Tantric Quest

1. Tantrism: A Path of Total Love and Freedom to Be

Tantrism is a way of total love, which leads to the freedom to be.

The essence of Tantrism is the recognition of the divine within oneself and all things. It is a non-dualistic philosophy that considers the mind to be fundamentally illuminated and the source of all phenomena. Tantrism rejects nothing in human experience, using all aspects of life as fuel for spiritual growth.

Key principles of Tantrism include:

• Non-duality: No separation between light and darkness, humans and gods
• Acceptance of all human impulses and experiences
• Use of passion and energy to dissolve the ego
• Recognition of the divine in everyday reality

Tantrism offers a path to freedom by embracing the totality of human experience, leading to a state of continuous ecstasy and union with the divine.

2. The Importance of Touching the Universe Deeply

To touch these thirty-six tattvas is essential. To pass through this contact opens the place where one can experience the divine.

The concept of tattvas in Tantrism refers to the 36 categories or principles of reality. By deeply experiencing each tattva, one opens themselves to the divine nature of all things. This practice involves fully engaging with the physical and subtle aspects of existence.

The tattvas include:

• Basic elements: earth, water, air, ether, fire
• Sense perceptions: smell, taste, form, touch, sound
• Organs of action: feet, speech, hands, excretory organs, genitals
• Mental faculties: mind, intelligence, ego

By consciously experiencing these aspects of reality, the practitioner develops a profound connection with the universe and recognizes the divine nature of all phenomena.

3. Overcoming Fear and Ego to Achieve Spiritual Growth

To become a tantrika you must have the soul of a hero.

Facing fear and ego is crucial in Tantric practice. The journey involves confronting one's deepest fears and dissolving the illusions that maintain the ego. This process often requires intense experiences that challenge one's comfort zone and preconceived notions of self.

Examples of challenging experiences:

• Spending nights alone in the forest
• Meditating on the edge of a cliff
• Confronting social taboos and personal aversions

These experiences serve to break down the barriers of the ego and open the practitioner to a broader, more inclusive understanding of reality. By overcoming fear and ego attachments, one becomes capable of experiencing the divine in all aspects of life.

4. The Power of Breath and Sound in Tantric Practice

When you meditate, you stop agitating the jar and set it down before us. Little by little, the water clears, and the deep seeds float to the surface.

Breath and sound play a central role in Tantric practice. Through controlled breathing and the use of mantras, practitioners can access deeper states of consciousness and spiritual insight.

Key aspects of breath and sound practice:

• Deep, rhythmic breathing to calm the mind and energize the body
• Use of mantras, such as AUM, to vibrate and align the consciousness
• Visualization techniques combined with breath and sound

These practices serve to clear the mind of distractions and allow for a more direct experience of reality. By stilling the agitation of thoughts, one can access the deeper wisdom that lies beneath the surface of ordinary consciousness.

5. Sexuality as a Sacred Act in Tantrism

When Shiva penetrates Shakti, it's a complete act, a sacred act.

Sacred sexuality in Tantrism is seen as a powerful means of spiritual transformation. Unlike conventional approaches to sexuality, Tantric practice views the sexual act as a sacred union of divine energies.

Key aspects of Tantric sexuality:

• Recognition of both partners as divine embodiments
• Focus on presence, breath, and energy exchange
• Transcendence of ego-driven desires and attachments
• Use of sexual energy for spiritual awakening

The goal is not mere physical pleasure but a profound experience of unity and divine consciousness. Through sacred sexual practices, practitioners aim to awaken the kundalini energy and achieve higher states of spiritual awareness.

6. The Concept of Non-Duality and Continuous Ecstasy

Ecstasy is the natural human state, and the obstacles we create to ecstasy are part of a dictatorial state our thought makes us live in.

Non-duality and ecstasy are fundamental concepts in Tantrism. The philosophy teaches that the perception of separation between self and other, or between the divine and the mundane, is an illusion.

Key points about non-duality and ecstasy:

• Recognition of the divine in all aspects of reality
• Cultivation of continuous awareness and presence
• Transcendence of conceptual thinking and dualistic perception
• Experience of joy and wonder in everyday life

By embracing non-duality, practitioners aim to live in a state of continuous ecstasy, recognizing the divine nature of all experiences and phenomena.

7. The Role of the Master in Tantric Teaching

The special trait of a master is finding what will suffice.

The Tantric master plays a crucial role in guiding the disciple towards spiritual awakening. Unlike conventional teaching methods, the Tantric master employs a highly personalized approach, tailoring the teachings and experiences to the individual needs of the disciple.

Key aspects of the master-disciple relationship:

• Transmission of wisdom through direct experience
• Use of unconventional methods to challenge the disciple's preconceptions
• Emphasis on the disciple's innate wisdom and divine nature
• Gradual unveiling of teachings as the disciple progresses

The master serves as a catalyst for the disciple's spiritual growth, providing guidance and creating opportunities for transformative experiences.

8. Embracing Reality and Presence in Everyday Life

To meditate is to be one hundred percent in reality.

Living in reality is a core principle of Tantric practice. Rather than seeking to escape from the world, Tantrism encourages full engagement with all aspects of life, recognizing the divine in every moment and experience.

Key aspects of embracing reality:

• Cultivating presence and awareness in everyday activities
• Recognizing the sacred nature of all experiences, pleasant or unpleasant
• Dissolving the barriers between spiritual practice and daily life
• Finding joy and wonder in the simplest of tasks

By fully embracing reality, practitioners aim to live in a state of continuous meditation, experiencing the divine in every aspect of their lives.

9. The Journey to Opening the Heart and Awakening

When the moment comes, your heart will open. The primordial Shakti will appear to you, and you will be bathed in an unalterable joy.

The ultimate goal of Tantric practice is the opening of the heart and spiritual awakening. This process involves a gradual transformation of consciousness, leading to a state of continuous ecstasy and union with the divine.

Stages of the journey:

• Initial experiences of expanded consciousness and bliss
• Periods of challenge and confrontation with fear and ego
• Gradual integration of spiritual insights into daily life
• Final awakening and opening of the heart

The awakening process is described as a profound shift in perception, where the practitioner experiences a constant state of joy and unity with all of existence. This state is not achieved through effort or striving, but through letting go and allowing the natural state of consciousness to emerge.

Last updated: August 11, 2024