Guest guest Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 * What is tantra? Tantra is a systemized method of worship. Tantra is both a spiritual path and a science. As a spiritual path, it emphasizes on the purification of mind and body. As a science, it experiments with the precise application of mantra and yantra, ritual use of specific materials, the performance of tantrik mudras and accompanying mental exercises.Unfortunately, many people in both the West and the East still consider tantra a kind of black magic, witchcraft, and a way of influencing the minds of others. * Does tantra actually work? Yes. Tantra can never fail. For success; guidance of guru, faith, devotion, motivation, concentration and proper knowledge of rituals are necessary. Tantra has worked for many and it can work for you too. * Is tantra related to sex? No, not at all. Tantra aims at the spiritual illumination through awakening of Shakti, the divine mother of all creation, and her unification with Shiv, the universal consciousness. Laymen can not easily understand this concept, they take it in general terms and think that tantra is related to sex. * What is a mantra? A mantra is a confluence of specific sounds. When chanted, it creates vibrations in one's mind, body, surroundings, rosary beads and the yantra. These vibrations can cross the boundaries of time and space, create a favourable environment and get the desired results. * How should I chant a mantra? The sound is the most vital part of a mantra, therefore it must be pronounced correctly. It can be chanted either early in the morning or late in the night at a clean, calm and pleasant place, after bathing wearing clean clothes. There are three methods of chanting: Ø Chant aloud so that a person in the next room can also hear you. Ø Chant as softly as only you can hear it. Ø Chant mentally. To chant mentally, you may imagine hearing your own voice. * What is a yantra? A yantra is a geometric figure inscribed on paper, metallic plate etc. and energized with mantras. It is the confluence of the powers of the concerned deity. * What is a sadhana? Sadhana means training the mind and the body. The results depend on the degree of concentration, intensity, devotion and faith. Follow all rules, improve your concentration, have faith and devotion, perform sadhana intensely and get results in no time. * How sadhana is different from a ritual? A ritual is a series of ceremonial acts. When a person performs a ritual aided by physical and mental energies to train the mind and acquire certain abilities, it becomes a sadhana. * I am not a hindu. Can I perform sadhanas? Yes. Although, tantra is a subset of Hinduism; it is beyond religion, belief and practice. * I am non-vegetarian and take drinks. Can I perform sadhanas? Non-veg food, alcohol, garlic, onion and smoking are not allowed while performing sadhanas. You must give them up. * If I perform a sadhana, would I have to remain celibate all my life? No. You would have to remain celibate during the course of the sadhana. * If I perform a sadhana, would I have to grow long hair, beard and mustache? No. It is the thing of the past and is no longer applicable. * If I perform a sadhana, would I have to give-up soap, perfume etc? No. It is the thing of the past and is no longer applicable. * Do past lives affect one's spiritual life? Yes, sins and good deeds of past lives do affect one's spiritual advancement. Soul is eternal, soul never dies. It carries the effect of past lives. * What do I need to successfully complete a ritual? You need the following to successfully complete a ritual. Ø Blessings of a real guru. Ø Devotion and faith in guru, tantra, god and yourself. Ø Good concentration. Ø Motivation to complete the ritual with full intensity. Ø Strength to remain celibate during the course of the sadhana and give up non-veg food, alcohol, smoking etc. Ø Physical fitness. * Can a sadhana give instant results? Sadhana means training the mind and the body. The results depend on the degree of concentration, intensity, devotion and faith. Follow all rules, improve your concentration, have faith and devotion, perform sadhana intensely and get results in no time. * Can women perform sadhanas? Yes. Spiritually, men and women are same. Women should stop their sadhana during their periods. It is not considered a break and thus, does not affect the end results. * How should I hold the rosary? Hold the rosary in your right hand (palm and finger tips pointing your chest), let it hang over your middle finger and move the beads towards your chest with your thumb. Avoid touching the rosary with your index finger. There is a separator (central) bead in every rosary. Start from the bead next to the separator bead, move one bead with each chant and when you reach the bead before the separator bead, you complete one round. Overturn the rosary using your right hand (the one which is holding it) and start again. * How should I place oil and ghee lamps? Lamps should be placed in front of the idol or the yantra. Oil lamps should be placed in the left while ghee lamps should be placed in the right. * What should I wear while performing sadhana? Wear comfortable, clean and freshly washed clothes while performing sadhana. * Should I close my eyes while performing sadhana? There is no rule in this regard. You may either close your eyes or keep them open. * What is an Anushthan? An anushthan is ritual, which is performed in a time-bound manner following certain rules to accomplish certain goal. You can perform it yourself, if you have a teacher, or you can get it performed on your behalf by someone who is experienced in the ways of tantra and who has completed the ritual successfully. (Frequently Asked Questions replied by tantra_shakti) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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