Tantra

Tantra is the oldest and most scientific system of self - awakening.Tantra evolved in ancient times from a desire of the people to understand the psychic behaviour of the mind. 

Expansion of the Mind:

Tantra is the founding philosophy of yoga and all the spiritual sciences. The etymological meaning of tantra is expansion of the mind and liberation of energy. In tantra the expansion and liberation take place in the realm of the mind. In order to liberate the energy, the first thing is to expand the mind. What is expansion of the mind? Our mind is limited by our conditioning. Due to the society, culture, customs, political ideology and so many personal desires, our mind is very conditioned and unable to move outside of its habitual areas.

The ordinary mind is dependent on the senses for knowledge, and if they do not co-operate, it cannot function, cognize or perceive. Even if you dissociate the senses, you still think about the limited things like lunch, dinner, business, house, kitchen, husband, wife, love, divorce, chocolate. This is the boundary of the mind. Our perceptions form the limit and the senses can't go beyond that. At the most you dream and have perceptions.

There are other levels of experience, but the mind is not capable of perceiving them. You are not able to expand the mental faculty beyond a given range. In order to see beyond a certain distance you must be able to increase and refine the capacities of your perception, or you must have a telescope. You cannot see virus and bacteria with the naked eye. If you want to see such minute entities you'll have to increase or magnify the capacity of your perception or you'll have to use a microscope.

Mind works within a definite area and not outside of that, but it can expand. Mind has no limitations. It can travel into the past or future; it is very powerful. It is not just a bundle of habits, a process of thinking or emotions. These are only the modifications of the mind and not the mind. These are the vrittis of the mind, the outer manifestations of the mind. The heat is not the sun, it is the modification of the sun. In the same way, mind is a different matter.

Mind is chitta, meaning consciousness. You should be able to expand your consciousness beyond the sense objects. Can you visualise those things that are not subject to the sense organs? No! You cannot perceive the sound beyond and below a certain range because you're limited. According to the Yoga Sutras the mind has five model reactions. That is to say, the mind acquires knowledge in five different ways, and this is the limit of the mind. When that boundary is broken and the mind is able to function beyond the five senses, then we say the mind has transcended the barrier.

This mind, which has been realised as a very powerful source of knowledge and energy, is arrested by the limitations of the human senses. The five karmendriyas (motor organs) and five gyanendriyas (sensory organs) impose limitations upon the mind. If you withdraw the senses, block them by the practice of pratyahara, the mind won't respond at all. Senses are the leading factors. If you are able to withdraw the senses and operate on the mental level, you can imagine how powerful the mind would be. Great men who are powerful in every field have always operated through the mind. 

Besides the senses there are other things that arrest the mind and what are they? They are the samskaras, the archetypes that are barring the gate. They won't allow the mental energy to be released. You have no control over the karma or the samskaras, because you are not aware of them. These archetypes, these unseen karmas, this storehouse of man's total accumulation, acquisition and inheritance is unknown to you. Every time you want to release the mind, the samskaras come and grasp it, they don't allow the mind to get out.

When you take ganja or LSD, what happens? Some of the sensual, karmic barriers are temporarily removed and you experience the mind that is usually kept isolated. I receive many telephone calls because I'm connected to all the telephones. But, if you disconnect them, I am isolated and receive no calls. Similarly, you have to isolate the brain. The mind and the nervous system, which carries the essential impulses, have to be blocked. That happens when you take ganja, or when you practise pranayama or mantra. Sometimes it happens by itself. This is called expansion and what happens is that you experience these things which cannot otherwise be experienced through the senses. Sometimes you can hear sounds or see colours. The visions which you see in meditation are also expansions of the mind.

Once I met an artist who said to me that he had seen a colour in his mind, but in trying to duplicate it he had wasted twenty tubes of paint. He visualised a colour which the senses could not experience. Another person may hear a tune inside which the senses cannot. This expansion can be carried on to any length.

Expansion is achieved by increasing the powers of perception. By allowing your mind to think of things which you do not already know, see things you have never seen, hear things you have never heard, and experience things which are absolutely novel. When the mind expands, you see things in an altogether new dimension; this is what the youth of our generation call 'a trip'.

Tantra and MInd:

The ancient culture was based on tantra, the science which was concerned with the expansion of consciousness and the liberation of this consciousness from matter. Just as a scientist separates the energy from matter by a process of fission and fusion, in tantra the mind can be processed through a process of fission and fusion. The tantric teachers never defined mind as 'thoughts', they never defined mind as 'emotions'; mind is neither memory nor emotions, nor thoughts, it is not kalpas and sankalpas, thinking and counter-thinking. Mind is only consciousness. The emotions, memory etc, and modifications of the mind are not the mind itself.

