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Understanding Tantra and Yoga

Yoga is a discipline that, when properly practiced, harmonizes the entire aspect of one’s humanity towards one overriding goal. That goal is to receive spiritual unity or oneness with the universal spirit. Under the broad category of yoga are eight separate yogas that can be practiced. Those eight separate forms of yoga are Bhakti, Karma, Jnana, Raja, Mantra, Laya, Hatha and Tantra Yoga.

Of all of the separate disciplines of yoga, under the broad category of practicing yoga, it can be argued that Tantra Yoga has been the most exploited. This argument would be based on the fact that a number of pieces of literature and web sites equate the practicing of tantra and yoga as being concerned primarily with the sexuality of humanity.

To elevate tantra and yoga to its proper level of benefits it is important to understand the definition of Tantra, its purpose and how it is practiced.

Definition

The literal interpretation of the word tantra is expansion. Therefore, an individual who is practicing tantra and yoga is doing so for the sole purpose of broadening their entire sensitivities towards the full realization of spirituality. Often, tantra and yoga is equated with sexuality. This is primarily due to the fact that the primary divine force that is concentrated upon is the supreme feminine spirit of the universe. Although, sexuality is a part of humanity, the focus of tantra and yoga does not concentrate on this specific aspect alone.

Purpose

The purpose of tantra and yoga is the path to awareness and the destination of that awareness is to discover, stimulate and unify the masculine and feminine characteristics that are found in all human beings. The realization attained will be the reality that all of creation is a demonstration of birth as realized through the life-giving spirit or Universal Mother Nature. Although, awareness of sexuality is part of the tantra and yoga, it is not an end to itself.

Practice

Tantra and yoga is practiced in a seated position. The mind and the heart are disciplined and brought under control through the purifying of undisciplined thoughts and desires. Once this state has been achieved the individual will begin to be aware of the life energy dwelling within. Following this sense of divine life force, the force, through a deliberate mind set, is processed up the spinal column and into the frontal portion of the mind.

Upon achieving sufficient life energy into the forehead, the practicing tantra and yoga individual projects that energy out from the front most part of their mind to formulate a being that is filled with this life force. This being becomes the focus of this life force and is filled with the energy being emitted from your mind. The completed imagery will take on a human shape that will be abundantly filled with this life energy.

At this point the tantra and yoga participant lavishes their complete attachment to this representation of their being. This adoration process can be followed upwards to 30 minutes. Following, the lavishing of love and devotion, the life giving form is then invited to slowly return through a reversal of the process.