Reality exposes itself through numerous channels and media. How we see things, how deeply we feel them, and how intensely we experience reality depend on how sensitive our minds are to those elements.
My career went from research in Molecular Biology to Journalism and finally ended up in Instructional Design and Learning Consultancy. However, my interest in the Science of Consciousness persisted. Over 25 years of writing (as a journalist and as a Learning Consultant), puts me in a unique position to write about Tantra from a scientific perspective.
I started practicing Yoga almost 30 years ago and learned how Yogic postures help us communicate with our body. Then I practiced Tantra Yoga and learned that Yoga is not simply about postures that stretch and contort the muscles but also about exercising the mind and consciousness.
At that time, I was the Editor of a men's magazine, which gave me ample scope to explore tantric sex besides studying its Philosophy. Few years ago, I practiced Yoga under a Tantrik Guru, which motivated me to write this book.
I present Tantra 2.0 as a simple guide to the practice of Tantra Yoga. I have stayed away from "divinity" and "spirituality" as much as possible because of their vagueness. I have also stayed away from symbolism, as it is irrelevant in our technological times. For example, what symbolic meaning does the lotus plant convey to you? It conveys nothing to me!
Similarly, if the symbolic artifacts of Yantras and Mandalas are not already pre-existing in your socio-cultural context, then they are of no use in the comprehension and practice of Tantra. I have avoided references to esoteric interpretations, highlighted the garbage that Google spews out, and pointed out the fatalistic and dehumanizing nature of religions.
However, I must confess that my efforts may not have been enough.
Tantra is one of the many spiritual traditions of ancient India, which influenced Hinduism and Buddhism. It comprises many diverse traditions, and each tantric tradition has at its core the awakening of consciousness or achieving enlightenment.
Immediately, I must explain the word "spiritual." Ancient human societies all over the world have identified with "spirits," so "The Spirit" is universal. However, the idea itself is diverse in its interpretation. Some cultures have associated it with a God (theistic) while others associated it with nature (animistic). One also finds many variations that lie between these two extremes some even deny any such thing as "Spirit."
Here, I will refer to "spiritual" as an experience that is not mundane, not vulgar, and not exclusive to humans (higher-order animals also experience it). Mostly, I will not use the word-overused and abused as it is.
Twenty-five years of tantric practice has taught me that comprehending something means arriving at a state of consciousness. I can "know" a chair in a few nanoseconds, but philosophical subjects take several months or years. However, within the sphere of consciousness, there is no consensus on what consciousness really is! No definition is accurate enough, no description is complete, and no explanation is satisfactory.
We popularly agree that it emanates from the mind, but closer examination will show that we are merely conscious of the "concept of mind;" and there are different consciousnesses that different parts of the body can generate.
It may even manifest completely outside of our bodies! Therefore, consciousness creates the mind and not the other way around! Tantra deals with these manifestations of consciousness-it is not at all concerned with defining them! It is a collection of techniques, tools, and ritualistic processes.
By adhering to these processes with no prejudices of religion or faith-we can bring about the positive, existential benefits that we desire.
Abhinavagupta (37)
Buddhist (71)
Chakra (42)
Goddess (136)
History (35)
Kundalini (142)
Mantra (66)
Original Tantric Texts (15)
Philosophy (113)
Shaivism (68)
Yantra (44)
हिन्दी (91)
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