From: mimir@u.washington.edu (Grendel Grettisson)
Subject: A Few Thoughts Regarding the Tantric Path
Date: 16 Jun 1993 08:20:25 GMT

A FEW THOUGHTS REGARDING THE TANTRIC PATH.
D. Yogini Padma Ushas Suryananda, other texts as cited.

Although the methods employed by Tantric practice, the so-called Left
Hand Path of Yoga, differ greatly from most "traditional" Hindu/Vedic
methods, their purpose is identical.

Yoga means "yoke," implying not an onerous yoke forced on a work
animal, but a yoke of union; a joyous yoke of the Atman, or individual
Self with the Brahman--Universal Self. Although Hindu religion invokes
all kinds of gods, demi-gods, semi-gods, etc., it's basically a
*monotheistic* rel igion in the same sense that Christianity
is--Brahman is called the One, the Unknowable. All other gods and
goddesses are simply manifestations of It. Yes, "It," because Brahman
is conceived of as neuter or androgynous. That is why the main Hindu
Trinity of Brahma/Visnu/Siva are referred to as "aspects;" Creator,
Preserver, Destroyer/Transcender.

The purpose of all Tantric ritual goes far beyond simple sex magick or
better orgasms--although, recognizing the pleasures of the flesh and
the potency of the act of love, these are certainly part of
Tantra--but the true goal is the same as that of a celibate Brahmin or
ascetic swami: union, merger, oneness.

 People were created by Brahma/Saraswati with dualistic natures;
thinking in terms of things, feelings, and forces only as they relate
to one another: male/female, joy/sorrow, light/dark. This causes much
grief, for humans often feel caught in a world and circumstances they
have no control over. Many Yogis and swamis have solved this problem
by withdrawing from 'the material world' physically, isolating
themselves, practicing severe physical hardships to 'kill' their
physical desires.  The Tantras and their teachers recognize this
world, as a realm itself, and as a gateway to other realms. They also
acknowledge human nature, fleshly pleasures, and human emotions as
valid. The Tantras and their teachers do not say: withdraw from the
world. The flesh is evil. All is Maya. Rather, they tell the
practitioner to seek with a sincere and pure heart for Li beration,
enjoy the pleasures of the world you live in, always keeping the
spiritual intent alive, and you will come to live in the bliss of Pure
Being.  "I and my father are one."  "Thou art That."

Physical instincts, natural urges and actual needs, were installed in
human beings by Brahma when he created them. Therefore, they cannot be
thought of as 'evil' or something to get rid of. If you don't eat, you
will die. So, rather than seeking to control your physical body
through severe fasting and starvation, the Tantras teach that one must
nourish the body, and *more importantly but less understood* that the
act of eating can become sacramental in and of itself. Similarly, the
repression of sexual desires may lead to eruption of the sexual energy
in other ways. Although the Tantras do not condemn those who practice
celibacy as a way of channelling the energy, they *do* say that the
energy can be channelled during lovemaking as well. It is the intent
that elevates the merely physical to the sublime.

Behind these thoughts is basic common sense: if you don't eat, you
will die. If no one has sex, the entire human race will die. Rather
than attempting to 'master the flesh' by punishing it or ignoring it,
master it by using it as it was given to you, freely and naturally;
master if by using it as a vehicle to spirituality. Without the "body"
where would the "mind" be? How could anyone even think about merging
with god if he had no body, no mind? The body is a temple, to the
deity within. It can be used for worship. Do *not* despise the flesh
or wish it gone.  Believers in reincarnation as it applies to the law
of karma may be said to be 'evil' even as they call the left-hand path
evil and dark: for encouraging all to be celibate as they burn up
their own karmas, they per se urge all to stop populating the earth,
to refuse the non-realized soul another vehicle in which to work out
his/her karma. What could be more selfish? "I got mine, so you abstain
from anything fun and meanwhile, who cares if you work out your karma
or not?"  There is but a fine line between pleasure and Bliss, and
Tantra recognizes both as valid. Partake of pleasure, realize Bliss.

