The number 40 has held profound spiritual significance across various cultures and traditions throughout history. Kundalini Yoga Sadhana, the practice of engaging in a specific meditation or kriya for 40 consecutive days, is a powerful tradition that harnesses the energy of this significant number. Exploration of the number 40 allows us to understand why engaging in chosen behavior for this extended period of time works to unlock deep internal growth and spiritual alignment.
THE MYSTICAL NUMBER 40
The number 40 has deep spiritual roots and can be found in various religious texts and traditions. It is often associated with hardship, testing, and transformation.
4 In numerology the number 4 is associated with stability, practicality and the capacity to build a strong foundation. It is embodied through hard work, determination and the demonstration of reliability.
0 The number 0 is the symbol of potential and spiritual growth – from the nothingness came everything in existence – through the potential of God.
Combine these two numbers together to form 40 and it will often signify a period of transformation and growth – where we are tested and asked to rise to our highest potential. We must learn to persevere and make practical shifts in order to grow into future success. In order to grow into this prosperous birthright, we must undergo a purification process that burns us into enough discomfort that we are willing to evolve.
KUNDALINI YOGA SADHANA AND THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND
In Kundalini Yoga, the number 40 is seen as a period of commitment and dedication to create lasting habitual change. Sadhana is a spiritual discipline, and Kundalini Yoga Sadhana is the application which involves the practice of specific meditations or kriyas (set of postures) for a continuous period of 40 days or more. In early life, the subconscious mind is molded to hold certain belief patterns – these belief patterns are then confirmed and deepend through our continuous thoughts and habits. When it comes to altering subconscious habits, the process can be complex because they are so deeply ingrained in our psyche that we often operate mindlessly on autopilot.
Changing them typically requires not only consistent effort but also self-awareness, patience, and a tailored approach. According to Kundalini Yoga teachings, it takes 40 days to change a habit. When we break a habit we don’t just end one thing – we establish a new bija – seed – of intention in the subconscious. By committing to a daily practice for this duration, you are rewiring your mind and making lasting changes in your life.
MOON CYCLES
The human body undergoes a significant transformation every 40 days. This transformation aligns with the cycle of the moon, which is roughly 29.5 days. Just as the moon’s energy influences the tides of the ocean, it also affects the fluids and crystalline qualities within the body. Practicing for more than one full moon cycle is seen as an opportunity for cleansing and realignment, allowing for old patterns to be released and new ones to take root. Practicing sadhana for even longer, 120 days for example (4 moon cycles), allows for a deeper and more profound transformation as this matches the lifespan of our red blood cells – in this timeframe you can totally repopulate the blood with new affirmative intention.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES TO 40 DAYS
The significance of 40 days can be found all throughout the Bible as well. It is a period of testing and transformation…where God uses these periods to test leaders and usher deep and lasting change into the atmosphere. Here are a few notable examples:
- NOAH’S ARK: Noah and his family were on the ark for 40 days and 40 nights during the great flood, which marked a widespread purification and new beginning for humanity.
- ISREALITES WANDER THE DESERT: After being freed from generations of slavery in Egypt, the Isrealites wandered the desolate desert for 40 years before being blessed in the promised land of milk and honey.
- MOSES’ FAST: Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting on Mount Sinai, receiving the Ten Commandments from God, providing guidelines for aligned living.
- JESUS’ TEMPTATION: Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil. Even the most pure human endured a period of testing in order to prepare him for his ministry.
These biblical accounts illustrate the transformative power of enduring challenges for 40 days, emerging stronger and more spiritually aware. All of the accounts demonstrate the breaking of bondage in the mind and spirit into a new “land” or clear perception of life in its natural state of abundance and alignment.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The practice of Kundalini Yoga Sadhana for 40 days is a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation – the significance cannot be overstated. It represents our own decision and commitment to observe, understand and overcome. By committing to a daily practice, you tap into the energy of the number 40, align with natural cycles designed to ebb and flow life, and reprogram your subconscious mind. As you commence your own 40-day journey, draw inspiration from spiritual traditions that have recognized the power of 40 in testing and growth for generations. It is not just a practice, it is a sacred opportunity for profound personal and spiritual evolution.
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