Bioatividades - TANTRA

TANTRA

The Name…..

The word "Tantra" has many definitions, and perhaps its real meaning has been lost to antiquity. Some scholars claim it comes from the Sanskrit or Hindi word for fabric or tapestry, in the sense of “weaving”, meaning the unifying of the many and often contradictory aspects of self into one harmonious whole.
Others say that is comes from two Sanskrit words tanoti (to expand consciousness) and trayati (to liberate consciousness). In the sense that once our own energies are understood and unified, we grow and expand into joy.
While not a religious philosophy, Tantra is “the knowledge of a systematic and scientific experimental method which offers the possibility of expanding man’s consciousness and faculties” (Ajit Mookerjee – “The tantrik way”)

The Origins….

As the highest possible synthesis between love and meditation, Tantra means a deep spiritual understanding of life. Considered like an ancient art of living in harmony with existence, Tantra is a method that dates back thousands of years, not only to India and Tibet, but to the Far East, Polynesia, and indigenous cultures of all parts of the world. (The North America's native Cherokee culture, even practiced a form of Tantra called Quadoshka. It was used as a vehicle to achieve cosmic consciousness and union with Divinity).
Regarding its Indian origins, Tantra was born in India around 5000 b.c., through the cult of the Hindu God Shiva and his consort Shakti. Shiva was worshipped as the embodiment of “pure consciousness” in its most ecstatic state, and Shakti as the embodiment of “pure energy”.

The Principles….

Dualism and Unity

All manifestation, according to Tantra, is based upon a fundamental dualism: a male principle “Purusha” (Cosmic Consciousness) and a female principle “Prakriti” (Cosmic Force of Nature). But at the base of all, the Reality is Unity, an indivisible whole (Shiva-Shakti).
Purusha (male aspect) is static, while Prakriti (female aspect) is the kinetic energy, out of which the world is born and into which the world is dissolved (Sattva – the centripetal energy, Tamas – the centrifugal energy “inertia”, Rajas – the revolving energy “kinetic force”). Shakti’s universal power is the prime mover and the mother-womb of the recurring cycles of the universe (for this reason tantra is considered to be the rediscovery of the mystery of the woman and it is very much linked to practices associated with female worship).

The Myth of Shiva and Shakti

Microcosmo and Macrocosmo

The force that govern the cosmos on the macro-level govern the individual in the micro – level. (For us it has been difficult to see because we are used to analyze the world and the body in separate parts). The outer self is only a small part of the inner self and the human body is a vehicle through which the dormant psychic energy, Kundalini, can be awakened to finally unite the man to the cosmos, the consciousness with the force.

The Kundalini Energy

The kundalini is the supreme force in the human body, according to tantra it remains unmanifest, dormant and coiled at the bottom of our spine. It is the central pivot upon which our psychophysical apparatus is based. The transformation and reorientation of kundalini is possible through various meditative techniques, yoga, rhythmical breathing which makes all the molecule of the body move in the same direction in order to gain control of the mind.
When kundalini sleeps man is only aware of his immediate earthly circumstances, when it is awake he expands his perceptions. Why?
Kundalini’s rising means, in the language of modern science, the activation of the vast area of the brain. The neurological capacities of the human being are incalculable and we are aware only of 1 millionth of our cortical signaling (the signals received by the brain are around 5000 x second!|). Through tantric disciplines the ascending kundalini vitalizes the psychic centers in the human body, the charkas, until it reaches the sahsrara where the mystic union takes place. The human body is then with its psychological and biological functions, a vehicle trough which the dormant kundalini Shakti energy can be awakened to finally unite with the Cosmic Consciousness Shiva.

The Three Keys (Breathing, Movement and Sound)

Using the breathing you start giving energy to the all the cells of our body, this provokes a vibration in the body that results in a movement of the body itself, by moving the body this starts emitting sounds.
Usually the awakening of Kundalini is accompanied by an experience of mystical light of various colours.

Visual Images (Yantras and Mandalas)

The use of yantras and mandalas for meditation it is justified by the fact that it is proven that when a subject is exposed to a continuous visual imput or unchanging stimulus called “stabilized image” or “ganzfeld” (a patternlesss visual field) the subject loses complete contact with the external world.

Asanas

Kundalini energy can be raised by the practice of asanas. “One must rise by that by which one falls”. Those very aspects of the human nature which bind us can be stepping-stones to liberation. In this sense the sexual impulses become a pathway for enlightenment. During sexual union, man and woman withdraw their mind from their environment and enter into a state of meditation.
“No one succeeds in attaining perfection by employing difficult and vexing operations; but perfection can be gained by satisfying all one’s desires”.
In this way the hedonistic urges based on pleasure principles can be transformed into a spiritual fulfillment.

