-Kirti Tarang Pande
Originally Published in Daily Bhaskar
What is Tantra? When I
ask this question during workshops; in West, I find the answers equating it
with sex/ yoga poses that guarantee good sex. Back home, however, the answer
depends on socio-economic strata of my students. One class equates it with
Black Magic & another with sex.
When we equate Tantra with either sex or black magic, we come
close to knowing what tantra is, and yet, we are way off the mark!
Tantra as
sex:
One-dimensional approach to Tantra, defines it as an expression
of our innate energy. Isn’t that what sex is? Unfortunately, while engaging in
sex, most of us are unaware of the results that will be manifested as a result
of bringing this powerful energy into motion. It’s like we picked up a sharp
knife, because it appealed to us. However, we have no clue how to use it. So,
we are simply waving it all around. In the process, at times it’s cutting
fruits, chopping woods and at times it’s cutting & chafing us.
Please note the key word above was ‘one-dimensional’. If we
employ this ‘tantra means sex’ approach, we are just nibbling upon the skin of
the mango, happily unaware of the delicious delight that exists under the skin
of the mango.
Tantra as
Black Magic:
Black magic is simply an unusual technique of goal achievement.
Black or white, for any magic to work; a focused personal energy is required.
So, sometimes certain Tantra practitioners lose their path and get tempted by
the Tamasic things they can acquire
by practicing tantra in deviation from the teachings. These methods sometimes
arouse black magic. Remember, it’s called black for a reason- it backfires.
So, if both the approaches are inadequate, what shall we do? How
should we approach Tantra?
What is
Tantra?
Defining Tantra is difficult because it’s not a darshan (philosophy) but a kriya (practice). Therefore, in Sankhya Darshan (philosophy from which
Yoga & Ayurveda originate) there is no reference to Tantra. The knowledge
of Tantra Kriya is passed on through Guru-Shishya
parampara (Tradition of Guru & Disciples) in an esoteric fashion.
So, in my opinion, best way to have clarity about Tantra is to
explore its root.
The root of the word ‘Tantra’ comes from ‘Tana’, in Sanskrit it
means weaving. There’s another word originating from the root ‘Tana’, it’s
‘Tanu’ which means the body.
This makes Tantra a process of weaving to create an effect of
some kind. For weaving one needs a thread, the thread we are using here is Shakti. Shakti is the cosmic energy
manifesting in us as our innate power.
Does Tantra
serve any practical purpose?
I remember asking this question to my Guru in Tantra, a Shaivik
Aghori who never gave me his identity. After him bursting my bubble of sex
& magic, I blurted, “Then what’s the point of all this trouble? Why does it
interest you?”
He gave me a two words answer, “Panchmahabhoota shuddhi”
It means purification of five basic elements that envelop our Chetna (conscience) in this world, which
are- Earth, Water, Air, Fire & Ether.
Adi Shankaracharya has said, “Tad
Brahma Nishkalamhum Na Cha Bhoot Sangha”- when we transcend ourselves
beyond a being of amalgamation of these five basic elements, we become one with
the divinity that exists within us.
This idea of being divine interested me too. If it does the same
to you, watch this space tomorrow, because I am going to share how.
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