compiled by Jason Guenther

http://www.discernment.org/kundalin.htm

The Background of Kundalini

In Hinduism there are several forms of yoga (yoking) which all have the goal of giving the practitioner cosmic consciousness and unity with God. The origins of Kundalini Yoga (sometimes called Raja or roya Yoga) come from the form of Hinduism known as Kashmir Shavism.

This form of yoga comes from the Kashmir region of India and the god these Hindus worship is Shiva. If anyone saw Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom the Hindu god represented there was Shiva.

Who Is Shiva?
{shi'-va}

One of the two principal Hindu gods (the other being Vishnu), Shiva is frequently viewed as the destroyer of the world prior to each period of dissolution. He is depicted in both terrible and graceful forms, the latter including the dancing Shiva, or Nataraja. He consorts with a mother goddess, Ambika, known by various other names such as Parvati, Uma, Durga, or Kali (see also Shakti), and his presence is iconographically suggested by the image of his vehicle, a bull (Nandi), or by the pillar-shaped lingam, a phallic image. Hindus who view Shiva as the supreme deity are known as Shaivites. Among the various localized sects of Shaivism are Kashmir Shaivism, Virashaivism, and Shaiva Siddhanta.

Karl H. Potter
Bibliography:
Clothey, F., and Long, J. B., eds., Experiencing Siva (1983); Gaston, A. M., The Study of Siva in Dance, Myth, and Iconography (1982); O'Flaherty, W. D., Siva (1981).

Why Practice Kundalini Yoga?

Kundalini in English means "the serpent power." It is the common Hindu belief that within each person resides a "serpent" coiled tightly up at the base of the spine. Through practicing Kundalini yoga, along with chanting, mediation, and an impartation from the guru one can have their Kundalini Awakened.

Kundalini Yoga is the POWER yoga of Hinduism. It is the pathway to supernatural power and godhood.

Kundalini Yoga can also lead to mental collapse, psychosis, and demon possession (for the lost) or oppression (for the believer). If you will serach any Kundalini site on the InterNet, all of them will warn of the dangers involved in awakening the serpent power within an individual.

Since the fall of Adam man has sought power and sought to be like God. In Hinduism, Kashmir Shavism is the quickest pathway to these goals.

THE POWER GURUS

(Read these accounts and take note of the manifestations. Then go on to the comparison section of the site.)

SAI BABA:

Sai Baba was followed by millions of people globally. He had the "goods" that is, he had supernatural power flowing in his ministry.

He performed genuine miracles.
He could make vedhuti appear out of thin air (sacred ash).
He could materialize gold rings and jewels which he gave to his followers.
He had the ability to know people's thoughts.
He healed the sick at times
He reguarly appeared to his followers at night in their dreams and reveal their dreams to them the next day
He gave his followers visions
Many followers heard his voice as an inner-guide which lead them in making decisions in life
He gave his grace (enlightenement and power) to selected followers by the laying on of hands

He was and is seen by millions as a true Avatar, a human incarnation of God.
Muktananda

He was the disciple of Nityananda and in 1947 he received his impartation of power from Nityananda. Nityananda was called Gurudev and was seen as a Jivan-Mutki or liberated one, and thus worthy of worship as a god. This too is what Muktananda became to millions. Here is an except from Tal Brooke's excellent book Riders of the Cosmic Circuit. This is Muktananda's experience when his kundalini was awakened:

"I understood nothing about the various experiences such as the vision of dissolution and the radiant light that had come to me on the first day. Only afterwards did I learn that they were all part of a process pertaining to shaktipat (the divine power-touch of the guru). Shaktipat is simply another name for the full grace of the supreme guru. This as the awakening process of the kundalini - the serpent-like energy the yogis believe is curled at the base of the spoine. And its rising upwards can only be handled by a well-initiated adept, driving most people irretrievably mad should they even get a mild taste of it. Sometimes I would jump and hope like a frog, and sometimes my limbs would shake violently as though shaken by a deity. The goddess of consciousness, and was shaking me with his inner shatki (power). This power of the gurus grace enters the disciples body in a subtle form and does many great things.
Sometimes my body would writhe and twist like a snake's while a hissing sound would come from inside me. Sometimes my neck moved so violently that it made loud cracking sounds. I roared so much that the cows nearby broke their ropes. . .sometimes roar like a tiger.

Muktanada was given the ability to know past and future events
Muktanada was "slain in the spirit"
Muktanada gave his grace away to his followers through shatkipat initiation laying on of hands.
Muktanada was worshipped as a god and had/has 62 centers in the US

"Muktanada's impact was overwhelming. He was fierce with energy. People vibrated in his energy field as he threw out waves of power into the audience, thunderbolts of shatkipat through gesture and powerful gazes." pg. 58
"The voltage surging through Muktananda was no joke. It had to move on before the body dropped away. It needed-this kundalini- a very prepared host. pg. 64
"For the next three days my body was pulsating with the energy that surged through it. I laughed ecstatically, wept with happiness, felt energetic enough to hold the universe in my hand, and hungry enough to devour all the earth's food (Karen Alboher) pg. 68
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

Rajneesh also had a hugh following
His goal was to release godhood on a large scale and have his disciples infiltrate the world
He form of Shavism was Tantric in nature. A true Tantric practicioner is not bound by any morality or ethics at all, they have transcended those concepts into the pure non-dualism of "all is good" "all is god."
By merely appearing to his disciples they would begin to weep and laugh uncontrollably, they would dance, hop, and pass out just by his presence.

