Pages

The Mystery of the Subtle Body, Part 2

/0 Comments/by

 

 

 

“Contemplation is of three kinds: common, light and subtle. When contemplating a certain figure, such as a guru or a certain god, we deal with the common contemplation. When the Brahma, or the Principle of Nature is contemplated as a light we deal with the subtle contemplation. This last type of contemplation makes us eternal.”

Gheranda Samhita

 

Tantric texts offer detailed explanations of the psychic centers (centers of force) – chakras, meaning “wheels”, situated in the sacral area, the area of the genitalia, the navel, the heart, the neck, the forehead and respectively the crown.

FORCE CHAKRA PETALS
– The sacral chakra 4
– The chakra of the sexual area 6
Sun The chakra of the navel 10
– The chakra of the heart 12
– The chakra of the throat 16
Moon The chakra of the forehead 96
– The chakra of the crown 1000

 

These Chakras do not exists in the physical body, they represent mere “plasma fields” of the subtle energy vibrating on specific frequencies, with different shapes, sounds and colours.

The esoteric and occult literature of the West provides many descriptions of these centres. Most of these descriptions rely on C.W. Leadbeater’s works, of the Theological Society. Other depictions derive from Sir John Woodroffe’s work (an English judge who lived in India for a while and translated some of the most important Tantric treatises).

Unfortunately, due to some errors, many contemporary works on this issue, (i.e. the subtle body and the existence of chakras) is wrong, often diverging in the main aspects from the concise and objective descriptions given in numerous Yogic and Tantric ancient works.

The most important aspect of the system of the Subtle body and Chakra is the Yin-Yang (solar – lunar) symbolism and the place of macrocosm energies. Thus the “Moon” is situated on top of the head and the “Sun” in the centre of the navel.

The ancient Tantric texts refer to the existence of four main chakras (situated in the area of the navel, heart, neck and head respectively). Each chakra is made up of a number of petals, symbolizing the natural colour of that chakra.

The centre of the navel is described as a lotus oriented upwards, having ten petals. The one of the heart area is depicted as a lotus oriented downwards and having twelve petals; the neck chakra has got sixteen petals, oriented upwards; the forehead chakra has got ninety-six petals. This is a very simple vision of the Subtle Body.

The centres situated below the navel are described in these works, as well. They are situated in the area of the genitalia and the sacrum, and traditionally are considered of a more physical nature than of a subtle one.

According to traditional sources, the subtle centre situated in the area of the sacrum has got four petals oriented upwards; the sexual chakra has got six petals oriented downwards. Tantric texts say that each of the four petals of the first centre can be divided to three and they are thus twelve petals.

The meditation on the Subtle Body made up of these psychic centres helps one to perceive the subtle flow of energy through the organism. For instance, Kundalini Yoga implies to direct the sexual energy from the lower chakras to the superior ones, in order to accomplish the complete union with Shiva situated in the Chakra of the head.

The simplest meditation on Subtle Centres is that of picturing an opened lotus flower in each of the centres situated in the area of the navel, heart and neck.

“The Subtle Body connects this universe to the subtle ones. No object or doctrine equals in importance the teaching of the Subtle Body – a door opened towards Ultimate Freedom.”

Kaula Tantra

 

Techniques to Control Male Sexual Energy, Part 2

/0 Comments/by

 

 

 

Sexual continence involves a total aware control of the sexual function during lovemaking. This implies the total experience of the love fusion having the possibility of reaching many orgasms by the two lovers. This kind of love fusion doesn’t end with ejaculation for man or with an explosive discharge of the erotic, sexual fluids for woman.

This technique is also known as coitus rezervatus (refraining the ejaculation) or karezza.
Both lovers, changed between them the sexual energies, but they totally refrains themselves from the orgasm with discharging of sexual energy. The man admits to have the orgasm with ejaculation only when both lovers want to have a baby.

This kind of sexual fusion was named by Dr. Stockham “coitus rezervatus” or “sublimated coitus”.
Karezza recommend also taking total breaks during the moments of intense erotic pleasure. During these breaks the erectile penis should remain immobile in the woman’s vagina, while the lovers are enjoying the mutual transfer of the erotic energetic fluids.
Dr. Stockham stated that by this technique it is achieved the youth and life prolongation. Also the vitality increases.

For women, the control of sexual energy is often spontaneously and implies in very rarely cases a minimum training.
For men, the sexual energy control and the stopping of the ejaculation for long periods (weeks, months, years) implies a gradually and perseverant training.

Attention!
The stopping of the sexual energy discharge, by the retaining within the body of the sexual fluids of both lovers doesn’t lead to the impossibility of procreation. The man can have the orgasm with ejaculation when they want to have a baby. The researches proved even that in the case of the couple that have practiced the continence the babies are more health and vigorous.

What is happened with the spermatic liquid of the man that practices the sexual continence?

Usually, this is the most frequent question raised by a man when hears about the sexual continence for the first time.
Far being harmful, a long time seminal retention leads to the biological transmutation of the sperm and make possible the sublimation of the huge resulted energy in the superior levels of the human being. This is happened moreover if the retention is accompanied by adequate techniques of raising energy in the superior levels of the human being such as yoga exercises, intense intellectual efforts etc.
Therefore, by transmutation, the sperm is transformed in energy and it is not stock leading to the somatic disturbers.

The beneficial effects that accompany the practicing of the sexual continence are felt different according to the power centre (chakra) that was awaken and harmonized through sublimation of the sexual energy.

SEXUAL ENERGY CONTROL TECHNIQUES FOR MEN

  • ASWINI MUDRA
  • INTERMITTENT URINATE
  • SLOW PENETRATION

Usually the men tend useless to cling to the feeble pleasure that they feel during the orgasm with ejaculation. Even if they understood intellectually the necessity of the sexual continence, they prefer to follow this instinctual way. This fact is caused by the laziness, commodity, or simply by the less of their spiritual mobilization that can draw them out of this morass of animalic sexuality.

