There can also be the sensation of ecstasy merging with bliss within the crown. There can be the sensation of prana flowing high up into the air above the top of the head and pouring down around the body like a waterfall. This prana can also flow back down through the central channel, down into the heart, radiating as love. It is for all these reasons that the crown is often associated with enlightenment in yoga. But it is not actually the final resting place, as the final resting place is the heart, accompanied by the experience of divine love. The opening of the crown is something that happens during the advanced stages of the path of yoga, and it would be dangerous for a beginner to attempt it, or even an intermediate level practitioner.
The process of the opening and purification of the crown takes many years. It often progresses in stages, where openings will occur for some time, followed by periods where little seems to be happening. Gradually, over the years, the experiences become increasingly beautiful and dramatic, resulting in the sensation of ecstatic bliss 24/7. The crown is the primary place where the union of Shiva (pure consciousness) and Shakti (ecstatic energy) takes place. This union of bliss and ecstasy, then completes its journey in the heart.