Spencer

Posted Saturday, May 4, 2024

26d

INTP

Scorpio

6

7

Tantrik

A feature of the tantric worldview and methods of transferring knowledge is that they have several levels of meaning. On the one hand, we are dealing with highly developed sophisticated metaphysics and refined philosophy.(which reached its apogee in the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism), on the other hand, with a complex system of rituals, the external side of which, at best, is completely incomprehensible to the uninitiated, and at worst, can cause shock and even disgust. To truly understand them, it is necessary to be familiar not only with the texts, but also with the living oral tradition, which rarely happens with a purely academic approach. On the surface, the Mahavidyas are simply a rare group of goddesses who must be worshiped in various ways to achieve certain, mostly mundane benefits. But the very word "Mahavidya" means "Great Knowledge" or "Great Wisdom" (in fact, the equivalent of the Buddhist Prajnaparamita). This indicates that the tantric practice associated with the Mahavidyas is aimed at acquiring such wisdom, which in turn is designed to free the adept from a dual perception of reality. Thus, personifying, in a metaphysical sense, certain levels of absolute Consciousness and managing certain cosmic functions, the ten Mahavidyas are primarily the paths of sadhana - a spiritual practice that takes into account the individual predisposition of the practitioner. The unusual frightening appearance of some of the Mahavidyas serves as a kind of shock therapy, designed to blow up, excite the mind, push it out of the muddy hibernation of everyday life. The same applies to some tantric practices associated with pollution, horror, death, sex - that is, with everything that is considered forbidden, which is not customary to talk about openly, which is the dark realm of the subconscious. In the enlightened consciousness there can be no dark corners, repressed emotions of fear, hatred, depression. They need to "face it", pull it out and use the power of transformation hidden in them. Like Shiva, who drank the poison that came out of the plowed ocean, and thereby saved the world from destruction, tantric adepts work with the “poisons” of negative emotions and desires that constantly tear us apart, striving to experience the integrity and unity of being. - Victoria Dmitrieva Source : Bhāvachakra Art : Bong_chitrakala (Abhinab Chaterjee)