| What is Tantra? | |
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Part
2: Uses & Abuses of Tantrism
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Proper recitation of mantras help invoke the natural forces to produce the desired effect. "Tantrasadhana" or tantrik meditation and worship helps one attain many supernatural powers. These powers may be used for good or for bad purposes.
Shiva
& Shakti
Tantrik practices mainly aim at the illumination through the unification of
polarities inherent in the world and one's self. These opposites are symbolically
subsumed as "Shiva" and "Shakti" or consciousness and energy,
personified as male and female forces of nature. Shiva, the Destroyer, represents
universal consciousness diffused throughout the galaxies, while Shakti, the
Divine Mother, is the power swinging in a celestial dance, between energy and
matter, giving birth to all creation, both tangible and transcendent.
Awakening
the Latent 'Shakti' in Us
Long ago, tantrik masters discovered that to be successful externally or internally
we must first awaken our latent power, for only those who are strong and blessed
with great stamina reach the final destination. The key to success is the Shakti
— the power of the soul, the power of divine force within. Although every
individual possesses an infinite and indomitable Shakti (power), most of it
remains dormant. Within this Shakti, we can neither find spiritual illumination
nor enjoy worldly life.
The
Misuse of Tantrik Powers
Unfortunately, a large number of tantrik enthusiasts, in both the West and the
East, mistakenly identify tantra as the yoga of sex, black magic, witchcraft,
seduction, and an amalgam of techniques for influencing the minds of others.
This is due, at least in part, to the fact that tantra is both a spiritual path and a science. As a spiritual path, it emphasizes on the purification of mind and heart, cultivating a spiritually illuminating philosophy of life. As a science, it experiments with techniques whose efficacy depends on the precise application of "mantra" and "yantra", ritual use of specific materials, and the performance of tantrik mudras and accompanying mental exercises.
In the layman's language, such practices can be thought of as tantrik formulae. They will yield a result if properly applied, regardless of the character, spiritual understanding or intention of the practitioner. When this scientific aspect of tantra falls into the hands of charlatans, it is inevitably misused giving tantra a bad name. Fortunately, however, there are still tantrik masters, authentic scriptures to undercut such false and distorted notions and make it possible for us to gain a better understanding of this sublime path.
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Disclaimer:
The author of the above article
is the well-known tantrik master Shri Aghori Ji. The views expressed
here are entirely his own. Photos reproduced with permission. For more
information, please see our user
agreement.
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