SURVEY / RESULTS

Results

We have created a short survey to help us understand potential patterns in Kundalini and spiritual awakening and to explore how the Collective could further develop.

The latest results are below. However the more people that complete the survey the more robust and detailed the results will be so if you have not filled out the form please consider doing so.

The survey is designed to be short and is two parts.

Part one is about people’s spiritual awakening journey and what has helped during challenging times. This information will be shared

Part two is getting feedback about the site itself so we can improve services.

If you are new to the site you may just want to fill out the first section and you can return at a later point to give us feedback on the site after you use it,

The survey is anonymous and no personal data is collected. You only need to answer the questions that you want to.

We would really appreciate if you could complete this short survey.

THANK YOU

SURVEY LINK:

https://forms.gle/s2jd23UwJ84eAZGJ7

RESULTS

As of September 2024 with 35 contributors. You can download the raw spreadsheet here and read a summary and analysis of the results below run through a LLM AI model.

Here's a more detailed analysis of the survey results, divided into themes based on respondents' experiences with Kundalini/spiritual awakening.

1. Duration of Awakening Process

The duration of awakening experiences ranged dramatically, from as short as 1 year to over 55 years. Many respondents reported being on this journey for decades. This highlights that Kundalini or spiritual awakening is often a lifelong, evolving process rather than a one-time event.
Some respondents were unsure of the exact length of their awakening, often because the process started in youth or gradually built up over time without their immediate awareness.

Analysis:
This suggests that for many, the awakening process is continuous, potentially marked by several "breakthroughs" over time. It also indicates that there is no definitive timeline, and each individual's experience can differ significantly in duration.

2. Challenges Encountered

Difficulty Ratings: The process was overwhelmingly challenging for most participants, with 71.4% rating the most difficult phase as 7 or above on a scale of 1 to 10. Many found the experience to be exhausting, overwhelming, and, in some cases, deeply unsettling.
- Common Ratings:
  - 8: 31.4% of respondents
  - 9: 25.7%
  - 10: 14.3%
Duration of Difficult Phases: Respondents reported varying lengths for their most challenging phases, ranging from a few months to several years, and some noted they were still going through it. This phase was often described as involving a "dark night of the soul" or a prolonged state of mental, emotional, and physical turmoil.

Examples of Specific Phases:
- One respondent reported a phase lasting 4.5 years, continuously marked by deep emotional and psychological challenges.
- Another respondent experienced multiple phases of awakening, each lasting 40 days to two years.

Analysis:
Kundalini awakenings can involve intense suffering, with some individuals facing prolonged challenges. This highlights the necessity of providing adequate support and guidance during these phases, as some respondents even mentioned hospitalisation due to the severity of their experiences.

3. Coping Mechanisms

Support Networks: Many respondents highlighted the importance of family, friends, and spiritual communities in helping them cope with the difficulties of the awakening process. Peer support was frequently mentioned, particularly from others undergoing similar experiences.
Spiritual Practices: Meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, and connecting with nature were common practices that helped respondents through difficult times. Some mentioned that acupressure, grounding techniques, and even comfort foods (e.g., chocolate, potatoes) played a role in stabilising their experience.
Therapy and External Help:
- Some respondents sought psychotherapy, particularly with therapists who understood the Kundalini process.
- Others relied on spiritual mentors or guides who helped them make sense of their experiences. Bonnie Greenwell was specifically mentioned by a few individuals for her contributions to their healing journey.
Surrender and Letting Go: Many respondents indicated that learning to surrender to the experience was critical. This involved accepting the process without trying to control it, which often alleviated their suffering. Several mentioned that stopping meditation and simply allowing the experience to unfold helped them significantly.

Analysis:
Respondents found the most comfort in community, spiritual practices, and surrendering to the experience. The diversity of coping mechanisms suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and individuals must find what resonates with them personally.

4. Benefits of the Awakening

Psychological and Emotional Growth: Respondents noted increased intuition, compassion, and awareness as key benefits. Several mentioned they felt more alive, more in tune with others, and less judgmental.
Spiritual Insights: Many reported mystical experiences, such as heightened states of consciousness and a deep connection to the universe. Some felt they had glimpsed non-duality or gained knowledge about the nature of reality.
Reduction of Fear: Several respondents mentioned that their fear of death had diminished, leading to a more relaxed and peaceful outlook on life.
Physical Benefits: A few individuals experienced improvements in physical health and vision, and some developed new abilities, like clairvoyance or the capacity to heal others.

Analysis:
Despite the intense difficulties, many respondents found profound benefits in the process, including a deep sense of purpose, increased spiritual depth, and more meaningful relationships. These benefits, however, were often accompanied by lengthy periods of suffering, showing that the transformative effects come at a significant personal cost for some individuals.

5. Challenges Beyond the Awakening

Isolation: A frequent theme was the feeling of isolation from others. Many respondents found it difficult to maintain relationships with people who could not understand what they were going through. This often led to feelings of loneliness and social disconnection.
Psychological Struggles: Several respondents reported experiencing extreme psychological challenges, including psychosis, PTSD, hallucinations, and anxiety. A few described periods where they felt they were on the brink of insanity or felt dissociated from reality.
Physical Pain: Physical symptoms such as chronic back pain, insomnia, and nervous system overload were common. Some individuals noted that their health deteriorated significantly after the awakening.
Relationships: The process strained personal relationships, including marriages and family ties. One respondent described being hospitalised after giving a psychic reading to family members, indicating how difficult it was to integrate these spiritual experiences into everyday life.
Loss of Identity: Several respondents mentioned a loss of ego or self-identity, leading to existential crises and challenges in understanding their purpose in the world.

