'Holy Spirit' is not the same as 'Shakti' or 'Kundalini'

In the fashionable search for sameness in all religions, Holy Spirit in Christianity is often equated with Shakti or kundalini in Hinduism. However, these terms represent different, even incompatible cosmologies.

Early Vedic literature describes a supreme being whose creative power (Shakti) manifests the universe. Shakti is subsequently systematized as the Universal Goddess with sophisticated theology and worship. She is the matrix and primordial material substance of the universe, its consciousness and power, and the agency differentiating all forms.

In Christianity, though the Holy Spirit is also “within” the human, there is a strong emphasis on the descent from above or outside. Furthermore, unlike Shakti, the Holy Spirit is not seen as the essence of human selfhood ("soul") or the essence of the cosmos.

Christianity assumes an inherent dualism between God and creation. This necessitates historical revelations along with prophets, priests and institutions to bring us the truth. But Shakti, being all-pervading, obviates dependence on these; its experience can be discovered by going within through yoga. Since the universe is nothing but Shakti's immanence, nearly every Hindu village worships its own form of the Goddess as the deity. Eco-feminism is built into the cosmology.

Shakti is always available to be experienced in our physical body as a series of currents, with seven focal points called chakras. A powerful concentration of Shakti known as kundalini lies dormant at the base of everyone's spine. Numerous spiritual techniques can arouse kundalini and channel it upward through the chakras, awakening one into unity consciousness.

Continued on page 2: The human body as conceived in Christianity... »