.:  Tantra Religion

Shakti and Shiva

Tantra describes the energies of the universe and how they interconnect. The 2 main primal energies of the Universe are Shakti (feminine) and Shiva (male).

Shakti, the energy of creation, is the primal energy of the Universe which is particularly concentrated in women therefore women have a high regard. Another feminine energy, Kundalini is found in both men and women. It is believed to be dangerous to wake up your Kundalini energy when you are not prepared. Your body needs to be cleansed, particularly internally. A vegetarian diet and exercise are essential. Meditation, yoga and breathing techniques are used to calm them mind and strengthen the body.

Shakti is an energy that needs to be discovered and then build on and enhanced. Once truly aware it can be exercised.

In India their is a shrine to Shakti called the The Kamakhya Devi temple located in the state of Assam.

Shiva, as well as being the name of a Hindu god is also the male primal energy of the universe. For this energy to reach it's full potential it needs to be bonded with Shakti.

Mantras and Yantras

Mantras are sacred sounds chanted as a way to line up our internal energies with those of the universe. Similar mantras are used with Transcendental Meditation, although in recent years many practicisioners of TM prefer to charge a fortune for your own sacred Tibetan mantra.

Sanskrit words were used during meditation, recited over and over to try to reach spiritual contentment. Some of these words are below with their spiritual description:

Ham - throat Chakra

Hrim - Shakti

Hlim - protection

Klim - desire

Krim - union

Lam - base Chakra*

Om- brow Chakra

Ram - solar plexus Chakra

Shrim - delight

Strim - peace

Vam - sacrum chakra

Yam - heart chakra

Mandala - circle.

Chakras

There are a total of 7 Chakras, which are the vital energy centres of the body. Chakras in the Tantric religion are closely tied to the Chakras of the Hindu religion meaning 'wheel'.

• Muladhara (root) located at the base of the spine
• Svadistbana (abode of the self) located at your belly
• Manipura (shining jewel) located at your solar plexus (same location as your central nervous system)
• Anabata (without sound) located at the heart.
• Vissudba (purified) located over the forehead. A connection between higher mind and lower mind - pyschic ability
• Ajna (command from above) located at the throat
• Sabasrara (thousand-spoked) not located on the body but hovering over your head. It represents you body ascending to enlightment.

Meditation

Meditation is used with many religions and cultures as a way to clear your mind and remove you from the daily stresses of the world. If done properly the effect is to build positive emotions like compassion, happiness and improve health and well-being.

It has nothing to do with gaining mystical powers or having visions to tell you how to live your life. It's not about self-analysis or trying to work out the physical nature of reality, what the universe consists of, or how it works. It is not about achieving an omniscient state in which a person knows all about everything.

There are different techniques used for meditation - breathing, chanting, humming or shaking the body. Each are used to turn off the constant chattering of the mind and just experiencing ourselves at that moment. Without contemplating the future or judging the past. Just sitting or being now.

Here is a technical description of what happens to the brain when you meditate correctly:

The frontal cortex of the brain shuts down. The cortex is the most developed part of the brain. Responsible for reasoning, planning, emotion and self-conscious awareness.

Activity in the pariental lobe slows down. This part of the brain processes sensory information orientating you within time and space.

The thalamas is the gatekeeper of the senses. This organ focuses your attention by funneling some sensory data deeper into the brain and stopping others. Meditation reduces the flow of sensory data.

The reticular formation down in the base of the brain is the overall security system of the brain and body. This structure receives incoming stimuli and makes the brain alert and ready to react. Meditation reduces the arousal level of these stimuli.

Meditation can be traced back over 10,000 years ago with the shaman people.

Fire Meditation

Fire meditation is used to cleanse your chakras and raise your sexual energies.