To justify in any way his inferior tendency he will try to find various external pretexts. In fact, the reason is only the animal tendency that comes from the subconscious mental. For this reason, it is necessary, for those that are still confronting with such inferior tendencies, a hard training, and an adequate inner discipline.

In this sense, the yoga practice could offer the necessary and sufficient conditions to successfully practice the sexual continence.

ASWINI MUDRA
One of the most efficient methods to avoid the discharging of the sexual potential is to practice ASWINI MUDRA for long time periods. ASWINI MUDRA means the strong contraction of the anus muscles and maintaining this contraction as long as possible.
This technique, which is extremely simple can be easily done in the “dead” times during a day (during bus or car traveling, etc).
Though it seems to be something extremely simple, yet ASWINI MUDRA has amazing effects in obtaining a very good control of the sexual energy if this technique is sufficiently practiced.

INTERMITTENT URINATE
This process implies the successively contraction and the relaxation of the urinary sphincters during the micturate.
The process permits to get the skill of control the sexual mechanisms and to have the consciousness of some process occurred during the discharging. It permits also to anticipate and to avoid the climax, to experiment the orgasm without wasting the sexual energy.

Do not confuse the states of unsatisfying or impotence, when the man doesn’t feel erotic pleasure, with orgasm without sexual energy discharge, which it is strongly euphoric and regenerating.

SLOW PENETRATION
To obtain a perfect sexual continence you have to start the intercourse having a transfiguration vision of the erotic attraction between a man and a woman and keep this transfiguration during lovemaking. Both lovers have to understand that the sexual attraction has its roots in the primordial attraction between the masculine principle and the feminine one; these two principles govern the entire creation. That is why the lovemaking with sexual continence is a spiritual path through which the lovers can immerse themselves into the primordial love that springs from the fusion between masculine and feminine principle. Thus the lovemaking with sexual continence is a way of rediscovering the UNITY.

Practical advices:
Do not rush and take sufficient time and a lot of patience and love.
For the beginning you have to learn to penetrate your lover very slowly and to be aware of the pleasure states that occurs.

If you feel that the excitation increases very much, you have to slowly withdraw the penis so only 1-2 cm of it remain in the vagina. Stay motionlessly in this position. (In the case that you feel the ejaculation impends, quickly withdraw the penis, with a suddenly move).

Inspire deeply, hold your breath; contract the pelvic muscles (the anal sphincter muscles and PC muscles).
Simultaneously focus your mind over the sperm retention. Imagine your sperm retention. Imagine that an inner alchemy force transforms your sperm in energy. This will help you to avoid ejaculation.

Then focus your mind in order to sublimate the enormous energy that is contained in the sperm. Sublimate it in psychic, mental and spiritual energies by letting the energy of love to suffuse you.

After this short break, that can last 10-50 sec or more depending on your necessity, you can gradually and cautiously resume the penetration movements. If you feel that the excitation is still very intense, you can do many times the above-mentioned method.

The method is also valid for your lover having an increased efficacy if both of you practice it simultaneously (even in the case that one of them hasn’t reached the preorgastic level).

Attention!

  • At the beginning you have to prove a huge will and tenacity.
  • At the beginning it is better to practice the above-mentioned technique sooner the preorgastic level than latter, when there are less possibilities to successfully stop the ejaculation process.

General Introduction to Tantra Yoga

/0 Comments/by

 

 

 

The Sanskrit word TANTRA literally means “warp (on a loom)”, or “extension”. It proceeds
from the verbal roots TAN – “to stretch, expound”, and TRA – “to save”, which give further hints
upon the other meanings of the word TANTRA.
This name is applied both for a certain category of texts of the Oriental spirituality, and for
the doctrine, and teachings which they contain. However, the Tantric texts, the TANTRA-s – and
there are several hundreds of them: proper TANTRA-s, SHIVA AGAMA-s, VISHNU SAMHITA-s,
SHAKTA NIGAMA-s, etc. – are written in a kind of “code language”, so that without an oral
explanation from a competent GURU, a lot of passages are bound to remain unclear. Moreover,
there are still many untranslated, and secret Tantric texts under the dust of forgotten, or
private libraries. All these, plus the extremely varied, and complicated nature of Tantrism
renders the manipulation of a single definition almost impossible. That is why, it has been found
useful to sketch some of the main features of the Tantric system in a detailed manner.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TANTRISM

1. TANTRA YOGA offers an alternative, and practical individual road to salvation, called a
SADHANA, beside the Vedic one which is often deemed to be antiquated. It is important to remark
here that the true Tantric SADHANA is accessible to people of any caste, social status, age,
women as well as men, householders as well as ascetics.

2. The TANTRA-s are presented as the most fit form of teaching for the men of KALI YUGA,
that is for the people of the “dark age”, in which we live today. KALI YUGA is often connected
with the “iron age” of the Greek mythology, and with the “age of the wolf”, of the Northern Edda,
deemed to have exactly the same meaning. Therefore, nowadays, when the spirituality is declining
while man is desperately trying to reintegrate himself in a spiritual reality, it is stated that
TANTRA is the last, and best way of salvation.

3. TANTRA has a rigorous metaphysical basis, of a very non-dualist nature. However,
according to its opinion an intellectual knowledge is not enough, but there is need of direct,
personal experience, which becomes possible only through the agency of SHAKTI, the power, the
intense energy. The concept of SHAKTI, the feminine energy is the specific colour of the entire
Tantric system.

4. TANTRA recognizes, and expounds mundane aims besides spiritual emancipation, as a lawful
goal for a practiser. Its aim is to transform the adept in a kind of super-man, who not only has
liberated himself of the Universe, reaching Enlightment, but also – alike the Supreme Lord
Himself – is able to rule over it, and control its secret forces. This involves that Tantric
methods are applicable for various sorts of practical accomplishments, including astrology,
medicine, parapsychology, alchemy, and magic. Many written sources are pre-occupied with the
description of supernatural abilities (SIDDHI-s), and the ways to attain them. There remains
however, always a connecting thread between the magical, and the spiritual.

