Tantra - Part I
A Brief Introduction
Within the esoteric realm of possibilities might lie the answer to some of humanity’s most puzzling questions.
What is tantra? Who is qualified to practice it? How should it be practiced? What are the results?
”The scriptural definition of Tantra is tam jadyat tarayet yastu sah tantrah parakiirtitah (Tantra is that which liberates a person from the bondage of staticity). Tam is the acoustic root of staticity. Tantra has another meaning as well. The Sanskrit root verb tan means to expand. So, the practical process that leads to one’s expansion and consequent emancipation is called Tantra. Thus sadhana (spiritual practice) and tantra are inseparable.”
-Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. Discourses on Tantra, Volume 1. Calcutta, India: Ananda Marga Publications (1993).
In recent years, there has been a sudden upsurge of interest of the scholars and public alike in 'Tantra Shastra'.
Its historical origins and practices, however, need to be understood in the right light.
Many times misinterpreted or misrepresented, traditional Tantra is often shrouded in a veil of myths. To an Indian mind, Tantra is generally considered a dark art of magic, while in the West it is often misconstrued as some form of exotic sexual practice. Such egregious perceptions stem from ignorance and inadequacy to grasp the ancient tradition’s spiritual depth and complexity.
The philosophy of Tantra emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. At the heart of Tantra lies the art of “weaving” or “expansion". It views the cosmos as an embodiment of the divine, a majestic tapestry warped and weft with love, wisdom, and creative energy. At its core lies Shakti, the divine feminine energy that pervades everything in the universe. Shakti is endowed with the power of creation resulting in the birth of hundreds and thousands of universes. In other words, it is the prana or chi of creation. At the same time, sexual energy can also be transmuted to higher creative vibrations using meditative techniques as it forms an integral part of the entire energy vortex.
A tantra practitioner aims to attain a higher level of spiritual awakening and to unite the Devik Shakti with Param Shiva or the creator is his end goal.
Shiva can be accessed only through awakening Shakti. This is achieved by activating the seven energy vortex (chakras) that lie in our subtle body, aligned along the spine. Various powerful techniques are adopted to activate and balance the seven chakras; breathwork and mantras being the two vital ones among them.
Mantras are words or phrases repeated during meditation, each corresponding to a particular Deity/Planet/Chakra, aiding to unlock its ruler's full potential.
Another technique employed in Tantra is the use of yantras - metallic plates having geometric diagrams corresponding to specific Deities that help to activate, and escalate, the power of a particular deity.
At the core of Tantra lies the awakening of kundalini, the coiled serpent energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine. A tantra practitioner aims to achieve a spiritually elevated state (rise of kundalini through the seven chakras and taking it right to the crown chakra) through mantras, mudras, and asanas. The journey culminates, with the Siddh Purush acquiring all the attributes and powers of his deity and becoming one with the Divine in this very living state.
This is what we know as Spiritual Awakening, an extremely profound experience!
However, caution is advised, and it is recommended that such practices are to be undertaken under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
Tantra is a tradition that has withstood the test of time. It is a path towards self-discovery, a way to connect with the divine and explore the mysteries of the universe. Tantra encourages us to embrace all aspects of our being, including the parts that may be considered taboo. It challenges us to break free from the limitations of our ego and expand our consciousness.
Tantra teaches us that everything in the universe, including our sexuality is infused with divine energy waiting to be harnessed and used for spiritual growth. But it is not a practice for the faint-hearted or the impulsive. Tantra requires extensive training, preparation, and commitment. It is only to be taught to those willing to use these practices ethically and responsibly.
