THOUGHTS ON FANTASY AND ITS RELEVANCE TO TANTRA. FIRST STEP:
INTROSPECTION, SUBMISSIVENESS. SECOND STEP: STIMULATION, EAGER
CONTROL. DIRECTLY RELATING TO THE TWO COSMIC TRUTHS: EXPANSION AND
CONTRACTION OF ALL IN ALL.


Everyone is familiar with fantasy; most people have direct experience
with it, either during auto-erotic stimulation or during lovemaking
itself.

The Tantric concept of fantasy is not so simple as conjuring up images
in one's mind of *hot babes* or *studs*--and (groan ;>) it takes lo ts
of practice. This practice should be begun after attaining at least a
fair degree of control over breath, mantra, and meditation. It involves
visualization-- imagination on a mundane level, but raised to such a
level that it becomes truth. And ('nother groan ;>) this type of
fantasy-meditation should be undertaken by the beginner *alone* and
*without any direct sexual stimulation.*

Tantrikas, poets, artists, philosophers, and quantum physicists, when
truly inspired and brilliant, have one thing in common: the ability to
intuitively tap into creative levels of altered consciousness.
Imagination in its mundane form would be such as sitting around thinking
about how great it would be if one got the Lotto numbers correct, or
wishing for things that seem out of reach. The honed, conscious practice
of creative imagination is called 'inner vision' by Yogic philosophers
of old; it is held that when one *thinks visually* rather than
yaddita-yaddita mental chatter mode, contact is made with the Source of
creativity, wisdom, and transformation.

According to the Kena-Upanisad: "Through knowledge of the Self we obtain
power; through inner vision we obtain Eternity." This is a way of
expressing that *acquired* knowledge; that taught by a guru or learned
from books, will certainly awaken the true Self; however, only through
going deep within one's own mind and heart, can the truth be
grasped--acquired knowledge transformed into Knowledge.

Tantric masters throughout history have focused on the inner vision's
cultivation and perfection as a twofold process: open introspection of
images as they come to mind (submissive), and eager stimulation of
imagination through visualization (compassionately dominant). The
foundation of the twofold process is the foundation that encompasses the
entire universe, from beginning to end: expansion and contraction.

 All matter expands and contracts. Siva and Sakthi represent contraction
and expansion, respectively; or it may be more accurate to say that
these are *aspects* of Siva/Sakthi. Everything born or created expands,
and then contracts, over and over again. Atoms, compounds, inorganic and
organic life forms, individual men and women, stars, suns, and entire
galaxies all have the expansion/contraction nature. During sexual acts,
expansion and contraction are rather fundamental!

 Seemingly contradictory to the principal of expansion/contraction at
first glance, although completely in accord with it, upon deeper
examination, is the belief that all phenomena is *empty* by its very
nature. The primordial form of emptiness is the primal force of
perpetual nothingness, the tension in the moments directly before
Creation; continues its existence within the void; and is the source of
blissful consciousness. Tantra assigns no negative qualities to this
'emptiness,' but teaches that in order for emptiness to be experienced,
consciousness must be put into effect.

Later Tantric doctrines, approximately 2nd Century A.D., taught of the
threefold interaction of emptiness--consciousness--bliss. No matter what
internal or external object the mind chooses to focus upon, it *must* be
taken through the three steps in order. First, recognize the 'emptiness'
in the object of contemplation. Emptiness is the space element, or the
'ether,' and permeates all matter, and is greater than all the other
elements. Most of the universe is made up of empty space; atoms are
largely empty space; and even the human physical body could be seen as a
vast void, filled with small concentrations of energy-vibration.
Emptiness also dominates the conscious mind much of the time. However,
when taken further and deeper, the mind's emptiness is found to be
filled with consciousness--from the sub- and un- conscious mind, and
with bliss, when one-pointedness and control have been found.

A great Tantric teacher, Aryadeva (*his name meaning slave of Arya, or
more probably, of Indra, ancient Vedic war-god who protected the
Aryans*), has spoken thus about the mind: "Just as a clear, brilliant
gem is colored by the shade of other objects around it; so is the gem of
the mind colored by the shade of inner vision."

A simple beginning exercise has been prescribed and handed down directly
through generations of Tantric spiritual teachers and their students; a
description follows:

Sit in Padmasana (full lotus) or lie on the back, arms at sides, palms
turned up, as in Savasana (corpse pose). Breathe fully and deeply,
blowing out all stale air, drawing vital prana in and down, expanding
first the abdomen, then the ribcage, and finally the throat; then
releasing the breath in the opposite manner. Concentrate the mind
completely on each body part in turn. Tense the body (contraction), then
relax completely (expansion). One the body feels harmonious and at ease,
be still, slow the breathing, and focus on the mantra of your own
breath-pattern.

 Concentrate, deeply and fully, on the body. See it as completely empty,
see it as the Ether, the farthest reaches of space and time. Empty. A
vacuum. See only the outer body, the skin. Hold the picture of your
outer body firmly in your consciousness, recognizing it as inherently
empty. Then, when you inhale, 'see' the skin expand; and when you
exhale, see it contract. Remain detached, use your 'inner eye' or
intuitive visualization to observe calmly but with deepening awareness,
the picture of your body expanding and contracting.

Next, recognizing that the body is microcosm of the universe, and that
the universe expands and contracts, see yourself as a mirror of the
universe. Become absorbed therein. Your heartbeat IS the center of the
Universe, wherein dwells Brahma, 'in the cave of the heart,' the
innermost Self of the void. Then see Brahma, the Creator aspect, open
his mouth and speak The Word: AUM. Rays of light flow from his mouth
with the word; filling the emptiness within. AUM dwells also within the
cave of the heart. See it there. Know, know, KNOW that the Brahma aspect
within yourSelf is NO DIFFERENT from the Brahma aspect of cosmology.

