London Festival of Tantra
Namaste,

I thought you might like to know about a rather special forthcoming Tantric event in the UK...


The London Festival of Tantra will be held at Chelsea Old Town Hall (Kings Road, London SW3 5EE, UK) on 27 September 2008, 10:00 - 23:00. Tickets: £50 in advance.

Created by tantrika, author and community activist Bernadette Vallely, this one-day festival is the most important celebration of the Tantra spiritual movement in Britain since the 1970s. It features an unprecedented international line-up of speakers who will address the festival's theme "What is Tantra?" from many perspectives.

These inspiring personalities will discuss the use of Tantra as an intellectual and practical tool to achieve sexual healing, personal and spiritual empowerment, and self liberation. They include: Mark Michaels and Patricia Johnson, recently voted best sex educators in the US; Angela Hassan PhD, one of the world's leading Vajrayana Tibetan tantra experts; Rafa and Chelsea Zabala, inspiring Kriya Yoga practitioners; plus teachers representing many of the main tantra schools from the UK.

As well as feeding the mind, the festival will also enable you to experience "Tantra in Action" through practical demonstrations and participatory events involving meditation, yoga and ecstatic dancing led by leading experts. There will also be exciting musical events by Ravi and Orchid Star, and a demonstration of priestess belly dancing.

Throughout the day there will be exhibitions of artwork, photography, Buddhist Thankga and Sculptures from Nepal, Body Painting and Adornment. Various practitioners will also offer massage and healing, colour and beauty therapies and fakir magic. A range of stalls and stands will offer for sale arts & crafts, books & information.

Please see http://londonfestivaloftantra.com/ for further details.

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Tantra workshop
My husband and I are Ipsalu Tantra teachers. We are excited to share our work with people who are looking to bring more Light and Love into their lives.

We concentrate on generating & circulating sexual energy, conscious communication, clearing emotional residue, and awakening Kundalini.

For those of you requesting info about Tantra, here is an article you may find interesting. ~ Qualities of Ipsalu Tantra

Blessed be,
Chelsea and Rafael Zabala

~ Learn Tantra from Home with our Remote Tantra Seminars
~ Oct.3-5 & Oct. 10-12 2008 London UK Tantra Workshop: "Learning to Live in Bliss"
~Dec. 6-12, 2008, Costa Rica Tantra Retreat: "Tantra Quest: Discovering your Ecstatic Self in Paradise"

Current Mood: loved

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Buddhism, especially Zen, and BDSM
Elseforum, (http://spiritualbdsm.tribe.net/thread/9c78c5f9-a00d-4e93-8675-27cea8544d21), I was asked about the connection between tantra and bdsm. What follows is my response. ( Read more...Collapse )

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starting out
 I've never practiced Tantric sex and I'd really like to start.

I do have a understanding of buddhism and vippassana meditation.

Can someone give me some starting guides... perhaps things I can do on my own to learn basics?? Thank you so much!  

Current Mood: curious

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Tantric Sensations - Last Call
Last week's class was wonderful and this week's promises to be just as good.  This is your last reminder to register for Tantric Sensations at Citadel, (San Francisco), on Sunday.

http://teamnoir.name/Skydancing.html

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Reminder - Tantric Sensations (Santa Clara, CA)
A quick reminder that Tantric Sensations with Gaia and Chris are on June 10 and June 17th.  There's still time and registration is required.

http://teamnoir.name/Skydancing.html

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Tantra and Mysticism Book Collection for Sale
I'm selling off my collection of Tantra and Indian esoteric books to raise money for grad school. Some of the stuff I have is very rare. There are lots of hard-to-find English translations of Tantras, Upanishads, etc., scholarly works, Indian religious texts... you name it, really. I've set up a PayPal account to make it easy; I can take credit cards and bank transfers. I've researched pricing on this stuff, so I know that all of it is fair given the scarcity and condition of the books I've got.

I'm trying to avoid eBay and just sell the stuff directly to interested parties. You can download an Excel spreadsheet of all the books I have for sale. If you want to buy something or have any questions, you're welcome to send me an email, and I'd appreciate it if you'd pass the word along to anyone else you know who might be interested. I'll keep the spreadsheet updated as books are sold, so it will stay current.

