home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- TANTRIC TEMPLES: THE BODY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
-
-
-
- "When my beloved returns to the house, I shall make my body into a
- Temple of Gladness. Offering this body as an alter of joy, my let-down
- hair shall sweep it clean. Then my beloved will consecrate this temple."
-
- --Vaisnav Baul
-
-
-
- A temple is a place of worship, a construction wherein God is served and
- realized. Tantric tradition holds that "God" is one's true Self, the
- soul, to be worshipped in the Temple of cred rivers;
- here are the sun and the moon, as well as all the holy places of
- pilgrimage. I have not encountered another Temple as blissful as my own
- body."
-
- --Saraha Doha
-
-
- The physical body is a Temple of the soul, and microcosm of the entire
- universe. The bodily Temple, as with many traditional Hindu and Buddhist
- Temples, contains gardens, rivers, sanctuaries, and gates; as well as
- containing all the elements of the world: earth, water, fire, air, and
- ether.
-
- Tan tains nine "gates" to the bodily Temple; these being the anus, the
- Yoni or Lingam, the mouth, the nose, the two eyes, the two ears, and
- the "Gate of Brahma." The Gate of Brahma, known in current medical
- terminology as the "fontanel," is an actual opening, visible at birth,
- which closes as the baby grows (also known familiarly as the 'soft spot'
- at the crown of an infant's skull). Eastern tradition holds that the
- soul enters and leaves the body through the Gate of Brahma. Note should
- be made that, the number 9 having mystical significance, either the
- Tantras or those translating them have not been entirely accurate with
- the 9-gate description. For instance, since the eyes are counted as two
- gates; so should be the nostrils, rather than naming "the nose" as a
- single gate. Additionally, Yoginis possess an extra "gate," our urethras
- being separate from our Yonis; unlike males whose Lingam contains but a
- single gate used for sexual and excretory processes.
-
- Although the bodily Temple may be entered via any gate; it is the Gate
- of Brahma which leads to higher spiritual realization.
-
- In addition to and not separate from the purely physical body, Tantra
- describes the Subtle Body. The Subtle Body contains one's aura, the
- chakras, while physical nerve centers located along the spinal column,
- evoke their "traits" from the Subtle Body. The two bodies are
- inseparable, both should be worshipped as one Temple.
-
- The microcosm of the universe can be described in terms of the Subtle
- Body. The SIVA SAMHITA describes it thus:
-
- "In this body the central Great Axis, Mount Meru, the spinal column, is
- surrounded by seven islands. These islands are named Prana (the vital
- force), blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow and Soma (seed/ova). There are
- rivers and seas, all the stars and planets, sacred pilgrimage places,
- shrines and presiding deities. In this body, Brahmanda (the egg of
- Brahma), there is the nectar-rayed moon atop the spinal column; it turns
- its face downward, and rains nectar day and night. The ambrosia from the
- moon subdivides into two subtle parts. One ray nourishes the body like
- sacred waters, and descends ass a subtle channel on the left side; her
- name is Ida. The other ray, brilliant as the purest milk, enters the
- central nerve of the spinal column in order to maintain and recreate the
- moon in its proper place atop the central Great Axis. Its name is
- Susumna. At the lower region of the Great Axis of Mount Meru is the Sun,
- located within the body itself. From the Inner Sun, situated at the
- solar plexus, a subtle channel emanates to the right of the body,
- carrying solar flame upward by the power of its rays. His name is
- Pingala. Pingala moves through the body, swallowing up vital secretions
- and leading the spirit to Liberation. Lord Surya, the Sun, moves through
- the vessel of the body. Who knows this microcosm of the body and
- experiences its mysteries truly reaches the highest state."
-
- The Ida and Pingala are conceived as crossing the Susumna, or Central
- River, like twin serpents coiling around a central staff. This Yantra is
- the same ancient hermetic symbol known as the Caduceus, modern symbol of
- the medical profession. The rising, swirling energies produce a vortex
- of ascending power, used in Tantra to evolve toward the Infinite.
-
- The main act of worship at the Bodily Temple is this Ascension, the
- channelling of sexual energy upward from the root chakra, which contains
- the basic life force, through the sexual chakra, producing a liquid
- thrill. Upon reaching the Solar Plexus chakra, the Inner Sun is
- awakened, burning up bars to progress with its 64-petalled flames,
- purifying the pathways, the chakras. Upon reaching the heart chakra, the
- fire of love floods the three rivers and the solar and lunar energies
- unite, illuminating the temple. An ecstatic transcendental delight is
- produced. For white Tantric practitioners, sometimes Tantric orgasm is
- achieved at this point. During red Tantric sexual practice, a firm
- foundation of Temple Worship will consciously aid Tantric orgasm within
- the couple, and lead to the union of the sexual and spiritual bliss.
