Editor's Note: This is Part II, from a Dec 2011 conversation with Yogastrology's Diane Booth Gilliam. The first article is Healthful Holiday Tips for Body & Soul.
On Kundalini and Shakti"Shiva and Shakti are form (Shakti) -- and formless (Shiva) -- and the two of them are depicted as dancing together throughout all time.
Kundalini Shakti is the energy that is ignited within us, through the grace of a master. The descent of grace, from a master to his or her devotee, is said to be the most auspicious thing that can happen to us.
The goddess Shakti has many manifestations, such as Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth and beauty), or Durga (the goddess of forcefulness). But really, Shakti is simply a dancer, and it's her nature to dance with great joy (see quote Resonate with Stillness, below)."
On Kundalini and Uranus AriesQuestion: Is Kundalini being awakened with Uranus Aries and what, if any, associations do you make there. Editor's Note: As of this writing (Dec 17, 2011) Uranus is at the igniting Zero point of Aries, cardinal fire sign.
"Kundalini exists within every human, in the spine. When the Kundalini Shakti is awakened, it begins to travel upward. The pathway of the Shakti is through the spine. It can happen at any time."
On the connection to Uranus Aries: “Everything has to do with Kundalini, every impulse, every yearning, every urge in our body and mind ultimately is the Kundalini urging us to awaken, to reunite the ultimate lovers -- Shiva and Shakti.”
On Kali Yuga"Kali Yuga is 25,000 years long, some unimaginably long time of darkness.
I like to see it this way. We can chalk up the darkness and destruction in the world to Kali Yuga, rather than focus on the darkness. I had a personal experience with this when one of my sisters had a crazy thing happen. Rather than focus on it, rather than make a bigger deal out of it than it already was, I simply said, 'That's Kali Yuga.'"
On Darkness and the Inner Fire Hose"Wherever we put our energy and focus is going to grow. So we can chose to focus on how these times are dark and terrible, or we can choose to focus on what we want to create.
We have ultimate power to focus our attention wherever we want to focus. I work hard to choose to see everything as a challenge, as an opportunity to awaken. Everything is an opportunity. So when I’m faced with a challenge in life, I can see that as an opportunity to awaken consciousness. It's not easy. But it is a very effective way to be in the world.
We can’t fight darkness with more darkness. Seek to dispel darkness with light."
From Resonate with Stillness, by Gurumayi ChidvilasanandaKundalini Shakti:
"It is Her nature to dance with great joy, and therefore there is always a gentle motion, a slight sway in your being, even when you are absolutely still.
As She gently moves in and around you, She sings to Herself. So listen to the sound She makes. Whatever you hear, every sound manifests from Her. As you become absorbed in the inner sound of the Shakti, you glide into meditation. Your breath is Her whisper. Your breath is Her song. Your breath is Her dance. To please the Shakti, to awaken Her within us, and to keep Her glory manifest in our being, we chant Her own song to Her -- the sound Om."