I hope you find something you can use in my collection. It took me years to build it, but it doesn't pay to get too attached, and I don't have time for it anymore, so it's time to pass it on.

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6/10, 6/17 Tantric Sensations

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11/19 Introduction to Skydancing Tantra - Santa Clara, CA
Introduction to Skydancing Tantra
With Liz and Chris


Sunday, November 19, 10am - 6pm
Santa Clara, California

Ever wondered about Tantra? Interested in improving your communications skills? In learning to build further intimacy and trust? Especially around the intersection of sexuality and spirituality? Curious about creating sacred space? Or about developing your connection with a partner?

In this full day workshop you will be introduced to Tantra in general and to Skydancing Tantra in specific by Liz and Chris. Both Liz and Chris are Skydancing Tantra facilitators in training and students of internationally acclaimed Tantra expert and author Margot Anand. Tantra is an experiential discipline and this class is a start in that direction. You will have the opportunity to explore for yourself some of the exercises of Skydancing Tantra in a private, supportive, encouraging, nonjudgmental environment.

This workshop is open to singles and couples of any gender.

For more info and to register: http://teamnoir.name/SkydanceIntro20061119.html

Questions? mailto: ice@noir.com

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Ritual BDSM PlayShop (San Jose - June 18)
Part ritual, part discussion group, part tantra puja, part class, part show-n-tell, part play party, part experimental laboratory, this series of events is an immersive introduction and experience in ritual BDSM sex magick.  All genders and orientations welcome.

All experience levels welcome.  If you're a beginner and would like to try some, come.  If you're a seasoned magick practitioner, witch, shaman, priest or other ritual worker, and would like to figure out how to mix your skills with bdsm, then come.  If you're a seasoned bdsm player and would like to know how to make your play more spiritual, purposeful, and/or meaningful, then come.  If you're an experienced ritual magick bdsm practitioner, then come help create.  If you'd just like to hang and hold space, then come.

Bring your ritual kit, your toy bag, your drums, your excitement, your enthusiasm, and your partner.  Don't fret if you're missing any of these items as we'll likely have enough to share.  :-).

Questions?  mailto: ice@noir.com
or check http://teamnoir.name/ChrisEnglish/PlayShop.html

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Upcoming events at Harbin...
These folks hold some fabulous events so I thought I'd mention them here. Most of them are held at Harbin Hot Springs in Northern California, a few hours north of San Francisco.

The Goddess Weekend for women, and Erotic Tantric Massage: The Art of Infinite Pleasure are the perfect way to celebrate Spring and get rid of those cobwebs! Another great event is A Day of Timeless Loving May 20th at Sebastopol. Read more here.

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Benefit tonight for Nathaniel



If you have the time and the extra cash. I think that you will find this show worth both.
My friend Nathaniel (as some of you already know) is in the hospital sick with fusobacterium-necorum . He is in the ICU and has been for almost two weeks. This is going to cost him and his family ALOT of money. Seeing as how his family is not rich, not by any means. They helped his friends organize this event to assist in paying his hospital bills. I understand perhaps Nathaniel lead a lifestyle many of you would not support (nor would I). However, he is a very nice person and never caused anybody any grief. If any of you can make it this would mean a great deal to me and many others that have worked hard to make it happen.


Thanks!

And Schizophrenia is tomorrow at the Mercury......with DJ's Nubby Krayon and me (PsyOp). BUT I WILL BE FAR MORE UPSET IF I DON'T SEE YOU TONIGHT THAN TOMORROW!!! THIS IS REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT, AND WILL BE LOTS OF FUN, SO GET YOUR LAZY ASS OUT OF THE HOSUE AND COME! One day with less sleep never killed anyone....

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Communication...
Has anyone got any links to sites that can give me some good information on dealing with emotions and communication within a relationship?

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Tis good to see
That although I have not been actively adding to this community, it is still somewhat thriving on it's own. Although it would be wonderful if more comments, suggestions and input could be added. I know only a little on this subject. I started this community so we all could learn from each other. I love what has been put forth so far (yes Simon, even yours). Thank you to all who have joined, all who are watching and all who have contributed. Please share as you are able. We are all here to learn and discuss and help one another.