"Rajneesh slowly moved to his throne, his hands in the namaste prayer position, as he pivoted slowly to face his entire audience. The hush was electric. One could just feel the guards psychically trying to control the surges passing across the audience. . .Rajneesh's body was a glove covering a naked force. . .I felt it with an intensity. . .It did have a supernatural consciousness--but its origins and flavor were well disguised from this adoring and dersperate throng." pg. 92
"Here is where Advaita and Tantra remain supreme. Not the popularized Tantra, but the cryptic North Indian Kashmiri variety. Here is where all the seals of what we call a human being is blown apart. pg. 138-139

In 1953 Rajneesh's kundalini was awakened through meditation
Many of his disciples had psychotic breakdowns, some killed themselves

"A bolt of electricity passing through his body. Passing from one person to the next, moving around the circle, coming back to him. The group began shaking violently. It was as if they were all possessed, taken over by a powerful impersonal energy." pg. 148
"Suddenly her body was shaking, she was screaming. Somendra was moving around her - touching her on the back of her neck, on the chest, on the belly. As he'd touch her, his hands vibrating with energy, the part of her body where he touched her would begin shaking more violently. Shaking, screaming,crying - she became a dynamo of energy. . .she was on fire, from the opposite corner they could feel her energy." pg. 149

THE STRIKING SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE "TORONTO BLESSING" AND THE SERPENT POWER OF KUNDALINI

Here is a DIRECT QUOTE from a Kundalini Page on the web (caps are my addition):

"Usually the awakening of Kundalini was a process which only occurred after years of spiritual practice and meditation. Yet INCREASINGLY, the Kundalini experience is being reported among people who are not undertaking spiritual practices. Since 1993, when Shared Transformation, an American journal for connecting spiritual awakeners first began, it has been contacted by OVER 700 people in the throes of SPONTANEOUS KUNDALINI AROUSAL (Collie & Kree, 1995). These INCREASED reports of spontaneous Kundalini awakening at this time of PLANETARY UPHEAVAL may be INDICATIVE OF A LARGER PURPOSE AS WORK, the beginning of a planetary wake up call. . ."

Since reading this article I have sent off several e-mails to various "gurus" and New Age sites describing the activity at Toronto and Pensacola and asking their opinions of them and did they think these could be spontaneous Kundalini Awakenings in these folks. I will inform you of their responses when I get them.

The above article tells me that what used to take years (I know from experience) now is being "granted" immediately to those not even following the yogic path. These occult folks view this as indicative of a LARGER PURPOSE AT WORK. What and/or whose purpose?

The only answer is the larger purpose is that of Satan and his hosts of seducing and deceiving spirits. Their purpose is to dupe well-meaning Christians via demonic manifestations masquerading as the "work of the Spirit."

My brothers and sisters there is a GLOBAL DEMONIC DECEPTION being perpatrated on 100,000's of charismatic Christians. Almost all the Charismatic leaders endorse these manifestations as a true move of the Holy Spirit.
KUNDALINI SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

by El Collie

Many individuals whose Kundalini has been unexpectedly unleashed DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING, and the prevailing social ignorance about this multidimensional transformative process makes it hard to find medical or alternative health practitioners or spiritual advisors who recognize the symptoms, particularly when they are strongly physical. Many people know that the risen Kundalini flings open gates to all sorts of mystical, paranormal and magical vistas but few realize it can also dramatically impact the body. A large percentage of Shared Transformation subscribers have reported long bouts of strange illness as well as radical mental, emotional, interpersonal, psychic, spiritual and lifestyle changes. Over and again we hear stories of frustrating, sometimes desperate visits to doctors, healers, counselors, etc. who neither understood nor were able to help with the myriad pains and problems catalyzed by raging Kundalini.

The following are common manifestations of the risen Kundalini:
bullet Muscle twitches, cramps or spasms.
bullet Energy rushes or immense electricity circulating the body
bullet Itching, vibrating, prickling, tingling, stinging or crawling sensations
bullet Intense heat or cold
bullet Involuntary bodily movements (occur more often during meditation, rest or sleep): jerking, tremors, shaking; feeling an inner force pushing one into postures or moving one's body in unusual ways
bullet Alterations in eating and sleeping patterns
bullet Episodes of extreme hyperactivity or, conversely, overwhelming fatigue
bullet Intensified or diminished sexual desires
bullet Headaches, pressures within the skull
bullet Racing heartbeat, pains in the chest
bullet Digestive system problems
bullet Numbness or pain in the limbs (particularly the left foot and leg)
bullet Pains and blockages anywhere; often in the back and neck
bullet Emotional outbursts; rapid mood shifts; seemingly unprovoked or excessive episodes of grief, fear, rage, depression
bullet Spontaneous vocalizations (including laughing and weeping) -- are as unintentional and uncontrollable as hiccoughs
bullet Hearing an inner sound or sounds, classically described as a flute, drum, waterfall, birds singing, bees buzzing but which may also sound like roaring, whooshing, or thunderous noises or like ringing in the ears.
bullet Mental confusion; difficulty concentrating
bullet Altered states of consciousness: heightened awareness; spontaneous trance states; mystical experiences (if the individual's prior belief system is too threatened by these, they can lead to bouts of psychosis or self-grandiosity)
bullet Heat, strange activity, and/or blissful sensations in the head, particularly in the crown area.
bullet Ecstasy and intervals of tremendous joy, love, peace and compassion
bullet Psychic experiences: extrasensory perception; out-of-body experiences; pastlife memories; astral travel; direct awareness of auras and chakras; contact with spirit guides through inner voices, dreams or visions; healing powers
bullet Increased creativity: new interests in self-expression and spiritual communication through music, art, poetry, etc.
bullet Intensified understanding and sensitivity: insight into one's own essence; deeper understanding of spiritual truths; exquisite awareness of one's environment (including "vibes" from others)
bullet Enlightenment experiences: direct Knowing of a more expansive reality; transcendent awareness

