tantra: (Sanskrit) "Loom, methodology."

1)    Most generally, a synonym for shastra, "scripture."

2)    A synonym for the Agamic texts, especially those of the Shakta faith, a class of Hindu scripture providing detailed instruction on all aspects of religion, mystic knowledge and science. The tantras are also associated with the Saiva tradition.

3)    A specific method, technique or spiritual practice within the Saiva and Shakta traditions. For example, pranayama is a tantra. Tantra generally involves a reversal of the normal flow of energies. Its perspective is that the inner self is most important, and outer life is secondary. Tantra causes the life force to flow up through the sushumna. Many are the methods for overcoming the unovercomeable. Fallen into the hands of the unscrupulous, these techniques become black magic (abhichara).

(See also: Tantra , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tantra Dictionary

Tantra (Sanskrit: loom), tantric yoga or tantrism is any of several esoteric traditions rooted in the religions of India. It exists in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Bönpo, and New Age forms. Tantra's roots are in the village life of ancient India. The word "tantra" first appears in the written record in the middle of the first millennium CE. Tantra has persisted and often thrived throughout Asian history. Its practitioners have lived in India, China, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Korea, Cambodia, Burma, Ind ...

Including:

• Tantra - History of Tantra
• Tantra - Hindu tantra
• Tantra - Tibetan tantra
• Tantra - Japan's Shingon sect
• Tantra - New Age tantra or Neo Tantra
• Tantra - Tantric practices
• Tantra - Tantra in the modern world
• Tantra - Hindu tantra
• Tantra - Buddhist tantra

Read more here: » Tantra: Encyclopedia - Tantra

Tantra exists in Vaisnava, Shaiva, and Shakta forms, among others. Extolled as a short-cut to self-realization and spiritual enlightenment by some, left-hand tantric rites are often rejected as dangerous by most orthodox Hindus. The popular perception of tantra among Hindus, for example as expressed in Indian journalism, makes it more or less synonymous with black magic. This sentiment has also influenced the s ...

See also:

Tantra, Tantra - History of Tantra, Tantra - Hindu tantra, Tantra - Tibetan tantra, Tantra - Japan's Shingon sect, Tantra - New Age tantra or Neo Tantra, Tantra - Tantric practices, Tantra - Tantra in the modern world, Tantra - Hindu tantra, Tantra - Buddhist tantra

Read more here: » Tantra: Encyclopedia II - Tantra - Hindu tantra

The Allure of Tantra

Perhaps nothing is more exotic, dramatic and sensational in IndiaÕs Yoga traditions than is the practice of Tantra. No other approach to Yoga has gained such a fascination for the modern mind and its seeking of the bizarre, the entertaining and the enigmatic.

Tantra appears to offer both spiritual and worldly success to a superlative degree. It covers not only internal yogic experiences of chakras, lokas and deities, but also has many important healing practices for body and mind. Most notably, it offers special means of heightening sexual pleasure, making money, gaining recognition and defeating oneÕs enemies - with Tantric methods available for achieving all human desires. There is in Tantra something for everyone, especially those who may be put off by ascetic or renunciate approaches to the spiritual life such as seem to dominate most of the rest of the Yoga tradition.

Read more here: » Tantra Yoga: The Allure of Tantra

Tantra: Why sexuality?

In the act of lovemaking the couple embodies the dyadic wholeness of the Supreme. TANTRIC sexual union resonates with the very foundational energies of the Universe: it captures, magnifies and re-directs the essential Cosmic Power of Life. It is therefore not by chance that sexual intercourse brings the most intense emotional experience that the human being can have while in the flesh. Therefore TANTRA uses it predominantly to create that overwhelming unifying energy. The erotic impulse stirs up the KUNDALINI energy so that it can rise, through the subtle duct of power along the spine, to the highest center of power above the head. This process renders the adept immortal:

Read more here: » Tantra Yoga: Why sexuality?

tantra

Meditative sexual union, female active, male passive, in Hindu tantra; male active, female passive, in Buddhist tantra. Tantra is a spiritual science divided into four divisionsKriya, ritual; Carya, conduct; Yoga, meditation; Anuttara, wisdom

(See also: Tantra , Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tantra Dictionary

Tantra

Tantra (noun) refers to a Hindu or Buddhist spiritual Sadhana, that is performed using Yantra, Mantra, and specific rituals. One of the ways in which Tantra is explained is: Tanu trayate itii Tantra (which liberates from the limitations of the body). From point-of-view of spiritual practice, Tantra means:

Yantra ku Mantrare Bhediba hiin Tantra (Oriya), i.e. To pierce through an Yantra by applying a Mantra is Tantra.

One who practises Tantra is a Tantrik (also Tantric).

Tantra is infact the best way of Spiritual practice to attain Siddhis. In the times of Guru Matsyendranath, Guru Gorakhnath, Guru Viswamitra etc., tantra was a much respected and evolved science. However, with time, tantra became a Taboo, partly because of misuse-of-capabilites by certain Greedy individuals, and partly because the real knowledge was made very confined due to the fear of misuse and slowly got extinct. In recent times, the word has been associated with a variety of strange things, by people with orientation-less or poor imagination, which has nothing really to do with Tantra.

