘poetic’. The NRSV was given to me as a gift. Many people swear by it – and it is often used as the official text in church readings. There are many different Bible versions available. I recommend carefully checking out the credentials of each, for accuracy and objectivity in translation and interpretation.
Whichever version you choose, I strongly recommend getting a good Bible commentary, because you will need it. Mine is quite an old volume, also given to me as a gift – but it has been invaluable. It first gives a general outline of each book in the Bible, and then goes through each of them passage by passage, explaining in depth the meaning of each.
There are many introductory Bible Study courses available – including short term courses which you can study at your own pace on the Internet. (I have also included some Internet website links at the end of this document, which I have found useful.) This is good if you feel nervous about group classes, to begin with. But I recommend also eventually joining a group, if you can – there is nothing like having a good teacher, plus being able to ‘bounce ideas off’ others and group interaction sometimes to assist in the learning process.
Church ministers and elders, whatever else they may be, are given good grounding in these matters so if there is a Bible section or passage which is really giving you difficulty and there is someone you feel you can trust and feel comfortable approaching, this is what I would recommend.
Many passages of the Bible seem very difficult and confronting – even to many long time Christians! If God is loving and merciful, then He seems far removed from the God of many parts of the Bible. The Bible is a document which was written in various languages by a very different culture to that of today. If you have ever studied a foreign language, you would be well aware of some of the mix-ups which can occur. Each culture has their own nuances and own means of expression, which can sometimes be difficult to translate. I am not trying to suggest here that the original Bible is inaccurate – I believe that the root of the original text is eternally the Word of God. This is why I would recommend investing in a good Bible commentary. For example, in the King James Version, ‘fear of God’ is often mentioned, which can turn many people off. If God is supposed to love us, how can He be such a fearsome, unapproachable figure? This ‘fear’ can also be translated ‘awe’ or ‘reverence’ of God – and many commentaries would carry a note of this. (There are always some, of course, who can carry interpretations too far – so as stated above, always try to check credentials.)
It should perhaps also be pointed out that while the essential character of God does not change, the relationship between man and God does undergo a kind of evolution or change, during the period of the Bible, culminating with the sacrifice of Christ. This does not mean that the old part of the Bible is irrelevant and of no use to us today, but we read it with this modified perspective.
Many books can be confusing and full of ‘jargon’. However, some of my favourite Christian writers are Richard Foster, Philip Yancey, Charles H. Kraft and Joyce Huggett – all of whom are popular, mainstream authors but whom I have found express themselves in a clear manner and dare to confront many issues which many other writers tend to leave out. It is interesting how many books have recently been written by Christians who have undergone near death experiences - they are certainly inspiring and thought provoking. Many people are interested in the lives of the saints and mystics, and books are available in any good Catholic bookstore. Reading can be a great hobby and very useful. Becoming a Christian is not just about intellectual study and effort, however. God is just as much about the heart as the mind. We must never lose sight of this.
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE/DEALING WITH THE AFTER-EFFECTS
With today’s busy lifestyle, sometimes this can be difficult to fit in. Some people choose to deliberately wake up an hour earlier than they have to in the morning so that they have time for prayer. During the day, they may also incorporate short ‘regrouping’ breaks. If you live in a busy household, try to set aside some space in a quiet area which is for prayer and private worship only. (One person I knew had a very lovely ‘prayer spot’ in her garden, complete with a religious statue set in the midst of some rose trees. Be creative if you like!)
Spiritual discipline is very important for anyone who has been through Kundalini. It changes the way your energy system works, and if this is not handled well, then problems can arise. However, it does give you a greater awareness of how your energy system works, and it's important to use this. There might be some further changes and you might find that some trial and error is involved.
I hesitate to outline entirely what I do and what works for me, because you are an individual, and what works and is appropriate for someone else may not be suitable for you. It is crucial, however, to make sure you are receiving adequate spiritual nourishment, from day to day. Most people can get away with not doing this, for a period of time, but the person who has been through Kundalini can't afford not to.
It takes time to learn how to integrate Kundalini into your day to day life. Deep changes may feel like they are taking place inside you, and this can be confusing and cause difficulties for other people in your life. It is important to understand this, but to remain true to your spiritual path - resisting your path and your inner changes usually just causes further problems, down the track. If you need to take some 'time out' to deal with your own changes, then that's fine, but usually, you will find that you can't hold them off indefinitely.