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music
I am looking for music to meditate to as well for ecstatic dance....
I enjoy World music, African, Eastern, Tibetan bowls, chants etc....etc...Tribal beats and vocals....not any of that New agey tinky crap...some real heart and soul powererful moving sound....
I love 'Return to the Source' ambient beats for doing yoga to and meditating....
Bu I am looking for more, and a variety of good positive music, acoustic as well as electronic....
Can anyone make some suggestions of labels, or artists to explore?

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Help!!!!!!
I need to give away kittens to a good home. I am terrified that I willl have to give them away to a shelter if I cannot find someone to take them. There are two super cute kittens, both litterbox trained, who need to go to new homes, as I have way too many cats now. One is grey and tabby striped, and one is white with a grey striped tail and patches on his face and body. It's really important to me that they go to good, loving homes. Please help!!!

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10.02.05 Fifth Column (Final)
This Sunday October 2nd will be the last Fifth Column at the Mercury* If you've been meaning to check out a Fifth Column @ the Mercury but haven't done so, this is your last chance! Come down and have some fun! Buying the DJ drinks wouldn't be a bad idea either! ;) As always, membership is not required for this night. $4.00 cover, be 21+ w id-doors open at 9 pm.

We would like to thank the Fifth Column disciples (you know who you are) and everyone else that has supported us from the beginning! It's been fun!


*(not to worry, Psyop will be moving to Schizophrenia on Thursdays, so it's a good thing).

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"IO Pan" №4.
93! "IO Pan"
We present article from new number of our bulletin "IO Pan" of the friend of Moscow's Oasis "Pan's Asylum" Arjuna Anandanatha.
93 93/93
Sr.Dew



