Paul Ambrose began a PhD research project at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, California with Dr. Bonnie Greenwell, Dr. Lawrence Edwards, and his current Chairperson Dr. Olga Louchakova-Schwartz.
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The purpose of this qualitative study was to define a widely-reported, cross-cultural phenomenon known as Energetic Physiological Release (EPR) also variously known as kundalini experience, physio-kundalini syndrome, ecstatic epilepsy, Quaker shaking, kundalini rising, or the Judeo-Christian Holy Spirit (Greyson, 2000; Harrigan, 2012; Picard, 2009; Sanella, 1978; Sovatsky, 2005). While defining the EPR phenomenon, the study also explored whether a subject’s interpretation of kundalini events resulted in positive or negative experiences. Descriptive phenomenological method was used. Participants consisted of 12 individuals, 6 men and 6 women, ranging in age from 43 to 75 years old.
The project was motivated by the researcher’s own personal experiences over several years with daily seizures, shaking, tremors, increased body heat, perspiration, and orgasmic sensations rushing up from the chest cavity into the head. The researcher does not regard these experiences as pathological; rather, he views them as meaningful within the context of spiritual development.
Data were collected via questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Spinelli’s (2005) series of 7 steps along with the identification of significant statements of direct relevance to sobriety, kundalini and the EPR phenomenon. The analysis then involved the formulation of meanings which moved from a collection of naïve descriptions to a final structural description.
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After the passing of Dr. Bonnie Greenwell in 2022, this research has recently been moved to the California Institute of Integral Studies with a new member joining the committee Dr. Courtenay Crouch. Please provide your email address below if you're interested in participating in a recorded study on Kundalini yoga. In exchange for your email address, you will also receive a free copy of Part One from Paul's novel "Funnelhead."