There are two great forces that are underlying human existence. One is the mind, the other is the prana, and it is this mind which is the subject matter of tantra. It is important that this mind which carries the impressions, the knowledge, the samskaras etc., be made free and able to shine in its real nature, and it is through the path of tantric meditation that we are able to have this experience of the mind. Most of us who have read about the mind do have a certain concept of it, but this concept is not an experience; it is only an intellectual concept. However, those yogis who have experienced the mind have experienced power.

Now coming back to tantra. The two forces underlying the human existence in tantra are known as Shiva and Shakti. Shiva is consciousness, Shakti is energy. Consciousness plus energy is existence. When consciousness and energy come into contact with each other and interaction takes place between them, creation begins. The tantric yogi tries to separate these twin principles by the practice of dhyana yoga, and in doing so he is able to create power, knowledge and experience.

Of count, mind end prana are cosmic forces which are present In every human being, and these twin forces are responsible for the whole of life, action and knowledge. So if there is an imbalance between the mind and the prana there is an imbalance throughout the life. This is why in tantra, first of all purifying and balancing practices of hatha yoga are emphasized, and why the practices of hatha yoga have been so clearly enumerated in the tantric books. The harmonization of these two principles, and the balance between them, is known as the balance between ida and pingala.

Let me explain the meaning of tantra according to the scriptures. Tantra is a word which is a combination of two ideas, 'expansion' and 'liberation'. When we talk about the expansion of the mind we are only talking in terms of expanding the mind from the external horizon to the internal recesses. When we stretch the mind externally on to the objects around, with the help of the senses, we do achieve some knowledge, but this is limited. There are other dimensions of our existence, these are the inner planes and they should be experienced. For this purpose we have to stretch our mind, we have to expand our consciousness from the external objects to internal awareness. Then comes liberation. The word 'liberation' should not be understood in a religious sense, but as a liberation of energy. First, as you liberate energy from matter by a subtle process of physics, in the same way, in tantra, after the expansion of consciousness you liberate the mind. When the mind is liberated from the shackles of the association with matter, than it becomes homogeneous, It then not only operates through the medium of the senses, it is also able to operate independently. And then with this homogeneous mind you proceed further to the realization of the infinite reality. The purpose of tantra is to make the aspirant capable of experiencing reality, and in doing this it does not take us through the confused bewilderment of intellect, it takes into consideration the practical difficulties of the aspirant.

Nadis- The paths to total experience: 

The nadis are the medium for the flow of consciousness throughout the physical structure of man. The mental energy, the pranic energy, and the spiritual energy flow through and through the body by the medium of the nadis. The nadis are not nerves, the literal meaning of nadi is 'flow', just as electricity flows through wires. As the negative and positive forces of electricity flow through complex wires, in the same way prana shakti and mental shakti (manas shakti) flow through every part of our body via media which are known as nadis.

Out of 72.000 nadis of the body, three are considered to be the most important. These three nadis are known as ida, pingala and sushumna. The ida system is responsible for the mind, pingala is the channel for the flow of prana, and sushumna is the channel for the awakening of the spiritual consciousness. Now the picture is coming clear. The prana shakti- pingala, the manas shakti- ida, and atma shakti- sushumna. Pranic force, mental force, and spiritual force. These three are the constituents of our existence. Man is nothing beyond these three. If man is to have knowledge of himself he has to have knowledge of these three. Purifying the nadis is done through the process of hatha yoga. By this process we clear the channels of prana and the channels of mental shakti. Also, through the practice of asanas and pranayama, we purify not only the nadis but also the glands.

It is very easy to talk about the realization of the absolute, but there are so many obstacles confronting us on the way. The purification of nadis, the glands and the whole physical structure by hatha yoga goes a long way towards relieving these. By the practice of mudras and bandhas, we are able to create an opportunity or a field by which the inherent power and bliss are awakened. Let me talk about one or two mudras. Vipareeta karani mudra: It is very important that we are able to sublimate (redirect) the shakti in us. Ordinarily the shakti flows from the 'moon' (bindu chakra) to the 'sun' (manipura chakra) and there it is consumed. However, if through the practice of vipareeta karani mudra we are able to reverse the flow of shakti and preserve it, we are able to live a healthy life and we are able to meditate.