The denigration of women by certain Hindu treatises is hypocritical
and could also be called 'evil.' Only women are able to give
birth. What could be more sacred than the act of creation? Thus, woman
*is* Brahma.  When she preserves the child, or the lover, or her place
in the world, she *is* Visnu. And when she transcends mere being and
knows the purity and grace of Being, she *is* Lord Siva. Sakthi and
Kundalini are both thought of as feminine. As is water, without which
all would very soon die. Honor each woman as divine Sakthi, and
recognize the feminine contained within every male as well: the
kundalini, the sakthi, the creative power without which none could
continue.

It is often said "Within each yoni is a lingam." Physically, this
refers to the clitoris; meta-physically, to the masculine powers
within each woman. Truly we all have Siva/Sakthi within our bodily
temples.  Recognize, unite, be free from the pain of confusion!


MISUNDERSTANDING OF TANTRIC TEACHINGS

At one time, the Tantras and their followers were not secretive; they
practiced and espoused their beliefs openly and honorably. Some
misunderstanding was bound to occur at the outset, simply because the
average Hindu had been taught to suppress the very things that the
Tantras recommended as ways to liberation. So, with hypocritical
contempt and attitude of superiority, Yogis sneered, calling Tantrists
fools, bound for hell, revelers, misguided, etc. This attitude,
unfortunately, exists in the modern western world, with Fundamentalist
Christians, Catholics, Evangelical Christians, all sniping at each
other and other sects. In Northern Ireland and the Middle East,
religious contempt expresses itself through violence and death. Where
is the Kalki Avatara, the Rider of the White Horse, who will destroy
bigotry and evil, and transcend, opening the three realms?  AUM KANG
KALIKA NAMAH AUM.

 While at first this religious or cultural bigotry took the form of
simply looking down upon Tantrists, traditional gurus teaching their
students to 'stay away lest you be tempted' and name-calling; with the
Moslem invasion Tantrists were truly driven underground. These
invaders were horrified, not so much by the sexual rituals, but by the
elevation of the female principle. Temples dedicated to goddesses were
destroyed; beautifully-crafted statues of Kali, Uma, Parvati, etc.,
were desecrated. Tantrists became more secretive and practiced
'underground.' And the British occupation brought with it more secrecy
still: some practitioners allowed the invaders to read the sacred
texts, and even to observe or hear about Tantric Sexual Union. Filled
with horror and outrage, again, Temples were destroyed, Dancing
Yoginis executed, Tantric Ashrams burned, and many jailed. No one
knows how many original sacred texts were destroyed due to
misunderstanding or ignorance or racial/religious prejudice. Is it any
wonder so few really know Tantra today?

Thinking of th is makes me contemplative and sad. AUM MANI PADME
HUM. At this point in history, the knowledge is there and again may be
had by any sincere man or women. NAMA SIVAYA!

To be fair, many Tantric texts were written rather allegorically or
with symbolic language, Twilight Talk, so that the inner meanings
behind the literal meanings were unable to be grasped by the
ignorant. This was done purposely, so that any who studied the Tantras
alone would either realize all three meanings of every text: the
literal, the allegorical, and the mystical; or shake his/her head in
confusion and say 'Get outa here, Jack.' Or words to the effect. The
original writers--or transcribers, for those who believe that the
words came directly from Siva/Sakthi--likely did not realize that
their teachings could be corrupted and suppressed by this. I believe
their intent was simply to separate the sincere from the curious. But
they may in fact have realized the potential for persecution, much as
Christ's apostles were said to have done, and gone ahead anyway,
either with the idea that it didn't matter who called them evil, they
would seek Liberation anyway, or even that this would be the ultimate
test of sincerity: anyone looking for a simple excuse to eat meat,
drink wine, and get laid is *not* likely to risk imprisonment or death
for the sake of a good time!

The key to bhoga (pleasure) co-existing with or leading to Ananda
(supreme Bliss) lies in the attitude of the practitioner. Proper
attitude, or Will, can transform the mundane to the highly spiritual.
Tantra is non-sectarian; recognizing and allowing any follower of any
path or religious access to its *secrets* so long as that follower is
sincere. In the words of the Tantratattva: "Spiritual Self-culture
*must* begin from the beginning! External worship leads to internal
worship. Internal worship purifies the mind. Purity of mind
intensifies concentration and meditation. When meditation is ripe
Samadhi ensues, and the Sadhaka (*practitioner, aspirant*) attains a
last the highest Bliss."