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I believe that when I was very young, prayer was mostly for me a way of asking God for favours, and not much else. These days, to me it is a form of communion with God – it is quieting myself so that I am able to tune into God’s guidance and presence. Some people like to use an informal, ‘chatty’ style of prayer. Others despise this. My own prayer time usually goes like this – a good deal of time focussed on all my own problems and thoughts scattered in my head, before something seems to ‘click’, and these things seem to suddenly become ‘smoothed out’. Solutions to problems can appear and I generally feel less troubled about them than I was to begin with. (It’s wonderful when it happens.) Sometimes certain insights may appear or I may feel led to pray about certain things.
The ‘Lord’s Prayer’ (‘Our Father who art in heaven…’) may seem on the surface quite a simple prayer but it is actually quite ingenious – it seems to contain all the vital ingredients of a prayer session. Go through it meditating upon and paying serious attention to all parts of it and see for yourself.
Giving praise and thanks to God makes good sense because it helps to keep humility and a sense of reverence for God. ‘Trust in the Lord’ has also become something of a cliché but actually, being able to trust and surrender is a vital part of the spiritual process. In fact, you might even say that it’s a pretty good definition of it. Sometimes it’s just best to stop asking ‘But…?’ and ‘What if…?’ in circles and just let God take care of things. You can often save yourself a lot of what turns out to be unnecessary angst and worry, over something which really wasn’t that important after all.
Most of the time, I require the basics – good rest, moderate exercise and a good diet. Moderation or avoidance of alcohol and stimulants is a good idea. I advise caution with fasting – there have been controversies in recent times involving young people starving themselves to death. There are certain methods and precautions involved in fasting. Richard Foster covers some of them in his book ‘Celebration of Discipline’. I have sometimes gone on a ‘juice fast’ for a few days – no longer than that. (Usually, it seems to be very ‘purifying’ of my spiritual consciousness.) Even so, I usually have to be careful how I reintroduce solids back into my diet again afterwards.
Kundalini generally makes you much more aware of the mind-body-spirit connection. Bad posture, tension in the body and restricted breathing greatly affects the flow of energy around the body. Yoga obviously helps with posture and in releasing tension in areas of the body - though, as said earlier, I advise caution with it and I have never looked deeply into it myself. A priest once insisted to me that early monks in the Christian tradition were taught breath techniques as part of their spiritual training - and of course it is also a main focus of yoga. I have never learnt complicated techniques. However, when we are tensed, breathing tends to become quicker, more shallow, and more restricted to the upper chest area. This means the heart has to work harder to regulate and maintain oxygen flow - something which affects every organ in the body. A quick, simple check of your breathing is do you breathe more through your chest than your abdominal area?
Stress is something impossible to avoid, with today’s busy lifestyle. Some stress, experts suggest, may actually be good for us – it provides us with stimulation and a challenge. Too much however is very debilitating and will run you down very quickly. Even Jesus sometimes took ‘time out’ in the midst of His own schedule. Try to look at the way you prioritise your life and manage and handle stress. It may sound obvious but it’s something we often neglect or overlook, in our day to day lives.
Trying to do things in your own strength rather than in ‘God’s strength’ will burn you out in no time. It’s a mistake most of us make from time to time and a common problem for people involved in ministry. It’s another reason why keeping up prayer and sometimes making time for retreats is very important – with time, it’s something you’ll also gradually get better at handling.
Your relationship with God is like any other relationship – you must give it attention and take ‘time out’ for it, if you wish for it to thrive and grow. It’s not just about going to church on Sunday and thinking that’s it – you’ve done your duty. One thing I’ve become aware of about Kundalini is that it’s something which seems to affect virtually all aspects of one’s being and one’s life. It’s extremely wide ranging and all-encompassing. There are numerous ways in which we can let God be a part of our daily lives – even the seemingly mundane aspects and events. A classic example is the tradition of saying ‘grace’ before a meal.
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There is a stereotyped image of the Christian who looks for a demon lurking around every corner. And it seems to be the modern tendency to dismiss belief in demonic activity as just another mythical, primitive belief. I don't think it's very healthy to be preoccupied with it all the time. However, it can be a very real, serious problem in some people's lives. If you can sense something like it in your own life, there are certain things you can do to protect yourself. Clearing it out, however, is only half the job - always, you must follow it up with praying for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. If you leave yourself 'empty', you are vulnerable to recurrences.