Some people have told us they find the concept of "Kundalini" foreign and prefer to simply call this their "awakening," which is fine with us. But for most who contact us, the Kundalini explanation provides an important framework with which to accept and work with their experiences. We each have a unique way of interpreting, honoring and describing our spiritual wisdom. I do not believe there is only one right way to know or express the truth. Far more important, I believe, is to have an open heart and to be faithful to our own path, wherever it may lead. We have also been asked why we do not put more emphasis on union with the Divine and God-realization, which are very much central to spiritual awakening. Since everyone experiences and interprets their mystical experiences differently and very personally, to make sure no one will feel excluded, we just speak of "awakening consciousness" or "transcendent states" on the ST Web pages. In our Shared Transformation newsletter, individuals with variant religious beliefs are welcome to (and DO) tell about their experiences of this sort. Some speak of God, Christ, Goddess, the Holy One, Spirit, or simply a magnificent Whole in which we all partake. Also, for some people, profound spiritual realizations do not occur until months or years after the other signs and symptoms. Individuals who are having experiences of an obvious spiritual nature are usually more able to integrate and benefit from the process, regardless of how they may label it. But those who experience what seems to be illness or weird psychic phenomena often are very alarmed until they understand that they are not sick or crazy. And even the enlightening and beautiful experiences can be so powerful that people doubt their sanity. This is why the information and validation we offer in the ST newsletters and the opportunity to exchange insights with others through Shared Transformation's Friends Online and the Kundalini Mailing List is so valuable.

A more detailed list of Kundalini manifestations can be found in Shared Transformation newsletter, Issue #5.

For a free introductory copy of ST newsletter (only Issue #1 is free), send a #10 self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Sun Chariot Press
PO Box 5562
Oakland CA 94605

� El Collie 1995

The Toronto/Pensacola descriptions come from either first hand encounter of videos of actual services.
The Kundalini manifestations are taken directly from a Kundalini web site

Pensacola/Toronto Manifestations


Kundalini Yoga Manifestations
Uncontrollable laughter Laughing and weeping are as unintentional and uncontrollable as hiccoughs
Spasms Jerking, Tremors, Shaking
Involuntary body movements Postures or moving one's body in unusual ways
Being "slain in the spirit" Spontaneous trance states
Making animal noises, roaring Spontaneous vocalizations
Being "drunk in the spirit" Muscle twitches or spasms
Visions while "slain" Guidance through inner voices, visions, dreams
Mental confusion Mental confusion, difficulty concentrating
Feeling heat, electricity Energy rushes, electricity circulating in the body
Jumping "po-go-ing" Vibrating, tingling sensations
Supernatural smelling of scents Out-of-body experiences
Experiencing the smell of flowers, incense

How one receives this "Blessing"
THROUGH THE LAYING-ON-OF HANDS CALLED AN IMPARTATION BY SOMEONE


How one receives Kundalini Awakening
THROUGH THE LAYING-ON-OF-HANDS DURING "SHAKTI-PAT" INITIATION

Who can administer the "blessing"
ANYONE WHO HAS RECEIVED IT FROM A PERSON ALREADY "BLESSED."


Who can give Shakti-pat?
ANYONE WHO HAS RECEIVED THE ABILITY FROM THE GURU OR ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES.

Do any of these "manifestations" sound vaguely familiar? They match almost exactly with the experiences of people in Toronto, Pensacola, Bromptom England, etc. I have video footage of a woman in Pensacola standing trying to give her testimony with a panicked look on her face calling out to her husband "honey where are we from." Her mind was so BLOWN and CONFUSED that she did not (1) know her own name and (2) did not know where she lived! Yet this is God! Our God is not the Author of CONFUSION, nor does He confuse His people. If anything the Holy Spirit gives utmost CLARITY. Yet MENTAL CONFUSION and LACK OF CONCENTRATION are however 2 signs of ones "serpent power" being released.

World-wide reports of the UNCONTROLLABLE LAUGHING and/or CRYING have circulated. This too is a sign of the serpent power being manifested. . .yet there is no Biblical support for such manifestations at all.

Unexplained hand and arm motions (I've personally seen this in Toronto) are viewed as God playing/working with one of His saints. Yet it is a classic example of the serpent power in operation. Hindus may see these as spontaneous yogic gestures or postures ( I have footage of a man in Boston performing yogic postures). . .Yet again this is seen as the Holy Spirit. REALLY? Animals sounds, grunts, roars also fall within awakened Kundalini.

People being "slain in the spirit" and while "in the spirit" many have reported visions, again a parallel with Kundalini Awakening.

I just received an e-mail which says "
Subj: Warning
Date: 97-05-19 20:25:53 EDT
From: priceda@ucs.orst.edu
To: steve@balaams-ass.com
Brother in Christ,
I want to make sure that you know about something that happened in Pensacola in April. You wrote in your article that sweet aromas will fill churches next. It happened in Pensacola in one evening as Joyner was preaching. He said a blue "cloud of glory" filled the sanctuary as they did their demonic manifestations and then a "very sweet smell filled the whole place". Maybe this
happened before you wrote the article, but I remember that you said this would be the next thing
happening and, well, it happened. Just thought you might want to know that you predicted right. I guess we have to see what's next. In Him, D**** P****
Smelling the scent of incense (frankensense, sandalwood, etc.) or flowers is also an indication of Kundalini Awakening.