5. The eminent place given to the energy entails a brilliant revalorisation of the body.
This is not meant with the sense of object of idolatry, like in the contemporary world, but as
necessary instrument, unavoidable premises of the spiritual realization. This is due to the
perpetually reminded analogy between the macrocosm, and the microcosm, which is the human body:
“What is here is everywhere, what is not here is nowhere”. A consequence of this fact is the
appearance of the HATHA YOGA system in the Tantric schools; system which has as goal neither
the “health”, nor the “well-being”, as it is commonly believed.

6. TANTRA teaches the practice of a special variety of YOGA, destined to transform the
animal instincts and functions, by creating an upward movement in the body, along the energy-
channels, NADI-s, and through the centre-s of force, CHAKRA-s. The process is most commonly
expressed as “raising the KUNDALINI“. Connected with this YOGA is the elaboration of a subtle
physiology, in which the microcosm of the body is homologized with the macrocosm, and the world
of the gods.

7. TANTRA emphasizes the metaphysical, and operative importance of the feminine principle.
The Woman, the Goddess, SHAKTI represents for the TANTRIKA-s the universal Power, the energy of
bondage and Liberation, who veils and reveals, blinds and illuminates; the world is her toy, and
her mirror. Therefore we encounter here a genuine revalorisation of the woman, and perhaps the
only spiritual path that acknowledges a total equality between the two sexes, at all levels.
The importance of the female manifestations extends on all the levels of the experience, from
daily life, till metaphysics.

8. Important are also the speculations upon the mystic nature of speech, and its constituents; the existence is assumed of a phonic creation, parallel to the material phenomena. These revelations are connected with the sounds of the Sanskrit alphabet.

9. This has been developed concretely in the very frequent use of generally short, unintelligible formulas, called MANTRA-s and BIJA-s, correlated with various supernormal powers, and levels of consciousness by means of definite Yogic procedures, and which make the object of cosmic symbolism. Actually, the MANTRA-s are the most efficient instruments, according to TANTRA, and therefore the overwhelming majority of the Tantric texts deals to some extent upon this topic, and its secrets.

10. The general use of other concrete devices, like geometrical designs (YANTRA-s), symbolical representations (MANDALA-s), gestures (MUDRA-s), for the practical accomplishment or expression of metaphysical principles. The supernatural worlds are approached by specific methods of meditation (DHYANA), visualization, worship, etc.

11. The Tantric teachings are structured on several levels, depending on those to whom they address; the traditional texts assert the existence of three different human types: the “divine” one (DIVYA), that practically doesn’t exist any more in our age, the “heroic” one (VIRA), which is the best for the Tantric initiation, though rare, and PASHU, “the herd of the Gods”, the “animal”, that swarms in our dark age. Only the VIRA-s, say the tantric texts, the heros liberated of fear, hate, and absurd shame are qualified for receiving the full of the Tantric revelations, while the others receive an adequate SADHANA, which will first gradually bring them to the heroical condition.

12. Addressing to heroic beings, TANTRA is not so very concerned with theology, or common moral. It is not a trite anarchism that we are talking about, but the need for transcending some of the appearances of the illusory world, for reaching the strongest awakening. Very often the Tantric texts themselves over-emphasize this side, for banishing the narrow-minded aspirants, by the use of a symbolical language: “to pet the breasts of your sister” means to arouse the SHAKTI in ANAHATA CHAKRA, “to put the LINGAM (penis) in the maternal cavity” means to pierce the root-CHAKRA, and so on.

13. Most of the Tantric lines are SHIVA-ite, because of the exceptional aspects of SHIVA: Benefactor, and Terrible, Healer and Destroyer of the evil, Supreme Androgyne.

14. TANTRA emphasizes the absolute necessity of initiation by a qualified spiritual guide, or teacher (GURU), and on constantly following his (or her) directions for spiritual practice. That is why, the Tantric texts use a special set of terminology, inaccessible for the outsiders, and whose “key” is handed over orally by the GURU.

15. In TANTRA there often appears an ambivalence of the divine and human existence, as complementary aspects of the same awesome, grandiose reality.

16. There is also a far-fetched categorization of the reality, especially in the symbolism of the numbers, and speech, which leads to the mysterious science of the breath, and TATTVA-s, and to connections with the ancient alchemical processes of the SIDDHA-s, and the body culture of the HATHA YOGIN-s.

Aspects of Shiva

/0 Comments/by

Bhairava or Paramashiva are names given to the Supreme Absolute, the “One without the Second” in the Shivaic tradition. Nevertheless, this Pure Transcendent Consciousness can be perceived and conceived by the common human mind only by means of a personalized form, capable to be addressed to by the human understanding. This aspect of the Divine Supreme Force bears names such as Maheshvara, Shankara, Bhagavan, Isha, Shambhu, etc., the transcendent and at the same time the immanent Deity whom all believers, regardless of religion, form or appellative worship and adore. As Swami Vivekananda put it, this somewhat personalized form of the Divine “is the supreme form the human spirit may grant/confer to the Absolute.”
The Tantric finds in Shiva the Deity of love, living and vibrant reality, full of spontaneous energy, a divine force whose presence he perceives directly, but whom he considers as a person: “you are the great being (mahapurusha), the unique, refuge of all beings”. The great mystic poet Utpaladeva addresses to Shiva: “you are the Splendid Being (adhipurusha), permanently awake in a sleeping world.” In fact, Shiva does not have any observer but himself. He cannot be an object of human perception for He is the Supreme Subject himself, that which is attained by the beings who reach the top, the knower of the knower, the only Subject who is truly and totally conscious.
For the Tantric metaphysics, the Absolute Reality encloses /comprises within Itself all dualities and polarities reunited, reintegrated in a state of absolute Unity. Creation and all development it implies represent the destruction of primordial Unity and the separation of the two principles (Shiva-Shakti, etc.); the suffering, the illusion, the slavery we experiment as human beings consist precisely in this acute state of duality (subject-object, etc.). The purpose of Tantric sadhana is to reunite the two principles inside the disciple’s own heart and body.
Leaving aside the metaphysical and intellectual problems rose by the simultaneous transcendence and immanence of the Divine, we will now mention the different aspects of Shiva, as transmitted by the tradition of purana-s and agama-s. These aspects of Shiva are essential guidelines in the understanding and practice of Tantra.