I know very little about Eastern meditation methods. However, one of the main contentions Christians have against it is that the main aim of it is to 'empty out' the consciousness. From the Christian point of view, this leaves you open to attack. It can be very helpful to learn ways of ridding yourself of distracting thoughts. However, you must be careful with regard to what you replace it with.
In retrospect, I should have set better 'boundaries' in this relationship, and not allowed the situation to develop as it did. It occurred during a time when I was going through a fairly intense spiritual crisis of sorts - trying to adjust to a new religion - and so maybe my defenses weren't as strong as they should have been. For my own part, I was probably trying to 'offload' a lot of things onto somebody else - which in the end I had to own up to and take responsibility for. Even after I did so, however, the problems in the relationship continued - finally, I woke up and was able to walk away from it all. Looking back, I am shocked that I allowed myself to be so manipulated by someone else. A painful experience, but one which I think also taught me a great deal and ultimately gave me more strength.
Of course, prayer and other religious techniques can be an essential part of dealing with problems in this area. However, this is sort of a 'specialist' field - many people have had more experience with it and are more knowledgeable about it than I am. It can be a very sensitive and controversial field, and I feel that it is beyond the scope of this website. But I certainly have experienced how protecting and what a boost it can be to have a group of people who are willing to pray for you on a regular basis.
It can sometimes be helpful to give yourself self-healing 'laying on of hands' treatments. If you are not familiar with this method, it is basically as follows (if you already know this, please skip this section):
If you have pain in any part of the body, such as the leg or arm, you can place your hands on that area - this method can be very effective at relieving it. If you have a friend who can give you treatments, when you are feeling 'weak', this is great. However, make sure you know and trust the person or their credentials, and offer to return the same favour if you can in the future. This is a great way of starting out in healing - there is no pressure and you can gain practice.
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I have previously mentioned the subject of guidance. When you begin your prayer or meditation time, I recommend asking for and opening yourself up to guidance. It is unlikely that you will receive it or see it otherwise. You might find as you do some reflections that there have already been events in your life pointing you in some direction, but you neglected to notice it at the time. Sometimes we may be going through a difficult period and think 'What can be the meaning of this?' We feel stuck in a rut and God's presence seems to be nowhere. But further down the track, we can often see that these were in fact important phases of growth, and had a very real value. Christians commonly call these periods 'wilderness experiences'.
On the flipside, when we are conscious that we are very rapidly moving forward spiritually to a new level, there is always yet another set of challenges and responsibilities. With every such breakthrough, there always seems to be some sort of intense struggle before moving on to the next phase. If anything, the temptations and challenges only become greater and more intimidating each time. Temptations aren't always that overt or obvious - in fact, more often than not, they seem to creep up on us by stealth, and are all too easy to rationalise to ourselves.
Before beginning His official public ministry, Jesus spent forty days preparing Himself alone in the desert. No doubt, many thoughts passed through His mind. He had two very different possible roads ahead of Him, and He was acutely aware of this and the likely outcomes. On one side there was the potentially unlimited power, wealth and influence available to Him. He unquestionably could have gained this, if He had been willing to please the right people. However, this would have meant compromising His true ministry and principles. It was the most extreme choice imaginable, between the safe and easy route and the road which led to the Cross. Only after overcoming all this was He fully prepared to take on His full public ministry. (The story is fully outlined in Luke chapter 4.)
We are told that the night before His death, Jesus sweated blood while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. This is an actual documented medical symptom of the most extreme mental stress and anguish. To the disciples, it must have appeared that their leader was having a complete breakdown. The things which He said no longer made sense to them, and all His actions appeared to be of self-sabotage. When He continuously spoke about His imminent death, they could not understand the purpose of it or what was to follow - to them, it could only signify the end of all hope. Their conception of a Messiah was of a kingly, warrior type leader who would free them from the oppression of Roman rule.