My former guru Muktananda Paramahansa always spoke of seeing "chiti" or "consciousness" all around him as BLUE SPARKS. How many more parallels do Charismatic Christians need to be convinced that what they are experiencing is DEMONIC?

Another irrefutable parallel is that the charismatic manifestations can all be traced to Rodney-Howard Browne. From the impartation of his hands all this has come! Kundalini Awakening comes from a lineage of guru's and is imparted by them to their disciples, who give it to their disciples, etc. . .

ONE THING IS UNDENIABLE: There is NO Biblical support for the manifestations, however there is a ONE-TO-ONE correspondence between "Holy Laughter" and the occult manifestations.

It has been many many years since I sat before an altar with a picture of Muktananda Paramahansa and a statue of a coiled cobra snake, eating prassad (food blessed by the presence of the guru). I am saddened to see multitudes of sincere believers practicing Kundalini yoga. Receiving impartation from their own local/national/international gurus, whether they be called Pastor Arnott, Benny Hinn, Rodney Browne, etc.

The fruit is the same. The manifestations are the same. It comes via a human being (not sovereignly by God). It comes after much singing repetitious choruses, which does bring one into an alpha state of consciousness (I know these states well, I used to spend hours in a sensory deprivation tank) and thus shutting down the rational mind. Thus the chela/student/disciple/believer is open to receiving the impartation from the guru/pastor/prophet/apostle. . .and lo-and-behold they do.

Are these "moves" from God? No they are not. From all I have read, seen, experienced as a former mystic and as a Charismaniac I can say on the basis of Scripture that what is occurring is a cleaver counterfeit - something mimicking the genuine so as to deceive those who would normally accept the genuine. I pray for the deliverance of those leaders who are ignorantly leading God's people astray and I pray for the multitudes of hungry believers who for some reason or another find simple faith in the Scriptures not enough to satisfy their souls.

Words from a Minister During the Revival in Wales
Jessie-Penn Lewis

"The counterfeit of the Presence of God is mainly felt upon the body, and by the physical senses, in conscious "fire," "thrills," etc. The counterfeit of the "Presence" in the atmosphere is felt by the senses of the body, as "breath," "wind," etc., whilst the mind is passive or inactive. The person affected by this counterfeit will be moved almost automatically to actions he would not perform of his own will, and with all his faculties in operation. He may not even remember what he has done under the "power" of this "presence." Jessie-Penn Lewis War On the Saints, page. 153

"But another man had the same impulse, and fell down groaning and roaring, beating the floor with his hands and feet, and the demon entered into him as the angel of light, and got him to think that his conduct was of the Holy Ghost, and it became a regular habit in the meetings he attended. . ." War on the Saints pg. 150

"Nothing supernatural should be felt by the senses, but by the spirit. . .Counterfeits of today are generally wrought upon the soulish - or sense life - of believers who have not learnt to distinguish between soul and spirit." Jessie Penn Lewis The Spiritual Warfare, pgs. 16-17

SELAH........

IS IT LIVE OR MEMOREX?

As one who has drunk from various streams flowing into today's mighty river of renewal or revival I understand many still flowing with the recent flood will challenge my point of view.

The primary Charismatic argument is simply this "we have the genuine, and the occult is the counterfeit."

POINT #1 -

To begin with the Kashmir Shavites can rightfully lay claim to having the "original." Kundalini Yoga can trace its roots (and subsequent manifestations) back almost 1,900 years BEFORE Christ. It is very very old. So they are the ones who can claim that the "Toronto Blessing" is the counterfeit or at least owes its manifestations to spontaneous Kundalini Awakenings.

POINT #2 -

For something to be counterfeited there, obviously, must first be an original or genuine article. The manifestations from H. R. Browne/Toronto/Pensacola have NO CONTEXTUAL BIBLICAL SUPPORT. There is no genuine Biblical example of these manifestations, thus there is nothing to counterfeit. These manifestations are at best EXTRA-BIBLICAL and FLESHLY CARNAL displays and at worst are DEMONIC FORCES deceiving God's people.

POINT #3 -

As stated above these charismatic manifestations totally lack Biblical example BUT correspond on a ONE-TO-ONE basis with the occultic demonic manifestations clearly associated with the serpent power of Kundalini Yoga.

Why would any Christian endorse or be willing to participate in something DEVOID of Biblical precedent, yet full of occult similarities?

The ONLY answer is that these sincere Christians are:
(1) IGNORANT of the true history of these "new" (to them) manifestations and (2) DECEIVED by angels of light masquerading as ministers of righteousness

I challenge ANYONE to prove me wrong in my comparisons.
Benny Hinn "throwing the anointing over the crowds" is an EXACT parallel to the actions of the power gurus - with the same resulting manifestations.
The manifestations at Toronto & Pensacola are an EXACT parallel to those in people having the serpent power awakened in them.
In both camps people obtain these manifestations through the laying on of hands, via impartation of an anointed individual.

Like the old saying goes "if it walks like a duck and quackes like a duck...its a duck."

These seemingly new manifestations in the Charismatic segment of the Body of Christ are NOT of God. They do not have their origin in the Holy Spirit of God.

