What exactly is Kuṇḍalinī? It depends... What began as an energetic metaphor has morphed into a framework for transcending trauma, and much else besides. Does a snake-like entity really ascend? What sparks the experience? If it happens by chance, how should someone respond? There are few simple answers.
Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen are co-authors of The Serpent’s Tale, subtitled “Kuṇḍalinī, Yoga and the History of an Experience.” Both are scholars as well as practitioners – of Tantra (Sravana) and yoga (Anya) – and their research combines historical analysis with people’s experiences.
Together, we explore why it can be hard to differentiate the physical from the psychological and the spiritual. We also ask if there are limits to what Kuṇḍalinī stands for and reflect on the challenges involved in defining them. In the process, we consider why reports of Kuṇḍalinī awakenings are increasingly common.