It is a sad story but in many ways, I also feel that it has been a comfort for me to know that Jesus had His own struggles and sufferings to deal with. If I had to worship a God who had never known any hardships, trials or sufferings, I frankly don't feel that I would be able to manage it. Whenever I'm experiencing my own difficulties, I know that I'm not a total failure because of it, and that I can draw on the example of Christ to find the strength to get through it. Many of us never know what it is to fully submit or fully reach out until we reach our own 'dark night of the soul'.
Many times, following the spiritual path will seem too difficult, too troublesome. It's tempting to take the 'safe option', and this is what we're conditioned to do - to go along with what everyone else thinks and is doing. However, in the long run it's also what stunts spiritual growth. The fact is that a spiritual life often entails a degree of self-sacrifice, and willingness to take a stand or undergo hardship. Jesus clearly counselled His followers about this. In many parts of the world today, Christians still risk death or imprisonment daily, for the sake of their beliefs.
Unfortunately, a rather nice, cozy, fuzzy image of Christianity seems to have sprung up in the western world in recent decades - nothing too challenging or confronting. The film 'The Passion' may have had its flaws (I realise it has once again become controversial in recent times), but I was actually relieved when it was released, to reclaim some of the balance. I heard one minister say that the violence in the movie was, in her opinion, over the top and exagerrated. Actually, it wasn't. You have to read historical notes to get a real idea how extreme Roman punishments were, in the first century.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that just because you have been through Kundalini, you are now somehow 'perfect', and can no longer make mistakes. You can and you will. Some of the most famous holy men and women, from all parts of history, made serious errors which threatened their entire spiritual careers. My favourite case in point is King David of Israel - who during his reign, became rather proud and began to misuse his authority to suit his own wishes. He was guilty of both murder and adultery, which he attempted to cover up. In the end, it took a prophet who presented his misdemeanours to him in black and white for him to be called to repentance. For David, it was a deep crisis (it was during this time that it is said that he wrote Psalm 51), but one from which he managed to recover and learn an important lesson from. If you make a mistake in something, it isn't the end of everything. But self-honesty and the ability to grow and learn from it is required.
Many Christians unfortunately seem to practice what is sometimes called 'cheap grace' - they feel that if they have wronged someone else, they can say 'sorry' to God, and don't need to take any further action. If you have done something wrong, if possible meet face to face with those people who may have been hurt, offer an unreserved apology, and reassure them that you are taking steps to ensure that it does not happen again. This is terribly difficult for some people to do - especially at first. If necessary, ask a third person to be present as a 'mediator' in the process. This is not all about continuing to carry a burden of guilt - it is about courtesy and thoughtfulness and taking personal responsibility. You cannot take back the past, and it may be that you may never be able to make full amends, but you can change future behaviour.
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I feel fortunate that my own experience doesn't seem to have led to too many difficulties, or harsh and unpleasant symptoms. This has probably only been due to the fact that I've been lucky enough to have had access to good guidance and resources. The adjustments I had to make also weren't too difficult or impractical for me. The most difficult aspect was getting used to my new faith, but at least I didn't have any strong allegiances to any others beforehand. However, there is no avoiding the fact that Kundalini is a powerful process which can be potentially risky and dangerous, if not handled correctly.
I cannot judge those who have had not so pleasant symptoms and experiences, and doing so isn't very helpful. I'm not really an expert in this area, so it is difficult for me to give advice or explanations. However, it does seem to me that there are several major 'risk factors' which can be pretty quickly identified (sometimes risk factors can obviously be linked or combined):
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People who have had very difficult and traumatic personal backgrounds. This seems to be common with people who have been through Kundalini. Many have had difficulties in their pasts, and are looking for answers to issues in their lives.
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Experiences which have been triggered by artificial means i.e. by the use of psychedelic drugs.
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People who have used very forceful, accelerated techniques without adequate guidance, and who are therefore not fully prepared for the experience itself.
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When the motivation isn't very correct or appropriate. Ego desires don't fit in very well with the process. Some people just seem to want an interesting, out-of-this-world type experience, and then get more than they bargained for.
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People who don't have adequate spiritual protection, or have been involved in a lot of unsafe and dubious spiritual practices in the past.
Thinking about experiencing something like Kundalini is one thing - it's another when it actually happens. At first, I found it all quite frightening, as I hadn't really experienced much of the supernatural previously. After awhile, I started becoming more used to and comfortable with it. But as said earlier, Kundalini really does have an ongoing effect and influence on virtually every aspect of your life. Dealing with it is a process and an ongoing journey. It leaves an imprint - how can it not change your outlook and perspective? Life doesn't go on again in the same way it did before, and this requires adjustments.