Analysis:
The challenges were diverse and ranged from psychological to physical and social. The loss of identity, isolation, and intense psychological symptoms highlight the need for more support and education about Kundalini experiences to prevent these individuals from feeling isolated or misunderstood.

6. Final Thoughts and Insights

Many respondents described their awakening as both the best and worst thing that had happened to them. While it provided spiritual growth and deep insights, it often came at a high personal cost.
Some expressed gratitude for the process, despite the difficulties, while others questioned whether the suffering was worth the outcome.
There was a strong desire among respondents for better guidance and community support, with some suggesting that the medical and spiritual communities need to be more aware of and supportive toward individuals undergoing this experience.

Analysis:
While Kundalini awakening has the potential to be transformative, for many it is also deeply challenging, with some respondents expressing doubts about whether they would recommend it to others. This highlights the need for increased understanding and compassion from spiritual guides, therapists, and medical professionals who encounter individuals undergoing this experience.

Conclusion

This survey reflects the deeply personal and unique nature of Kundalini/spiritual awakenings. While some respondents found profound benefits, many experienced intense psychological and physical difficulties. The most common challenges were isolation, physical pain, and psychological distress, but coping mechanisms such as meditation, spiritual practices, and support networks helped alleviate these difficulties. Overall, the results suggest that Kundalini awakening is a transformative but unpredictable process that requires both personal resilience and strong community support.

IMPORTANT INSIGHTS

The most important insights from the survey on Kundalini/spiritual awakening can be grouped into several key themes:

1. Awakening is a Lifelong, Non-linear Process

The experiences ranged widely in duration, with some respondents reporting over 50 years of ongoing awakening. This highlights that spiritual or Kundalini awakening is often not a single event but a lifelong journey marked by phases of growth, challenges, and transformation.

Key Insight:
Awakening is not a one-time experience. It involves continuous evolution, with different "breakthroughs" occurring over time, sometimes decades apart.

2. The Awakening Process Can Be Extremely Challenging

A significant number of respondents rated their most difficult phases between 7 and 10 in terms of difficulty. These phases often lasted years and were marked by intense physical, emotional, and psychological pain, including dark nights of the soul, isolation, and existential crises.
Some respondents faced mental health challenges such as psychosis, PTSD, and even hospitalisations due to the severity of their experiences.

Key Insight:
Spiritual awakening is frequently accompanied by extreme difficulties, both psychological and physical. It requires robust personal coping mechanisms and external support, and the intensity of these challenges is often underestimated.

3. Support Networks are Critical

Respondents highlighted the importance of family, friends, spiritual communities, and mentors to help them cope with the overwhelming nature of the awakening. Connecting with others undergoing similar experiences was seen as especially valuable.
Many found spiritual practices like meditation, yoga, and grounding techniques helpful, but some also needed external support, including psychotherapy and spiritual guides.

Key Insight:
The importance of community and external support cannot be overstated. Having access to peers, mentors, and spiritual or psychological support is crucial for individuals navigating the difficulties of a spiritual awakening.

4. The Role of Surrender and Acceptance

Many respondents found that surrendering to the experience and allowing it to unfold naturally helped alleviate some of the suffering. This included stopping practices like intense meditation when the process became too overwhelming and learning to trust the journey.
Letting go of control and expectations was a common theme in their recovery from the most challenging phases.

Key Insight:
Surrendering to the process of spiritual awakening, rather than trying to control or resist it, is essential for moving through difficult phases. Acceptance and patience play a major role in the eventual integration of the experience.

5. Profound Personal Transformation and Spiritual Growth

Despite the challenges, many respondents experienced profound benefits, such as increased intuition, compassion, and a deepened connection with spiritual reality. Some reported feeling more alive, purposeful, and aware of the interconnectedness of life.
Common benefits included the dissolution of fear of death, a heightened sense of peace, and a new, more spiritual outlook on life.

Key Insight:
Kundalini awakening can lead to deep spiritual growth, including profound personal transformation, increased wisdom, and a sense of connection to something larger than oneself. However, these benefits often come after significant hardship.

6. Challenges of Social and Family Dynamics

Many respondents noted that their relationships with family and friends were strained or even dissolved as a result of their awakening. The process often led to a sense of isolation due to the lack of understanding from others.
Some experienced marital strain or had difficulty finding others who could relate to their spiritual journey, which contributed to their emotional and psychological challenges.

Key Insight:
Isolation is a common struggle during the awakening process. Finding others who understand or support the experience is crucial for navigating the emotional toll it can take on personal relationships.

7. Ambiguity in the Experience

Several respondents expressed uncertainty about whether the experience was worth it. While some reported transformative insights and benefits, others struggled with regret, feeling that the suffering outweighed the rewards. Some were unsure if their awakening was truly a spiritual process or merely a psychological phenomenon.
This ambiguity reflects the subjective and deeply personal nature of spiritual awakenings, with each individual's journey being unique and not always conforming to a predictable outcome.

Key Insight:
Kundalini awakening is a highly individual experience. While some find immense growth, others struggle with the challenges and may not perceive significant benefits. The journey is often marked by uncertainty, making external validation and community support even more important.

Conclusion:

The most important insights from this survey highlight that Kundalini or spiritual awakening is a complex and often difficult process that requires time, patience, and support. It can lead to deep personal and spiritual transformation, but it is not without its significant challenges. Support networks, acceptance, and surrender are crucial for navigating the intense emotional, psychological, and physical difficulties that many people experience.