MAYAVIN, the Supreme Magician, or the Master of the Cosmic Illusion, MAYA
Shiva is a perfect magician, who creates the phenomenal world by means of his Cosmic spell. He is the perfect painter as he puts on the wall of his own consciousness, without instruments and materials, the fresco of the universe. Through his hand gesture (mudra), he impresses upon the whole world the differentiation between masculine and feminine. As an actor, he plays alone in the theatre play of the three worlds, identifying Him

Pashupati, the good Shepherd or The keeper of the herd
Shiva is also the deity of compassion and infinite grace. As Pashupati, he is adored as the shepherd of the souls subdued by ignorance, which he protects and constantly impels towards reaching the supreme freedom.

Umapati, Uma’s lover
This aspect of Shiva portrays the Deity of Love, the beloved husband of the essential creative divine energy/ cosmic mother, named Shakti, Uma or Parvati, whom he eternally embraces. To this universal love between the two cosmic principles corresponds on a human level, the happiness and ecstatic beatitude of two hearts that share ardent feelings of love.

Virupaksha, Shiva transcendent
As Virupaksha or Trilocana, Shiva is endowed with a third eye, terrible and mysterious, destroyer of duality and death, but at the same time the eye of infinite compassion which radiates permanently divine happiness and love.

Dhurajati, the hermit and Shivaratri, the mysterious night of Shiva
For yogis, Shiva appears sometimes as the archetypal hermit, symbol of detachment and transcendence, the Supreme initiator in Yoga and Siddhi.
Shiva, in his aspect of Dhurajati reduced to ashes the God of sensuous love owing to the perfect sublimation of sexual energies on the level of Ajna chakra (the third eye), while practicing yogic techniques beside the Parvati’s pyre, symbol of the transcendence of all that is evanescent and transitory.
But from that moment on, he is the terrible Bhairava, dreading for the egoistic and ignorant. He is depicted completely naked, (owing to the fact that he is beyond all forms, determinations and attributes).
Nataraja, the Master of Cosmic Dance

Finally, Shiva is the Cosmic Dancer, who creates and destroys the universe through his impetuous, terrible or impassioned movements or which he sustains by means of his own harmonious rhythms.

The fully liberated being takes part as well to this sublime ballet, dancing spontaneously and freely along with all universal phenomenal manifestations and energies because now he is perfectly integrated in the secret rhythms and cycles of Nature. He is dancing now with the whole of creation, with Life itself, in its multiple aspects, which he recognizes now as expressions of the divine energy, Shakti.

For millenniums, Shiva Maheshvara was worshiped on the whole Hindu territory as the Dancer, the Supreme Master of the Creation’s rhythms and vibrations. Through his dance, by means of his hand gestures (mudra) and the symbolic objects he holds, he expresses the most disparate and apparently incompatible aspects of Life.

As the cosmic Dancer, he dances holding a tambourine and wearing bells at his ankles. As a hero (Vira) he victoriously waves a trident above his head. As a hermit, he is anointed with the ashes of the universe, wears his hair in a loop, and has snakes as ornaments. As a destroyer of human ignorance and misery, he is armed with bow, arrows, sword and bludgeon. As a shepherd of his herd, he holds a noose, a stake to prompt his herd and a hook. As the supreme Sovereign of the universe, shining in glory, he weook. As the supreme Sovereign of the universe, shining in glory, he wears the signs of this sovereignty: the white umbrella of the full moon, the Milky way fan, the celestial Ganges springing from his hair, which gives birth to the universe and keeps it alive. As Supreme Yogi, he wears the blinding brightness of his cosmic body, having a crescent moon in his hair, while the third eye is open on his forehead.

Thus, Shiva, the masculine universal principle, may assume different forms and faculties in order to fulfill the aspirant’s most ardent and profound desires. Nonetheless, in the Tantric view, Shiva does not remain distant, somewhere in the clouds, looking down to his devotees. He is to be found in he very heart of every human being, in every act of compassion, learning, right guidance, and ardent aspiration towards spiritual perfection. And moreover, he is not limited to all these. Join us again in order to find out the ways to recognize and love Shiva at a human level.


 

The Mystery of the Subtle Body, Part 1

/0 Comments/by

 

 

 

Esoteric texts state that both men and women are surrounded by an “aura” of subtle energy (also known as the Subtle Body), visible to the sensitive eye, just like any being has got a physical body.

The different subtle energies existent in the body generate a kind of subtle energetic field around the physical body, named aura, perceived only by people with paranormal capacities.

The aura changes colour and shape according to the emotions and thoughts a man experiences; the colour and shape of an aura may vary according to the physical structure of that person.

The aura is said to have the property to contract or dilate. For instance, a happy person has got a “vibrant aura”, shining and radiant; the aura of a sad, angry person is contracted, constricted and tensed, according to his negative emotions.

The scientific research of the past few years have come to accept the traditionalist vision on aura. Thus, the photos obtained through the method of the Kirlians clearly show the changes that take place in the structure and colour of an aura.

The existence of an “aural field” or “psi” energy around the human body is the foundation of a lot of theories, which attempt explain telepathy and other extrasenzorial phenomena.