Sex

Sex is regarded as a physical basis of creation and evolution. It is the cosmic union of opposites, male and female principles.
The Hindus believed that through uniting spiritually and sexually with Shiva, Shakti gave form to his spirit and created the Universe. Tantra, therefore views the creation of the world as an erotic act of love.
Not by virtue of being born out of sex, it does not follow that we know all there is to know about sex.
The truth is that the quality of sex has fallen. Sex has lost its sacredness, its simplicity and naturalness. It has became a nightmare, many times an obsession, often a instrument for manipulation. It is no longer a loving act. Unless we can bring a deep understanding and a harmony to the act of sex – unless we can make it spiritual, a door to super consciousness – a better humanity cannot come into being. Couples who are loving and conscious during sex will create a certain vibration that will attract a higher soul.
For Osho, sex is the starting point of all journeys to love. The evolution of love is nothing but transformed sex energy. Now this task has become quite hard in our culture where we have been taught to fight against sex. How can we transform something that we consider inimical? We have to come down to peace with sex.
The energy of sex is divine energy, godly energy. This is why this energy creates life! It is the greatest and the most mysterious force of all.
The more you accept sex with sacredness the most sacred it will keep becoming. When a man or woman approaches his partner they should have a sacred feeling, as if they were going to a temple.
If you want to know the phenomenon called love, you have to accept the sacredness of sex with a total heart. The more totally, the more whole-heartedly you accept sex, the freer you will become of it. The more non acceptance there is, the more bound you become to it.
The greater the acceptance, the freer we become. The total acceptance of life, of all that is natural in life, I call religiousness. And it is this religiousness that liberates a person.
Love is the experience of oneness. Love can be only born out of emptiness, two empties have no wall between each others. Love is always ready to bow, ego is never. Ego always tries to be in love with the bigger.
Anyone who grows bigger in the world of ambitions finds less and less time for love.
In the Sanskrit language there is a beautiful word for sex, and that is Kama, which means sex-love together, undivided and indivisible. In Tantra, sex is always loving.
Sex becomes sacred and divine when you approach it from your heart and body, rather than your mind. It is common for Tantrikas to "drop their mind" when engaging in Tantric lovemaking. When the energy comes from a space deep within you (your essential Self) it connects you to God. All that is...moving you into the realm of spirit.
The body is only layers of invisible energy in form, and it can be awakened if we let go to the sexual energy. In this way people find themselves whole and self-confident, with a positive panoramic view of everything.
In Tantra, we learn to use sexual energy in an extended way, not denying the physical but going further, deeper, higher. Sex is used as the Cosmic union of opposites to create the polarity charge that connects with the primordial energy from which everything in the universe arises.
By dancing with the electromagnetic force field of our partner, we lead to Cosmic oneness. When this energy is matched and balanced correctly through a loving surrender with a partner, the sparks fly.

The Relationship

Tantra changes one's view of relationships as well. Tantrikas are less co-dependent, jealous or neurotic. They tend to be harmonious, fun and energy-filled. In the way of Tantra, you also discover that the relationship you seek outside is already within you. You simply need to learn about and cultivate the Tantric vision, a vital, bliss-filled approach to sex, love and life in general.
We misunderstand relationships, we believe that a relationship is a place where to get from, instead it is a place where we give, where we share what we have in abundance. This is the only possible way for unconditional love.
A relationship is also a place where most strongly we will face most of our deepest models of programming. Where we feel most of our deepest needs and where we meet the illusion of having these needs fed by the other person. We can only give to the one who follows, we can only take from the ones who precedes.
And love is a personal growing experience “if you had loved somebody, anybody, if you had even had a glimpse of love, that love can be expanded to a point where it reaches to God. But if you have never loved, then you have nothing in you that can grow!” (Ramanuja’s words to his disciple from Osho “From sex to super consciousness”)
In Tantra we learn to open ourselves to others, not only on the physical but on all levels. Yes become more prominent in our vocabulary...

The Worship of the Woman

The female covers in tantra a very dynamic and central role: she is looked upon as the intermediary between the transcendent and the imminent, every woman during the tantric ritual is regarded as Shakti, the active principle.

Sharing and Rituals

Sharing is essential to understand one’s self deeply. These rituals are like micro –lab where the participant can experience his / her own potential in a group setting and make them experience the integrated wholeness through interpersonal contact (being one with the others).
The application of many and different ritual practices such as mudras (gestures) and nyasas (touching different parts of the body) are not only symbolically important but also psychologically, they are empathy building methods which deepen concentration and expand awareness of the aspirant.
The use of incense, flowers, honey (stimulates the eating, the smelling) is sensory awakening and helps to get deeper into the experience.

