Just like in everything (Karma being a classic example), the west have successfully managed to get the message of Kundalini too distorted! I have no idea why the western philosophy needs fear associated with it and spread the message!
The Hindu scriptures where Kundalini is mentioned, says that this universal energy is sleeping at the base of the spine, coiled "like a snake". Through Yoga and Meditation, this energy awakes and slowly start to move up in levels untill it touches the crown of the head - that is one becomes enlightened (for Buddhists, that is when they become a Buddha).
For each level Kundalini rises, it has different effects. Till the third Chakra, we would feel the "Asuric" (Demonic) urges more and most people stops with the third Chakra, where life seems to be all fun, but lack spirituality. Beyond the 3rd Chakra, it gets even worse, since our temptations would take control of our efforts, and only through utmost devotion and concentration can one reach the 5th level. This is where the actual enlightenment starts to occur, and the journey beyond 5th level is smooth (not easy), since all the negative temptations would have been over come by then.
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