Introduction of yantra
What
is a yantra ?
YANTRA literally means "support" and "instrument". A YANTRA is a geometric
design acting as a highly efficient tool for contemplation, concentration and
meditation. YANTRAS carry spiritual significance : there is a specific meaning
that pertains to higher levels of consciousness.
The YANTRA provides a focal point that is a
window into the absolute. When the mind is concentrated on a single, simple
object (in this case a YANTRA), the mental chatter ceases. Eventually, the
object is dropped when the mind can remain empty and silent without help. In the
most advanced phases, it is possible to attain union with God by the geometric
visualization of a YANTRA.
The YANTRA is like a microcosmic picture of
the
MACROCOSM. It is a focusing point and an
outer and inner doorway. The YANTRAS are often focused on a specific deity and
so. by tuning into the different YANTRAS you can tap into certain deities or
creative force centers in the universe.
YANTRAS are usually designed so that the eye
is carried into the center, and very often they are symmetrical. They can be
drawn on paper, wood, metal, or earth, or they can be three-dimensional.
The
most celebrated YANTRA in India is the
Sri YANTRA, the YANTRA of Tripura Sundari.
It is a symbol of the entire cosmos that serves to remind the practitioner of
the nondifference between subject and object.
How do YANTRAS work ?
At the basis of YANTRA operation is something called "shape energy" or "form
energy". The idea is that every shape emits a very specific frequency and energy
pattern. Examples of old believes in shape energy are the YANTRAS and mandalas
of eastern philosophies, the star of David, the five pointed star (pentagon),
the Christian cross, the pyramids and so on. Certain 'powers' are ascribed to
the various shapes. Some have 'evil' or negative energies and some 'good' or
positive energies, but in YANTRA
Yoga only the benefic and harmonious
energies are used.
When one focuses on a YANTRA, his mind is
atomatically "tuned in" by
RESONANCE into the specific form energy
of that YANTRA. The process of RESONANCE is then maintained and amplified. The
YANTRA acts only as a "tune in" mechanism or a doorway. The subtle energy does
not come from the YANTRA itself, but from the MACROCOSM.
Basically YANTRAS are secret keys for
establishing RESONANCE with the benefic energies of the MACROCOSM. Very often
the YANTRAS can put us in contact with extremely elevated energies and entities,
being of invaluable help on the spiritual path.
YANTRAS
are poorly known in the Occident
At this moment, there is little known about YANTRAS in the Western world. Many
people consider them just pretty pictures and some artists claim to draw "YANTRAS"
from their imagination. They are very far from the true meaning and use of
YANTRAS. First of all, YANTRAS cannot simply be invented from imagination. Every
specific mood and emotion has an associated form energy and shape. This
unequivocally determines the form of the YANTRA associated to that mood. The
traditional YANTRAS were discovered through revelation, by clairvoyance, not
invented. One needs to be a true spiritual master, a
tantric
guru, to be able to reveal a new YANTRA
to the world.
Search the Internet and the libraries and you
will find very little consistent knowledge about YANTRAS. Some people placed
YANTRAS upside down, a monument of their ignorance. You cannot place a YANTRA
just any way you please. Anyone knows that when the cross is held upside down,
it is no longer a benefic symbol. A YANTRA put upside down is no longer the same
YANTRA.
"Disecting" a YANTRA
The power of YANTRAS to induce RESONANCE is based on the SPECIFIC FORM of its
appearance. Such a diagram can be composed from one or more geometrical shapes
which combine into a precise model representing and
transfiguring in essence, at the level of
the physical universe, the subtle sphere of force corresponding to the invoked
deity. From this point of view we can argue that the YANTRA functions similarly
to a
MANTRA (sacred word). By RESONANCE, a
certain energy from the practitioner's
MICROCOSM vibrates on the same wavelength
with the corresponding infinite energy present in the MACROCOSM, energy which is
represented in the physical plane by the YANTRA. The principle of RESONANCE with
any deity, cosmic power, aspect, phenomenon or energy owes its universal
applicability to the perfect correspondence existing between the human being
(seen as a true MICROCOSM) and the Creation as a whole (MACROCOSM).