Tantra and Other Religions and Philosophies

While most fundamentalist religions--even Eastern, Moslem and Christian philosophies--focus on the elimination of sensual pleasures, Tantra welcomes the full expression of bodily pleasure, recognizing that in the body is hidden the "bodiless," or the spiritual. The body is only layers of invisible energy in form, and it can all be awakened if we let go to the sexual energy.
Today, many people have been exposed to the use of energy for healing (Chi in the Chinese medicine, Reiki, etc). Yet, few theories (except for the Taoists), use the body's most powerful energy center (the sex center) for the achievement of divinity, immortality and enlightenment. However, unlike Taoism (which actually stemmed from ancient Tantra) that says bring your energy inside for longevity, Tantra says let it go...let it all go! There is no reason to hang onto anything if eternity exists
In Tantra, sexual energy is used as the ignition for firing the Kundalini force, the body's biological life-energy system, merging it/you with universal energy. Mystics and metaphysicians call this achieving Nirvana, Samadhi, Mooksha or union with Divinity.
On the contrary of any other doctrine, Tantra doesn't ask you to believe anything. In fact, it says let go of all belief systems

Tantra and Modern Culture

Contemporary society considers neurosis and deviant behavior normal. Our present social and cultural structure supports separation and has created division among individuals and nations, manifesting in violence, war and in general a world of perversion, devoid of beauty and love.
Tantra says we can celebrate life when the idea of separation, or otherness, disappears from the body and mind, allowing people to meet on all levels of consciousness--physical, vital, mental, intellectual and spiritual. In fact, Tantric partners often consider themselves "soul partners." So, while Tantra is associated with sexuality, it is essentially a merging with oneness, using the physical plane as the launch pad.
Western (and now even Eastern) culture uses sex for manipulation (sexy models being used to sell cars, soap and other products) while at the same time suppresses the sexual expression. With sex being such a powerful force, and by suppressing in this way, we have created the perfect environment for neurosis, and sexual violence, and violence in general.

Tantra and Consciousness

“If you can learn to be conscious of the body and the breath, you can become conscious of the Universe."
We indeed create our own reality says Tantra, and this reality can be in the here and now --in the body through the Tantric orgasm.

Mantras

Mantras are indispensable for tantric discipline, it literally means “that which when reflected upon gives liberation”. Each letter of a mantra is charged with energy and creates vibration in the inner consciousness. (sound vibrations are said to be the manifestation of Shakti and consequently they are equivalents of deities). Mantras, although may seem meaningless to the non-initiated, for the adept initiated by his master are seeds of spiritual power. A mantra is repeated over and over until it creates a wave pattern (japa), together with the understanding of the meaning and a right articulation of its letter.
The Primal sound is the monosyllabic OM, which the basis of the cosmic evolution. All the elemental sound-forms of mantras emanate from this eternal sound. Sound and form are interdependent, every sound has a visual equivalent.
Sound is the reflex of form and form is the product of sound. All that is animated and inanimated are vibrations of a particular frequency. All the mantras have their visual form and when a mantra is pronounced properly its correspondent visual form begins to manifest.

Yantras

The dynamic power-pattern rooted in sound by which it is revealed it is called yantra. The word yantra means “tool” or “aid”, it is generally drawn on paper or engraved on metal, just like the mantra that is the equivalent sound of deity, the yantra is the equivalent diagram and consists of linear and spatial geometrical permutation of the deity.
The primal abstracts shapes (triangles, lines, points, circles, squares) are harmonized in composition to provide a formal equilibrium which is both static and dynamic. It is built up around an element of centrality (which recalls in the observer the core of his own consciousness, his focal are of psychic power). Through this power-diagrams creation and control of ideas are said to be possible.

Mandalas

The word means “circle” and it is the archetypal image signifying wholeness and totality. It represents the cosmos and it is a perennial balance of force whose beginning is in its end, whose end is in its beginning. Within its perimeter a complexity of visual metaphors (labirint, square, triangle) represents the absolute and the paradoxical element of totality.
The adept is initiated to visualize the primal essence of the mandala in its external form and then to internalize it through contemplation into a psychic force. The circle is a paradigm of “involution and evolution”.

Shiva Linga and Yoni

Means the all pervading space in which the whole universe is in the process of formation and dissolution. Linga stands in the Yoni, the womb of Prakriti, symbol of the female principle or the kinetic aspect giving rise to all vibration and movement.
In a state of repose or balance the yoni is represented by a circle with in its interior a point (Bindu, the root of the linga), in a state of activity the circle is transformed into a triangle.
In this way combining art, science and ritual tantra shows the way to self-enlightenment.

Yoga and Tantra

Tantra doesn't tell you to control or suppress your sexual urges to reach God, but rather says the opposite. It supports development of this vital energy to achieve union with Divinity. The essence of Tantra is the full expression of being a merging with, rather than a withdrawing from.