These are very general tips. Other sources may help you further. But the above is an outline of what seems to best work for me. (I am reluctant to endorse other websites on this matter, because I may not agree with their entire content, but I do suggest doing your own research about spiritual protection methods - test them and see which are most suited to you.)
ISN’T CHRISTIANITY A LIFESTYLE WHICH IS REPRESSIVE AND UNNATURAL?
This is the way it might seem to others. This is a difficult subject to address and to do so clearly. Christianity recognises a supernatural, spiritual realm as well as the physical or natural, which has its own very different order. (I'm sorry if this sounds a bit 'dualistic' to some, but describing the relationship between the two realms is a very complicated subject - entire books have been written about it, and views seem to vary between churches.) In it, I would say that there can be no death or decay, and there are no physical laws of time, space, conservation of matter and energy, etc. I believe that when the Holy Spirit is working through us, this miraculous realm can become manifest in the world around us.
Throughout Christian history, there have been many men and women who have chosen to lead lives revolving around ascetic practices, such as fasting, near constant prayer and a life of celibacy. This may appear ‘damaging’, repressive, unfulfilling, and unnatural to many. Without the grace of God it would be – it is the grace of God which can enable some people who are called to it to lead such a lifestyle. But it is certainly not a lifestyle suited to everybody.
I am a ‘mystic’ – I personally enjoy a lot of time alone in prayer and contemplation. I don’t just pray for my own spiritual being - I like to pray about certain things and believe that it has a good and valuable effect in the outside world. (My own personal aim is to one day become a healer. Sometimes, I have considered joining a quiet, contemplative religious order to fully dedicate myself to these matters.) Other people whom I know are great at doing social or administrative work and leading groups – which I am not really that good at or drawn to. But it is still very important and necessary work. We all have our own thing to contribute and I believe in mutually respecting each other’s gifts and finding ways they can be used together in a complimentary way for the overall, greater good. (Too often, however, it turns into tussle and rivalry.)
Some people would probably say that the above is a 'cop out', and an excuse to neglect social responsibilities. I would like to think that I have an active and healthy social conscience. I have a circle of friends from different walks of life. Once, I was very surprised to hear a friend describe me as a 'people person'. My first thought was 'I must put on a good front!' I suppose that maybe I tend to feel isolated sometimes because I feel that there is so much about myself I can't share or confide in about with a lot of people. (If I do tell a friend what I have been through, it is only after they are used to relating to me on a 'normal level' first, as I don't really wish to be treated differently on that account. I think that many of them have actually been surprised, because I probably don't fit into their mental category of what I'm supposed to be like!) But who says that we all need to be outgoing extroverts, anyway?
Christianity recognises a God who is personal and who transcends space, time and matter. The creation is not equated with the Creator, as is the case with 'pantheistic' religions. However, the Bible contains many passages in it about celebrating the glory of God through the wonders of nature. And Christianity does recognise a type of unity behind all creation, in that all share the same Creator. One of the most spiritually ‘clearing’ things I can do for myself is to go outside, sit in my garden quietly for awhile and breath in the clean, fresh, natural air. Sometimes I can feel very connected to God during these times, and it is during these occasions that it seems remarkable to me just how beautiful and vibrant the natural creation is. I dislike having to spend much time at all in stuffy, vinyl rooms with central heating or air conditioning. Humans may be the dominant species upon the planet, but I believe in us being responsible custodians. It is greed, materialism and lack of thought for future generations which leads to much environmental damage. You can appreciate the natural environment, in my opinion, without being ‘paganistic’ about it.
A belief of the Gnostics was that all created matter or anything to do with the flesh was fundamentally evil or profane, and their philosophy was a complete rejection of it. An outcome of this was that they were unable to believe that Jesus could have inhabited a physical body. It has been suggested that the worlds of matter and spirit could be much more like two co-existing, parallel realms with a constantly interacting relationship. You can even present this as being a theme of the life of Jesus. Some people witnessed supernatural signs and events connected with His birth. But the actual circumstances of it were surprisingly lowly and mundane - a woman forced to give birth in a plain grotto shelter. It was not exactly what was expected for