What kind of energy sensations are these?

[azuin]

For quite a while now, I've been feeling energy movements like trickles of light-water. They usually go upward through the spine, and last a second or less. Like lightning that goes upwards, but sometimes slower.
It's a kind of blissful sensation, but not powerfully so.

It happens when I am feeling uplifting emotions, or when I listen to amazing music that "catches" me-- I think the common theme, though, is when I "let go".

I can kind of "prepare the way" for it to happen by imagining something that helps me let go. Also, acceptance thoughts like "I accept myself the way I am" make me nice and warm and fuzzy and sometimes allow the sensations to happen.

This also may be the wrong section, even though it's an "energy sensation". I have been doing energy work ever since I read Astral Dynamics a year or two ago, but this isn't the same thing. It's not tactile awareness, and I can't duplicate the feeling by running my attention up my spine (although this might cause the sensation to occur).

I figure it's relatively common, but if you know anything, I'm definitely curious. I also don't think I've ever read anything that talks about this, except perhaps something on Kriya yoga.

Cheers~

[CFTraveler]

It could be a few things, including endorphins.
I would say energy movement sensations causing an endorphin surge.
Or prekundalini symptoms, they are said to be felt as 'cool' energy before the flames ignite. But I can't be sure this is it.
I'm leaning toward endorphins.
BTW, I get them too, and haven't had any Kundalini events.

[azuin]

That's an interesting idea. I looked at the wikipedia article on Endorphins, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endorphin and the acupuncture section at least suggests that there is a relation. Because acupuncture can be used to relax people, and because it probably causes some energy sensations. Speculation though because I haven't had acupuncture done on me. The runner's high feeling mentioned in the wikipedia endorphin article is different, though. That's a heavier sense of physical well-being. The energy sensations in my spine don't necessarily have any pain-suppression effects. But perhaps endorphins have multiple effects.

A christian friend says that they're a precursor to "baptism in the holy spirit". From what I hear it sounds an awful lot like a kundalini awakening. But I don't have the slightest clue whether that's related to my spine sensations, and that's probably another topic altogether so let's leave it at that.

I suppose it'll be a mystery for now

[ButterflyWoman]

But perhaps endorphins have multiple effects.

They do, actually. It does depend on the person and the situation, but endorphins can also relieve stress, just as one example.

A christian friend says that they're a precursor to "baptism in the holy spirit". From what I hear it sounds an awful lot like a kundalini awakening.

Yes. I believe it's the same thing, just different cultural concepts of what it is. The Holy Spirit is even directly associated with flames, just as Kundalini is.

[azuin]

Hello CaterpillarWoman,
Funnily enough I ran across your blog last night and *really* liked it, and it's on my google rss reader
I like it because it seems that you tend to avoid easy explanations of things. And also probably because I have some similar experiences and dilemmas.

Cheers~

[MysticSage816]

Do these sensations make you shiver, or feel 'shivery'? I think I may have the same sensations, but then again maybe not mine can also be caused by things like something touching my neck, so mine may be more of a physical phenomenon than yours.

James