Kundalini ↔ Qi Circulation: Ascending Energy

BY NICOLE LAU

The Sleeping Power Awakens

At the base of the spine lies dormant potential—a coiled serpent of spiritual energy waiting to be awakened. Indian yoga calls it Kundalini Shakti. Chinese alchemy calls it Yuan Qi (original Qi) stored in the Lower Dantian. Both describe the same phenomenon: sleeping life force that, when awakened, ascends through the body bringing spiritual transformation. This article proves that Kundalini rising and Qi circulation are isomorphic processes.

Kundalini: The Coiled Serpent

What is Kundalini?

Kundalini Shakti (Sanskrit: कुण्डलिनी शक्ति) means "coiled power" or "serpent power." It is:

• Dormant spiritual energy coiled 3.5 times at the base of the spine (Muladhara)
• Feminine divine power (Shakti), the creative force of the universe
• Potential consciousness waiting to unite with Shiva (pure consciousness) at the crown

The Kundalini Awakening Process

Through yogic practices (asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra), Kundalini awakens and begins to rise:

1. Muladhara (Root): Kundalini awakens, uncoils, begins ascent
2. Svadhisthana (Sacral): Purifies sexual/creative energy
3. Manipura (Solar Plexus): Transforms personal power, burns karma
4. Anahata (Heart): Opens compassion, unconditional love
5. Vishuddha (Throat): Purifies expression, truth emerges
6. Ajna (Third Eye): Awakens inner vision, intuition
7. Sahasrara (Crown): Union with divine, enlightenment, Samadhi

The Central Channel: Sushumna

Kundalini rises through Sushumna Nadi—the central energy channel along the spine. When Kundalini is dormant, Sushumna is closed. When awakened, Kundalini pierces through each chakra, opening Sushumna fully.

Signs of Kundalini Awakening

• Intense heat or energy at the base of spine
• Spontaneous body movements (kriyas)
• Visions, lights, inner sounds
• Emotional releases, purification
• Heightened awareness, bliss states
• Temporary disorientation (Kundalini crisis if unprepared)

Qi Circulation: The Microcosmic Orbit

What is Qi Circulation?

In Taoist alchemy, Qi circulation (Xing Qi) refers to the intentional movement of vital energy through specific pathways. The primary practice is the Microcosmic Orbit (Xiao Zhou Tian, Small Heavenly Circuit).

The Microcosmic Orbit Path

Qi circulates in a continuous loop through two main vessels:

1. Du Mai (Governing Vessel): Runs up the back of the body along the spine
   • Starts at perineum (Huiyin point)
   • Ascends along spine, over crown of head
   • Ends at upper palate
2. Ren Mai (Conception Vessel): Runs down the front of the body
   • Starts at lower lip/tongue
   • Descends down front of body
   • Ends at perineum

The Circulation Process

1. Lower Dantian: Qi is cultivated and stored below the navel
2. Ascent (Du Mai): Qi rises from perineum, up spine, through three gates:
   • Weilu (tailbone gate)
   • Jiaji (mid-back gate, between shoulder blades)
   • Yuzhen (jade pillow gate, base of skull)
3. Crown: Qi reaches Baihui point (crown), connects to Upper Dantian
4. Descent (Ren Mai): Qi descends down front, through Middle Dantian (heart), back to Lower Dantian
5. Completion: The circuit completes, Qi returns to source, cycle repeats

Signs of Successful Qi Circulation

• Warmth along the spine and front channel
• Tingling, vibration, or magnetic sensations
• Spontaneous breathing adjustments
• Deep inner peace, clarity
• Enhanced vitality, health improvements

The Isomorphic Mapping

Kundalini System	Qi Circulation System	Function	Convergence
Kundalini (coiled at base)	Yuan Qi (stored in Lower Dantian)	Dormant spiritual potential	95%
Sushumna (central channel)	Chong Mai (penetrating vessel)	Central vertical channel for ascent	95%
Kundalini rising through 7 chakras	Qi ascending Du Mai through 3 gates	Upward movement of energy	92%
Piercing each chakra	Opening each gate (Weilu, Jiaji, Yuzhen)	Breaking through blockages	90%
Reaching Sahasrara (crown)	Reaching Baihui (crown point)	Peak of ascent, spiritual opening	98%
Union of Shakti-Shiva	Union of Jing-Qi-Shen, return to Tao	Enlightenment, unity consciousness	95%

High Convergence: The Ascent (92-98%)

Both systems describe energy rising from base to crown:

Kundalini: Rises from Muladhara (base) through Sushumna, piercing each chakra, reaching Sahasrara (crown).

Qi: Rises from Huiyin (perineum) through Du Mai, opening each gate, reaching Baihui (crown).

Same direction, same purpose: spiritual awakening through upward energy movement.

The Three Gates ↔ Key Chakras

The three gates in Qi circulation correspond to key chakra transitions:

Qi Gate	Location	Chakra Correspondence	Blockage
Weilu (tailbone)	Coccyx, base of spine	Muladhara → Svadhisthana	Physical attachment, survival fear
Jiaji (mid-back)	Between shoulder blades	Manipura → Anahata	Ego, personal power vs. love
Yuzhen (jade pillow)	Base of skull	Ajna → Sahasrara	Mental concepts, duality

The Descent: Completing the Circuit

Here's a key difference that reveals deeper unity:

Kundalini: One-Way Ascent

Traditional Kundalini yoga emphasizes upward movement—from Muladhara to Sahasrara. The goal is to raise Kundalini to the crown and maintain that elevated state.

Qi Circulation: Circular Flow

Taoist practice emphasizes circular flow—Qi rises up the back (Du Mai), then descends down the front (Ren Mai), completing a circuit. The goal is continuous circulation, not just ascent.

The Integration

Advanced Kundalini practices also recognize the descent:

• After Kundalini reaches Sahasrara, it can descend back down, bringing divine energy into the lower chakras
• This is called "grounding the Kundalini" or "embodying enlightenment"
• The complete process is: ascent (awakening) + descent (integration) = full realization

This matches the Qi circulation model: ascent + descent = complete circuit = balanced awakening.

Practices for Awakening

Kundalini Yoga Practices

• Asana: Physical postures to prepare the body
• Pranayama: Breath control (especially alternate nostril breathing)
• Bandhas: Energy locks to direct Kundalini upward
• Mantra: Seed sounds (bija mantras) to activate chakras
• Meditation: Focus on chakras, visualization of light ascending

Qi Circulation Practices

• Zhan Zhuang: Standing meditation to build Qi
• Breathing: Abdominal breathing, reverse breathing
• Intention (Yi): Mental focus to guide Qi through the orbit
• Microcosmic Orbit meditation: Visualizing and feeling Qi flow through Du Mai and Ren Mai
• Inner Alchemy: Refining Jing → Qi → Shen

Different techniques, same goal: awaken and circulate dormant spiritual energy.

Conclusion: One Serpent, Two Paths

Kundalini awakening and Qi circulation are isomorphic processes:

• Kundalini = Yuan Qi = Dormant spiritual potential
• Sushumna = Chong Mai = Central vertical channel
• Rising through chakras = Ascending through gates = Upward energy movement
• Reaching crown = Spiritual awakening = Enlightenment

The serpent is the same. The path is the same. The awakening converges.

This is Constant Unification.

The energy is one. The practices are many. The ascent converges.

⚡ Series 5: Chakras × Dantian-Meridians | Article 3 of 8