I am not too sure where to begin regarding this question, I have observed many individuals sharing their experiences of spiritual awakening on YouTube. However, I have noticed many not mentioning the serpent, or having any knowledge of the term "Kundalini" it appears that Kundalini is a specific flavor of awakening, I have since learned that there are potential differences from traditional awakening, my guess would be that traditional awakening is much more mild and easier to tolerate than Kundalini awakening. I sense that it calls for a much more dramatic transformation in the form of "Spiritual Rebirth"
I've been reading "Cosmic Consciousness" by Richard Maurice Bucke, M.D., published in 1901. He appears to have had a kundalini awakening, but he did not know the experience by that name. Here is his description of that event and some of its effects. (Note: the author writes about himself in the third person.)
"His mind, deeply under the influence of the ideas, images and emotions called up by the reading and talk of the evening, was calm and peaceful. He was in a state of quiet, almost passive enjoyment. All at once, without warning of any kind, he found himself wrapped around as it were by a flame-colored cloud. For an instant he thought of fire, some sudden conflagration in the great city; the next, he knew that the light was within himself. Directly afterwards came upon him a sense of exultation, of immense joyousness accompanied or immediately followed by an intellectual illumination quite impossible to describe. Into his brain streamed one momentary lightning-flash of the Brahmic Splendor which has ever since lightened his life; upon his heart fell one drop of Brahmic Bliss, leaving thenceforward for always an aftertaste of heaven. Among other things he did not come to believe, he saw and knew that the Cosmos is not dead matter but a living Presence, that the soul of man is immortal, that the universe is so built and ordered that without any peradventure all things work together for the good of each and all, that the foundation principle of the world is what we call love and that the happiness of every one is in the long run absolutely certain. He claims that he learned more within the few seconds during which the illumination lasted than in previous months or even years of study, and that he learned much that no study could ever have taught. The illumination itself continued not more than a few moments, but its effects proved ineffaceable; it was impossible for him ever to forget what he at that time saw and knew; neither did he, or could he, ever doubt the truth of what was then presented to his mind. There was no return, that night or at any other time, of the experience.
The supreme occurrence of that night was his real and sole initiation to the new and higher order of ideas. But it was only an initiation. He saw the light but had no more idea whence it came and what it meant than had the first creature that saw the light of the sun."
To discuss how a kundalini awakening differs from other spiritual awakenings, one must first have a consensus on the after effects following each type of awakening. It's been over 45 years since my complete kundalini awakening and I have yet to be successful in adequately describing the resulting change in consciousness. My latest thinking is that when the kundalini energy (Shakti) enters the seventh chakra (Shiva), there is an immediate, but temporary, state of unitive bliss. This is the period of being immersed in a brilliant white light. When one returns to the normal waking state of awareness, ego consciousness has been "divinely infused". A portal to divine consciousness has been opened. Calling this transformation a "Spiritual Rebirth" seems appropriate.
I found the following explanation on the internet:
"Shiva resides in the Sahasrāra Chakra and Shakti in the Mūlādhāra Chakra. When Prakriti and Purusha unite in the Sahasrāra Chakra, knowledge, knower and the object of knowledge become one. Once we have experienced this no desires remain within us because we realise unequivocally that everything we have ever yearned for is carried within us. In this state of absolute consciousness there are no polarities and therefore no more sorrows; there is only everlasting joy, unconditional love, unlimited compassion and total understanding for all living beings.
For as long as consciousness is connected to the physical body it is unable to remain constantly in the Sahasrāra Chakra and so returns to the residence of the Ātmā in the Heart Centre (Anāhata Chakra). A realised person always thinks, feels and acts from the heart. Embedded in eternal love and eternal happiness, that person is always conscious of the immortal Ātmā, the ocean of bliss, and their consciousness is forever connected to the divine consciousness."
Hi Sid,
I see k awakenings as a fast- track in that the contents of our pysche are kicked up dramatically for us to deal with in this lifetime. Plus we get the energy/ rewiring side too which is very physical. It seems those who have not had a k awakening maybe get less or no energetic stuff and might not have to work thru as much emotional stuff. K feels like a very intense gift.
Hi Sid,
In my view the specific nature of Kundalini is the energetic side; the activating of the Kundalini "life force" energy that then works with her own intelligence to give people the opportunity to work towards spiritual awakening.. ..which I see to be centrally about dis-identifying with the constructed self and becoming one with the Self/oneness/universal consciousness.
People can also clearly spiritually awaken through other means/experience so the journey itself whether triggered by kundalini or not can be seen to be very similar/the same. Hope these thoughts are helpful.