3.15 The Modern Remaking of Kundalini, with Marleen Thaler
About this episode
The episode explores the evolution of Kundalini from a Hindu goddess to a psychiatric syndrome with guest Marleen Thaler.
Today I sit down with Marleen Thaler, a researcher at the University of Vienna and University of Graz. Together, we investigate the history of the transformation of Kundalini from a Hindu goddess resting at the base of the spine to her modern manifestation as a psychiatric syndrome. Along the way, we discuss the central importance of the Theosophical society, the anti-psychiatry movement of the 1970s, spiritual emergencies, and kundalini as a meeting point for religion and medicine. Resources mentioned in this episode: Arthur Avalon, The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga Gopi Krishna, Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man Lee Sennella, The Kundalini Experience: Psychosis or Transcendence Spiritual Emergence Network ( USA | International ) Marleen's publications: Academia.edu Become a paid subscriber on blackberyl.substack.com to unlock our members-only benefits, including downloading: Full English translation of the Hathayoga Pradipika, which includes description of kundalini coiled at the base of the spine and structured practices to direct her energy toward enlightenment. Get full access to Black Beryl Podcast at blackberyl.substack.com/subscribe
People in this episode
Hosts: Dr. Pierce Salguero, Dr. Lan Li
Guest: Marleen Thaler
Topics covered
- Kundalini
- Hinduism
- psychiatry
- spiritual emergencies
- Theosophy
- religion and medicine
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: University of Vienna, University of Graz, Theosophical society
Books & works: Kundalini
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