In the hatha yoga form of khechari mudra the membrane underneath the tongue is actually cut, and the tongue is elongated so that it can be inserted into the naso pharynx. There it stimulates lalana chakra, a gland that is situated in that area. The gland secretes a fluid, known as amrit (nectar) which is responsible for arresting the process of catabolism throughout the body, thus improving the process of metabolism. In raja yoga, in tantra, they do not cut the root of the tongue. They turn the tongue back and stick it against the soft palate, and gradually in the course of time the tongue reaches the gland. Also in tantric meditation when the consciousness is awakened, it straight away hits that gland and produces the same effect.

When the nectar begins to flow the yogi enters into a state which is called unmani. In this particular state of mind he is neither aware of the external consciousness nor is he completely asleep; he is in an in between state, in imperishable bliss. The nectar and the 'intoxication' which it produces are the first element of tantra. In the modern tantric text this particular element is translated as 'wine', though in Sanskrit it does not mean that. It is madya which means anything that is able to create a condition of the mind which is something like intoxication. Because of this mistake, much misunderstanding has arisen.

Liberation of Energy:

When the mind has expanded, a process of separation begins. At one point the energy is liberated. Now, what is the liberation of energy? In physics the energy contained in matter is liberated. When you hold the matter in your hand, you don't see the energy. But in the scientific process of fission and fusion, the energy is freed from the hold of matter. So within the hold of the mind there is another energy which has to be released. That is called liberation of energy.

Therefore, in tantra, we have two important elements, one is Shiva and the other is Shakti. Shiva represents consciousness and Shakti energy. Shiva is the non-doer, the non-enjoyer. It is only a seer, a witness; it does not involve itself in karma or destiny. This consciousness or purusha is unaffected; it is the same always and everywhere, and it does not matter whether it is dormant in matter or without matter.

Shakti is the ultimate deity in tantra, conceived as the power of creativity. The aim of tantra is the liberation of Shakti. In tantra there are nine great shaktis known as Nava Durga, the different forms of Shakti. In order to develop these shaktis, there are sixteen systems known as mahavidya. In this science we are not concerned with natural energy, but with non-material energy. All the practices of tantra are meant to extract this energy from the body of matter.

Shakti is twofold - the material aspect is known as prakriti and the active aspect as shakti. In tantra, what happens is that shakti, the active energy, has to be liberated from purusha, consciousness, and also from prakriti, matter. Imagine that within you is the purusha, atma or Shiva. Inside you also is the nature of prakriti, playing through the body, mind and senses. Within prakriti, the shakti is hidden. This shakti has to be separated from purusha and also from prakriti. This concept is very difficult to grasp. The whole humanity and creation is an interaction between purusha and prakriti only; not between purusha and shakti. Only in a great yogi does interaction take place between purusha and shakti, which is called union of Shiva and Shakti.

Union of Shiva and Shakti:

For us, Shiva is male and Shakti is female, but in tantra Shiva is the positive pole of energy and Shakti the negative. When these positive and negative poles of energy come together, an explosion takes place and awakening of energy occurs.

There is a deity in the Hindu pantheon, known as Brahma, the creator, who represents the universal mind. What is the scientific concept of the universal mind? The universal mind is something which we cannot see but which nevertheless exists. It is egg shaped. At the lower end of the egg is the minus or negative energy pole, and at the upper end is the plus or positive energy pole.

These two poles of energy are known in tantra as Shiva and Shakti. Plus represents time and minus represents space. Shiva represents time and Shakti represents space. Ordinarily, Shiva and Shakti stand apart. But through the practices of concentration and meditation, they move towards the central point, or nucleus of the universal mind. That nucleus, known as bindu, is called the seed of creation. When Shiva and Shakti come close to one another, an explosion takes place in the seed of creation, then creation begins, outside on the material plane and inside on the mental plane. You have seen Shiva and Shakti embracing each other. Now, you will understand it.

In tantra the union between Shiva and Shakti is known as maithuna. In tantric practices the most important thing is that these two forces have to join somewhere at one point of time. In the universal world, I don't think anyone knows how this union takes place, although a lot has been written about it in the Puranas. But in the individual world we know that ida and pingala, which originate from mooladhara chakra and finally unite in ajna chakra, represent Shiva and Shakti.