From all I have experienced, seen, and studied what I see is a mixture of both FLESH and DEMONS at work in these manifestations. We need to warn the brethren and pray for their deliverance from demonic oppression and deception.

http://www.velocity.net/~edju/kundaliniB.htm

Holy Laughter: Qiqong

QIGONG (ancient Chinese practice) Yan Xin, a Chinese Qigong master known to most of the over one billion people in China, gave a talk in San Francisco in 1991. Seventeen hundred devotees, most of them Chinese, showed up at the Masonic auditorium to listen to Yan. The San Francisco Chronicle on 5/16/91 reported that "minutes into his talk, several began experiencing what Yan Xin calls spontaneous movements." The Chronicle reporter said that "before long, the scene resembled a Pentecostal prayer meeting with many people waving their arms and making unintelligible sounds." Yan told his audience, "Those who are sensitive might start having some strong physical sensations - or start laughing or crying. Don't worry. This is quite normal." The article said that "since 1985, when a Qigong revival started sweeping China, 50 to 60 million Chinese have gone to see Yan" (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2)).

Holy Laughter: Kundalini Energy

KUNDALINI ENERGY is typically described as a powerful energy source lying dormant in the form of a coiled serpent at the base of the human spine. When freed it reputedly has the capacity to effect great physical healings. Christina and Stanislov Grof, New Age authors of the book "The Stormy Search for the Self," describe how the awakening of Kundalini energy can be triggered by an advanced spiritual teacher or guru. And how the awakening can bring up memories of past psychological traumas. The Grofs state that "individuals involved in this process might find it difficult to control their behavior; during power rushes of Kundalini energy, they often emit various involuntary sounds, and their bodies move in strange and unexpected patterns. Among the most common manifestations . . . are unmotivated and unnatural laughter or crying, talking tongues . . . and imitating a variety of animal sounds and movements" (p. 78-79). The Grofs state that "careful study of the manifestations of Kundalini awakening confirm that this process, although sometimes very intense and shattering, is essentially healing" (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2), p. 14).

KUNDALINI - (Sanskrit kund, "to burn"; kunda, "to coil or to spiral") a concentrated field of intelligent, cosmic invisible energy absolutely vital to life; beginning in the base of the spine as a man or woman begins to evolve in their first incarnation; fed by the chakras along the spine and by the cosmic energy entering through the feet from the earth; as wisdom is earned in each incarnation, this electromagnetic, ultrapotent energy moves slowly upward through the spine; it is directed by the speed of the soul mind as the soul-mind meets the requirements of each chakra, according to the needs and thinking of the individual; eventually this energy is unspiralled through the medulla oblongata, pituary gland, pineal gland and through the crown chakra to unite with the silver cord; one will ascend to the higher realms to finish evolutionary cycle; kundalini is feminine polarity in nature. Sim. Coiled Serpent, Cosmic Fire, Chi, Bioplasma, Holy Spirit [cf. Appendix 5 Kundalini] (June G. Beltzer, Ph.D., The Donning International Encyclopedic Psychic Dictionary, "Kundalini," p. 343).

Notice that the "Holy Spirit" is listed as similar to Kundalini. Donning's psychic dictionary defines the usage of the term "Holy Spirit" as:

"3. Usage: (John 20:22) 'receive ye the Holy Spirit' and Jesus transferred to them the ability to be psychic and receive the higher communications from God. . . . Inspirational Speaking: (II Peter 1:21) "for prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit"; they were able to predict the future, . . . by . . . psychic skills (moved by the Holy Spirit). . . . Syn. Holy Breath.

The transference spoken of here seems compatible with the new move in the Church, where one must go to get "IT," rather than the Holy Spirit being everywhere to draw men to Christ through the reading of the word of God. Used over and over again, the "IT" that people go to get is defined in New Age circles as the Vital Life Force that "was in the air in the beginning given to all in accord with their ability to absorb and utilize it" (Donning). I actually heard one Christian international healer call out to those attending one of his televised meetings that the anointing was so strong that the audience must "breath in" the anointing quickly. Such is not the Personal God of Christianity, but "IT," the vital life force in the air.

I remember reading one post on the Forum that a person testified to cautiously going up for prayer and saying that he felt an energy come up from earth rather from the minister when he was prayed for. I, too, have felt this power that wanted to rise up from the earth to rise up through me, but wouldn't allow it. Such power manifestations are common in the various non-Christian religions (New Age).

There have been many testimonies in this latest questionable move of refreshing in the Church that also speak of God's power being manifested as electricity, or raw energy or a burning fire that can be experienced in the physical body. Twenty-five years ago, we taught these were Occult manifestations, because such manifestations were unheard of in the (charismatic/Pentecostal) Church. God was (and is) Spirit, not energy of any sort. The God manifested as energy or electricity is the God of the New Age. National leaders in the charismatic movement have been testified to as having this power that is electrical in nature, even to the point of affecting electrical and sound systems when they are in the same room. But God is not a God of confusion and disorder, who "walks" through meetings in His people disrupting electrical circuits, literally giving people a shock when His "anointed ones" touch people in prayer.

When God is spoken of as an all-pervading energy, we should know this impersonal "IT" is the God of the New Age. The God of Christianity is personal: He creates (Gen. 1:1), destroys (Lk. 12:5), provides (Matt. 6:9-11), cares (1 Pt. 5:6,7), hears (Ps. 94:9-10), hates (Prov. 6:16), and loves (Jn. 3;16).

Holy Laughter: Bwagwham Shreee Rajneesh

BWAGWHAM SHREE RAJNEESH the former Oregon guru tells one of his followers in his book, "Dance Your Way To God," "just be joyful . . . God is not serious . . . this world cannot fit with a theological god . . . so let this be your constant reminder - that you have to dance your way to God, to laugh your way to God" (p. 229). Often referred to as being "drunk on the divine," Rajneesh encouraged his followers to come and "drink" from him. Bahgvan's spiritual "wine" was often passed along with a single touch to the head. Many of his Sannyasins would fall to the floor in ecstasy after their encounters with Rajneesh" (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2), p. 14).

