INO Glossary: Tantra
Tantra encompasses both a body of occult and magical texts and an ancient spiritual science aimed at attaining divine realization. Central to Tantra is the use of practices that awaken the connection between the individual microcosm and the universal macrocosm, fostering a profound spiritual union.
Beyond Sexuality
While often misunderstood, Tantra extends far beyond sexual practices. For Nath Tantriks, every aspect of life is an opportunity for spiritual growth. Sexuality, viewed as a divine sacrament, becomes a powerful tool when guided by the focused concentration developed through meditation. Such practices can catalyze true Yoga, or union, with the Cosmic Spirit.
A Pragmatic Path
Tantra employs any technique that activates the flow of spiritual energy through the practitioner’s body, mind, and energy centers. Its experimental and non-dogmatic nature challenges conventional moral frameworks, often unsettling those bound by puritanical beliefs. Tantra is a way of life where the yogi, like a scientist, uses diverse tools to transcend the illusion of maya and awaken to higher consciousness.
Insights from Shri Gurudev Mahendranath
“Tantra develops in the three aspects of higher thinking—Insight, Intuition, and Imagination. By these, developed in meditation, the mind awakens to understanding and union with the Cosmic Purusha and rebirth on the Earth Dimension is no more.”
—Shri Gurudev Mahendranath
