A continuation or expansion on previous Text File on Inner Vision/
"Fantasy." This text is more of a suggestive treatise on deep focusing
exercises, a furthering on both basic meditative suggestions and basic
'inner vision' suggestion.'


The Tantras, as with many Eastern (and some CM Western) traditions, are
both expressed and understood in 'visual' terms, rather than 'verbal
explanations.' This is not intended to be confusing or frustrating; but
merely to aid in tapping deep intuitive truths through symbo lism. When
the 'logical' thought processes are pushed into the background, and the
'creative mind' brought to the foreground, it's actually *easier* to
understand the truths behind the words. Visualization techniques,
especially those specific to Tantra, are tools to enhance receptivity
and refine the senses. Indeed, visualization techniques are often
recommended during Hatha Yoga asana, prana, and, of course, once
developed, before, during, and a fter Tantric sexual union. Intent,
consciousness, focus, and

control are all vital prerequisites for Tantric sexual union, and I
believe, for any ritual or spiritual methods employed by any individual
from his or her own paradigm.

As was touched upon in the 'inner vision' text, and is a basic of many
Eastern meditative exercises, 'emptiness' is a common feature used in
meditation. This 'emptiness' is rather different from the Buddhist
concept, as applied to Tantra: it relates to the fifth element, ether or
space, and has been called a *Plenum Void,* which means: spa ce filled
with matter as opposed to vacuum, or *fullness.* Full emptiness seems
like a contradiction in terms; the Tantric meaning is that the
'emptiness' is filled with *consciousness* and *bliss,* rather than just
a sort of 'black out' state. For more detail on 'filling the void,' see
the "Fantasy" text on file herein.

By focusing on symbolic forms, rather than verbal explanations, the
Tantras use the higher intuitive abilities of the mind, enabling it to
grasp the *concept* more quickly. The Chakrasambh ara Tantra, an older
Tantra (approx. 6th Century A.D.) recommends a visualization to enhance
and focus the senses:

    "Find a quiet place. Unadorned with jewelry, unhampered by clothing,
take up padmasana, making the Namaste gesture at the crown of thy head.
Contemplate the voidness of all phenomena, recognize the consciousness
within the voidness. See rays of light emerge from the heart chakra, see
them fill the body and reach out into the ether, illuminating all they
encounter. Draw back the rays and ga r them within. For in truth! Thou
art Brahma, all comes from within, all returns within.

       Perform the Ha-Tha breathing, drawing in the solar and lunar
breaths, male and female created He him. Focus the breaths in the heart
chakra. Feel thy heroism, thy fearlessness! The lineage of Tantric
teachers is above thee, below thee, and within thee, for in truth, are
Thou not also Brahman, the One?

      Now see a disc resting upon the heart chakra, the disc is half of
red and half of white. Upon that disc light the size of a sesame seed.
Fix thy mind intently upon that light. Regulate the breathing, allowing
the right breath to become dominant, and then the left, until a
harmonious state of balance is achieved, all the while holding the mind
firm in contemplation upon the light within the disc. A blissful clarity
shall truly result. Then fix the mind upon the other senses.

         Close the eyes, and see two brilliant white points within the
pupils, fine as the stalk of a newborn lotus. When the mind is acc to
the white points within thy pupils, open the eyes, and turn the gaze
upon various objects, all the while keeping the bright points before the
mind. With practice the points will be made ever more vivid, mattering
not whatever the eye falls upon. Having attained stability, draw in the
points of light to the cavern of the heart, and see the heart chakra
gain brilliance and clarity.

      Next, see a fine radiant blue point within each of thy ears and
meditate upon them. When the mind is fixed, begin to rep a mantra aloud,
always maintaining focus upon the points. When the focus is total, you
may pursue this meditation in a place where many sounds abound, their
vibrations and tone different; some pleasant, some harsh; some quiet,
some shrill. No matter the sound, when thy mind is truly focused, the
blue points will become more vivid, whatever the ear hears. When
stability is attained, draw in the points, and focus them into the heart
chakra.

     In this quiet place, free from incense or odors sweet or foul, m
ate upon a fine yellow point inside each nostril. Concentrate the mind
on them, and when the visualization does not waver at all, take thyself
to a place filled with odors: incense and sweet perfume, garlic and
tumeric, yea! even unwashed flesh and bodily excretions. If the mind is
focused on the two yellow points, the mind will not waver, no matter
what the scent. Having attained stability, draw the yellow points into
the heart chakra.