When I read this quote, I was absolutely astounded because of one of the video's I saw of Rodney Howard-Browne. Look at these comparisons (all RHB quotes from video of Browne unless specified otherwise):

1. RAJNEESH: "the former Oregon guru tells one of his followers in his book, "Dance Your Way To God," just be joyful . . ."

1. R BROWNE: It is typical teaching that RHB tells people God likes to have fun with His children and wants them to laugh; this laughter is equated with "the joy of the Lord."

2. RAJNEESH: "God is not serious . . . this world cannot fit with a theological god . . ."

2. R BROWNE: "One night I was preaching on hell, and laughter just hit the whole place. The more I told the people what hell was like, the more they laughed." "The Holy Ghost . . . might have you do something that no one's ever done before, and he might have you do something that's totally unique. But don't question, and don't argue, and don't ask, and don't try to devise and to plan it out but just follow the prompting of the leading of the Spirit of God and, oh, great and wonderful things shall be done, for God will move in diverse ways and with diverse anointings in these last days." 

According to the August Charisma article, Rodney Howard-Browne "disparages" people who "try to apply theological tests" to what he does (SCP article).

3. RAJNEESH: "drunk on the divine"

3. R BROWNE: "We're drinking of that new wine. It's the wine that is divine."

4. RAJNEESH: "Rajneesh encouraged his followers to come and "drink" from him.

4. R BROWNE: "Take another drink . . . the bar is open. . . . Be filled! We loose the power! Have another drink!"

5. RAJNEESH: "Bahgvan's spiritual "wine" was often passed along with a single touch to the head."

5. R BROWNE: This same phenomena is typical of Rodney Howard-Browne in his services.

6. RAJNEESH: "Many of his Sannyasins would fall to the floor in ecstasy after their encounters with Rajneesh."

6. R BROWNE: This same phenomena is typical of Rodney Howard-Browne in his services. 

Holy Laughter: Ramakrishna

RAMAKRISHNA, an Indian saint, "daily went into 'samahdi,' a trance in which one involuntarily falls down unconscious and enters a rapturous state of super-conscious bliss (ananda), complete with beautiful visions and often involving astral projection. These states could last anywhere from a few minutes to several days and were often accompanied by uncontrollable laughter or weeping. He could send others into this state with a single touch to the head or chest" (unpublished article by John Rice on file at SCP), (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2)).

Ramakrishna "could send others into this state with a single touch to the head or chest," which is typical of Howard Rodney-Browne and others in the laughing movement.

Such visions are occurring also with Christianity in the laughing refreshing. At a "Revival Fire" Conference in Petawawa, Ontario, a seven year old girl was healed of an eye problem, and once she arrived at the conference, the Holy Spirit fell on her, giving her visions of Jesus and heaven. For an hour or more, she laid on the floor praising Jesus while waving her hands. People began weeping and praying for her because this was such a beautiful thing to them. People testified to knowing the girl and that she could not fake what was happening because of her age. Eventually, she got up and danced and ran in a very graceful way. This scene was described as though she were watching Jesus as he told her what do or where to go or where to pray or when to worship or who to pray for. She then asked if she could run across the stage where other people were in prayer. She was told to do whatever Jesus said. She then prayed for the pastors and, as the person giving the testimony said, "they got blasted." She then ran through sections of people throughout the church and as she passed them, they would break out in holy laughter.

My BIG question over this particular testimony is why did Jesus come to do what He sent the Holy Spirit to do? Who was she seeing? How could a seven year old have enough discernment or maturity to know if it was Jesus even if He did do such things?

Further visions and phenomena have taken place during the PASSION & FIRE CONFERENCES being held by Master Potter ministries. In the brochure entitled The Great Intruder, "prophetically, the child Isaac, which means "Laughter," is [said to be] being released in nation after nation as the new wine is being passed. . . . It's a global move. What is beginning now is a picture of what will be worldwide. . . . God is strategically stirring the nations and changing the governments of the world and the Church. . . . I [am now] redefining the Church to prepare you for My Bridegroom."

Prophetically releasing of the child Isaac into the nations on a global level to restructure them and redefine the Church is to me absurd. Why? Because when you look in Scripture for such a tremendous, overwhelming, breathtaking, worldwide move of God, it is not mentioned. The whole world is involved: governments, the Church, all peoples. Anything that comes out of such a move where the "child Isaac" is being prophetically released cannot be of God. The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ. The Holy Spirit has been sent once and for all to indwell all who believe. Prophetically, the next step on the calendar concerning Christ is His VISIBLE, PERSONAL return to judge the nations. The following are some examples of what I consider unscriptural visions that have occurred as described in the promotional brochure:

"* The Heart of Jesus--Hastings, New Zealand

"As the Holy Spirit fell, people were seeing: Jesus standing in the back of the room with His arms outstretched and calling for people to come to Him, the cross and what Jesus did for mankind to the point that the person couldn't look any longer, people receiving calls to missions, intercession and travail for the lost coming on children (10-12 year olds) as well as adults, fiery mantles being given to people along with strategies to carry out their callings, intercessory burdens for the unborn, prophetic utterances, people having throne room experiences, power encounters as people went through deliverance when the fire of God fell on them, testimonies of significant healings, seasons of repentance, times of absolute silence as the whole room was on their faces before a holy God, people being shaken powerfully as if by an invisible hand, laughter and joy breaking out all over the room. What we saw the Lord doing there was very similar to accounts Jonathan Edwards wrote of in his meetings over a century ago.

"* The Decade of the Harvest--Christchurch, New Zealand . . . .

