Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

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KUNDALINI SHAKTI

yogi regards his Yoga and its fruit as the highest. Perhaps the Jnanayogf may think similarly of his own. Kundalini is so renowned that many seek to know Her. Having studied the theory of this Yoga I have been often asked “Whether one can get on without it.” The answer is “It depends upon what you are looking for.” If you want to rouse Kundalint Shakti to enjoy the bliss of union of Shiva and Shakti through Her and to gain the accompanying Powers (Siddhi), it is obvious that this end can only, if at all, be achieved by the Yoga here described. But if Liberation is sought without desire for union through Kundali then such Yoga is not necessary; for Liberation may be obtained by pure Jn&nayoga through detachment, the exercise, and then the stilling of the mind without any reference to the central Bodily-Power at all. Instead of setting out in and from the world to unite with Shiva, the Jnanayogi to attain this result detaches himself from the world. The one is the path of enjoyment and the other of asceticism. Samadhimay also be obtained on the path of devotion (Bhakti) as on that of knowledge. Indeed the highest devotion (Parabhakti) is not different from knowledge. Both are realisation. But whilst Liberation (Mukti) is attainable by either method there are other marked differences between the two. A DhyAna-yogt should not neglect his body knowing that as he is both mind and matter each reacts the one upon the other. Neglect or mere mortification of the body is more apt to produce disordered imagination than a true spiritual experience. He is not concerned however with the body in the sense that the Hathayogi is. It is possible to be a successful Dhyanayogi and yet to be weak in body and health, sick, and shortlived. His body and not he himself determines when he shall die. He cannot die at will. When he is in SamAdhi, Kundalf Shakti is still sleeping in the MflAdhara and none of the physical symptoms and psychical bliss, or powers (Siddhi) described as accompanying Her rousing are observed in his A15