“When Menopause is Actually Kundalini Rising: Exploring a Modern Path to Awakening”

 A Forgotten Connection

What if menopause, often dismissed as a “decline” or purely a hormonal shift, is actually something much deeper? What if it marks the beginning of a spiritual awakening, a powerful rise of Kundalini energy that ancient yogic traditions described as a natural process of transformation?

The heat, the emotional intensity, the surges of energy — they all sound familiar to anyone who has studied Kundalini. And yet, there is little scientific research connecting menopause to this profound energetic awakening. I believe it’s time for that to change.

As someone who has navigated both life’s major transitions and deep spiritual exploration, I have often wondered: why aren’t we studying this more?

A Modern Vanaprastha: My Journey Toward Renunciation

In September of 2023, I made a decision that, to many, might look like renunciation. I sold my home in Indianapolis, gave away almost everything I owned, and moved with my partner to North Carolina. Today, we live on a peaceful 20-acre farm in a 26-foot travel trailer, surrounded by nature’s quiet beauty.

On the surface, it might seem like I left the “householder” stage behind, echoing the ancient yogic practice of transitioning into the Vanaprastha stage — a time of turning inward, simplifying life, and focusing on spiritual pursuits.

But my renunciation isn’t about isolation or escaping the world. If anything, this shift has amplified my longing for community — not just any community, but one that values spiritual inquiry, balance, and conscious connection.

It’s here, in this simplified life, that I’ve had time to reflect more deeply on menopause, Kundalini rising, and the path women navigate during this phase.

Kundalini Rising and Menopause: Where the Science Ends and Spirit Begins

In yogic philosophy, Kundalini energy — the primal life force — lies dormant at the base of the spine until it rises, awakening higher states of consciousness. This energetic process often comes with physical and emotional symptoms:
• Waves of heat (hello, hot flashes!).
• Surges of energy and restlessness.
• Intense emotions or sudden clarity.
• A pull toward stillness, meditation, or deeper purpose.

Sound familiar? Many women experiencing menopause report these very symptoms, yet mainstream science views them only through the lens of declining estrogen and hormonal changes.

While I honor the medical understanding of menopause, I can’t help but ask: Why aren’t we exploring the energetic and spiritual aspects of this life stage?

Could menopause be a natural catalyst for Kundalini rising? Could it be that the body, in its wisdom, redirects energy inward — no longer toward childbearing, but toward spiritual awakening and self-realization?

Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Life

In traditional yogic culture, this phase of life aligns with the Vanaprastha stage — a time when householders step back from worldly duties and focus on inner growth. Some would retreat to the forests or mountains (often the Himalayas) to deepen their spiritual practice.

Menopause, then, is not a decline but a sacred turning point. A time when women are no longer defined by their roles as caregivers or providers but step into a new, empowered phase of wisdom and purpose.

Yet, in modern society, this wisdom has been largely forgotten. Instead of viewing menopause as a spiritual initiation, it’s often met with stigma or treated solely as a medical condition.

The Need for Science — And Collaboration

Here’s where I feel called to speak:

I wish there were more scientific studies exploring the link between menopause and Kundalini energy. I believe this is an area where yogic wisdom and modern science could come together to uncover something profound.

If you’re a scientist, scholar, or researcher interested in this intersection — or if you’re someone who has experienced similar symptoms and transformations — I’d love to connect. I would genuinely love to be part of that study.

Imagine the possibilities: bringing measurable data and rigorous research to support what ancient wisdom already knows — that menopause is not an ending, but a beginning.

My Invitation: Community and Shared Exploration

While I’ve chosen a simpler life, I’m not retreating into isolation. Quite the opposite: I dream of building and being part of a community where these ideas can be explored, where women can share their experiences, and where science and spirituality can meet with curiosity and reverence.

We are in a time when the collective consciousness is shifting. Old paradigms are crumbling, and people are waking up to a deeper truth. For women navigating menopause, this is an opportunity to reclaim the sacredness of this phase — to honor the body, mind, and spirit as it transforms.

Conclusion: A Call to Remember

Menopause may be the “second spring” described in yogic traditions — a natural and necessary shedding of old identities, a time when Kundalini energy rises to guide us home to our truest selves.

If this resonates with you — if you, too, feel the stirrings of something deeper during menopause — know that you are not alone.

Let’s start the conversation. Let’s ask the questions science hasn’t yet asked. And let’s honor this phase of life as a profound opportunity for awakening, balance, and self-realization.

Because maybe, just maybe, menopause is actually Kundalini rising.

Author’s Note
In September 2023, I renounced the life I once knew, selling my home and moving to a small travel trailer on a North Carolina farm. My journey has been one of simplicity, surrender, and deep reflection. If you’re curious about my path, or if you feel called to share your story, I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s connect, explore, and build the community we all long for.