"People were having visions of lost family members, visions of hell, Jesus looking for His lost sheep and weeping over them, seeing masses of people engulfed in flames, hearts being branded for lost souls. A young man had his eyes closed during worship and saw the cross blazing with fire. He saw Jesus walk through the cross, covered in fire. It wasn't as though the fire was on Him...He was on fire! Jesus began to throw fire out on the people to brand them with a heart for lost souls.

"* An Angel of Authority--Santa Barbara, California

"A pastor had an open-eyed vision and saw a huge angel of authority hovering over a cross in the front of the church. The Lord told her that it took days for this angel to break through the warfare to come there. She saw hot molten lava flowing out of the cross to the hundreds of people being ministered to in the meeting. Also, she saw many angels ministering to the children and" [[xxxx--last word missing - misprint in brochure]].

Holy Laughter: Swami Baba Muktananda

I thought this section from the SCP article would be interesting if I pulled a few words out of it and read it, because it could perfectly describe a Holy Laughter meeting held in a Christian church.

". . . . (physical touch). . . . various physical and emotional manifestations. Manifestations included uncontrollable laughing, roaring, barking, hissing, crying, shaking, etc. Some devotees became mute or unconscious. Many felt themselves being infused with feelings of great joy and peace and love. At other times the "fire" . . . was so overwhelming they would find themselves involuntarily hyperventilating to cool themselves down."

But now let's add everything I had taken out:

SWAMI BABA MUKTANANDA would transfer what was called "guru's grace" to his followers through Shaktipat (physical touch). This "grace" triggered the gradual awakening of the Kundalini which in turn produced various physical and emotional manifestations. Manifestations included uncontrollable laughing, roaring, barking, hissing, crying, shaking, etc. Some devotees became mute or unconscious. Many felt themselves being infused with feelings of great joy and peace and love. At other times the "fire" of Kundalini was so overwhleming they would find themselves involuntarily hyperventilating to cool themselves down (Per former Muktananda follower Joy Smith) (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2)).

Holy Laughter: Subud

SUBUD. According to "The Encyclopedia of American Religions" by J. Gordon Melton, the central element of the Subud faith is the practice of "latihan." Latihan is the way one surrenders to the power of God. It is a group process. The Encyclopedia says, "the latihan proper is a time of moving the consciousness beyond mind and desire and allowing the power to enter and do its work. . . . often accompanying the spontaneous period are various body movements and vocal manifestations - cries, moans, laughter and singing. These occur in the voluntary surrender of the self to the power. During this time, people report sensations of love and freedom and often, healings. All reach a higher level of consciousness" (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2)).

As in latihan, what follows is "a spontaneous period [in which] various body movements and vocal manifestations - cries, moans, laughter and singing" occur, as well other things mentioned above:

LATIHAN: "the latihan proper is a time of moving the consciousness beyond mind and desire and allowing the power to enter and do its work. . . ."

BROWNE: IN another post, we had included this quote from Browne during one of his services. We include it here as well because it applies to setting aside the thinking processes for the experience."The Holy Ghost . . . might have you do something that no one's ever done before, and he might have you do something that's totally unique. But don't question, and don't argue, and don't ask, and don't try to devise and to plan it out but just follow the prompting of the leading of the Spirit of God and, oh, great and wonderful things shall be done, for God will move in diverse ways and with diverse anointings in these last days." During another portion of that service, Browne also laid hands on a lady and encouraged her to just let it happen, saying, "Step over, step over, step over, step over into the realm of the supernatural. Step over in to the realm of the supernatural, Step over out of the realm of reason into the realm of glory." But God never calls us to forsake our mind's reasoning abilities or our thinking processes. 

http://www.velocity.net/~edju/test1.htm

KUNDALINI AWAKENING VIA THE TORONTO EXPERIENCE

By L. Thompson

Perhaps some thoughts shared by some one who has actually come away from the "Toronto" movement after being "lock, stock & barrell" into it would help others who are saying to themselves- "These people who are so negative about this have not experienced it first hand." We live in Southern California and were part of the mainstream Vineyard church here - and also a smaller vineyard church closer to us.

My husband and I were desperate for God and at the end of everything in our lives when we came to the local vineyard. We soon heard about renewal meetings in Anehiem and began attending twice a week. My first impression was that these folks were a bit bizzare- but being as I said quite desperate for God to intervene in our lives we "stuck around." We were at the "Let the Fire Fall" conference in 1994 when John Wimber had John Arnot come and preach at the conference. I witnessed and was part of all the manifestations that have been described. I must say that it had been so long since I had "felt" anything - emotional or otherwise toward the Lord that- even though the outward looked so weird- my hunger kept me returning.

The vineyard was holding renewal meetings twice a week led by one of their pastors who had been to Toronto personally. We had to drive an hour one way to attend but did so usually for both meetings. The pastor would teach for a short period and we would move chairs away for ministry time. After attending renewal meetings for a few a couple months I began to notice some things that ,the pastor was saying did not make sense to me. He began to tell us that he did not want to "encourage" outward manifestations. The jerking- roaring- etc. Yet when ministry time came the he would call forward the people who were on the outside "manifesting" the strongest. The ones that could hardly walk they were shaking so hard- those were the ones who were called to the front and ministered to in front of us all. This happened while I was there several times.

