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kundalini

In yogic and tantric traditions, a latent form of energy believed to reside at the base of the spine, awakened through spiritual practice.

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Where does the word "kundalini" come from? It comes from Sanskrit kundalini, and was adopted directly into English (19th-20th c.).

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Where does the word "kundalini" come from? It comes from Sanskrit kundalini, and was adopted directly into English (19th-20th c.).

Kundalini’s story begins in Sanskrit: kundalini meant “a coiled or ring-shaped force.” Feminine form of an adjective meaning 'coiled, circular'. It reached English by 19th-20th c. as kundalini. Adopted in English yoga and tantra writing for a dormant spiritual energy. Today, kundalini means in yogic and tantric traditions, a latent form of energy believed to reside at the base of the spine, awakened through spiritual practice.

  1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · medieval kundalini "a coiled or ring-shaped force", feminine form of an adjective meaning 'coiled, circular'.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 19th-20th c. kundalini "a latent spiritual energy said to lie coiled at the base of the spine", adopted in English yoga and tantra writing for a dormant spiritual energy.

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