Andrija Puharich, in his book “Beyond telepathy”, has proved biologically and physically the existence of the “psi” field of energy. The demonstration is, in fact, a synthesis of the Yogi and Shamanist learning and it relies on the most accurate observations of subtle fields of energy.

In the Yogic treatise the “Shiva Samhita” we find a clear explanation of the nature of the Subtle Body:

“In this body, the Great Central Axe (which is Meru Mountain, i.e. the spine) is surrounded by seven islands (the vital force, blood, flesh, fat, bones, marrow and sperm/eggs). There are “rivers” and “seas” over there, as well as prophets, wise men, gods, goddesses, intelligent beings, all the stars and planets, the sacred places of pilgrimage, altars and guardian deities.

 

There are also the Sun and the Moon, the factors of creation and destruction, the five Great Elements: space, air, fire, water and earth. In the Great Central Axe there are all creatures, of all universes.

In this body, called Brahmanda (Brahma‘s “egg” or “aura”) we find an entire macrocosm and the “Moon” from which springs the divine nectar. It lies at the upper top of the spine facing down, allowing the nectar to spring night and day.

The ambrosia of the “Moon” has two “branches”, from a subtle point of view: the first nourishes the body and keeps it alive, descending through the left side of the spine, resembling the River Ganges.

The other, shining as the purest milk, comes in through the right channel of the spine maintaining and refreshing the “Moon” placed on top of the Great Axe.

The “Sun” is situated in the inferior region of the spine. From this inner “Sun”, placed in the area of the navel, springs a subtle channel, which leads the solar (Yang) energy up, through the force itself of these rays, in the right side of the body.

This channel on the right side is another form of the “Sun” and it goes through the entire body, uplifting the vital emanations and leading the soul to the Ultimate state of Freedom.

The human body is made up of about a few hundred thousands of subtle channels, but of these, only 14 are of great importance. And of these 14, 3 are of utmost importance. They are: Ida (on the left side), Pingala (on the right side) and Sushumna (on the centre).

Sushumna is the most important subtle channel. Ida is on the left side of the body and it “wraps” around Sushumna, in a spiral like movement, until it goes in through the right nostril.

Pingala is on the right side of the body and it “wraps” around Sushumna until it goes in through the left nostril. The one who gets to know the microcosm of the body mysteries will undoubtedly experience the highest state of conscience.”

All ancient Tantric works deal with the solar – lunar symbolism, with the “sun” situated in the area of the navel and the “moon” situated on the crown of the head. They all mention that there are 3 main subtle channels (Ida, Pingala and Sushumna).

For instance, in Gheranda Samhita we find that, “The Sun is situated in the navel and the Moon at the root of the palatal arch.”

The subtle Body connects people to cosmic elements, a bridge between this world and the one beyond.

The Superior and Inferior Access Gates of the Body, Part 1

/0 Comments/by

 

 

 

The “superior and inferior” gates of the body have already been mentioned in the article “The Temple of the Body”.

Briefly, the superior gates are all the orifices placed in the area of the head: mouth, nose, eyes, ears, and opening on top of the head. The inferior gates are the anus and the genitals.

All these are ways through which the force of life is channelled either to come out or to get inside the body. From this point of view the superior gates are more efficient because they lead to high spiritual states.

Tantra says that the inferior gates lead the conscience to inferior forms of existence, even sub – human ones.

The force of life is divided into two main energetic fields: one ascendant, called prana and one descendent, called apana. Usually prana appears in the region of the heart and acts as an intelligent ‘string’ of energy, whose role is to maintain life.

Apana appears generally in the inferior region between the stomach and the anus. There are other three types of energy, which are placed in the area of the navel, neck and around the entire body; these types of energy are named samana, udana and vyana.

Thus, there are five energetic strings of energy:
Prana – ascendant motion, around the heart;
Apana – descendent motion, around the anus;
Samana – around the bellybutton;
Udana – around the neck;
Vyana – through the entire body;

Each of these five currents of energy has got a well-determined function in the body, having its role to the general state of health.

Goraksha Shatakam presents the following allegorical description of Jiva‘s motion through the body:

“Just like a ball, that comes back into the air when it’s smashed against the ground, jiva (the individual soul) does the same thing when led up and down by prana and apana.”

When you get the control over the motion of the individual soul (jiva) and can focus it on one single place, only then you will be able to conduct your life exactly the way you want to. Tantra says that a person can set his/her own destiny and not accept it as a fatality.

The Tantras (secret Tantric texts) say that these energetic strings, both ascendant and descendent, can be controlled and unified through different physical techniques or through the force of the mind, practicing certain Hatha Yoga positions, such as the reversed poses (standing on the head, for instance).

Gheranda Samhita presents a description of the way the reversed positions help controlling the flow of energy, in its different forms:

“Normally the Solar force resides at the level of the navel, while the lunar force resides at the top of the head. The Sun consumes the divine nectar springing from the moon, and this is the cause of death.

However, one may overcome death by practicing the following technique: place your head on the ground and support it with your hands; raise your legs in the air, and remain like this.

The flow of energy reverses, and thus you will be able to control the energies of life and to prevent premature aging and death.”

The contraction of the anal sphincters and the abdominal contractions help the transmutation of the descendent flow of energy. You can get the same result by focusing and visualizing the process of reorientation of the energy. When apana unites with prana the spirit centres on the heart.

During intercourse, the subtle energies vibrate strongly, they elevate and expand. In the moment of ejaculation, an electric charge, like a thrill or a vibration that almost stops you from breathing is perceived acutely.

The heart beats faster, the face blushes, energy flows in waves through the orifices of the body and the mystical moment, the one of “the spirits getting together”, is wasted.

The ecstatic, vibrating sentiment gets lost and the body becomes cold and empty. Thoughts start to pop up in the mind. A general contraction goes through the body, involuntarily.