Well I can tell you first hand what this did to my family- and people that I knew. People began to seek the manifestations-. At first I was one of the ones that would usually fall and just weep- unstoppable tears - I believe the Lord did give me repentance as my life had been so miserable. The tears came and cleansing did happen. But as the pastor kept calling those forward who were jerking and shaking- and wanting "more" I began to seek- unwittingly what I believe now were "other gods"- the gods of experience for example. Not that God can't give experiences that are wonderful but each has to be measured by His Word. There was very little of this at the renewal meetings. I will tell you I personally had people lay hands and pray for me from the Large ministry team of Anehiem- I was "open" to all of it- in the end my simple joy of feeling His cleansing presence became a hunger for the next big wow- I was shaken- baked- drunk- laughed till I could not move - roared- swooned...labored as in childbirth- etc. For me until the end of this (which I'll explain later) these experiences were wonderful- I felt new- alive- but I was not being honest with myself at how these things were taking the place of my relationship with God. People were getting saved although not the throngs I kept hearing about in other places- there were healings. I must say at this point that during all the time I attended renewal meetings regularly for over a year- not once did a person challenge any manifestation or spirit according to the scripture. I personally received training to be on the large ministry team at our local vineyard (which used the teaching materials from the Anehiem Vineyard).

I was never advised to "test the spirits" according to scripture. Lets be honest here- when someone is frozen to the ground- the only breath coming is between loud cries - roars- what ever- that seems like it would be a good time to challenge the spirit of this... I never saw it done- or even heard of it done even as I began to minister to others as part of the team. To us some manifestations were obviously demonic and we used "discernment" to detect then pray for deliverance- these manifestations being nausea- vomiting- obvious torment etc. When I was myself was roaring- laughing- shaking or crying- no one ever challenged any of it. I was not in any kind of torment while experiencing these manifestations- it was great- I never saw anyone else appear to experience torment while experiencing these things. So I blundered on ignoring scripture. Then I attended a prophetic conference at Mott Auditorium, the Vineyard of Pasadena- I did notice that things were "cranked up" a bit more than usual but you have to remember I was used to all this and it was normal to me. During the ministry time one of the speakers (from Kansas City) began to "shoot arrows in the spirit" at us. He made the sound of an arrow shooting- whoosh- as he told us to receive what God's angels had for us- he said "it's ok to paint a target for where you want the arrow to hit you." Myself having suffered from serious childhood hurts - began to place my hand on my heart and cry out to God. Suddenly I could hardly stand- but this was not the drunk kind of swoon I had experienced before- this was painful- I ached all over as if I was coming apart inside- I wanted to sit down and catch my breath but at that very moment the speaker called out "Take it" so I forced myself to stand upright. A feeling of anguish came over me that was awful and indescribable. After the prayer time was over I felt as if I could move and walk about but the thought came to me to go over in between the chairs and just lay down for a while. I questioned my own motives for this- as the conference was over and my family was waiting for me to go home. I went in between the chairs and layed down face down on the cold floor there. Soon- I was frozen to the floor-I could not have gotten up if I had wanted to- I could not speak- as people are accustomed to this as I also had been accustomed to this- outwardly it seemed like just another person "slain in the spirit" but inwardly I felt different- there was a great element of fear involved this time- I began to really want to get up but could not. After some time I was able to move and get up to go home. The next 10 days were so incredibly bizzare I have difficulty describing what happened. I will say that there were some very bizzare "impulses" being hurled at my spirit, as to the like I had never experienced. I began to wonder if someone had put speed into my drinking water during the conference as I could not sleep- this was not the night watches of the Lord during the sleeplessness - it was fearful and oppressive. Part of the reason I had embraced this movement was the seeming knowledge of the prophetic- now my gifting seemed to turn on me as I experienced terrifying feelings and apparitions. During this time the Lord brought a leader to us who was not into the Toronto movement but was a very prophetic person. I was desperate as even the leaders we had been involved with abandoned us-the vineyard pastor from the renewal meetings was just' too busy' and the local vineyard pastor was upset at us for spending too much time in Anehiem so basically had no time for us either. I mean my husband was begging for help- I am flipping out running all over the desert- and they have no time?

I will say God is faithful- the servant he sent us was a true shepherd- he told me I had a run in with Kundalini spiritism- THIS MAN HAD NOT EVEN HEARD OF THE TORONTO MOVEMENT- yes that is true- there are people - that God is using who do not even know about TORONTO- He told me -quote- "some one has opened up a "third eye "in you for sight into the demonic spirit realm"....unquote- this servant of God prayed the blood of Jesus over me and had some serious prayer and warfare in my behalf. I was delivered from those tormenting spirits by the blood of the Lord Jesus- but my healing and restoration has been a matter of walking with Him. I was so trapped in the instant fix mode from the renewal that I could never has seen the value in the daily walk with the Lord.

What frightens me about the Toronto movement is that these people as I was are sincerely deceived- the spiritual realm- is the realm of warfare. How can we approach this with out the covering of His word- His battle plan- how can we ignore what He has told us in scripture and glorify experience or ANYTHING above His name and what He has given us in Him? Now folks be honest- continually bringing people on stage or onto the alter - wildly manifesting- does distract from thinking about the Lord Jesus- it's wow look at that- and wow feel this....feel, feel, feel.

I must testify to His protection in spite of being involved in this as there were several situations during those l0 days I could have easily died. (Doing over 90 mph on the freeways weaving in & out of traffic) is just one example. I also testify to the protection of much more than my body-He has redeemed my spirit from what was a plot to kill it also. I believe God did see our hearts and that we were sincere in our search for Him but we definitely fell into the wrong place- perhaps if anyone is reading this who is part of a church that is embracing the Toronto movement- I beg of you to go to the word-and do not ignore what He is saying to you through His word. I John says test the spirits to see if they are of God-you are not insulting God to do this- He says to do it.

It was a breath of fresh air for me to hear there were prophetic people who were not swallowing everything in the Toronto river- I am glad myself and my family were plucked out before drowning there- Trusting and Testing,

L. Thompson