Who are the people behind SCN?

In this column, I introduce the volunteers of the SCN to you.

Some volunteers have experienced a spiritual crisis themselves, some have a loved one who has gone through a spiritual crisis, and some have experienced both sides. What connects these volunteers is the loving commitment to help others come out of a spiritual crisis. Today I'm going to visit Alan Foulkes virtually. Here is an excerpt of our interview.

Alan has been a volunteer at the SCN for over two years. A Kundalini Awakening initiated his spiritual crisis. It is his spiritual crisis that prompted him to volunteer with the SCN. Alan shares what kind of symptoms he experienced that made him think of a kundalini awakening.

Alan; The background to my kundalini story is that for a number of years, I combined  Reiki with a particular active meditation that I did fairly regularly. One night I did the meditation particularly well (had a very single concentration) but then fell asleep without closing it off properly. I had a very vivid dream in which this energy was erupting from the 2nd chakra of the statue of Buddha, and then I woke up, and kundalini was rising up to my stomach. I was seeing colours, and it felt very pleasurable, but I knew a little bit about kundalini, enough to recognize it and also to know that I did not have the knowledge or tools to handle it. I managed to force the energy down and stopped doing reiki on myself, and stopped the meditation.

One year later, I had been going through an unusual period of extreme anxiety. Superficially this was about work, but I realized that this anxiety was from childhood trauma that was finding a way to come to the surface.

Alan; a good friend recommended that I went to an acupuncturist, and I decided to try this rather than taking the anti-depressants that were offered by my Doctor.

During the resulting treatment, I had very powerful energy moving up my body along my spine. It came all the way up to my head. The Acupuncturist kept on saying to me to open up. I did, and I saw clouds like a William Blake painting. And in the middle, the clouds started to thin until a golden light came through the clouds and whoosh, the energy went right up through my body and out of my Crown Chakra.

For twenty-four hours, I felt blissful. I could see the oneness of everything, colours were very vivid, and I was very sensitive to other people's energies.  I could not stand close to people with negative energy.

However, after 24 hours, the experience changed. I felt the energy shift in my stomach. The anxiety came back with a vengeance. I could not function, go to work. The energy was coming up to my head and getting stuck, 1,000 watts being put through a 40 watt light bulb.

I ended up being convinced I was dying, could not walk more than a few yards and spent two days sitting on the end of my bed waiting to die.

I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for six weeks which was a major trauma in itself. I was hearing flute music ( a common experience in Kundalini awakenings, apparently) but realized early on that I had to stop telling them what was really happening to me as it was all seen as psychosis, so I did not tell the medics this. If I had, I am sure I would have got the diagnosis of schizophrenia. I was actually given the ridiculous diagnosis of "psychotic depression"; at no point was I depressed…..just very anxious.

I was treated with major anti-psychotics, and it took me a further three months to be able to go back to some kind of "normal" functioning. I came off the medication as soon I could. About a year later (May 2017), I went to the Launch of Emerging Proud in London. It was inspirational to meet others who had comparable experiences, and since then, the journey has been a very positive one. Past hurt and trauma have been healed. I have met some great people and now find myself in a new community of people who are experiencing kundalini and other forms of spiritual awakening.

When I ask Alan how he got out of his spiritual crisis, he mentions that a friend told him about Emerging Proud in London—emerging Proud campaigns to increase awareness of these experiences and emphasize the opportunity for positive personal transformation that spiritual emergency can bring.  Alan gradually realized that his kundalini awakening was a blessing and that the emotions relating to childhood trauma had evaporated. Kundalini seems to be a cleansing process that can clear trauma. 

Alan shares that it felt very vindicating meeting others who had similar experiences. Being in nature has helped him with his recovery. Feeling connected with others who understand the process can be very beneficial. Spiritual experiences are not recognized and acknowledged in the world of psychiatry. The SCN is organizing a conference next year, and Alan is hoping that carers and medical professionals will visit the conference and hopefully get a deeper understanding of the spiritual crisis. 

Is a kundalini crisis preventable?

To answer this question, I would say that not everyone experiences a crisis when kundalini rises. Those that have prepared for many years with spiritual practice and who have not experienced major trauma may be more likely to have an easier process 

However, Alan mentions that many people have a kundalini experience triggered by trauma. If there is unresolved trauma, the kundalini awakening is more likely to be more difficult and cause more problems.

Alan; This is where the SCN is so important. People can get help and support there. There are also support groups at the SCN. For me, talking to others in the same situation was what helped me through it. 

Patricia; Can you name two things that helped you make the most of this experience?

Alan; I may not be the perfect example, but I think two things helped. The first was meeting people who also had a kundalini awakening. The second is to ask myself; what's the worst that could happen to me? Not much, so by putting it into perspective. It doesn't matter as long as I have the best intentions. As long as my intention is good, it is about acceptance and doing what I can do to make it better for others. So focusing on others and not on myself helped enormously, which I guess is three things!. What can I do for others; being a good father and bringing some positive awareness around spiritual crisis gives a sense of purpose.

Patricia; It is as if the kundalini process asks us to get back on our soul path. If I hear you like this, then it seems you've found your way.

Alan; We are all one, so it is important to heal others and help ourselves because we are the other.

Patricia; What do you advise people who have a kundalini awakening?

Alan;  My advice would be; Look for people who have knowledge and experience in this field. Find literature, contact the SCN, find a support group, and I am not a fan of psychiatry and medicine. Still, sometimes that can be helpful in the short term, so definitely go to a GP if you are in a serious crisis and finding it hard to manage. 

Patricia; I wonder if there is such a thing as a collective kundalini awakening?

Alan; The world crisis can be a trigger for more spiritual crises and transformative experiences. The global crisis can also help to experience more unity. Kundalini teaches us that we are part of a greater consciousness. If more people understand this, the crisis can be turned around for the better. Humanity is now being forced to act more collectively. I am hopeful. I think it's part of the process. We've got to get through this. We have to go through the shadows, and that is happening collectively now. We are all one, so it is important to heal others and help ourselves because we are the other.

By Patricia Grootjans, October 23, 2021

Want to see the interview? Then click here.