       Now, meditate upon a single fine red point at the root of the to
Tasting nothing, concentrate the mind on the red point. When the red
point is steady, open thy mouth, and partake of different flavors; from
the sattwic foods, the rajasic foods, yea! even the tumeric foods. For
no matter what the tongue tastes, if the concentration is maintained
upon the brilliant red point, stability shall prevail. Once stability is
attained, 'swallow' the red point at the root of thy tongue, and distill
it within the heart chakra.

 Now focus upon the body and its physical sensations. Foc us the mind
now upon a green point, brilliant and slim like a single ray of light
reflected off the finest emerald, and place is carefully in the region
between the anus and sexual organs. Touch nothing, but keep the mind
steady, the green ray becoming ever more brilliant. When concentration
is total, stimulate yourself sexually; touching the body in different
areas of pleasure, breasts, chest, sexual organs, lips, buttocks, hair.
When vividness is a ttained, stabilize the concentration. Even if the
lingam s tiffens or the yoni becomes moist, when focus is full, only the
green ray will abide. When that focus is attained, draw the green ray
in, distilling it again and again in thy heart chakra.

   Now, focus thy attention completely on the heart chakra, and see the
different colors which have been drawn in, for yea! they are the senses,
are they not? The effulgent points and rays should be combined within
the heart chakra; focus upon them melting into one another, then
finally, dissolving into *radiant nothingne *. Rising up from that state
of tranquility, see then the radiant colors emerge spontaneously and as
a one, extending to the sense organs. From this to that to nothing, to
All!

       By meditation thus, with unwavering focus and ever-deepening
concentration, the whole being is purified and the senses exalted. This
meditation arises from the void and recedes back into the void, yet
nothing is truly empty, for the void is ever filled with the conscious
bliss of Beingness." of meditation allows one to gain control and power
over faculties normally thought to be automatic and mechanical, leading
to heightened awareness and greater power of concentration. All
visualization involves the mind and senses in cosmic dance.

 Many Hatha Yoga asana are recommended to be performed with focused
visualization. As an example, the headstand (Sirasana), while found
difficult to achieve without much practice, and even impossible for
some, becomes easier with the aid of visualizations: either imagining
tensile rays of light emitted from the power (solar plexus) chakra and
fixing the body into the floor, or focusing upon the equilateral
triangle formed by the linking of the hands at the crown of the head,
with a black point in the center--at the area of the third-eye
chakra--will enable the attainment of this important posture much more
easily than using props such as a wall or a chair to assist with
attainment. A natural resonance is pr oduced by the *outer* form of the
body and the *inner* form held with constant, steady focus within the
mind.

Conscious, focused visualization/meditation will reveal more about the
inner workings of the mind and the spirit than 10 years of
psychoanalysis, and all that is required to attain such knowledge and
power is the discipline to continue regular and sincere practice, until
the mind can be stilled and concentrated. Then the world is yours!

The Chakrasambhara recommends another, simpler, form of visualization to
enhance and transcend the physical senses:


e in your mind a Dakini. (*Wisdom-goddess or archetype; sensual and
spiritual at once*) She is the Red Dakini, also called Pandara, who
represents the element of fire, and who comes from the west. She is
symbolic of dedication and passion. Her single face represents the
essential unity of things; her two hands that Truth is both 'relative'
and Absolute. Her inner eye is open, all three eyes ablaze with erotic
passion. Her tongue extends in lustful bliss; as she devours all poisons
and purifies them with her inner fire. She is naked and with disheveled
hair, symbolizing freedom from all bonds of delusion. She is the symbol
of the intuitive; reminding us that earthly phenomena does not last
eternally. Blazing like the fire of a thousand suns, she expresses her
wisdom-essence by embracing her lover eagerly, passionately, and without
restraint." --Ibid.

 Naturally, before and during Tantric Union, the focus is all-important:
each partner must maintain the image of Self an concentration of your
own and his/her exalted higher inner natures--I am in ecstatic Union
with my Lord Siva! I am Siva! I am Sakthi! I am dancing the dance of
cosmic love with my Sakthi!

Tantra teaches that by focusing on the Siva/Sakthi nature of Self and
Lover, you will be able to create an 'inner reality' that will transcend
day-to-day life circumstances. *Important*: Tantra teaches that focused,
concentrated visual 'thoughts' are truly *eternal* in that they cannot
be effected by time, decay, or chang ing circumstance. When this
concentrated focus is attained and *maintained,* it is a forceful tool
in Tantric love, and a potent vehicle for liberation.

HUMSA! SOHAM!

D. Yogini Padma Ushas Suryananda, with quotes from the Chakrasambhara as
cited.