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Kundalini Yoga has been popular in the Western World for a matter of decades. When it first exploded onto the scene in the late 1960s, America — and other countries — were gripped by what was termed the “hippie revolution”. While some of the core yogic teachings aligned well with this newfound era, there was another side to the story.
Yes, many of the individuals who were first drawn to the realms of Kundalini Yoga were also recreational drug users. While this lifestyle does not include the use of recreational drugs (it is actually directly opposed to the yogic teachings), there was some overlap.
Fortunately, taking the pathway toward a Kundalini Awakening gave these people another option. They no longer had to rely on using drugs to open their consciousness and get the “high” they longed for. In the following article, we will look at the potential dangers of using recreational drugs, the main differences between drug use and yoga, and how you enlist the help of yogic practices to change both your body and your mind for the better.
The Dangers of Using Recreational Drugs
Before we go any further, we need to acknowledge the dangers of using recreational drugs. It’s not enough to say that these substances are “bad” for you and your health.
Let’s get down to the specifics of the matter. The more informed you are, the better position you are in to make real decisions about your wellness. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports the following risks associated with drugs:
- Prescription and illegal opioids — these drugs can be highly addictive (whether you get them on prescription or by illicit means. The negative health impacts include nausea, constipation, confusion, coma induction, and brain damage. In extreme circumstances, if you take too many opioids, it can result in death.
- Marijuana — while this drug is now legal in some states in the US, that does not mean that it is safe. Scientific research has linked the use of this drug to a range of negative health effects. These include (but are not limited to) poor mental health, permanent IQ loss, a lower athletic performance, and slower reactions too.
- Cocaine — it should come as no surprise that cocaine is highly addictive and responsible for almost a fifth of all deaths caused by overdose. When you use this drug, you will have a higher risk of HIV and problems including bowel decay and asthma. The illegal drug can be extremely dangerous if you choose to take it.
- Meth — the synthetic stimulant known as meth is one of the most dangerous out there. This drug has been associated with damage to the brain and heart, high blood pressure (which can lead to strokes), paranoia, hallucinations, dental problems, liver, kidney, and lung damage, confusion and anxiety.
Recreational Drugs vs. Kundalini Yoga
For many individuals in the 1960s, there was a genuine choice between recreational drug use and Kundalini Yoga. While these two paths seem at odds with one another, the truth is that they can offer similar results. When you choose to lead a yogic lifestyle, you are working your way toward your Kundalini Awakening — a state of altered consciousness.
Recreational drugs offer a shortcut to this state but — and this is highly important — it is not real. When people believe that they have reached this state by taking drugs, they are misguided. Only when you follow a true yogic path and put the work in, can you reap the rewards of enlightenment. Besides this, recreational drugs will always ruin your health.
How Kundalini Yoga Changes Your Body and Mind
Now that you understand the difference between Kundalini Yoga and recreational drug use, let’s talk about the former. There are some strong reasons that people chose this as the healthy alternative to recreational drug use. Let’s take a look at the benefits that you will start to encounter when you choose a clean yogic path, free from drug misuse.
Altering the Consciousness
You may have already heard of a Kundalini Awakening. When you start your journey on the yogic path, you are moving swiftly towards this state. Put simply, it is the highest level of consciousness that a person can achieve while they are on this worldly plane.
When you start to utilize effective Kundalini Yoga kriyas, pranayama activities, and meditation practices, you will experience a similar “high” feeling that drugs offer. This experience is unique to the realms of yoga and allows you to reach a higher plane. When that happens, you will have a life and mind-altering experience without substances.
Impacting the Master Glands
Whenever people use recreational drugs, the substances alter some of their Master Glands. These include the thalamus, the pituitary, and the pineal glands, to name a few.
When the chemicals come into contact with them, they create a reaction and change how the body works. However, one of the things that people fail to understand is that Kundalini Yoga can have a similar impact on these glands. That means that the end experience you have will be similar to feeling “high” only you won’t have any of the dangers associated.
Boost in Endogenous Chemicals
As you already know, there are many different practices in the world of Kundalini Yoga. You may engage in poses, kriyas, breathwork, prayer, meditation, relaxation, or all of the above. An experienced practitioner will know how to use the above technology to activate the endogenous chemicals that already lie in wait within the human body.
By tapping into the natural flow of energy in the body, these talented individuals can change the way that their students see the world. Often enough, when people choose to take drugs recreationally, they are looking for a new perspective. However, what they need to realize is that the yogic pathway can help them change their point of view naturally.
The Takeaway
Recreational drugs may be popular, but they are highly addictive and dangerous. Chances are, you already know that fact. However, by following the path of Kundalini Yoga, you can start to experience an expanded consciousness and true happiness.
See more: Where Do Spiritual Names Come From and Why Do They Matter?