“The apparent death” is one of the most frequent themes in both Eastern and Western erotic texts. Though this experience is very attractive because of the fact that it leads to forgiveness, yet Tantra shows us that the “apparent death” or “the small death” is a negative form of mysticism, connected to the losing of the communion with the universal source.

Traditional texts show us that before erotic experience ends the body’s orifices will block the energies between the two lovers, because the couple often wastes its own ecstatic potential energy due to the fact that the union of their consciences is too short in the case of intercourse without sexual continence.

The Superior and Inferior Access Gates of the Body, Part 2

/0 Comments/by

“The superior gates of the body, as well as the inferior ones will be kept close so that the energies of life will not leave the body. By concentrating the inferior ecstatic forces you will obtain wonderful visions on the sky of your mind. This is a great mystery that shortens your journey to the Final Freedom.”

Yogini Tantra

The secret of the inferior gates lies in the contraction of the anal sphincters or in placing a finger or a part of the foot on the orifice so that to cover it (usually the heel).

The secret of the superior gates refers to the closing (physically or mentally) of the orifices in the area of the head: mouth, nose, ears, eyes and fontanel.

If the mouths of the two lovers are pressed one against the other, they block one the other. If the lovers look into each other’s eyes, then the energies will circulate between them, without being dissipated.

The nose is blocked by holding the breath or by an intimate contact with the nose of the other. The ears may be covered with certain parts of the body. Finally, placing a hand over the top of the head will close the fontanel.

Yogi texts refer to a “mystical block”, known as Yoni Mudra, described in GHERANDA SAMHITA as follows:

“Block your ears with your thumbs, your eyes with your forefingers, your nostrils with your middle-fingers, the upper lip with your ring-fingers and the lower lip with your little fingers. Inhale the prana and unite it with the apana. Contemplate the Subtle Body as well as the Chakras.”

Though Yoni Mudra is not essential to those who form a couple, it can be adjusted to a sexual contact. What you have to keep in mind is that, while the ecstasy approaches, there will be the tendency to lose the energy. You can stop this by blocking your orifices.

The best way to do that is to block the top of your lover’s head with your hand while you strongly think it is a mystical initiation. Thus, the ecstatic moment can be prolonged and the mystical conscience will develop.

When the couple starts confronting with the indescribable pleasure of their sexual ecstasy, the mind will start “having” different visions and the heart will “feel” them.

The two lovers will confront with the mystical conscience of the goal of their lives and they will perceive wonderful visions through the third eye. It will help them realize that their spirits are unique.

A common mystical vision, associated with sexual ecstasy, represents the Jewellery Island, an archetypal manifestation of the souls in harmony with each other.

Such a vision can be developed and maintained by bringing the elements together. GHERANDA SAMHITA offers a wonderful technique of visualization in order to create the Island of Jewellery:

“Close your eyes and imagine that there, in the zone of your hearts, there is an endless ocean of nectar. In the middle of this ocean there is an island of gems, the sand is made of diamonds, the rocks are emeralds and rubies and the mountains are sapphires.

Imagine that there are trees all around that island. They are full of wonderful, nice smelling flowers. The Yogi will sit in the middle of this island and he will picture the presence of the Great Tree of Desire, with its four branches (symbolizing the four sacred Vedas and revealing antique pictures), filled with fruit and multicolour flowers.

The bees are flying around this magnificent tree picking up the pollen. There are birds and animals all around. Imagine that there is a divine beauty under this tree. There are coloured lights, thousands of rays in ferric games, projecting on the sky, in the mind and in the heart.

Then picture the god that you chose to adore (or your lover) in that pretentious place and contemplate the entire picture to its smallest details.”

If the lovers are aware of the superior forces of their bodies during intercourse, then they will be able to stop their energies from flowing outside through these gates.

“Death is overcome by those who make their energy flow inside their bodies. The natural flow of energy can be reversed through body positions, different “seals”, reverse “orientation”, controlling the breath and meditation.”

Kaula Tantra

Shiva, the Masculine Principle in Tantra

/0 Comments/by

 

 

In the Hindu pantheon, Shiva is one of gods in the Divine trinity composed of Brahma, Vishnu and Himself, each representing one of the three aspects of the Divine, that is The Creator, The Sustainer and respectively The Destroyer of the Universe. Shiva is said to live in Svarloka, the realm of gods and demi-gods ruled by Indra, the greatest among them.

Shiva, as distinguished from Parama-Shiva, corresponds to that aspect of the ultimate Reality which is pure consciousness, pure subject, pure I, without even the slightest notion of “I am” or “I am this” or “I am here”.

In his Tantra-Loka, Abhinava Gupta refers to Shiva as “the Mother and the Father of the Universe”. Shiva is the seed, or origin of the multidimensional universe, giving rise to all other ontological categories. Yet, there is no duality in Shiva because he is still completely immersed in blissful union with Shakti.

However, in order to understand properly this fundamental concept of Tantrism, which is the masculine principle – Shiva, we should look back towards the roots of Tantra.

Tantrism enjoys suddenly an immense popularity among philosophers and teologicians as well as among “practitioners” (yogis, ascetics, etc.), its prestige reaching the folk strata. All great Hindu religions have thus assimilated Tantra in one form or another. This process had actually begun thousands of years beforehand, during the Aryan civilization and during the blending of the different co-existing traditions (Dravidian, etc).

The legend says that during these inflaming times a great man was born, named Sadashiva. His name means “the one who dedicated his life to the well-being of his fellows”. Sadashiva, known as Shiva, was an outstanding spiritual teacher or Guru. He was the one who first offered humanity a systematic presentation of a sheer spiritual thought. As the legend goes, he is the one to set the basis of spiritual dance and music in India and is therefore known also as NATARAJA, The God of Cosmic Dance.

Moreover, the real founder of Hindu traditional medicine and also the provider of a system and knowledge in this field (bearing the name Vadyak Shastra) is nonetheless Shiva.

