Tantra: An Overview of the Eastern Spiritual and Ritual Practices
Tantra is a rich and diverse set of spiritual and ritual practices originating in India around the 5th and 6th centuries CE. It has become popular in recent decades in the West, although it has been practiced for thousands of years. This article provides an overview of the key teachings, practices, and different schools of Tantra, along with a brief overview of its salient history.
טריפו
Definition and Meaning of Tantra
The most basic definition of Tantra is “the weaving together of spiritual practice and ritual”. It often involves the use of symbols, ritual actions, and mantras to cultivate physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. It has been practiced by different lineages over thousands of years in various ways. In its broadest sense, Tantra is a synthesis of Indian philosophical systems like Samkhya, Vaisheshika, and Yoga, among others.
Tantra is also often seen as a path to enlightenment or liberation from ignorance. In essence, it is a spiritual technology to explore and expand one’s self-awareness and attain knowledge of one’s true nature. Its ultimate goal is the same as other Eastern spiritual traditions: to arrive at the transcendent state of consciousness in which one realizes the unity of all things.
History and Lineages of Tantra
The root of Tantra can be found in the Vedic traditions of ancient India. In the 5th and 6th centuries CE, the practice developed as a way to explore the similarities between the inner realm and the outer universe. Different schools and lineages emerged during these centuries, each with their own distinct conceptions and religious influences. These included the nondualistic Advaita, the bhakti (devotional) schools, Kali Tantra, and other feminine-oriented teachings.
The 8th century saw the development of two prominent Tantrik lineages: Kashmir Shaivism and the South Indian Siddhanta school, both of which persist to the present day. Kashmir Shaivism is a nondualistic school that regards the divine as both the source and object of the practitioner’s realization. The Siddhanta school is dualistic in its outlook and foundation, emphasizing meditation on the male and female principles.
The late 19th century saw a revival of various Tantrik schools, most prominently the Mahanirvana Tantra, which is still practiced today.In recent times, Tantra has become increasingly popular in the West. It is often encountered in various forms of yoga, meditation, and energy healing.
Key Teachings of Tantra
At its core, Tantra is a path of exploration of oneself through ritual and spiritual practice. The goal of the practitioner is to gain insight into the force that binds all things together and ultimately realize a unity between the inner and outer realms. This is accomplished through specific techniques for developing consciousness, such as working with energy, breathwork, meditation, energy healing, mantras, and rituals.
Tantra is also known for its focus on the power of sexual energy. It is believed that sexual orgasm is a powerful force of creative energy, and with the right discipline, it can be a vehicle for spiritual transformation.Tantrik sexual practices use this creative energy to move one into higher states of consciousness.
Traditionally, Tantra emphasizes the idea of connecting with the divine through the body, rather than through intellectual study or asceticism. This idea of finding divine love in earthly pleasure has caused it to become popular in today’s Western culture.
Different Schools of Tantra
Tantrik texts are divided into different schools, each with its own emphasis. Some of the main schools are:
•Kashmir Shaivism: This school is nondualistic and seeks to free the soul by establishing a connection with the divine within.
•Eastern Tantra: This school is specifically concerned with the deification of the physical body and is mainly associated with the Mahanirvana Tantra.
•Hatha Tantra: This form of Tantra involves physical training, such as yoga and martial arts, to increase one’s level of spiritual awakening.
•Tantric Buddhism: This school encompasses a variety of teachings from tantric Mahayana Buddhism, such as the use of symbolic images and ritual gestures.
Conclusion
Tantra is a fascinating and complex spiritual and ritual practice that has been popularized in the West in recent decades. Its core emphasis is the exploration of oneself through spiritual practice and ritual. Its goal is to gain insight into the force that binds all things together and ultimately realize a unity between the inner and outer realms. This article provides a brief overview of the key teachings, practices, and different schools of Tantra, along with a brief overview of its salient history.
