I'd be interested if anyone has read this book by Thomas Matus. He is a Camaldolese monk that took kriya initiation from the Self Realization Fellowship center in the 50's before converting to Christianity and becoming a monk. He experienced many kundalini experiences and compares kriya yoga to the Jesus prayer and the experiences of Symeon the new Theologian, especially the essences of them. I thought it was quite good and insightful.

Greetings, Steven, and apologies for the delayed response.

I am not familiar with the book you mention, but will look more into it. I've often thought that kundalini was a feature of the hesychasts and the mysticism of Mt. Athos, but we shouldn't be surprised if that's the case. Kundalini is a universal phenomenon.

What did you like about the book, and tell us a little more about your own practice.

Phil, why do you say kundalini was a feature of the heyschasts and mysticism of mt athos - Did these mystics write or speak of having kundalini experiences? Thanks.

Hi Jonathan. Check out the link below, and similar. It seems the monks of Mt. Athos practice a meditative posture similar to Zen and to some forms of Hindu meditation -- sitting straight, head bent with focus on the navel area. With the monks, they also repeat the Jesus prayer, and report seeing inner light (Taboric Light) similar to what people with kundalini experiences describe. Check out the link below for more info.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navel_gazing