Kundalini may activate for many reasons, either through practices or spontaneously, and the process has many variables, depending on the intentions, lifestyle, general health, and spiritual orientation of those who experience it.   These heightened vibrations and energies commonly move through the body when someone has reached a certain point of readiness in spiritual or energy practices, and seem to function as a clearing process as the identity shifts into a new perspective. 

Kundalini energy may also awaken in response to an injury, a traumatic or highly emotional event, in response to deep devotion, or to an encounter with another person who can transmit intensified energy. Please open the essays on this site to read about the impact of this awakening, understand the historic yogic perspective of this experience, and gain general guidance on living with kundalini.

Bonnie Greenwell became a therapist and scholar in this field following her own awakening during graduate school.  She has trained in many energy practices and spiritual traditions as well as spiritually oriented psychotherapy.  In 2004 she received dharma transmission from the progressive non-dual teacher Adyashanti.  She is known for her scholarly research into kundalini awakening, and as the author of the comprehensive book  "Energies of Transformation: A Guide to the Kundalini Process",  based on her doctoral research in 1990.  
She has published two guidebooks based on nearly 30 years of assessing over 2000 people in the kundalini or spiritual awakening processes: The Kundalini Guide and The Awakening Guide. Her Awakened Living Blog is at shantiriver.wordpress.com. Her FB page is Shanti River Center.

During her career she has offered programs for therapists and others in the U.S. and Europe, was a founder and organizer of The Kundalini Research Network, was the director of the counseling center at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and has written book chapters and essays related to spiritual awakening.  Currently she provides guidance and webinars through zoom.us with individuals around the world.

Bonnie’s Awakened Living Newsletter is now available: here is link you CAN CUT AND PASTE to issue #7.

https://awakenedliving.substack.com/p/awakened-living-newsletter-vol-7

Latest Book: "WHEN SPIRIT LEAPS: NAVIGATING THE SPIRITUAL AWAKENING PROCESS" published by New HarBinger

Multiple interviews with Bonnie are on youtube, including two on Buddha at the Gas Pump (BATGAP) — just put her name in the search option. Bonnie is on the advisory board of Spiritual Awakenings International and a member of the Association for Spiritual Integrity.

Services at shanti river center

Bonnie is not available for consultations or other programs at this time. When available again she will announce it here.

 kundalini & Awakening books

Bonnie has published four books to support those who seek spiritual realization, all unique in their practical guidance through an experience that many consider to be a territory of mystery and complication, ecstasy and challenge.  

Energies of Transformation: A Guide to the Kundalini Process,  based on her doctoral research, was published in 1990 and revised in 1995. More recent books The Kundalini Guide and The Awakening Guide, were published in 2014 and offer comprehensive and concise  support for people in the awakening process.   In June 2018 her latest book on kundalini and non-dual self-realization was released: When Spirit Leaps: Navigating the Process of Spiritual Awakening. It's available in bookstores and on Amazon. For descriptions and reviews of her books click here.