Informative

Evolution of Tantra series Part 3- Rituals in Tantra

In the last post, we explored different traditions in Tantra. Various sects such as Buddhism, Shaivism, and Jainism exchanged the traditions with Tantra when Tantra flourished in the Indian subcontinent. In this part, we are exploring the various rituals and their significance in the modern world. 

When it comes to the core of Tantra rituals, you will find that it’s a combination of Yoga, Yantra, Mantra, and meditation. Even though each and every one of these aspects take a lifetime to understand, we will try to see them from a broader perspective.

Tantric Yoga:

 Although sexuality is a major part of human life, Tantra is not about uncontrolled eroticism. It is a lifestyle, touching each and every angle of life. Let’s take the example of Yoga. Tantric Yoga deals with channelizing our inner energies and using them for our spiritual progress. Chakra balancing, Naadis, and Kundalini are the three main components of Tantric Yoga practices. 

 May it be a specific sitting position, or may it be the very specific hand gestures you perform during meditation, every one of these things have their roots in Tantra.

 Chakras are the indicators and they act as transmitters and receptors of different spiritual energies. When a seeker balances his Chakras, celestial energies flow freely through his body and mind, bringing mind, body, and soul in complete harmony.

 Associated with the divine feminine, Kundalini is the power known to be lying dormant at the base of your spine. Kundalini Yoga is the process of activating that energy. Kundalini Yoga is known to increase the attraction power within you. As Swamiji says, Kundalini Yoga cleanses you from within, it gives you a feeling of purification, it fills you with compassion and empathy. When combined with the powerful Mantra given by Swamiji, like Ha Sa Ka La Hrim, Kundalini meditation can create miracles in your spiritual progress. 

 Nadis, are the web of highways, trafficking the Pranic, mental, and spiritual currents. Ancient texts describe that there are approximately 72000 Nadis that channelize Prana Shakti, a power of life to every cell. Nadi, Tantric anatomy of the subtle body when activated through proper technique, activates the Chakras in the body, by pushing the positive energy upwards towards the Crown Chakra, taking you one step closer towards the spiritual enlightenment.

Yantras in Tantra

 Tra is a suffix, used in the Sanskrit language, meaning instruments. Yantra is a Sanskrit term, used for a design, or complex machinery. Yantra is a symbol, a Vedic geometrical representation of the power of a specific deity into that instrument. Yantra is an instrument designed to curb the psychic powers by concentrating them on the pattern, and in such a way that this pattern becomes reproduced by the worshipper’s visualizing powers.

 In Tantra, each aspect of every Yantra has its existence and characteristics. When activated in a very specific procedure, these Yantras yield benefits to the seeker. Every Yantra is paired with a specific Mantra to be chanted and repeated to obtain the benefits. The most powerful Yantra of them, Shree Yantra, is still worshipped in common households and businesses around India.

Mantras in Tantra

 Mantra is a very specific combination of sacred words and syllables bought together to invoke the power of deity or number of deities. When spoken with accurate pronunciation and devotion, it is believed that Mantra will carry your prayer to the almighty. 

Swamiji says “Mantra is the easiest way to reach towards the feet of your Ishtadev, without sacrificing pleasures of your life”. Mantra chanting creates miracles when paired with meditation.

Sounds existed before life itself. Vibrations, manifested as sound waves existed, even before the creation itself. Every organ like the heart, intestine, the stomach has a base frequency at which it vibrates. It is believed that certain specific Mantras if chanted properly could match the frequencies of these organs, aiding in curing certain ailments of the body. 

Along with healing powers, Mantra enhances the potential of minds. With the reduction in stress levels, Mantras bring peace and harmony into the life of the seeker. 

Why is Tantric meditation considered as the greatest gift to the entire mankind from Indian civilization ?

 When Yoga, Yantra, and Mantra assimilate with meditation, you get the Tantric meditation. Combining the universal aspects such as colors, sounds, chanting, vibrations, and visualizations, meditation is performed in Tantra to create a balance within. 

May it be activating the Kundalini, or balancing the Chakras, Swamiji stresses on having a strong resolve behind every meditation session. Along with that, Swamiji insists on making a wishful resolve in the present and imagining the resolutions being completed as we meditate.  

 Tantric meditation allows a seeker to gain a new perspective to look at stressful situations. 

 It teaches us to manage stress, along with an increase in self-awareness. 

 It enhances imagination and creativity along with patience and tolerance.

 As Swamiji says, Tantric meditation is the two-way communication between you and the divine, without any middleman in between.

 According to Swamiji, if every second grader in the world would start meditating daily, we will be able to wipe out the wars from this world within one generation, and that is the world-changing power of Tantra meditation.

So next time, if you lit a lamp in front of your deity, consider making a connection with Tantra. 

Next time, if your mother is drawing a Rangoli out in the courtyard, understand the science behind those geometrical shapes.

And next time, with hands in Namaste position when you will pray to your god in your religious place, do not forget to appreciate the ancient Sages, whom with painstaking efforts created this evidence-based scientific way of life called Tantra. 

This blog series is dedicated to the efforts of the Tantra Sadhaks spread all around the globe, to bring Tantra back into the mainstream, to awaken a collective consciousness, for the betterment of humanity.

We would love to know about your views on this post of the ‘Evolution of Tantra series’ in the comment section below.