Tantrism in the Writings of Kenneth Grant

Being the mystical essence of all Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Tantrism in many aspects is close to various secret schools of middle East and West, that occupy a similar position in a context of corresponding religions. One of such systems of Western mysticism is The-lema. Its beginning is marked by the revelation of the Book of the Law, which occurred in 1904 e.v. via Aleister Crowley. Crowley had visited India and Sri Lanka and to a certain degree got in touch with the local Tantric traditions; consequently he didn’t fail to notice their essential similarity to his own world outlook and experience. Later he wrote, thatamong all hindus it is tantrics who are the most advanced.
Like Thelema, Tantra is a life-affirming teaching. Contrary to multiple decadent doctrines ofascetic traditions, Tantrism delivers a gospel of love, elation and enjoyment. Its spirit is concordant with that which is reflected in the words of Nu in the first chapter of Liber AL. Tantras formulate their basic law in a way resembling the AL’s maxima: “The sole principleis to follow one’s own Will”.1 The metaphysics of Tantra and Thelema is also essentially identical - union/duality of Nuit and Hadit, consequent emerging of the world, divine natureof human being, doctrine of non-dual perception etc. And the same can be said regarding their practical side. As it has been noted by one tantric master, Thelema is Tantra for the West.
Following Crowley, some of his adherents started turning to the theme of Tantra. Among such two are the most famous: an englishman who took the name of Dadaji Mahen-dranath, the founder of AMOOKOS, and Kenneth Grant, the founder of Typhonian O.T.O. Itis Grant’s ideas about Tantrism that are examined in the present article on the basis of his Typhonian Trilogy -The Magical Revival, Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God and Cults of the Shadow.
It is evident from Grant’s works that his interest was Tantric tradition of Srividya.2 Quiet ob-viously, Grant’s views on the subject were based upon literature available at that time inEnglish: a few academic digests, several translations among which are Lalitasahasranama and Kamakalavilasa, and popular books about so called “yoga”. Since Grant had neverbeen initiated into any of Tantric traditions and had been unaware of authentic sources of Tantrism in Sanskrit, his ideas of it are, to say the least, not precise. However it can be said that Grant’s views still are of some interest, and it may be useful to go through them.But while reading his works one has to take care - the basis of this statement is given be-low.
The main problem of Grant’s apprehension of Tantrism is his habit of taking it fragmentarilyand lumping it together with his personal ideas. For instance, there are no grounds forconsidering Tantrism being historically connected to some egyptian cults - which was stated by Grant in several of his books. Etymological “proofs” given by him3 are clearly unsound; a similarity of certain ideas in no way can be regarded as an evidence of any suc
1 For example, see Kali-tantra, 8.19
2 Srividya is one of the main schools of Kaula-tantrism. It originated around 8-11 century C.E. in Kashmir andthen spread all over India - mostly in South India and Bengal. It is in South India where Srividya took its finalform and became the dominating Tantric tradition, which it remains to be in our time.
3 Cults of the Shadow, p. 63
cession or interrelation of given traditions. Historically, Tantrism evolved around 3-5 cen-tury C.E. from Vedic religion and local cults of female deities. For the fact, it is distinctive Indian tradition.
From place to place in Grant’s books we may find references and “quotations” from an un-named “initiated Kaula commentator”. This feature is rather ridiculous given the fact that alloriginal Tantric commentaries have author mentioned. Moreover, considering the languageand the style of “quotation” it can be stated that they were written by an european in 20thcentury - most likely Grant himself or someone of his disciples.
In Grant’s writings there is a considerable amount of factual mistakes. For example, hewrites “arkashani” in spite of correct term “akarshini” (Sanskr. “she who attracts”).4 Even more queerly, he notices no difference between words “kAla”, “time; black” and “kalA”, “aspect; emanation”, and consequently makes several wrong assumptions.5 The name of one Tantric hymn, Karpuradi, Grant erroneously takes to be a name of the Goddess Kali.6 In the same place he provides an incongruous etymology of the bija “Krim”, saying it is aconcentration of the word “karpura”.7 And this list can be continued...
Several fragments cited by Grant and ideas ascribed by him to Tantrism do not occur in corresponding texts and traditions. Poor knowledge of the subject makes Grant to misin-terpret Tantric doctrines and even falsify facts.
It is a question why Grant had chosen from amidst all Tantric traditions particularly Srivid-ya. Perhaps it was due to availability of certain sources and inaccessibility of the other. Forthis or that reason, Grant almost everywhere appeals to the Tantrism of Srividya.8 It is in Srividya where the doctrine of Kamakala, “Emanation of Passion”, from which Grant hadborrowed an idea of kalas as sexual secretions, has a special place. And again, he pulls this idea out of the context of the doctrine, which is not only its necessary foundation butthe sole heart of Srividya in whole.9 Given the fact that Kamakala doctrine is essentiallyclose to the metaphysics of Liber AL, Grant’s attitude is more than strange. Actually, this is just one more demonstration of his interest in mere practical matters and a total apathy tothe matters of true importance.
The doctrine of kalas is of utmost accent to Grant. In fact this is the only idea that he hadborrowed specifically from Tantrism. And to a certain degree he understood it aptly. For example, Grant noted that woman’s sexual secretions have not merely magical as it iscommonly held in the West, but rather mystical and sacramental significance. Contrary to
4 Cults of the Shadow, pp. 82-83; Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God, p. 179
5 The linguistic misunderstanding occurs in Grant’s books frequently. As just one example, see Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God, p. 211. In addition, Grant baselessly identifies “kula” and “kala” (Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God, p. 213).
6 Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God, p. 116. In fact, “Karpuradi” means “karpura etc.” - the hymn is named by its first word.
7 Ibid., p. 115
8 Seemingly, Grant is simply unaware of other Tantric traditions apart from Srividya.
9 Grant refers to Kamakala very briefly only: see Cults of the Shadow, p. 95 and Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God, p. 212.
Crowley, who generally underestimated the magnitude of the woman,10 Grant took a Tan-tric approach in this matter. Sadly, he was not sincere enough. Having borrowed some things of secondary importance, Grant missed the essence of Tantric doctrine. He never rose above the level of an occultist. Moreover, that what he borrowed Grant developed in avery awkward and voluntary way. For example, his speculations about bisexualising of the human body by means of the 16th kala11 sound simply ridiculous. Following jabber aboutsamarasa and “the science of Bhairavas” is no less dubious.12
