Studies on Tantra
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 9:56 pm
Hey guys, hope you can help me on this.
I started my path on magick few months ago, but I found out that I wasn't particularly interested in developing occult powers or contacting entities/archetypes. It has been 3 months now that I fell in love for Yôga philosophy, specially because my readings on Jung's psychology and the possibility of entering in contact with the collective uncounscious, but I'm still very confused and needing some light on my practices in order to attain samádhi on this life.
My first question is about the autonomy of the seeker in the spiritual path. I've read some stuff saying that different spiritual traditions shouldn't be mixed up because there are strong gregarious powers involved and, therefore, the colision of these forces might produce dangerous results. Other argument is that you should be loyal to your master by not accepting other master's teachings.
I was quite sceptical about this approach, but the master who told me this seems to be a wise yôgi and pretty familiar with all kinds of traditions by his own experience in youth. I understand that this is a very personal point, and I feel that many of you are likely to disagree with this, but I still wanted to hear some opinions.
Now, moving to the next subject, which concerns Tantra (specially Kaula Tantra, but I would love to hear if you have anything to say about your thoughts on Mishra and Samaya). I'm very happy I discovered this sensorial and freedom-based philosophy, but here in my country there are lots of centers offering Tantra teachings in the form of "tantric therapy capacitation", but some of them require initiation (maithuna, sexual intercourse), while others only works with massages. So, is an initiation necessary to obtain the knowledge of Tantra or that's just a tradition? Initiatic schools are more realiable in terms of knowledge and techniques?
Another point is about the mystic and ritual work that some centers develop. Now, my Yôga school is founded on Sámkhya (which rejects the mysticism and ritualistic work, and it would be awesome to discuss Védanta and Sámkhya in other topic), but I couldn't find a Sámkhya-Tantra school. Many of them are closely related to Osho's neotantra, Wilhelm Reich, Mesmer and so on. Am I likely to get good knowledge on these places? Is it really importante to find the "right" school or Tantra depends more on personal practice and development since there is no ultimate written source?
Finally, most of the schools here are Vamachara (left-handed), and, therefore, uses meat, fish and alcohol. I'm vegetarian and drugs-free, but I'm not exactly sure about my position. What are your impressions about karma theory (and, specifically, use of substances on ritual practices)?
If you got book recommendations on Tantra, I would love to hear it.
Love, folks.
I started my path on magick few months ago, but I found out that I wasn't particularly interested in developing occult powers or contacting entities/archetypes. It has been 3 months now that I fell in love for Yôga philosophy, specially because my readings on Jung's psychology and the possibility of entering in contact with the collective uncounscious, but I'm still very confused and needing some light on my practices in order to attain samádhi on this life.
My first question is about the autonomy of the seeker in the spiritual path. I've read some stuff saying that different spiritual traditions shouldn't be mixed up because there are strong gregarious powers involved and, therefore, the colision of these forces might produce dangerous results. Other argument is that you should be loyal to your master by not accepting other master's teachings.
I was quite sceptical about this approach, but the master who told me this seems to be a wise yôgi and pretty familiar with all kinds of traditions by his own experience in youth. I understand that this is a very personal point, and I feel that many of you are likely to disagree with this, but I still wanted to hear some opinions.
Now, moving to the next subject, which concerns Tantra (specially Kaula Tantra, but I would love to hear if you have anything to say about your thoughts on Mishra and Samaya). I'm very happy I discovered this sensorial and freedom-based philosophy, but here in my country there are lots of centers offering Tantra teachings in the form of "tantric therapy capacitation", but some of them require initiation (maithuna, sexual intercourse), while others only works with massages. So, is an initiation necessary to obtain the knowledge of Tantra or that's just a tradition? Initiatic schools are more realiable in terms of knowledge and techniques?
Another point is about the mystic and ritual work that some centers develop. Now, my Yôga school is founded on Sámkhya (which rejects the mysticism and ritualistic work, and it would be awesome to discuss Védanta and Sámkhya in other topic), but I couldn't find a Sámkhya-Tantra school. Many of them are closely related to Osho's neotantra, Wilhelm Reich, Mesmer and so on. Am I likely to get good knowledge on these places? Is it really importante to find the "right" school or Tantra depends more on personal practice and development since there is no ultimate written source?
Finally, most of the schools here are Vamachara (left-handed), and, therefore, uses meat, fish and alcohol. I'm vegetarian and drugs-free, but I'm not exactly sure about my position. What are your impressions about karma theory (and, specifically, use of substances on ritual practices)?
If you got book recommendations on Tantra, I would love to hear it.
Love, folks.