"The idea of kundalini derives from Tantric yoga and refers to a supposed "energy'' that lies latent in average people at the base of the spine. By practicing specific yogic exercises, one supposedly can "awaken'' this kundalini, which in turn leads to severe alterations in consciousness including the onset of psychic abilities and possibly conferring enlightenment (see Table 1 below). These Tantric ideas have also been adopted by certain Western occult traditions throughout this century. However, what strikes me is the overwhelming similarity between reports by people who have undergone kundalini awakening and what occurs to people who have taken hallucinogenic drugs. According to Charles Tart, both of these states can be considered altered states of consciousness (ACS) [1]."