In his examination of kala theory Grant goes to the extreme opposite to Crowley’s - but even to a greater degree. He states that woman’s secretions are of utmost importance,which is right according to the doctrine of Tantras;13 however, he proceeds with a strange and baseless statement that man’s secretions are of no use in mystical practice.14 This is in direct contradiction with the word of Tantras - they unambiguously say that the best elixiris formed by the conjunction of two.15
Then, Grant several times states that in Kaula ritual a priestess is only brought to excite-ment after which her secretions are collected in a birch leaf and used as a communion. He even adds that sexual contact with her is prohibited. This peculiar practice is of no doubt Grant’s own one - as far as I know, not even one Tantra describes such kind of ritual. In numerous Tantric texts we find prescriptions of the oral consumption of woman’s secre-tions or their mixture with semen directly from yoni.16 Most often genital coitus is said to bethe must. According to some, it is preferable for man not to ejaculate17 - but this is applicable to that case only when he is able to achieve the orgasmic state without an egress of semen. Otherwise ejaculation is needed for the rite to be complete and perfect. Having thisin view, we can see that Grant is trying to falsify things and push his own fables in the name of Tantra.
10 However, it was Crowley who also wrote that without a woman man has no power (cited in Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God, p. 19).
11 Cults of the Shadow, p. 100
12 Ibid., pp. 101-102
13 This is a direct consequence of the exalted position of woman in Tantrism and her unique role on the path to God. According to Tantric teaching, rituals and practices devoid of woman’s participation are all in vain,and final liberation is never achieved without a company of woman. Several Tantric texts are devoted to glo-rification and practical use of woman’s sexual secretions - for instance, Yoni-tantra. Secretions are consid-ered to be manifestation of the very essence of the Goddess, Her sadbhava.
14 Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God, p. 40
15 For example, Kaulavali-nirnaya, 5.36: “The Goddess is to be served with the nectar of yoni and lingam”. Mahakala-samhita advocated the usage of semen only - in the case of woman’s absence.
16 As a good illustration, see Shaktisangama-tantra, Kali-khanda, 21.53-57.
17 Such prescriptions in fact are very rarely met in Tantras. Contrary to the modern view, ejaculation is gen-erally prescribed as a necessary part of Kula ritual, corresponding to purnahuti of the Vedic yaga. But for cer-tain reasons in contemporary Tantrism above mentioned view seems to be dominating. Among textual evi-dences I can bring forth perhaps one only: Kalivilasa-tantra, 10.20, forbids ejaculation in the case of coitionwith another man’s wife.
Following the same line of fraud, Grant writes that a woman who takes part in a ritual as aliving Goddess remains a virgin.18 Contrary to his idea, in the overwhelming majority ofcases this or that kind of sexual act takes place. This is true in regard to Hindu Shakta-tantrism and Sahajiya, as well as to Buddhist Vajrayana and Sahajayana.
Certain ideas Grant deliberately distorts - to bring them in accordance with his own views.For instance, “viparita-maithuna” in no case means something like “a type of sexual congress typical for a dog”,19 which must had been well known to Grant. However he simplymisrepresents the idea20 - for the reason of his obsession with “dog and Sirius theme”. Theword “kumari” which means “a virgin”,21 he baselessly interprets as “a woman who had nochildren”. The most funny case of such misusage of terms by Grant is perhaps the following: his favorite word “suvasini” in reality stands for mere married women22 and not for notorious “specially trained priestesses”.
In his Cults of the Shadow Grant makes a factually wrong statement that adepts of Va-machara strive for longevity and physical immortality - and this is one of the major goals ofthis path.23 It is peculiar to Grant to interpret Tantric doctrines from too much physiological point of view. Thus, with an awkward seriousness he writes about the extreme importance for Tantric practice of a contraction of the anus.24 Of course, such dubious practice is almost absent from authentic Tantric texts. Grant either had got a second-hand information that again proved to be false or merely invented the idea.
Finally, the most disagreeable feature of Grant’s “tantrism”25 as of his world outlook in whole is his pathologic inclination to ugly and unnatural.26 As in the majority of such cases,this mean tendency is substantiated with an ideological base27 of “getting free” and “acquiring completeness”.
18 The Magical Revival, p. 39
19 Cults of the Shadow, p. 102
20 In fact, viparita-maithuna refers to the case when the woman is above the man.
21 Just to illustrate this simple fact: Bengali Tantric text, Pranatoshini, while describing a kumari worship, rec-ommends the anal coitus - which is at all not common for Tantras - for the very reason of avoiding deflora-tion. Obviously, kumari is a physical virgin.
22 This is true both for the case of usage of this word in Srividya sources and in modern language.
23 And again contradicting himself, in just another paragraph of the same chapter Grant says that this is not typical for Tantrism.
24 Even the famous vajroli-mudra, which Grant sees as a physiological capacity (for example, The Magical Revival, p. 39) in fact has to be understood symbolically.
25 In the case of an absence of the needed material in available Tantric texts Grant simply fabricates those practices which he wants to be present there. For example, see Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God, p. 88.
26 Numerous illustrations in Grant’s books serve a good proof of this. They rather typically represent the worlds of q’lippoth.
27 Significantly, Grant cites Austin Spare’s saying about the necessity of perversion (Aleister Crowley and the Hidden God, p. 89). Grant’s general liking towards Spare and his degraded art confirms his obsession withthe forces of evil. By the way, Grant’s position in this matter is in total contradiction with the doctrines of Tan-trism and Thelema - they both see beauty as an attribute of Divine.
Summing up, it can be stated that Grant was acquainted with Tantrism to a rather small degree and obviously not directly. Hence his account of Tantric doctrines is of mere inter-est of comparative religious studies but none of practical one. Grant’s approach towardsTantrism can be characterized as none else but a dilettante - notwithstanding numerous claims for esoterism and complete knowledge of all mysteries, we notice an absence oferudition even in trivial matters which make no secret for any literate man who is able totake a look into a dictionary or a reference book. However, it is quiet understandable that Tantrism proper is of no need for Grant. After all in his books Grant sets forth his personal system of occultism, utilizing at times a terminology and certain ideas from those traditionswhich are interesting to him. And, without any doubt, Grant’s writings cannot be seen asadequately portraying doctrines and practices of Tantra. About such kind of self-claimed “adepts” who speculate about the tradition Tantras say: “Having no knowledge of the holy Scriptures, they proclaim their false authority”.28

