Kundalini is an aspect of Essence. This is true, but in a very specific way — in the sense that Kundalini is a true energy, the energy of Essence. However, Kundalini is usually not seen as an aspect of Essence because it is energy. Essence, in the strict sense of the word, is our being. It is the very substance of existence. The essential aspects exist on the being level and not on the energy level.

It is a specific characteristic of Kundalini that it gives the individual an amazing amount of energy, without giving any understanding or wisdom. In the right context, it can lead to wisdom, but on its own does not impart understanding. It does not resolve the individual’s personal issues and conflicts. Its manifestation can lead to ego-death and cosmic consciousness, and then the Essence can descend. But if we were to depend on Kundalini, the human dilemma would stay the same, and this does not offer much hope for many people.

Kundalini is the energy of Essence, as is Shakti and prana:

The chakras work with the energy that is the raw material for emotional states. Prana is the energy connected with breathing and hence with vitality. Kundalini is the main energy that fuels the chakra system. It is connected with sexual energy, but it is sexual energy only when operating in the lower chakras. In the heart chakra it is experienced as love; in the head chakras it is experienced as light. Shakti is the same energy but in a different form, that of power. It is experienced as having more of an electrical quality than kundalini.

Kundalini is the name given to a reservoir of dormant energy, visualized as a serpent coiled in the first chakra at the perineum. By awakening the kundalini, the Shakti is activated, which then rises up the spine activating and energizing the chakra centers. The chakra centers become doorways to deeper spiritual experiences and dimensions.

(Kundalini is usually known as the ascending force, distinguishing it from the descending force. The descending force allows one to attain their realization, is nothing but essence itself.)

Traditionally, Kundalini activation begins at the base of the spine and moves up the spine, activating all the chakras along the way until it exits through the apex of the skull. However there is another way Kundalini could be activated in any chakra is by draw the energy downwards into you body and feet – meaning you move the energy down your body from the apex of the skull to the base chakra – it calls descent experience (or it apply to integral yoga).

In Integral Yoga, after the constant practice of mental silence and concentration of the consciousness above the head, one inevitably experiences what may be called a “descent“, in which there is a palpable feeling of a Power/Force descending from above the head and working its way down the Brahmarandhra (door of Brahman) through the back of the head and down the spine.   With progress, it is this Power that fills the heart and other parts of the lower being and gradually brings about a change of consciousness.

This “descent experience” has no equivalent in other Yoga's where the focus is on raising the Kundalini upwards towards the head from the Muladhara at the base of the spine.

Sri Aurobindo on the mechanism of descent

The descent of Peace (Sat), the descent of Force or Power (Chit), the descent of Light, the descent of Ananda, these are the four things that transform the nature.

It is not really the plane that descends, it is the Power and Truth of it that descends into the material and then the veil between the material and it no longer exists.

Whenever there is a descent of the higher consciousness in the Adhar (i.e. support or physical body):

1. Part of it is stored up in the frontal consciousness and remains there.
2. Part of it goes behind and remains as a support to the active part of the being.
3. Part flows out into the universal Nature.
4. Part is absorbed by the unconsciousness and lost to the individual consciousness and its action.

WHAT IS SHAKTI

Some receive it from above; for others, it rises from below (gesture to the base of the spine). As I once told you, the old system always proceeds from below upwards, while Sri Aurobindo pulls from above downwards. This becomes very clear in meditation (well, in yoga, in yogic experience): for those who follow the old system, it’s invariably the kundalini at the base [of the spine] rising from center to center, center to center, until the lotus (in an ironic tone) bursts open here {gesture at the crown of the head). With Sri Aurobindo, it comes like this (gesture of descending Force) and then settles here (above the head); it enters, and from there it comes down, down, down, everywhere, to the very bottom, and even below the feet – the subconscious – and lower still, the unconscious.

It’s the Shakti that drawn up from below (this is what happens in the individual process) is already what could be called a “veiled” Shakti (it has power, but it is veiled). While the Shakti drawn down from above is a PURE Shakti; and if it can be brought down carefully and slowly enough so that it isn’t (how shall I put it?) polluted or, in any case, obscured as it enters matter, then the result is immediately much better. As he has explained, if you start out with this feeling of a great power in yourself (because it’s always a great power no matter where it awakens), there’s inevitably a danger of the ego meddling in. But if it comes pure and you are very careful to keep it pure, not to rush the movement but let it purify as it descends, then half the work is done.

