Tantric Philosophy and Being Fully Present

Perhaps it is the simple ability to allow each moment of life to flow through us that could be Tantra’s gift to the modern world. Tantra’s way of embracing what we might otherwise reject, stirring up things we may have ignored and letting emotions be in motion could be a practice to use in every day life, whether on the yoga mat, on the bus, at work, or at play with our loved ones.

Historical Overview of Tantric Philosophy

There are many branches of Tantra from various parts of Asia, all with a slightly different influence depending upon whether the roots stem from Tibetan Buddhism, or the Indian Vedas. What is perhaps most interesting and useful to first understand however, is the meaning of the word Tantra itself. At a time when several ancient Vedic traditions now known as Hinduism were dominant in India, a subculture of people were simultaneously developing philosophies and practices based around beliefs that took a different path, and somewhat challenged the Vedic ideals. Whilst the Vedic culture was somewhat regulated and had many rules regarding worship, and many rituals to adhere to, Tantra could be described as a counter culture, rebelling against the norm and going beyond the boundaries of human thinking and acting at that time.

Sutra and Tantra

If you’ve ever read Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, or any other text containing the word sutra in its title, you’re reading what is known as a thread of texts. The word sutra essentially means ‘strand’ or ‘thread’, a piece of wisdom or knowledge to learn from. The word ‘Tantra’ has been identified to have a few meanings, one of which means loom, referring to the loom that weaves all the ‘threads’ together. Whilst sutras deal with detail and puzzle solving, Tantra is the expanded mind, the very process of thought itself, and unlike Vedic texts which might answer life’s questions, Tantra questions life itself. 

Dualism and Non-Dualism

If you’ve taken a yoga teacher training course or a deep dive into yoga philosophy, one of the aspects you may have been uncertain of is the whole dual and non-dual subject. Whilst texts like Patanjali’s yoga sutras are an example of dualism, known as dvaita in Sanskrit, tantric texts and philosophies are non-dual, or advaita. With dualism, there’s a belief that two separate entities exist. The first is Purusha – a higher power, unseen force, or God, and this dualistic God is seen as a completely separate being living in another place to us, controlling the universe from above. Within duality, the world, our emotions and thoughts are seen as real, and we are to look to a higher power and spiritual texts to help answer life’s questions. This way of thinking according to Sri Maddhacharya prevents people falling into escapism, therefore encouraging each person to take action and engage fully with the world around them.

With non-dualism, there’s an essence of one-ness. The higher power, god, spirit, universe or however else you might refer to it is within everything in nature, including us. Creation and creator are one, and any sense of separateness is an illusion. Within non-dualism or advaita, the whole world is an illusion, including all of our thoughts and emotions, relating strongly to the Buddha’s concept of heaven and hell being within our own minds. It is said that once the illusion of separateness, ego and self-obsession are lifted (after a lot of years of meditation and practice), we become one with that higher power, knowing on all levels that we really are all ‘one’.

Instead of looking to an outward higher power or god to answer life’s questions, within non-dualism we’re encouraged to observe ourselves and study the way we act, think and live in the world. Tantra encourages each person to fully experience their emotions, allowing anything from rage to romance, sorrow to joy, to fill and engulf the mind and body, and therefore fully experiencing life’s moments. Rather than repressing or pushing away from emotions and experiences, tantric traditions look to gently (and sometimes not so gently) stir them up, so they can rise to the surface of our awareness, and more easily be dealt with and released. Emotions are after all energy-in-motion, and if they’re allowed to move and flow, our minds and lives may begin to take on the ability to progress and flow too.

Practicing Presence

Tantric philosophy and non-dualist practices are built upon thousands of years of wisdom, and much like all yoga practices, we can choose which aspects work for us in every day life. Whilst the concept of dualism and even Patanjali’s yoga sutras were actually meant for Brahmins, Kings and high-caste priests, the Tantric philosophy was intended for the householder, the everyday person.

Those of us not sitting on thrones or with a privileged life wouldn’t necessarily have time for the rituals and rules the Brahmins took time over, as we’d have to think about where the next meal was coming from and how best to care for the family. For those with a busy life, the multitude of practices and special observances wasn’t always useful or practical, and so the tantric traditions were picked up by those in the every day world.

Within non-dualism unity and being at one, inspires compassion for fellow man, kindness to others, and an ability to be more aware and awake to each moment. Emotions are allowed to flow, and so grudges and grievances could be easier to let go of. Life finds a rhythm and although that rhythm can vary in speed, it continues to play freely. If we let life be, if we embrace each moment, if we allow emotion to move and flow, then we start to give each personal equal respect, each opinion validity, each emotion the space it needs, and each moment of everyday the importance it deserves.

Non-duality is the recognition that underlying the multiplicity and diversity of experience there is a single, infinite and indivisible reality, whose nature is pure consciousness, from which all objects and selves derive their apparently independent existence. The recognition of this reality is not only the source of lasting happiness within all people; it is the foundation of peace between individuals, communities and nations, and it must be the basis for any sustainable relationship with the environment.

This post has been adapted from an original article, you can read more of the original article here

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