Tantra is a vast Science, with many different ways, Siddhis, rituals and know-hows of six-abilites: Shanti, (peace), Vashikaran (hypnotism and control), Stambhan (paralyze someone), Vidveshana (create conflict between persons), Uchhatan (driving away), and Maarana (destroy or kill someone). It is the misuse of such capabilities that led to extinction of the divine knowledge, however, these are never the main aims of tantra. The fear of tantra-practising is unfounded.

The construction of the Jagannath temple at Puri is based on the principle of Tantra. The temple is constructed in the form of Shri-Yantra and the deities are placed on Maha-Vairabh Yantra which was designed using 100000 special black stones (saalagrama).

The word dates back from the 7th century (at least) or earlier and the origin is from Sanskrit (from tan 'stretch'). [The word is accepted in New English Oxford Dictionary].€€€

(See also: Tantra , Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tantra Dictionary

The mysterious Tradition of Tantra

This article attempts to outline, in an extremely general way, some basic ideas of the Tantric tradition. Even though the author has a rich personal experience in some of the practical aspects of TANTRISM, the intention here is not to expose a personal view, but to present the Tradition in its most pure form, without any kind of "western interpretations" that most of the time kill and destroy the authentic meaning. This is done with the sincere intention to revive, mostly from the practical point of view, this lost Tradition and to reveal the true face of TANTRA Science.

Read more here: » Tantra Yoga: The Left Hand Path of Love - Tantra

The floating exercise is an important part of the meditation practices of kundalini Tantra, and as such is normally one of the first exercises taught to a new student. Mastery of the floating exercise can bring alignment to virtually any technique or physical world method wished. The floating exercise can also open the student to alignment to any spiritual world method or benefit imagined.  

Read more here: » Floating Exercise: The Floating Exercise of Kundalini Tantra

Kundalini Yoga actually belongs to Tantrik Sadhana, which gives a detailed description about this serpent-power and the Chakras.
Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Kundalini: Tantra Yoga and Kundalini

Vama Marg:

Vama Marg (a). Left turning path. Reversal of conventional concepts of spirituality. Methods, which are quicker and more direct.

(See also: Vama Marg , Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tantra Dictionary

Celibacy: Sex Is Not Compulsory

Most of the sex advice books written during 1960s underlined the idea that the world could be saved by sex - without, of course, enduring the messy and inconvenient complications of an unwanted pregnancy. Many therapists of that era encouraged their neurotic and mentally disturbed patients to 'find themselves' and become better balanced individuals through positive experiences of sex. Sometimes, surrogate partners would be provided for the purpose. We liked to believe then that much mental illness as well, resulted from long-held repressions, and that these could be released through sex.

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Tantra: Orgasm and ejaculation

Stated with extreme simplicity, orgasm is an intensely beatific state of consciousness and canceling of ego, with profound harmonizing, relaxing and regenerative effects. Male and female ejaculation is only a complex physiologic process of explosively energetic discharge with a dim manifestation of a brief, incipient orgasm, experienced in a selfish unilateral way. During ejaculation, the energy is quickly wasted and for no purpose (except when conception is wanted).

Read more here: » Tantra Yoga: Orgasm and ejaculation

Kamakhya Pitha:

Kamakhya Pitha. Seat of the Goddess at Kamarupa. A place especially sacred as it is the place of the Devi's Yoni on Earth.

(See also: Kamakhya Pitha , Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tantra Dictionary

Sacred Sexuality: The Principles and Practices of Tantric Yoga

We are in a season of accelerated personal and global awakening, a season that calls us to be clear about our values, our priorities, our soul purpose for this incarnation, and fundamentally, to be clear about our self-identity. But as metaphysics and mysticism go mainstream, great discernment is called for lest we bring along our old separate, fear-based self-identities that manifest the illusion of all lack and limitation.

Read more here: » Sacred Sexuality: The Principles and Practices of Tantric Yoga

Tantra

An excerpt from Tantra in Depth.

Read more here: » Tantra: Tantra in Depth

Tika:

Tika. Mark on forehead signifying commitment to a spiritual ideal.

(See also: Tika , Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

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Kamakala:

Kamakala. Essence of desire. Triangle of bindus (red, white and mixed) representing the Yoni of the Goddess. In Shri Vidya (Knowledge of the Shri Yantra) it means that for creation sperm and egg must come together. The inner heart of the Bindu. See the booklet, "Lalita Magick".

(See also: Kamakala , Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tantra Dictionary

Amavasya:

Amavasya. New Moon.

(See also: Amavasya , Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tantra Dictionary

Shrim:

Shrim. Mantra of Lakshmi Shakti, also known as Shri. Pronounced "Shreem".

(See also: Shrim , Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Tantra Dictionary