Hello Oliver:
Thank you very much for raising these important questions on the inner pathways and risks of kundalini. Keep in mind that we are all dealing with the same nervous system, and all of the descriptions and practices are working with the same principles and neuro-biological dynamics.
The differences come from interpretations based on individual observations and discoveries, geo-cultural factors and traditional approaches that have been passed down for many generations. The efficacy of them is best judged on experience rather than blind faith acceptance. That is what we try and do here in AYP with a full range of integrated advanced yoga practices.
No doubt you have noticed that all of the variations of the path of kundalini you have mentioned have one thing in common -- part or all of the path is in the vicinity of the spinal cord. This is a pretty big clue on where the center of kundalini activity lies, and where the master control switch is. Certainly kundalini can be observed moving in many other nerve channels (nadis) in the body -- some major ones and many minor ones. Of course there is nothing "minor" about kundalini flowing anywhere. But it emanates primarily from the spine. Anyone who has awakened kundalini will tell you that. While some traditions go beyond the spine in their systems of practice, it is safe to say that the spinal cord is the master channel and controlling mechanism on the kundalini journey. In the yoga traditions, it is called sushumna. In AYP we usually call it the spinal nerve.
In AYP we work almost exclusively in and around the spinal nerve with all of our practices, with noticeable results. Make no mistake about it. It is results we are after, first and foremost. Progressive and safe results.
There are a couple of other factors that should be mentioned.
There are two primary aspects of the spiritual transformation we are cultivating. First is the awakening of inner silence, which is done primarily through deep meditation and samyama. Second is the awakening of what we call ecstatic conductivity in the nervous system, which is done mainly with pranayama, mudras, bandhas, asanas and tantric sexual methods. The first is the awakening of the Shiva principle within us. The second is the awakening of the Shakti principle, which is kundalini. There is overlap between all these methods on both the Shiva and Shakti sides because we are neuro-biologically "interconnected" inside.
On the kundalini side of this, yes, you are right that there can be difficulties if the path is not correct and the awakening is not measured (self-paced) according to ones capacity. The most common cause of difficulties has been demonstrated to be premature awakening of the crown. For that reason, here in AYP we do not approach the crown directly until very late on our journey, if at all. Instead, all the practices in AYP are geared to the root to brow (third eye) spinal nerve route, which has been found to be a very stable and progressive route for the vast majority of practitioners. Interestingly, by taking the root to brow approach in our practices, we also are opening the crown by proxy, without incurring the dangers to which you refer.
Once we have effectively cultivated both our inner silence and ecstatic conductivity, then we find a merging of these, which produces a condition where we are experiencing unshakable inner silence, ecstatic bliss and outpouring divine love, all resident in us on an ongoing basis. This we call enlightenment. And all of this will be found to be emanating from the spinal nerve, flowing endlessly outward into the physical environment around us, and inward to the unbounded reaches of inner space. In the end, the outward and inward journeys are found to be one and the same. We become one with all, and that is Unity. Kundalini is but one aspect of the journey, dealing with the transformation of the neuro-biology to a permanent ecstatic condition.
That is a quick summary on how we view the path of kundalini in AYP, and how we cultivate it while minimizing the risks that are often associated with this important aspect of our enlightenment.
For further reading, check the AYP topic index at
http://www.aypsite.com/plus/TopicIndex.html which provides many lesson links on all that has been touched on here. If you are new to AYP, it is suggested that you also start at the beginning of the lessons and work your way straight through. There is a logical build-up of both knowledge and practices in the lessons.
Wishing you ongoing success on your chosen path. Practice wisely, and enjoy!
The guru is in you.
