by Ada M. Palles

As someone starts working with Kundalini energy, either through meditation or conscious breathing, they will often experience some odd physical sensations. A woman I know who experimented with conscious breathing began to experience a strange tingling sensation around her belly. It was so strong and distracting that she could not ignore it. Despite her efforts to continue concentrating on her breathing, she eventually succumbed to a bout of laughter brought on by the unrelenting tickling sensation.

Afterwards, she was afraid that something had gone wrong or that some strange energy had invaded her space, and was very uncomfortable with the idea of trying to meditate or attempt conscious breathing again.

On the contrary, this is proof that the Kundalini energy is activating, moving and beginning to clear and open your chakras. Each chakra is associated with the corresponding endocrine glands at that point of the body, as well as the nerve plexus and body parts in those areas, so all of these are being stimulated. Many people will feel some sort of "tickling" in different places, depending upon which chakra is being activated at that time.

For me, personally, it was the 7th (Crown) and the 4th (Heart) chakras that became very active when I started meditating.

The tickling sensation for the Crown chakra I experienced felt like a finger was literally drawing the infinity symbol over and over again on the top of my head. The sensation was very strong and physical, and would happen even when I wasn't meditating. I would often feel that same sensation just before drifting off to sleep, or even during my waking hours while sitting at my computer. It would happen so often and was so unrelenting, that it was sometimes downright annoying until I realized that this was actually a good sign of the work being done in these areas. So I allowed the sensation to flow.

The Heart chakra felt more like a protrusion coming from my chest. I had the sensation that something was just "there," either touching or protruding a few inches outward from the area around my heart. Often during the day, I would be out driving or doing my normal business, and I would unconsciously brush my hand against my chest, trying to swipe away whatever this "something" was that I felt was there. It was so real that I would often check and doublecheck my clothing, just to make sure there really wasn't something, like a tag or a fold, that was actually sticking out and playing upon my skin.

These sensations are really quite fascinating because they are so real and so persistent. Over the years I learned to stop and acknowledge the sensations when I get them, because it does seem that something is trying to get my attention.

Other people may not feel such physical sensations, but could feel passionate, giddy, peaceful, confident, or fearful after a meditation session. This is nothing to be alarmed about. It is the natural work of the Kundalini energy flowing more easily and stimulating these various centers in your body. You can use these sensations as focus points during your meditation, to assist in the clearing out and activation of these energy centers within your body.

Rather than being afraid of the strong sensation, we should just remember that the Buddha is often depicted laughing and that it is a sign that your meditations are actually working.

Chakras

• 7th - Crown Chakra - Violet - Pineal Gland (Brain and Nervous System) - Inner Light - Cosmic Consciousness Center: Consciousness, Awareness, Thought, Self-Knowledge, Empathy, Unity, Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding, Spiritual Connection, Bliss, and Father.
• 6th - Third Eye or Brow Chakra - Indigo - Pituitary Gland - Inner Sound - Consciousness Awareness Center: Sight, Light, Self-Reflection, Psychic Faculties (ESP, clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, etc.), Spirit, Motives and Motivation.
• 5th - Throat Chakra - Sky Blue - Thyroid Gland - Ether - Cornucopia Center: Communication, Sound, Language, Creativity, Manifesting, Self-Expression, Receiving, Art, Grace, Abundance and Personal Space.
• 4th - Heart Chakra - Emerald Green - Thymus Gland - Air - Love Center: Love, Compassion, Peace, Centeredness, Social Identity, Self-Acceptance, Touch, Hugging, Relationships, Heart and Breathing.
• 3rd - Solar Plexus Chakra - Yellow - the Pancreas - Fire - Power Center: Personal Power, Will, Autonomy, Control, Freedom, Metabolism, Energy, Effectiveness, Spontaneity, Ego Identity.
• 2nd - Orange Chakra - Orange - Spleen/Gonads - Water - Sensation Center: Emotions, Desire, Taste, Appetite, Sensation, Movement, Sexuality, Self-Gratification, Fluidity, Grace and Adaptability.
• 1st - Root Chakra - Red - Adrenal Glands - Earth - Security Center:Security, Trust, Physical Identity, Self-Preservation, Survival, Fear, Foundation, Groundedness, Health, Prosperity, Presence, and Mother.