Sounding A Cautionary Note
Before you begin your journey on the road to peace of mind, Self Realization or Union with God, stop, look and listen. Many unwary seekers have been burned by practicing spiritual techniques that led to premature Kundalini awakenings. What all the spiritual books that promise inner peace won't tell you is that there are risks involved in spiritual growth. For example, there are documented cases of Kundalini awakenings that have caused all manner of difficulties for many people who rue the day they haphazardly set foot upon a spiritual path.Relaxation techniques, meditation, and all spiritual disciplines, particularly those using forceful breathing methods, have the potential to open a pandora's box of problems for anyone who engages in these pursuits. It is unfortunate that there are not more books cautioning people to be careful when embarking upon a spiritual quest. However, books like "Kundalini" by Gopi Krishna and other writers give honest, and accurate accounts of Spiritual Emergence and the possible pitfalls of trying to find some peace of mind, the Truth, or even God. It is by no coincidence that it has been remarked that "the path to liberation is as narrow as a razor's edge."
This isn't to say that every time you go into the silence you are putting your life on the line, but with spiritual practices and with the accumulative effects of inner work, a Spiritual Emergence can occur. In my own case for about 8 years I was trouble-free and felt as though I were entering into the heavens with an awakened kundalini lighting my way. Such was far from the case.
And, yes, there are some people who do spiritual work for decades seemingly without suffering any harmful or limiting effects, but then again there are some who are beset with spiritual problems, and for a variety of reasons do not go public with it.
I'm not saying people should not seek peace of mind, or higher truths. I am merely saying people should try to educate themselves about the possible hazards--like a wary buyer would before making an expensive purchase. In this case the cost can be much higher than you would imagine.
Bob Boyd
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