Shiva played an extremely important role in the social area as well. He is the creator of the system of marriage, in which both partners accept equal responsibilities, disregarding caste or community. Shiva himself came from a mixed family and through his marriage to an Aryan princess helped a lot in unifying the warring fractions in India at that time. The Hindu sage Sri Shankar, expert in studies and research on Tantrism, considers Shiva as a real father of human civilization.

However, Shiva’s most important contribution to the development of a truly spiritual civilization represents the concept of DHARMA. DHARMA is a Sanskrit word translated literally as “innate characteristic”. Which may be the innate characteristic of a human being? Shiva explained that human beings seek and yearn for happiness placed beyond that originated in the satisfaction of the senses. The indisputable aim of all human beings, whether aware of this or not, is to obtain absolute peace and freedom, infinite knowledge and spiritual beatitude.

Shiva’s ideas were transmitted orally at first, then in written form. Parvati, his wife used to ask him questions on topics raised by the spiritual practice he taught.

The tantra-s (texts, writings which present the tantric philosophy and practice) are in fact the dialogues between Shiva and his wife Parvati, dialogues in which Parvati asks questions on spiritual matters and Shiva gives divine answers.

The tantra-s are divided into two great categories:

1. The theoretic principles of the tantric system. Tantric philosophy and conceptions on different matters are to be found in the writings named NIGAMA.

2. The practices through which the proposed aims may be attained; the different methods, techniques and procedures are to be found in the texts named AGAMA.

Many of these antique manuscripts were lost for good, others are damaged by time, and others still are unreadable by the mundane because of their coded text meant to hide the tantric secrets from the eyes of the unknowledgeable. This is also one reason for which the conceptions and fundaments of Tantra have not been completely decoded up to our days.

Part of Shiva’s original teachings were lost, other parts were spread on large areas, being assimilated in different ways and under different forms in the traditions and local schools.

Each Hindu believer followed his own path, according to their inner aspirations, choosing one spiritual current which implied the adoration of one of these three gods.

Thus, Tantrism and Yoga are specially oriented towards the adoration of Shiva and are therefore called Shaivites, and this spiritual current is named Shaiva. Others have turned towards the cult of Vishnu, named Vaishnava.

We should nonetheless carefully distinguish between different spiritual currents and opposing spiritual currents, which is not the case of Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Some Western studies have committed the error of sustaining the idea that there were
antithesis, competitions and even fighting between the two spiritual currents. The Western searcher should properly understand that for the Hindu, Shiva and Vishnu represent two complementary aspects of Brahma, The Creator. The first of these two gods, Shiva represents the destructive, transforming and reiterating principle of the infinite Creation, while the latter – the animating, conservative principle, which maintains the creation in its whole.

Unfortunately, nowadays Tantra appears to most people as a tenebrous, unbreakable and controversial mystery owing to a multitude of misunderstandings and misconceptions that occured in the minds of some of the “reputed” Western researchers of Tantra.

The Tantrics (that is the practitioners of Tantra) and the Yoghis (the practitioners of Yoga) belong to the Shaivite current. The aspect of the Ultimate Reality in the form of the Transformer, the renewer of an eternally vivacious, effervescent Creation suited best to their spiritual quest and ardor.

Shaivism presents Shiva as endowed with all the attributes of the Supreme Divinity, and therefore He is the Supreme Creator. His symbolic representation while performing the magic dance of creation is an iconographic theme quite rich in symbolism and offers us an idea about the rhythm of life of the whole creation, and as well of its destruction. We will discuss these aspects in detail further on.

The name Shiva signifies “the good and the kind”. Paradoxically, He is the designated God of destruction, but this must not be understood as the destroyer of human being, but the destroyer of ignorance and corruption in the human nature. Thus, He is an infinitely benevolent force as He rapidly casts away the restraining ignorance and allows human beings to contemplate His magnificence.


The Human Body – Temple Of The Spirit

/0 Comments/by

“I look at you and am convinced of one thing, that you once had something – some treasure, some symmetry, some secret, some key – but you have lost it. Every moment, asleep or awake, you are always busy looking for something. It is quite possible you do not know exactly what you are searching for and that you are unaware of what you have lost, but I see the hunger in your eyes. It is apparent in every beat of your heart.”

RASHNEESH

With these words, Osho has said all about human misery, about human love, about human soul. A soul who is in a perpetual quest from the begining of time, and whose quest no one knows when it reaches the end.

It is indeed the quest for that “something” we sometimes seem to find on the tip of our tongue, but yet we cannot express it.

However, how could we get to truly discover and experience this undefinable “something”?

The Tantrics say that the answer is right here, right now. Begin with what you find in your immediate vecinity, and you shall see it all.

So let’s take a look at the Tantric view of the human body!

With the Tantrism, the human body reaches an unprecedented importance in the whole history of all spiritual disciplines. Of course that health and vigor, the interest for a physiology resembling to the Cosmos, and consequently sanctified are ancient values, but the Tantrism pushes the conception that health is possible only in a “divine body” up to extreme limits.

Thus, the body is no longer the source of all suffering, but the most secure, the most perfect instrument man has in his attempt “to conquer death.”
Moreover, because it is perfectly possible that we reach the ultimate state in this very life, the body must be preserved in a perfect state for a long period, precisely because it allows human beings to meditate.

In this appreciation and possibilities of the human body, we may distinguish two different, but convergent orientations:
1. The importance of the total experience of life as being part of the sadhana. This is the general position of all tantric schools.
2. Moreover, there is the desire to control the body in order to transform it into a divine body. This is the Hatha Yogic position. This control should start in a humble manner, with a precise knowledge of all bodily functions and organs.

The great majority of spiritual schools and currents begin their presentations with the soul and blame the body.
However, Tantra begins by using what is at hand, in this case with the body itself. Tantra accepts everything, approves and, most important transforms everything, sexuality included.

