About this episode
Dorothy Walters, Ph.D., spent most of her early professional life as a professor of English literature in various Midwestern universities. She helped to found one of the first women’s studies programs in this country and served as the director of this program for many years. After an extended residence in San Francisco, she now lives and writes in Colorado, where she has a close relationship with the mountains as well as various streams and canyons. She underwent major Kundalini awakening in 1981 (a phenomenon totally unfamiliar to her as well as to most of her contemporaries at the time); since then she has devoted her life to researching and writing about this subject and to witnessing the unfolding of this process within herself as well as assisting others on a similar path through writing and other means. As someone who made her extensive journey without the direction of any external leader or guru, church, or established order, she is a strong believer in the “guru within,” the inner guide rather than the external authority figure or institution. She feels that universal Kundalini awakening is the means for planetary and personal evolution of consciousness, and that evidence of planetary initiation is becoming more and more prevalent. Her Kundalini awakening and subsequent process of unfolding are described in her memoir Unmasking the Rose, A Record of a Kundalini Initiation. Her poems taken from her four previous volumes are published as “Some Kiss We Want: Poems Selected and New”. Her article on “Kundalini and the Mystic Path” was included in Kundalini Rising, an anthology from Sounds True Publications. Her poems, which have been included in many anthologies and journals, have been set to music and sung at the Royal Opera House in London as well as Harvard University, used as texts for sermons and read aloud in churches, included in doctoral projects, been frequently quoted, and have given inspiration to many. Recently, a pilgrim to Petra read one of her poems aloud while there. She often gives counsel and referral free of charge to those undergoing spontaneous Kundalini awakening and/or spiritual transformation. Books: Unmasking the Rose: A Record of a Kundalini Initiation The Kundalini Poems: Reflections of Radiance and Joy Marrow of Flame: Poems of the Spiritual Journey (2nd ed.) Some Kiss We Want: Poems Selected and New Website: Kundalini Splendor Dorothy passed away in February, 2023. Conversations with Andrew Harvey: Dorothy Walters "Mystic Poet" Kabir & Kundalini - Andrew Harvey & Dorothy Walters Dororthy Walters and Andrew Harvey discuss Kundalini Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded August 17, 2019. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:06:21 - The Two-Edged Sword of Kundalini 00:13:09 - Out-of-body experiences and subtler realms 00:17:31 - The Masculine and Feminine Aspects of Shiva and Shakti 00:21:43 - Kundalini Awakening Journey 00:26:32 - Searching for Guidance in the Absence of Gurus 00:30:59 - Walking in Two Worlds 00:35:33 - The Importance of a Spiritual Buddy 00:39:37 - First level initiation with unseen guides 00:43:35 - Being in Touch with Guides 00:47:10 - Early Experiences and Lack of Understanding 00:50:44 - Moments of Cosmic Consciousness 00:54:11 - The Experience of Bliss 00:57:28 - The Energetic Path 01:00:46 - Tuning into Others' Experiences 01:04:51 - Challenges and Pain as Catalysts for Kundalini Awakening 01:09:05 - Overcoming Cancer and Spiritual Awakening 01:12:32 - Aches and Pains with Inner Spiritual Awakening 01:16:59 - The TM disaster and finding your own path in spirituality 01:20:06 - Beauty and Oneness in Consciousness 01:24:22 - The Skepticism of Channeling and the Answers Received 01:27:35 - Facing Childhood Issues 01:31:31 - Hope and the Power of Poetry 01:34:35 - The Power of Poetry and Spiritual Writing 01:38:27 - Evolution and Progress in Turbulent Times 01:42:01 - The Subtle Body and the Bliss 01:45:31 - The Importance of Taking Care of your Body 01:49:09 - Surrendering to Vastness and Love 01:53:47 - Publishing Poetry and Embracing Wildness 01:58:43 - A Delightful Conversation with Rick 02:01:52 - Staying Connected with Me