As we proceed further into the 21st century there is even more of a feeling that humanity as a whole is hearing "a calling". Most of the clients in the realm that talk about this describe it as an "awakening" or experiencing an "enlightenment" or a "need for transformation."

For some this process, a spiritual awakening is a gentle process develops as a consequence of many years of seeking, and researching practices having to do with self-development. This is the type of seeker who wants the spiritual awakening and seeks out the guidance of a teacher or to help them prepare themselves emotionally and physically for their spiritual awakening.

However, I have noticed that no matter how trained an individual nobody is ever ready for what Eastern religions call the awakening of the Kundalini energy. The sad truth is most spiritual awakenings are quite rude: what some of us call a "wake up call." True enlightenment is usually preceded by some kind of life loss or tragedy that kick starts the awakening of consciousness. A common catalyst is intense physical or emotional distress. As people confront the limits of their endurance and come face to face with death or loss, they will often move into altered or transcendental states of consciousness as they ask God or a higher power for help. Natural disasters, near-death experiences or life transitions such as midlife crisis, addiction or separation can be blessings in disguise that lead to a blossoming of spiritual awareness.

It is thought that practices such as yoga, bioenergetics, polarity work or breathwork can cause a natural awakening of Kundalini energy. Kundalini is the Hindu word for the sacred, transformative energy that awakens consciousness. According to Eastern esoteric literature, this energy is coiled, like a snake at the base of the spine and when stimulated it streams or coils up through the body's energy centers (chakras).

The awakening of the kundalini is almost always associated with a spiritual crisis. Typically the person may feel overwhelmed, bewildered, disassociated, frightened vulnerable, fragmented, fearful, confused, disoriented and overcome by too much information. This can be the first sign that you are about to be blessed with a spiritual awakening, although many may feel it more like a "curse'.

Some of the symptoms you might experience during a spiritual awakening are:

Involuntary jerking movements of the body including vibrations, spasm, shaking and contractions:

As the Kundalini energy moves from the base of the spine and up through the body, it clears deeply held blockages and while this is happening the person may experience emotions and memories from injuries and traumas suffered in the past. The Hindus call this