As w ill be explained later, the original meaning appears to have been in the context of weaving on a loom: it was a vocation-derived word. Yoga, this word too means many things, both common and un common, both normal and abnormal. It is taken to signify a system of thought, a body of practices, or a collection of books. The expression 'tantra' has been variously derived and differ ently explained. The Tantra is neither so forbiddingly esoteric nor so nauseatingly bizarre: it is a simple, wholesome approach to the problem of good living in a. In fact, the Vedic temperament of buoyant and ecstatic involvement was to a great extent tempered as a result of Tantrik impact, as can be seen in the Upanishadic ideology. And Tantrik culture was bot.id rather w ith the ideal of 'quiet contemplation' than w ith the goal o f 'joyful life', here or hereafter, that we find reflected in the Vedic hymns. There was an unmistakable emphasis on the individual in this culture, contrary to the collec tive orientation of the Vedic tradition but extravagance or eccentricity in individual behaviour was never suggested, encour aged or accepted. It concerned itself w ith the normal man and pertained to his daily life. , The Tantra was in origin folk, and the elements of abstraction, were naturally minimal. But these are deviations and perversions, altogether alien to the spirit and core of the Tantra ideology. It is also true that some Tantrik rituals as described and practised are wholly outlandish and obviously abominable. It is true that some Tantrik texts work w ith extremely abstract ideas and employ elaborate, and sometimes irrelevant, symbolism. Very few are aware that while the former attitude is unjustified, the latter is unwarranted. The opponents, on the other hand, seek so to highlight the antinomian and obscene elements in the cults claiming to be Tantrik that the good citizen who has an eye for decency shies from it. The enthusiasts have sought to project an image o f it that is at once so highly esoteric and mystical that the scholar who has a modest opinion of his own intellectual abilities is easily scared away. The study of the Tantra has suffered from two chief disadvan tages. Muladhara-Chakra Swadhishthana-Chakra Manipura-Chakra Anahata-Chakra Vishuddha-C hakra Ajna-Chakra Sahasrara-Chakra Swastika-Mandala Nadi-Mandala The Sacred Vase (Kalasa) The Hum Mandala The Mani-Chakra Printed at Pauls Press, B-258 Naraina Industrial Area Phase I, New Delhi-110028. AB/9, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110016. Published by Gulab Vazirani for Arnold-Heinemann Publishers (India) Pvt. TIBETAN TANTRIK TRADITION TIBETAN MEDITATION
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