Ravindra Kumar - The Kundalini Book of Living and Dying: Gateways to Higher Consciousness

First published in 2004 by

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

York Beach, ME

With offices at:

368 Congress Street

Boston, MA 02210

www.redwheelweiser.com

Copyright 2004 Ravindra Kumar and Jytte Larsen

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Kumar, Ravindra, 1938

The Kundalini book of living and dying : gateways to higher consciousness / Ravindra Kumar and Jytte Kumar Larsen.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-57863-300-1

1. Kdalin. I. Larsen, Jytte. II. Title.

BL1238.56.K86K845 2004

294.5'436--dc22

2004002951

Typeset in Granjon by Sky-Peck Design

Printed in Canada

TCP

11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

www.redwheelweiser.com

www.redwheelweiser.com/newsletter

PART ONE
The Other World

PART TWO
The Soul as Traveler

PART THREE
Unity in Diverse Approaches

PART FOUR
Gateways to Higher Consciousness

PART FIVE
Exploring Reality through Kundalini

This book is dedicated to my grandmother, the late Bhagwati Devi, and my father, the late Ganga Singh, who guided me when they were on earth and who are still guiding me from the higher realms.

IN THE COURSE OF MY SPIRITUAL study, I have had marked episodes of activated kundalini energy. When they first occurred, there was little in the way of literature to place these experiences into a meaningful context in my life. Even today, despite more research, this important part of our consciousness is not fully appreciated. That's why Dr. Ravindra Kumar's The Kundalini Book of Living and Dying is such a significant work; it explains the nature of kundalini, why it is important, and how any person can bring its benefits into his or her life. In the process of enlightening ourselves, we contribute mightily to the enlightenment of the soul of global humanity. Our ability to evolve as human beings and as souls, our ability to unite with God, our ability to leave behind forever hate, war, and terrorism will be facilitatedeven determinedby kundalini.

This energy of enlightenment resides within each and every one of us, often dormant until we make the choice to seek unity with God. In our ensuing spiritual study and practice, we awaken the sleeping power within, and we are profoundly changedphysically, mentally, and spiritually. The hallmarks of kundalini are phenomena such as surges of electricity in the body, detachment from the body, intense heat and fire, buzzing sounds, a feeling of being in the presence of God, and awareness of spiritual presences such as angels. More important, however, are the benefits that lie beyond the phenomena: creativity, genius, enhanced wellbeing, longevity, and, most significant of all, enlightenment.

Experiences of kundalini have been recorded around the world since ancient times. Kundalini is the divine fire of God and the gods, the samadhi of adepts, the raptures of saints, the healing power that floods through the hands of healers, the inspiration of invention, the intense happiness of a peak experience. The average person may think that kundalini belongs only to those whose spiritual practice elevates them into a rarified atmosphere of consciousness, but this is not so. Kundalini is universal, available to all. Anyone who prays or meditates regularly is likely at some point to feel the power of kundalini.

My own experiences resulted from spiritual study, meditation, and intuitive/psychic development. Not knowing much about kundalini in the beginning, I initially viewed these experiences as isolated episodes. As I learned more about kundalini, I realized the importance of understanding its role in the development of consciousness, and of encouraging it to become more active in a gradual and productive manner.

Some years ago, I was privileged to meet Dr. Ravindra Kumar and become familiar with his work. Dr. Kumar is a man of great spiritual depth, knowledge, and wisdom. Through his years of study and spiritual practice, he has come into an understanding of truth that he shares in the jewels of many works. This book, The Kundalini Book of Living and Dying, is the crown jewel of that work. Dr. Kumar weaves together Western and Eastern philosophy, religion, esotericism, mysticism, science, and psychology to explain from different viewpoints the nature of the soul and the nature of reality. From his own experience, he has developed the Integral Path, a practical way for the spiritual seeker to open kundalini and develop spiritual consciousness. Specific instructions and exercises are given throughout.

The more we know about kundalini and how to bring it into flower within us, the more we will benefit from it, both as individuals and as part of the collective soul of humanity. Kundalini furthers our wordless understanding of the nature of creation, our part in the whole of all things, and our ultimate unity with God.

The essence of kundalini is eloquently captured in Psalm 19, which reads in part:

The heavens are telling the glory of God;

and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech,

and night to night declares knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words;

their voice is not heard;

yet their voice goes through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,

which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

and its circuit to the end of them;

and there is nothing hid from its heat.

When kundalini is awakened through attunement to the higher planes, we are quickened in the heat of divine fire. The splendor of divine love flows through us. It is vital that we recognize the kundalini power within and learn how to cultivate it in the name of truth and love. The more we do so, the less we will descend into fear and hate. In fact, ultimately, we will not even be able to do so, for our collective soul consciousness will be firmly anchored in the light and unconditional love of the godhead. We will truly reside in the kingdom of God. This future will not happen, however, unless we choose it. This book provides an excellent guide to help us realize that choice.

ROSEMARY ELLEN GUILEY, PH.D.,
author of The Encyclopedia of Saints and Breakthrough Intuition

THE EMINENT SWISS PSYCHIATRIST Carl Jung said that it is psychologically beneficial to have death as a goal toward which to strive. Mozart called death the key to unlocking the door to true happiness. Shakespeare wrote that when we are prepared for death, life is sweeter. The French philosopher Michel de Montaigne said to practice death is to practice freedom.

Although Dr. Ravindra Kumar does not come right out and say it, this book is about practicing death. Strange words, but like Jung, Mozart, Shakespeare, and Montaigne, Dr. Kumar has discovered the fountain of wisdom. When we drink from this fountain, we learn how to lead a much more enjoyable and meaningful life in the present lifetime. It is one big paradox: practice death, embrace death, and learn how to live now.