Why do man and woman live together ? Is it because of social or religious compulsion or a desire to become cultivated? Animals don't live together, but still they manage to have children; they have sexual possibility. The purpose of all union is threefold: progeny, pleasure or samadhi. Progeny and pleasure are sufficient for the lower life forms, but the union of Shiva and Shakti is solely for the discovery of that higher energy. Tantra is very explicit in this sense.

After cleaning the nadis through the complete process of hatha yoga one has to enter the domain of kriya yoga, and I personally feel that there is no greater spiritual practice than kriya yoga. You do not confront the mental problems of maintaining a steady posture, but at the same time, with each and every practice of kriya yoga you are awakening and stimulating the deepest consciousness in you. Kriya yoga comes under the title of kundalini yoga, the science that is aimed at the release of energy.

Where is the energy and which is the passage? And if it awakens, what happens? Is there any energy here in this body? Or is this body merely a bundle of flesh, bone, marrow and muscle? Kundalini yoga says shakti is dormant and the seat of this shakti is in mooladhara chakra. But it is only dormant because of ignorance, because man is subjected to his instinctive karma and samskaras. It can be awakened and it rises up the passage of sushumna into sahasrara chakra. Shakti is in mooladhara and Shiva is in sahasrara- Shakti travels up sushumna as if climbing a ladder and in sahasrara becomes one with Shiva, That is the concept of maithuna, the second element of tantra. It is translated as sexual copulation and that is why many people think that tantra is sexual yoga. In Sanskrit, however, the word maithuna comes from the word mithuna which is an idea expressing the union of two in one.

Liberating & Directing pranic energy:

When the mind has expanded, a process of separation begins. At one point the energy is liberated. Now, what is the liberation of energy? In physics the energy contained in matter is liberated. When you hold the matter in your hand, you don't see the energy. But in the scientific process of fission and fusion, the energy is freed from the hold of matter. So within the hold of the mind there is another energy which has to be released. That is called liberation of energy.

Therefore, in tantra, we have two important elements, one is Shiva and the other is Shakti. Shiva represents consciousness and Shakti energy. Shiva is the non-doer, the non-enjoyer. It is only a seer, a witness; it does not involve itself in karma or destiny. This consciousness or purusha is unaffected; it is the same always and everywhere, and it does not matter whether it is dormant in matter or without matter.

Shakti is the ultimate deity in tantra, conceived as the power of creativity. The aim of tantra is the liberation of Shakti. In tantra there are nine great shaktis known as Nava Durga, the different forms of Shakti. In order to develop these shaktis, there are sixteen systems known as mahavidya. In this science we are not concerned with natural energy, but with non-material energy. All the practices of tantra are meant to extract this energy from the body of matter.

Shakti is twofold - the material aspect is known as prakriti and the active aspect as shakti. In tantra, what happens is that shakti, the active energy, has to be liberated from purusha, consciousness, and also from prakriti, matter. Imagine that within you is the purusha, atma or Shiva. Inside you also is the nature of prakriti, playing through the body, mind and senses. Within prakriti, the shakti is hidden. This shakti has to be separated from purusha and also from prakriti. This concept is very difficult to grasp. The whole humanity and creation is an interaction between purusha and prakriti only; not between purusha and shakti. Only in a great yogi does interaction take place between purusha and shakti, which is called union of Shiva and Shakti.

One of the practices of tantra is known as prana vidya, the knowledge of the prana shakti. Even as you are able to move your hand, and to move your body, you should also be able to switch on more prana if it is too low, or switch down prana if it is too high, or to direct it to any part of the body where there is illness. Prana is a force; it is the basis of life, and in fact, the whole body itself is a miracle of prana.

I will never use the words 'magnetic force' for prana. I have tried to translate it that way but I have failed. Some call it energy; others call it vitality, but in yoga it is prana. Prana can be increased in a number of ways and can thus influence our consciousness. Pranayama is one way of increasing prana. It is charged by inhaling more ions into the body. The yogis like to practice pranayama in the Himalayas because in the higher altitudes, beside rivers, these ions are plentiful, and when you practice pranayama you inhale them. It has also been seen that the human consciousness is influenced by another practice of pranayama. This is the practice of retention of breath. However, it should be learned under a guru, because it strongly influences the awakening of kundalini.

As you can see, in tantra, shakti is most important and all the practices that have been prescribed by tantra use this shakti to make the mind capable of comprehending the great reality.

The mind is always aware of time and space and we want to turn to the absolute. The mind is aware of activity and we want it to experience the highest. Since the dawn of creation this has been the problem of man, but nowadays the demand is urgent. Therefore tantra is the science for this age.