Sri Aurobindo limns the descent experience in his epic poem Savitri: http://savitrithepoem.com/the-poem/about-savitri.html

The Power that from her being’s summit reigned,

The Presence chambered in lotus secrecy,

Came down and held the centre in her brow

Where the mind’s Lord in his control-room sits;

There throned on concentration’s native seat

He opens that third mysterious eye in man,

The Unseen’s eye that looks at the unseen,

When Light with a golden ecstasy fills his brain

And the Eternal’s wisdom drives his choice

And eternal Will seizes the mortal’s will.

It stirred in the lotus of her throat of song,

And in her speech throbbed the immortal Word,

Her life sounded with the steps of the world-soul

Moving in harmony with the cosmic Thought.

As glides God’s sun into the mystic cave

Where hides his light from the pursuing gods,

It glided into the lotus of her heart

And woke in it the Force that alters Fate.

It poured into her navel’s lotus depth,

Lodged in the little life-nature’s narrow home,

On the body’s longings grew heaven-rapture’s flower

And made desire a pure celestial flame,

Broke into the cave where coiled World-Energy sleeps

And smote the thousand-hooded serpent Force

That blazing towered and clasped the World-Self above,

Joined Matter’s dumbness to the Spirit’s hush

And filled earth’s acts with the Spirit’s silent power.

(Sri Aurobindo.  Savitri Book X, Chapter IV, p665

INTERESTING CONVERSATION BETWEEN Disciple and Ramana Maharshi:

Disciple: I keep my mind blank without thoughts arising so that God might show himself in his true being. But I do not perceive anything.’ The reply was to this effect: `The attitude is right. The power will come down from above. It is a direct experience.’ Should I do anything further?

Ramana Maharshi: Be what you are. There is nothing to come down or become manifest. All that is necessary is to lose the ego; that which is always there. Even now you are that. You are not apart from it.

What you may experience by moving the energy down, a descending awakening, the movement of Essence downward out of your head. There could be a dull ache in your forehead, then you may feel tremendous amount of energy pouring down of your body. Your legs may shake/tremble with a feeling to be incredibly strong and unmovable – like you just planted your roots firmly into the ground (like tree). And also it's an individual experience.

In the Diamond Approach we activate this vital energy not through the familiar yogic practices of kundalini but through inquiry and understanding. Our perception is that Shakti energy is a dimension that is patterned according to essential aspects, a dimension that has its particular psycho - dynamic and structural issues. In other words, it is a dimension of presence; but this presence is the presence of energy, like light but not exactly. ~ http://www.ridhwan.org/school/method/ ~ The Elixir of Enlightenment

You may try this:

TONGUE UP

This completes the cranial circuit allowing excess energy to bleed down the sides of the neck. Cultivate the position of the tip of the tongue resting on the fleshy mound right behind your upper front teeth. Make this a new habit.

EYES UP

This is the position of looking towards the brow of points, one and a half inches above the bridge of the nose.; Most comfortable when the eyes are closed. This will draw or pull the Kundalini upwards.

FINGERS IN POSITION

This is the thumb tip and fore finger tips joined (pressed together) with the other fingers spread out wide. This is a finger lock.

WATER

Plenty of living water i.e. water that is from a spring or another source that isn't chlorinated or from the tap of a city, but if the city water is what you've got - drink it. Also plenty of watermelon if you can get it as this can be very soothing for the body.

ALSO YOU MAY EXPECT DIFFERENT FOOD CHOICES:

Pay attention to the new tastes and desires your body begins to have. If you have been a vegetarian and you start having an interest in beef. Well, try to find some organic beef and eat it, love it and bless the animal that has given the ultimate gift for you. The Kundalini needs what is in that meat in order to advance your activation. It wants and needs that kind of protein, surrender to this. Or if the opposite is true you're a meat eater and the Kundalini Energies wish for you to become vegetarian - don't hesitate! Find yourself a great organic market or farmers market and make like a rabbit! This is only for a short time and then it may switch back as your activation progresses into an awakening. The Kundalini will let you know in no uncertain terms.

Of course we are all different. And different methods do bring different - individual results.

Source: Almaas, Sri Aurobindo