People have asked me how to get Kundalini started, as if it were an amusement-park ride. My answer to anyone who wants to awaken the energy is: Don't do it alone. Anyone who truly wants to pursue it, should seek out a teacher, and I would suggest a Tai Chi instructor who knows how to control chi when it begins to move. Slow progress is a very good idea.

However, the energy does not always wait for a teacher to be available. Most of my experience has been with people who have had a spontaneous awakening of the energy, and have little or no idea of what is happening to them. I fell into this category, as mine was awakened when I pursued meditation to overcome inherited arthritis.

What I have seen in others, and in myself, is what I might best and simply describe as a heightened awareness. An enhanced awareness of the physical body, as well as the perception of subjects beyond the normal ranges of perception. Put more plainly, what has been called the "sixth sense" is frequently awakened. Prolonged experiences of heightened creativity which might conform to Project Mind's concept of Accelerated Thought (AT) have been reported as well.

The sensation of the Kundalini energy feels significantly different from what I have been told and shown is "chi." I sense chi to be like a gentle, miniature sandstorm, while I sense the Kundalini energy to be like a string of crushed rubies vibrating strongly. A serpent is in my humble opinion, a very appropriate analogy for the energy.

Some of the experiences I've shared or heard of, are the witnessing of slide-shows of events which have happened within hours or days after the slide-show, acute awareness of non-physical entities being present, sudden feelings of ecstasy, comprehension of concepts which were previously beyond understanding, a feeling of being in touch with one's surroundings and sometimes God and/or the universe as a whole. One of the goals of Project Mind is to provide an environment where AT candidates will be able to harness these experiences, and apply them to generate holistic scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of mankind - to eliminate lack, injustice, illusion, and suffering worldwide.

This heightened awareness sometimes causes difficulties for people, when what they perceive defies what their personal belief system allows. This can cause stress, and this stress can escalate regardless of the person's emotional stability. The facility which Project Mind will provide for the AT candidates will also provide any support which candidates may need should difficulties arise due to AT candidates maintaining the energy levels required to achieve Accelerated Thought.

Aside from the altered states of consciousness frequently associated with the Kundalini awakening, there are physical aspects which sometimes must be dealt with. When the Kundalini energy is active, the body's temperature will typically rise several degrees. As long as the energy flows through the natural channels (meridians) the experience can be quite pleasurable. When the energy becomes blocked and cannot return to where it came from, physical problems may occur. In minor cases of blockage, this can sometimes manifest in flu-like symptoms. In other cases, the symptoms may be more severe. The following is a snippet from the book, Awaken Healing Light of the Tao:

Kundalini psychosis occurs when too much hot, or Yang Chi rushes up the spine (or right or left psychic channel) to the brain and gets stuck (or blocked) there. Symptoms include intense heat and/or pressure in the head and heart, visual and auditory hallucinations, paranoia, disorientation, obsessive thinking, and insomnia. These symptoms can persist for days, weeks, or even longer.

In these days of change, ask yourself: Does what I've just read sound familiar? Project Mind is looking for AT candidates to utilize this energy, and will provide a facility with the special conditions necessary for scientists predisposed to creativity/genius to concentrate on the particular facet of matter/nature which they would like to solve.

My approach when assisting others living with a Kundalini awakening is very basic and down-to-earth, as most people better understand a draw pictures and use crayons approach than an explanation using terminology which they may have never heard before. Project Mind will provide the AT candidates with whatever training and information they may need, in the format most appropriate for them, to continue in the pursuit of the application of Accelerated Thought to the needs of mankind.

Some people I have encountered have had few or none of these sensations, but most all of them have had common experiences in personal growth. Some of these common experiences were the realization of what was not previously obvious regarding coincidence and synchronicity, a radical change of attitude and outlook regarding their life and the lives of others, the recognition of their personal fears and the control those fears had over their lives, and a desire to be of service to others.

For each individual, the experience of Kundalini awakening is unique. There are several aspects which are shared by each person, and so there will always be information to share. For further information on Kundalini, there are several books and websites available. Check at your local bookstore, or on the internet, run a search for Kundalini.

One website which you may wish to check is the Kundalini Resource Center at http://hmt.com/kundalini

Another website worth checking is the Kundalini Research Foundation at http://www.renature.com/KRF