TANTRA

[Clifford Black]

Tantra, literally meaning "formula", "method, or "way", (parallel to the Chinese Tao, which also means "the way" or "the method"), and also having the secondary meaning of "loom", "thread" or "warp and woof" is the name scholars give to a style of religious ritual and meditation that arose in medieval India no later than the fifth century CE,^[22] and which came to influence all forms of Asian religious expression to a greater or lesser degree. Tantra is at the same time a method of psychoanalysis, a way of integrating the body, mind and spirit, and a way of using the mind or will to cause change in one's external situations and circumstances, hence "magic". It includes amongst its various branches a variety of ritualistic practices ranging from visualisation exercises and the chanting of mantras to elaborate rituals. Alchemy, astrology, herbalism, naturopathy, yogic practices, sex magic, and trance also together form the multifaceted and multilevel nature of Tantra. Yantra, literally: "instrument" or "tool" are geometric diagrams are considered to be the subtle or finer representation of the psychological or natural powers that are the deities, the proper use of which would result in the yantra becoming 'activated' and infused with the particular powers and capacities of the said deity, for the practitioner or adept to put or his/her use.

[Clifford Black]

Connect this to the work that we are doing with "CONSCIOUSNESS" and this can provide useful insight.