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Kundalini Shaking
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Kundalini Shaking
kundalini
6/22/10 3:30 PM
Five weeks ago, during my meditation, I had a kundalini experience. I began shaking severely. It lasted about an hour. By the end of the hour I had been shaken off of my meditation bench and nearly off of my zabuton. Since that time every time I meditate I have some shaking in my body. Yesterday the shaking was once again severe. All of the other times the shaking was moderate or strong - but not so strong to shake me off my meditation bench.

My question: Is the shaking a “healing” or a “spiritual growth” process where one would just allow the process to evolve and thus just observe the phenomenon, or is it a symptom of some condition that needs to be addressed? If the latter is the case, should I see someone for help (e.g. a reiki master, an acupuncturist, or someone that does chakra balancing)?
RE: Kundalini Shaking
6/22/10 4:13 PM as a reply to Ronald Craig.
Ronald this is a very common experience, it is a kundalini-related phenomena. I'd suggest don't worry it will pass. If it's uncomfortable or interferes with daily living you could slow down your practice for a week or two.

http://www.google.com/search?q=shaking+site:.aypsite.org
RE: Kundalini Shaking
6/22/10 5:31 PM as a reply to Ronald Craig.
Also recommended is a read-through of a copy of Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha (there is an online version), the chapter on the stages of Insight. Arising and Passing Away may be of interest (very common symptom is the shaking that you described). The shaking is not much of a problem and will subside or vanish altogether. If you want to, you can take the shaking itself as an object which should make it a bit less severe (it did for me) but it will vanish of its own accord.
RE: Kundalini Shaking
6/22/10 9:34 PM as a reply to Ronald Craig.
Hi Ronald,

I don't know exactly what approach you are using, but as others have said, this is reasonably common.

Mahasi Sayadaw, Practical Insight Meditation
http://aimwell.org/Books/Mahasi/Practical/practical.html
Should you intend to sway the body, then knowingly note intending. While in the act of swaying, swaying. When contemplating you may occasionally discover the body swaying back and forth. Do not be alarmed; neither be pleased nor wish to continue to sway. The swaying will cease if you keep the knowing mind on the action of swaying and continue to note swaying until the action ceases. If swaying increases in spite of your making a mental note of it, then lean against a wall or post or lie down for a while. Thereafter proceed with contemplation. Follow the same procedure if you find yourself shaking or trembling. When contemplation is developed you may sometimes feel a thrill or chill pass through the back or the entire body. This is a symptom of the feeling of intense interest, enthusiasm or rapture. It occurs naturally in the course of good contemplation. When your mind is fixed in contemplation you may be startled at the slightest sound. This takes place because you feel the effect of sensory impression more intensely while in a state of concentration.


I had some moderate shaking (actually mostly swaying) for a few days on a retreat last year. My teacher was a little concerned that I might injury myself (by falling on something, especially if it happened while doing walking practice) but apart from that assured me that it would pass. He said he'd seen people sway so violently that they banged their head on the floor!

I know nothing about the theory behind stuff like kundalini (I've stuck mostly to Buddhist teachings) but I've noticed that often when I've had these sort of involuntary motion things that they seem to be the body kind of straightening itself out, getting rid of some sort of habitual bad posture that is causing cramping or pain, and eventually getting itself into a proper , comfortable posture (after possibly going through a bit of pain to get there...).

Mike
RE: Kundalini Shaking
6/23/10 12:01 PM as a reply to Ronald Craig.
A few months ago, I went through a period of about three or four days where my right shoulder would twitch intermittantly whenever I was meditating, usually once but sometimes twice a session. I attributed it to an energy blockage that was being cleared away. Then it went away; I suppose what ever needed to be worked out had been worked out.