The core secret of tantra is expressed through the relationship between the mind and the universe. The mind when directed towards the external world through the sensory perception of the Tanmantrans will perceive individuality, and objectify the world into millions, perhaps billion of separate pieces. The trees, the rocks, the animals, the sky, the planets, and the galaxies all appear to be separate from one another and disconnected from the individual who perceives the external world through the mind. However the same mind, when introverted towards the spiritual components of life, can be the essential guide for leading individual-consciousness towards the universal-consciousness and unifying the individual with the cosmos, developing the perception and experience of oneness and unity.

The constituent nature of the human mind is to be turned outwards and to be active in dividing the individual from the rest of creation. This form of perception is known as the ego principle which is also known in Sanskrit as ahamkara. As long as the mind is turned outwards through sensory perception the individual will always be dominated by ahamkara. However if the mind begins to make its transition towards spirituality then the ego is transcended and the mind enters higher forms of awareness and perception that can only be achieved when the ego is no longer dominating the mind. Taking the individual spirit and lifting it to the cosmic spirit or the divine is the essence of tantra yoga. It is only the human form that has the potential to realize the cosmic spirit through the mind. All other forms of creation, whether animals or astral beings, do not have the ability to realize or come to know the creator. No other birth, whether divine or demonic, carries such potential; because of this the human life is considered the most valuable form of life in all of creation next to the divinity which is formless and eternal.

The main focus of both the Tantric scripts and the Vedas is the concept of ascending consciousness from its base emotional state to the highest state of awareness known as Tureya. The major principle of tantra, and perhaps one of the most distinguishing features of tantra, is the fact that tantra seeks to raise consciousness as opposed to descend divine consciousness; It is a process of induction as opposed to a deduction. In all other scriptures and philosophical theories, universal consciousness is sought after by bringing the universal consciousness into the individual, descending the macrocosm to the microcosm. However in tantra, yogis seek to refine the individual by transcending the gross material form of existence and ascending to the upper thresholds of spiritual awareness which leads the consciousness towards the divine. This path from material to immaterial is an inherent quality of the nature of evolution which has formed itself into all of creation. Tantra believes that the descent of universal consciousness into matter is a rare occasion which only occurs in extremely rare circumstances in which the divine manifests itself in human form in such examples as Shri Krishna and Shri Rama. But again these cases are extremely rare and therefore the focus of meditation and spiritual practice should be encompassed around the idea of raising consciousness from its base level to the omnipotent form of universal consciousness.

Tantra seeks to unfold the dormant powers resting within the mind and the brain. The power of human consciousness which we experience on a daily basis is a mere fraction of the total power resting within the human potential. Only through illumination and awakening can the potential of human consciousness be released and the true potency and practice of tantra be unveiled. Through concentration and meditation, tantra fuses and develops electromagnetic circuits within the brain begin to form new connections that gradually unfold the joys and bliss of spiritual enlightenment. The secret of tantra is formed by its ability to create new pathways in the brain and connect new circuits within the mind that drive the spiritual practitioner towards new perceptual awareness as well as an awakening into the higher forms and orders of the universe.

Tantra is not merely a practice but a spiritual science which was developed over centuries and used as a tool to lead one towards self-realization. Tantric yogis dissected every particle and parcel of human life from the physical experiences of the world to the subtle energies of the human mind and spirit. Just as a scientist reduces chemical compounds to in order to find the base chemicals that form the final compound, so too did the scientists of tantra dissect every layer that made up the human mind to find the essence of the total system.

At the ashram, courses in Tantric philosophy are offered in order to help students gain knowledge and wisdom of the philosophy of tantra. The course will not cover practical lessons but rather focuses on the philosophical basis of tantra and its application in understanding spirituality. Techniques related to kundalini and kriya yoga will be taught as a complementary practice to the philosophical application of tantra.

The basic structure of the Tantric discourse program is designed to provide students with significant knowledge about the history, practice, and tradition of tantra yoga from the spiritual traditions of India. Topic such as Shiva Siddhanta and Shivism will be covered in order to gain deeper insight into the origins and philosophical discourse related to tantra yoga.

To learn more about Tantric discourse program please contact us. Please note that the lessons provided within the program will not include practices directly related to tantra yoga but will cover background philosophy and complementary practices from other systems of yoga including meditation practices, asana practices, kriyas, and pranayama.