-
- Worshipping the Bodily Temple takes place on all levels, from the
- physical to the most subtle. Regard the body as a True Temple, cultivate
- this awareness at all times and in all places.
-
- The physical and subtle condition of the body are most important.
- Physically, out of respect for the Divinity within, the body should be
- kept clean, well nourished and healthy; through the practices of
- hygiene, *sacred bathing* and the practices of Hatha Yoga and Pranayama,
- as well as healthy diet. The Temple deity's satisfaction should be
- sought after; provide enjoyment and laughter and sensual delight to
- satisfy the Divinity within. Hold nothing back out of embarrassment or
- doubt; true worship is not an act of rote but of spontaneous and total
- love. During Tantric lovemaking, such worship of one's own bodily Temple
- and that of the partner produce fulfillment of all desires; Tantric
- sexual love is an act of great magical and spiritual potency.
-
-
- THE OUTER TEMPLE; THE ENVIRON OF WORSHIP.
-
- An erotic temple is necessary for Tantric worship and High Tantric
- Sexual acts. The senses, the body, mind and spirit should be aroused
- within this Temple. An inner sanctum can be created within one's home, a
- place in natural harmony with one's true spirit. Eastern temples usually
- incorporate arches and curved, soft shapes harmonious to the human
- body's lines. Hard lines and corners can be changed with drapes,
- canopies, ornaments, screens, and the like.
-
- Colors are important. Red and purple stimulate and arouse; deep blue and
- violet relax and invigorate. Color combinations as they relate to the
- chakras are most excellent; ideally ones that stimulate spontaneous
- erotic expression rather than inhibit it should be chosen as the
- dominant colors of the Sanctum. The bed should be kept close to ground
- level, or lovemaking should take place on carpets, padded mats and
- cushions.
-
- The KAMA SUTRA suggests: "The abode should ideally be located near
- water, surrounded by a garden, and contain inner and outer rooms. The
- main room should be balmy with rich perfumes and contain a bed, soft,
- agreeable to the sight, covered with a clean cloth, low in the middle,
- having garlands and flowers upon it, a canopy above it and two pillows,
- one at the top and another at the bottom. There should also be a sort of
- couch, at the head of this a stool on which should be placed fragrant
- ointments, perfume and flowers. An open fire provides stimulation and
- calls to Agni, Surya and Ushas."
-
- Such technicalities aren't always practical in the modern
- world--especially for apartment dwellers! But candles and incense, and
- jugs or bowls of fresh water can be easily substituted. Introducing
- natural elements into the home harmonizes the senses. Lovemaking is
- recommended in natural environs, but the practice of Tantric Union must
- be undertaken without danger of distraction or interruption, so natural
- elements such as fresh fruit, flowers, plants and natural organic
- materials are no less sacred for being *substitutes.* Silk wall hangings
- or sheets, feather pillows, and cotton or down comforters should
- enhance the bed, or even take the place of it.
-
- Electric light is unadvisable; electricity has a current of its own
- which is inorganic and not harmonious with the erotically stimulated
- body's natural currents. Candles are neutral, and the softness of their
- glow can help still the mind, focusing it totally on the spirituality of
- the sensual act to take place.
-
- Ordinary, non-ritual lovemaking is more easily accomplished in natural
- environs; and since Prakriti, the inherent Sakthi of nature and
- creation, exists in such places as wooded areas, beaches, and fields,
- physical, non-ritual lovemaking can be heightened by communion with the
- elements of nature. Additionally, if one brings back a stone, rock,
- shell, pinecone, or other object acquired during natural acts of love,
- it becomes a potent talisman, and should be provided a prominent place
- in the Inner Temple of the Home.
-
- Try to instill as much of your inner nature and true Self into the
- Temple's abode as possible. This will not only please you, but endow
- your Erotic Temple with a vital energetic current of its own.
-
-
- "The bed was made ready, provided with luxuries, including a bronze
- censer for scenting the quilts. She let down the bed curtains to the
- floor, letting down her hair, covering her body with it. The mattress
- and coverlets were piled up, the pointed pillows laid across them. She
- then shed her robes and revealed her white body, with delicate bones and
- soft flesh. We then made love, and her body was soft and moist, like
- fine ointment."
- --Mei-Jen Fu.
-
- AUM MANI PADME HUM.
-
-