Mostly, at the root of the situation, in the west, is a trend to want to jump ahead. I personally think it is a holdover or a continuing of the 'we only have one life'. So people find life at or below the muladhara 'boring' for lack of a better word. Then they read about what happens at chakras above that, and it all sounds so exciting, especially at the last 3.
In my sampradaya, the householders are taught to maintain steadiness, wealth, some meditative practices for balance, deity worship, bhakti, etc., and maybe a few people would touch into kundalini once in a while, like seeing flashes of light within their head. But it's not the focus. If anyone did go there, because of the history in the 30s and 40s in America of people going into insane asylums because of it, my Guru would just tell you to slow down, find a balanced life, get grounded, etc.
At the sannyasin level, it is a totally new matter. That's where it is the focus. The Self then becomes the primary 'goal'. I've been to seminars given by the sannyasins in my sampradaya, and whenever questioning went too far, our teacher, a sannyasin, would jokingly say, "If you want me to answer that, you'll have to shave your head."
So reincarnation also has a part to play. We wait. We're patient. We're not ready yet. Yet one lifetime soon, (as we've at least heard about it) we will be, and a life of the sannyasin awaits us.
So in the best interests of householders, much of kundalini, and it's relationship to a Siva puja with all the tattvas and stuff I don't understand, is kept secret.
The Sivacharya priesthood was once all sannyasin, but their numbers couldn't be maintained, but the secrets are still there. Basically, in the preparation for Siva puja, the priest becomes Siva, (realises the Self, enters samadhi) so when it is done correctly, the preparation is longer than the puja itself. Not too many people are aware of this, but when you attend a puja where this happens, you 'know it', at least if you have any inner sense at all.
I'll try to PM you the link of explanation.
I wish you success on these endeavors of clarification.