The potential for growth is even recognized in those who would exploit
the Tantric teachings as license for any and all acts of pleasure in
and of themselves or those who use it merely as a form of sexual
magick. The Tantratattva goes on to say: "From hankering after sensual
pleasure or power in the form of money, fame, popularity, orgiastic
sex, one gradually lifts his eyes upward and wonders about the
pleasure and power of the unseen world. He longs for it, seeks after
its acquisition. And when he obtains but the smallest morsel of it, he
at once realizes the transity of worldly desires. He forthwith parts
with them as a serpent sheds its dead skin."

 If a Tantric practitioner decides to voluntarily become celibate, to
concentrate on what he has learned through Sexual Union, this is
honest renunciation. Krsna, in the Bhagavad Gita, says: "The abstinent
run away from what they desire, but carry their desires with
them. When a man enters reality, he leaves his desires behind him."

 I want to emphasize that no distinction is made between the *white*
Tantric practitioner and the *red* Tantric--white being a solo
practitioner, and red being those who engage in sexual practices with
a partner or partners; as certain other spiritual paths do. White
Tantrics may practice *astral sex* or masturbation as a way to achieve
Liberation and Unification through his/her own body; rather than in
conjunction with a partner. Even should a Tantric practitioner decide
to become celibate, he is *not* considered in any way superior to
those who continue the process of spiritual evolution through Tantric
Sexual Union. It is all a matter of the Will of the individual Self;
and as long as the Will pursues evolution, evolution will be granted.

Ideally, each of us would learn the Sacred languages of the Sacred
texts and translate for ourselves; however, that's not realistic for
most people. It would, however, serve to reveal the meanings of such
often-misquoted passages as "Having drunk, drink and drink again;
having fallen, rise again and attain liberation." Translated by
Englishman W.A.  Ward in 1822, he fusses and fumes that Tantric
thought teaches that drunkenness leads to liberation," when in fact
the passage *clearly* describes this as an allegory for the 'drinking'
of the drops of wisdom and the awakening of the Kundalini.

Ward and his contemporary, H.H. Wilson, condemn the Tantric texts,
'translating' the Panchatattva in the early 1800's full of ellipses,
references to 'abominations' and 'orgiastic rites too terrible for
civilized men to hear.' Having been entrusted with the texts by a
Tantric Master, and having heard the spiritual explanations behind the
literal practices described, these men nevertheless chose to focus on
the sensation, at times even outright lies. The reasons for this could
be two: (1) as any modern tabloid writer knows, sensationalism sells;
and (2) the earliest English translations were compiled by puritanical
men who believed themselves superior to women, non-Christians, and
people who were not sufficiently white-skinned. These prudes held that
the very lowest of their own cultural and religious practices were
infinitely higher than the wisdom developed over centuries by Indian
philosophers.

To be fair, in 1912, Sir John Woodroffe began to translate and publish
English-language version of the Tantric Texts, taking trouble to
explain fairly the meanings behind the acts. (Sir John, BTW, was held
in high regard, and permitted to view Dancing Yoginis and Temple
Dancers in private ceremonies; he found himself quite impressed,
stating that the dances were erotically arousing yet left him with a
strange feeling of peace and spirituality...!) He was able to
recognize, as his predecessors did not, the compassion and
egalitarianism of the Tantras: they were open to people of all castes,
at a time when the caste system had been in place for thousands of
years in India, they taught that all men and all women had equal
capacities for enlightenment within themselves, and that the Tantras
were guides for spiritual training, and *a* path to liberation, not in
any way inferior to any other Self-Willed path choice.

Siva Bless him! and thank Kali that the physical realm has now at
least reached a point of evolution when men and women of understanding
may once again perceive the truth of the Tantras, follow the path, and
attain enlightenment.

HAMSA. SOHAM. THOUGH I AM OPEN, NONE BUT THE ETHER POSSESS ME.

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