What It Takes To Explore Tantra

At the core of delving into Tantra is the essential element of a curious mind. This insatiable desire to discover and understand serves as the very foundation of your exploration. Central to this tradition of Tantra is the concept of gnosis, which transcends mere knowledge. To appreciate what gnosis embodies, it's vital to recognize that it represents a profound and transformative way of knowing, distinct from conventional understanding.

This distinction is crucial because engaging with Tantra solely as an academic exercise—where one merely reads about the principles and practices—will not usher in an authentic experience. While we may accumulate factual information about Tantra from a safe distance, this detached perspective will not immerse anyone in the depth and richness of genuine Tantric practice.

For a proper understanding of Tantra and to grasp its essential nature, we must engage in a more experiential form of knowing, which calls for us to step beyond mere observation and analysis, and to embrace visceral experiences through action and practice. However, this necessitates shedding a traditional, intellectual model of understanding that relies heavily on abstract thinking, detailed description, and comparisons with other systems. If this is how you approach Tantra, then it is time to revalue what that approach has offered you so far.

"How much of your experiences are experiences?" I would often ask students as far back as the early 2000s when I first started teaching Tantra within the California university system. Much of our spirituality is based on thinking and rational understanding, and this, from the Tantric experience, detracts from direct experience, in which the nature and essence of things are known. From this perspective, "knowing" a thing experientially is different from knowing something about that thing.

Tantra invites us to explore not just on an intellectual level but through a deeply personal experience. So how can we unlock this form of understanding? The key lies in actively participating in the practices of Tantra.

Many people incorrectly assume that engagement with Tantra can occur merely through the rote learning of its practices. While this perspective has validity, it is essential to appreciate that, much like how vocabulary consists of distinct words crafted from letters, the foundation of Tantra is built upon fundamental elements.

In this analogy, the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet serve as the essential building blocks of the Tantric vocabulary, each letter infused with its intrinsic power and significance. One of the best ways to master the system of Tantra is to learn the Sanskrit alphabet from a Tantric perspective, which differs from the Vedic perspective. In this context, it is also essential to master Bija mantras, which characterize Tantric sound.

THE MASTERY OF TANTRA
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The specific lineage of Tantra I follow stems from Sri Vidya, which represents the largest and most influential stream within the broader tapestry of Tantric traditions. Visualize Tantra as an expansive ocean, with Sri Vidya flowing like a major river—akin to the mighty Amazon, the sacred Ganges, or the grand Yangtze—that nourishes and enriches it. Within this river, Ananda Bhairava, my sub-tradition, serves as a vital tributary, contributing to the richness of the practice.

Thus, we find ourselves navigating a sub-tradition (often referred to as a sampradaya) that exists within a broader lineage (parampara), connecting us to wider cultural and spiritual frameworks. Ultimately, the essence of Tantra rests in the individual—how you, personally, engage with and experience this practice.

Acquiring knowledge of the vocabulary of Tantra alone is insufficient. Although the words of mantras, comprised of individual letters, carry significant weight on their own, we must learn to weave them together effectively to evoke meaning and resonance. This is where the essence of Tantra truly awakens: by mastering the vocabulary of its practice, understanding the rules of its syntax, and learning to arrange these elements into coherent expressions. It is by combining all these elements that we enable ourselves to find purpose and realize our aspirations.

Until we reach this stage, we are merely skimming the surface—objectively reading about Tantra while gathering fragmented insights without grasping the whole picture.

What often slips past our awareness is the necessity of combining these letters and words (analogous to combining sounds and practices) into deliberate and meaningful arrangements. If you approach Tantra in this holistic manner—which reflects my approach and teachings—you will find that we begin with the fundamental letters of the Sanskrit alphabet.

Tantra is distinguished by its unique sensitivity towards this alphabet, setting it apart from its Vedic counterparts, and emphasizing the intimate connection between language, experience, and transformation.

However, there is more. Once the sounds are mastered, there are actions that go along with them, for Tantra is not only about the sounding but also about the movements, gestures (mudras), and placements (nyāsa).