Tantra offers solutions and engages on the path of self-discovery from the actual level of the human being who has reached a certain level of understanding.

In the case of our contemporary society, the human body is perceived as being the one and only existing reality, and the sexuality (unfortunately perverted and misunderstood) – as the unique pleasure.

In such circumstances, Tantra opposes to the opaque vision of contemporary man the sacred perspective of the body as a divine place, a jumping board towards the invisible Reality.

Consequently, the human body reveals itself to the one interested in discovering its secrets as a special and complex vehicle, through whose systematic exploration man may apprehend his own secrets and transform his energies.
For a genuine tantric approach, the body is a true friend, whom he accepts, cares for and loves beyond age, form or color.

Beauty comes from the spirit because in fact the spirit clothes the body, not the proper clothing.
Consequently, the body must be respected, purified, maintained as clean and healthy as possible (on the inside and on the outside), as this respect proves the proper attitude towards the Macrocosm itself.
One must not visit dozens and hundreds of temples in order to find God, as sometimes this search may be superfluous and without any real value.
For those who can understand and feel this, your own body is meant precisely for this purpose and should be regarded as a gift from God.

Kundalini – The Colossal Cosmic Power

/0 Comments/by

“The Wise Yogi will lead Kundalini in order to get together with its Master, who is in the Place of complete Freedom, in the pure lotus from the top of the head. When Kundalini rises, all things are being absorbed by HER.”

Shatchakra Nirupana

Most esoteric traditions talk about a huge power, inherent in every human being. This power is called in Tantra “the woman inside” or KUNDALINI SHAKTI.

It is like a dangerous, rolled snake situated at the base of the spine. This extraordinary force, latent in every man, can act constructively and also destructively.

KUNDALINI might be interpreted both physically and metaphysically. The root KUNDA means “basin” or “source”. From this point of view, kundalini means the mixture of primordial elements of earth. From a worldly, mundane point of view KUNDALINI appears regularly and produces real disasters once in a while as earthquakes and eruptions of volcanoes.

As far as “individual” kundalini is concerned, it is situated in the sexual region and represents a sort of “inner, hidden fire” with a huge potential. This KUNDALINI SHAKTI is, in fact, the sexual force itself that may enslave or free you from the human limited condition.

As a latent power, necessary to spiritual progress, kundalini shows especially to those who attempt to understand the mysteries of sexuality.

Tantra presents different methods of “waking up” and driving the kundalini energy. According to Gheranda Samhita, “The Great Goddess Kundalini, who is the primordial energy of the Self itself, sleeps in the region of sex. It has the shape of a snake coiled three and a half times.

As long as it remains asleep, the individual spirit (jiva) will be limited in its actions, and true knowledge won’t get to the man. But just like the right key may unlock a door, the HATHA-YOGA can unlock Kundalini’s door and let the self experience the union with Brahma and reach the final state.”

The same text explains the way to wake and control the infinite power of Kundalini by using breath retention, focus and mental repetition of certain sounds (MANTRAS) or certain body positions (ASANAS):

“Take a comfortable position and breathe in deeply, visualizing the PRANA (the energy of life) getting together with APANA (the body descendant energy). Contract your rectum (exercising the contraction of anal sphincters) and visualize the vital breath getting into the Great Central Channel, a little upper from the spine base. By holding breath kundalini starts to tremble and to feel suffocated.

Then, wake up the Kundalini Goddess by repeating mentally the sound-seed “hum”. Say “SOHAM” (“I am THAT”) while you imagine that you are overwhelmed by Shakti, in close union with Shiva. Raise the Kundalini energy from the inferior zone and contemplate the union of the pure Spirit of Shiva with Shakti, the primordial energy.”

Yogis spend a lot of time preparing for the awakening of Kundalini. It requires a great mental force, the full conscience of the ascendant motion of the amazing sexual energy and an equilibrated and harmonious body.

Because the physical well fare of the body is connected directly to food and mental attitude, these factors would have to be the foundation of Kundalini’s awakening preparative. Each stage of preparation is simple enough to anyone who wants to follow it. Once the principles are understood, there are necessary only the desire and action.

Sexual contact is possible to stimulate and wake up the Kundalini Shakti. Sometimes the couple experiences this cosmic force spontaneously by converging naturally the vital energies during intercourse.

Long-time physical effort, especially in lovemaking practiced with sexual continence, can be the condition of the awakening of Kundalini. Deep breaths, the motion of sex-region, breathing exchange, sighs and other specific sounds from during intercourse (like “Hmm”, “Ahhh”, and “Uhhh”) all represent factors that play an important role in stimulating the “Serpent” Power.

The experience of waking up and rising of Kundalini is unmistakable. You can feel it as an inner thrill, as a “liquid fire”, hot and cold at the same time, like electricity, which almost lights up and sets free and even stops the breath.

Sometimes it can be a frightening experience, but if your mental attitude is correct, then it would be easier for you to channel this huge energy positively.

If Kundalini is awakened and raised through a spontaneous sexual act, filled with frenzy and love, then the couple will have the opportunity to experience things that the ordinary human beings can’t even think of.

For the couple who follows the Tantric path, Kundalini is the corner stone that can help them reach the ecstasy and the final Freedom. Its power turns all biological instincts into aspiration in order to obtain transcendence.

Visualize Kundalini in yourself as well as in your lover. Drive it carefully and lovingly along your body, upwards. Open it up way from the sexual zone to the top of your head and fill your heart with the energy of Shiva and Shakti. Imagine that you get up in the air, higher and higher and free yourself of any attachments and of world’s duality.

“When goddess Kundalini, who is asleep, is awaken because of the spiritual master, all the lotuses and all attachments are being penetrated by an irresistible force. May that the wise man complete his control over goddess Kundalini in a firm way, because She is the one who gives him miraculous powers.”

Shiva Samhita