Table_1_Characteristics of Kundalini-Related Sensory, Motor, and Affective Experiences During Tantric Yoga Meditation.docx

Traditional spiritual literature contains rich anecdotal reports of spontaneously arising experiences occurring during meditation practice, but formal investigation of such experiences is limited. Previous work has sometimes related spontaneous experiences to the Indian traditional contemplative concept of kundalini. Historically, descriptions of kundalini come out of Tantric schools of Yoga, where it has been described as a “rising energy” moving within the spinal column up to the brain. Spontaneous meditation experiences have previously been studied within Buddhist and Christian practices and within eclectic groups of contemplative practitioners. Prior explorations of kundalini have emphasized extreme experiences, sometimes having clinical consequences. We conducted a first such investigation of kundalini-related experiences within a sample of meditators from a single Tantric Yoga tradition (known as Ananda Marga) that emphasizes the role of kundalini. We developed a semi-structured questionnaire to conduct an exploratory pilot investigation of spontaneous sensory, motor and affective experiences during meditation practice. In addition to identifying the characteristics of subjective experiences, we measured quantity of meditation, supplemental practices, trait affect and trait mindfulness. We administered it to 80 volunteers at two Ananda Marga retreats. Among reported experiences, we found the highest prevalence for positive mood shifts, followed by motor and then sensory experiences. The frequency of spontaneous experiences was not related to the quantity of practiced meditation or trait measures of mindfulness and affect. Self-reports included multiple descriptions of rising sensations, sometimes being directly called kundalini. Experiences with rising sensations were complex and many included references to positive affect, including ecstatic qualities. There were also reports of spontaneous anomalous experiences. These experiences of rising sensations resemble prior clinical descriptions that were considered kundalini-related. The individuals who reported rising sensations could not be distinguished from other participants based on the incidence of experiences, quantity of meditation practice, or trait measures of mindfulness and affect. In contrast, greater amount of Tantric Yoga meditation practice was associated with greater positive affect, less negative affect and greater mindfulness. Further study of these exploratory findings and how they may be related to spiritual and well-being goals of meditation is warranted along with scientific investigation of purported kundalini phenomena.

传统灵性文献中记载了大量关于冥想过程中自发涌现体验的轶事性报告，但针对此类体验的系统性正式研究仍较为匮乏。既往研究常将此类自发体验与印度传统冥想概念昆达里尼（kundalini）相联系。从历史脉络来看，昆达里尼的描述最早源自密宗瑜伽流派，被阐释为一种沿脊柱上行直至大脑的“升腾能量”。既往针对冥想自发体验的研究曾覆盖佛教、基督教修行传统，以及各类折衷式冥想修习者群体。过往针对昆达里尼的探索多聚焦于极端体验，此类体验有时会伴随临床相关后果。本研究首次针对单一重视昆达里尼作用的密宗瑜伽传统（阿南达玛迦，Ananda Marga）的修习者群体，开展了昆达里尼相关体验的系统性调查。我们编制了半结构化问卷，针对冥想过程中的自发感官、运动及情绪体验开展探索性预实验研究。研究除了探究主观体验的特征外，还收集了修习者的冥想时长、辅助修习行为、特质情绪（trait affect）与特质正念（trait mindfulness）水平等数据。我们在两场阿南达玛迦静修营中，共招募了80名志愿者参与调查。在受访者报告的体验中，积极情绪转变的发生率最高，其次为运动相关体验，再次为感官体验。自发体验的发生频率与个体的总冥想时长、特质正念及特质情绪水平均无显著相关。受访者的自述中包含大量关于升腾感的描述，部分体验还被直接命名为昆达里尼。升腾感体验具有复杂性，多数相关报告提及了包括狂喜特质在内的正向情绪体验。此外还有部分受访者报告了自发的异常体验。此类升腾感体验与既往被归为昆达里尼相关的临床描述具有相似性。报告过升腾感的受访者，在体验发生率、冥想时长、特质正念与特质情绪水平等维度上，与其他参与者并无显著差异。与之相对的是，更长的密宗瑜伽修习时长与更高的正向情绪、更低的负向情绪以及更高的特质正念水平显著相关。未来需针对本研究的探索性发现展开进一步研究，探究其与冥想的灵性目标及幸福感提升目标之间的关联，同时也需对所谓的昆达里尼现象开展科学验证。