(с)Arjuna Anandanatha (arjunanandanatha@gmail.com)

28.07.05 e.v.
Bibliography
Grant, Kenneth. Aleister Crowley & the Hidden God. London, Muller, 1973.
Grant, Kenneth. Cults of the Shadow. London, Scoob, 1994.
Grant, Kenneth. The Magical Revival. New York, Weiser, 1973.

28 Shatsahasra-samhita, 3.63

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Here are a couple of links that I found on Wikipedia that relate to Tantra and Chakra's.

This one is about Chakra's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra

This one on Tantra

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantra

Current Mood: weird

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93!
93!

The Mystery of the “five M”.

(extract from the article)

One of the most essential components of doctrine and practice of Kaula-tantrism is panchatattva

or the mystery of the “five M” (panchamakara). In the context of sadhana (religious

practice) panchatattva is the main ritual, the sacrifice of Kula and the mystical communion

with the Goddess. Doctrinally it reveals itself as a gnosiological matrix upon which

the Body of the Godhead, macro- and microcosm are classified.

According to the doctrine of Tantras, the method to reach full perfection is enjoyment of the

world in love towards the Goddess. Yoni-tantra 6.25 says: “Happiness is achieved through

enjoyment, through enjoyment liberation is achieved. Thus one has to devote himself

completely to enjoyment”. But alongside it is stressed that love is the most essential on

this way. For instance, Meru-tantra 10.67 says: “Only that one whose love is strong succeeds

on this way of the Left”; same is stated by Kularnava-tantra, Parananda-sutra and

other Tantras. Why enjoyment is so important? Because enjoyment is the means to reveal

that spiritual bliss which is said to be the form of the Absolute manifested in body

(Kularnava-tantra 5.80). And as Devi-rahasya puts it, “the Supreme Lady is satisfied

through the worship of the taste of bliss” (Uttarakhanda 58.11). However this path of enjoyment

is opened not for everyone; Tantras underline that only “hero”, vira, is capable of

following it. Such vira possesses complete faith in himself and God, right knowledge and

logic (saljnana and sattarka), devotion to Shakti (Goddess and beloved woman) and appropriate

initiation into Kula lineage. Then there is only one prescription which he has to

follow - svechchhachara, “following one’s own [true] will” (Kali-tantra 8.19). Thus Kaulatantrism

gives the same Law of Thelema as Liber AL does.