Having connected with Brahma, within microcosm and microcasm at once,
fill yourSelf with inner visions of creation. The microcasm is filled
with elements and energies, hot/cold, fire/water, peaks and planes and
oceans; volcanos, deserts, forests, and hills; rivers, gardens, and
temples. So, too, is the microcosm, the body. From the heart chakra,
focus your full concentration on emanating rays of effulgent light to
the outer surface of the body.

See the contours of the body as hills and valleys, the hair as a forest
or field, the right eye as the sun, the left eye as the moon. The
arteries and veins are oceans and rivers, carrying the holy sanctified
waters of your own blood. The internal organs are sanctuaries and
temples. The spine is Mt. Meru, the brain the peak of the mountain.

Contemplate the subtle body with its subtle channels, then see the
Kundalini at the base of Mt. Meru, ready to begin her eternal ascent and
descent. See the inner sun at the solar plexus (power) chakra; the inner
moon at the hairline between third-eye and crown chakras. While
visualizing thus, remember Brahma at the heart chakra. *See Brahma
create each of these, as he created the phenomenal universe*

 Of course, although this is a simple, starting exercise, it will take
much practice to achieve this degree of one-pointed, concentrated
visualization. Remember: simple does not mean easy! Continue practicing,
attempting to further your progress a little bit each time. It may come
quickly or slowly, but if you continue with sincerity and regularity, it
*will* come.

Once you have been able to see the subtle body, with Brahma creating the
microcosm and microcasm from within yourSelf, then take another step
further.

Upon inhalation, see the vital Prana enter the body from the center of
the outer universe. Upon retention, visualize the primordial
Brahma-Creator-aspect divide himself into the five life currents, which
illuminate and sustain the soul, control the body, and hone the senses.
Each curr ent has its own color, bodily function, and sense faculty.
They are:

CURRENT  COLOR           BODILY FUNCTION                 SENSE

PRANA    blue-green,     Circulation and                 Smell
         as in an        respiration
         emerald and
         a sapphire

UDANA    Red-violet      Swallowing and                          Touch
                         physical sensations,
                         pleasant, unpleasant, or
                         ears, sweat, semen, urine,
                         feces


The qualities assigned to each life current are deliberately bizarre, at
first glance, even disgusting if taken literally. They are purposely
designed this way: the more difficult the correspondences, the more full
and productive the concentration required. Once this has been mastered,
you'll truly be on your way!

With consistent, regular practice, you will be able to evoke the inner
vision at Will. Expand and contract your own i sing and decreasing the
scale. Hills and valleys become enormous mountains and vast, yawning
canyons; rivers and rain become huge, churning oceans and torrential
downpours. And vice versa. Link your emotions and qualities to the inner
visions. Assign them characteristics, and focus upon them thusly.

Imagine that your physical body is the entire universe, then contract it
to the size of a single atom. Seek further perfection, always! The Self,
when expanded and contracted in this manner, becomes more concentrated,
more controlled, and increasingly evolutional and transcendental.

 The Tantric text Prajnopaya, describes this process thusly: "One must
proceed in such a way that the mind doth never swerve; for when a
jewel-like mind swerves from the transcendental unity and lapses into
contraries and irrelevancies, perfection cannot be attained."

 Ha! Finally, we get to the *erotic* aspects of visualization. During
auto-erotic stimulation, foreplay, or actual lovemaking, this can be
used as an exercise, controlled and directed.

The *active* partner, be that male or female, must fill the mind with
inner vision as glyphs of the Siva-Lingam: raging, celestial fire,
mountains reaching high and ever-solid, volcanos erupting forcefully.
The *passive* partner, again, whether male or female, should fill the
mind's inner vision with glyphs of the primordial Sakthi-Yoni: valleys,
rivers, pools, softness.

If one is practicing this exercise solo, alternate: keeping only the
Lingam-symbols in the mind; then alternating with only yoni- symbols. I
emphasize: the Tantras do not say that one must never fantasize about
'babes' or 'studs,' or that one must never engage in lovemaking for
simple pleasure, physical release, or plain ol' horniness. The Tantric
exercises outlined here, and in all other texts herein, are tools for
attaining the transcendental. Although to an unpracticed mind, these
practices and images sound like real yawners, I believe you'll find
that, if practiced to the ultimate of one's ability, they will become
powerful stimulating erotic images, which lift sexual arousal to new
heights, serving as a connective agent from physical longing, to
spiritual longing; from physical release to cosmic release. There is
nothing in this world or the next, like Tantric orgasm.

The Swetaswa-Tara Upanisad states that forms will appear, unbidden and
spontaneous, in the 'mind's eye' in the moment before the final vision
of resolution: "First a mist, then smoke, a sun, wind, fireflies, a
fire, lightning; then clear gemstones, then a moon."


     "After one has meditated upon Brahma, visualize the Supreme Yogi
and his Cosmic Consort, with all the force of one's soul. By constantly
knowing: AUM TAT SAT, This is I, one becomes Siva or Sakthi. A complete
consecration of oneSelf takes place after the offering of this flower to
oneSelf: 'I am god: all instruments of worship, be they food, perfume,
incense, flowers, become divine through my recognition of them as such.
I am the abode of god. I *am* goam.' Thus should one meditate, bringing
everything to god and god to god, making all pure and eternal through
the recreation of god in oneSelf." --KALIKA PURANA

 Thou art Siva. I am Sakthi. Thou art Sakthi. HUMSA. SOHAM.

 D. Yogini Padma Ushas Suryananda, other sources as cited.

 (c) 1993 Rose Dawn Scott, other sources as cited.