The doctrine of “five M” has to be set in this context. Panchamakara is the essence of

kula-yoga. It is stated in Jnanarnava-tantra 22.68 that “the union of male and female is the

true yoga”. Through the union in love one enters the transcendent abode, paramapada. As

Shiva says in Maheshvara-tantra, “being in love is [being] above the world”.

Five essences of Kula, panchatattva, are five aspects of amorous union with Shakti.

Mahanirvana-tantra 5.22 insists that panchatattva is necessary in the worship of Her. The

“five M” are that much important so Kularatnavali states that without 5M the Goddess is

never pleased.

Five kula-tattvas are signifying the totality of the Goddess’ presence. It can be put that the

tantric communion exists in five forms: wine, meat, fish, mudra and maithuna. In sanskrit

all these words start from letter “m”, thus the title panchamakara. Out of these five two last

are left without translation; the reason is that their meanings are several. Mudra commonly

stands for fried grain (which symbolise that seeds of karmas are burned in the fire of

knowledge), but original sense must have been “sexual partner”. This reading is supported

not only by buddhist tradition but also by the tantric etymology of the term: “that which

brings joy is called mudra”. Final makara, maithuna, is a sexual communion and its result,

emission of secretions.

From one side the ritual usage of 5M was the act of antinomianism, transgression of socioreligious

law of Smriti. Like that Niruttara-tantra suggests to reject vedic prescriptions.

However this is merely surface of this ritual; its essence is much deeper.

Symbolically five tattvas represent five aspects of the Goddess, five parts of Her Body. In

their succession 5M constitute the method of tantric yoga. Wine (madya) symbolises the

mystical intoxication of love-feeling, prema-rasa, which occurs as a result of awakening of

the heart under the impact of divine grace (anugraha-shakti). Wine corresponds to Shakti,

feminine side of the Divinity. Meat on the other side stands for Its masculine side, Shiva. It

symbolises awareness, inner silence, contemplation (dhyana). Wine and meat are Shakti

and Shiva (see Kularnava-tantra 5.78), they are Nuit and Hadit. The verse of Kularnava

further reads: “The one who enjoys [their union] is himself Bhairava, and the bliss springing

up from their union is Liberation”. Bhairava or Hor of Liber AL is symbolised by a fish

(matsya or mina), dragon or serpent. This dragon is arising, it is a personification of

arohana-shakti, energy of uplifting. As Shiva-sutra says: “Bhairava is raising”. This is also

sankshobha, sexual arousing of the Goddess (see Niruttara-tantra 5.19). Then, the bliss of

union is mudra, “that which brings joy”. Mudra is Maat and Babalon, Scarlet Woman and

the lower Shekhinah of Kabbalah.

The four elements described are corresponding to the four letters of the Holy Name of

God, four sphiroth, four aeons of Liber AL and four directions. They are the four aspects of

fifth tattva, which is above all. Maithuna represents the return to the primal Unity, which is

the state of the Godhead. It is the perfect union of man and woman in love-taste, mahasukha

of buddhist Tantras. While wine and meat correspond to the descent of Shakti,

graceful power of the Divine, and fish and mudra - to the consequent accent of lower kundalini,

maithuna is samarasya, “merging in one taste”. It is in maithuna, sexual union with

shakti, that the highest bliss, paramananda, is realised. As Tantras say, “happiness that

manifests in the union has the quality of bliss supreme” (samyoge jAyate saukhyaM paramAnandalakShaNam).

According to the teaching of Kula, the ritual of 5M ought to be performed only when one

has an authority (adhikara) given by the Goddess and guru and when he has love towards

his shakti, woman. Tantras underline that woman has to be viewed as an incarnation of the

Goddess (for instance, see Mahakala-samhita Guhyakali-khanda 10.1663). Moreover,

Annadakalpa-tantra 15.46 goes as far as to say that “one can reject his mother and father,

one can reject Shiva and Vishnu, one can even reject the Goddess - but never his beloved

woman”.

“That Supreme Lady Shakti, who is glorified as [the Giver] of Liberation, She is manifested

in the form of a woman” (Bhutashuddhi-tantra 7.17).



Love is the law, love under will.



(с) Arjuna Anandanatha (arjunanandanatha@gmail.com)

08.06.05 e.v.

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