The
Yantric Contour
Every YANTRA is delimited from the exterior by a line or a group of lines
forming its perimeter. These marginal lines have the function to maintain,
contain and prevent the loss of the magical forces represented by the core
structure of the YANTRA, usually the central dot. They also have the function to
increase its magical and subtle force.
The core of the YANTRA is composed of one or
several simple geometrical shapes : dots, lines, triangles, squares, circles and
lotuses representing in different ways the subtle energies.
The
Dot (BINDU)
For example the dot (BINDU) signifies the focalized energy and its intense
concentration. It can be evnisaged as a kind of energy deposit which can in turn
radiate energy under other forms. The dot is usually surrounded by different
surfaces, either a triangle, a hexagon, a circle etc. These forms depend on the
characteristic of the deity or aspect represented by the YANTRA. In the tantric
iconography, the dot is named BINDU; in
tantra BINDU is symbolically considered
to be
SHIVA himself, the source of the whole
creation.
The
Tiangle (TRIKONA)
The triangle (TRIKONA) is the symbol of
SHAKTI, the feminine energy or aspect of
Creation. The triangle pointing down represents the
YONI, the feminine sexual organ and the
symbol of the supreme source of the Universe, and when the triangle is pointing
upwards it signifies intense spiritual aspiration, the
sublimation of one's nature into the most
subtle planes and the element of fire (AGNI
TATTVA). The fire is always oriented
upwards, thus the correlation with the upward triangle - SHIVA KONA. On the
other hand, the downward pointing triangle signifies the element of water which
always tends to flown and occupy the lowest possible position. This triangle is
known as SHAKTI KONA.
The intersection of two geometric forms
(lines, triangles, circles, etc.) represents forces that are even more intense
than those generated by the simple forms. Such an interpenetration indicates a
high level in the dynamic interaction of the correspondent energies. The empty
spaces generated by such combinations are described as very efficient
operational fields of the forces emanating from the centeral point of the
YANTRA. That is why we can very often encounter representations of MANTRAS in
such spaces. YANTRA and MANTRA are complementary aspects of SHIVA and their use
together is much more efficient than the use of one alone.
The
Six Points Star (SHATKONA)
A typical combination often found in the graphical structure of a YANTRA is the
superposition of two triangles, one pointing upwards and the other downwards,
forming a star with six points (SHATKONA), also known as David's Star. This form
symbolically represents the union of
PURUSHA and
PRAKRITI or SHIVA-SHAKTI, without which
there could be no Creation.
The Circle (CHAKRA)
Another simple geometrical shape often used in YANTRAS is the circle,
representing the rotation, a movement closely linked to the shape of spiral
which is fundamental in the Macrocosmic evolution. At the same time, the circle
represents perfection and the blissful creative void. In the series of the five
fundamental elements it represents air (VAYU TATTVA).
The Square (BHUPURA)
Between the simple geometrical elemets that compose YANTRAS there is also the
sqaure (BHUPURA). The square is usually the exterior limit of the YANTRA and
symbolically, it represents the element earth (PRITHIVI TATTVA).
Every YANTRA starts from the center, often
marked by a central dot (BINDU) and ends with the outer square. This represents
the sense of universal evolution, starting from the subtle and ending with the
coarse, starting from "ether" and ending with "earth".
Even tough most of the times YANTRAS are
composed of these simple geometrical shapes, sometimes we encounter other
elements such as arrow points, tridents, swords, spikes included in the design
of a YANTRA with the purpose of representing vectors and directions of action
for the YANTRIC energies.
The
Lotus (PADMA)
The lotus symbol (or its petals) is both a symbol of purity and variety, every
lotus petal representing a distinct aspect. The inclusion of a lotus in a YANTRA
represents freedom from multiple interference with the exterior (purity) and expresses the absolute force of
the Supreme Self.
In conclusion, a YANTRA is a very complex
spiritual instrument in the tantric practice (SADHANA).
It can calm and focus the activities of the mind, and by its positive
auto-suggestion it has a benefic impact on the health and psychic well being of
a person.
A YANTRA alone represents nothing. Only when
it is awakened by mental concentration and meditation will the process of
RESONANCE appear and the benefic macrocosmic energies will manifest themselves
in the practitioner's MICROCOSM.
How to Use YANTRAS
As we showed above, the secret key to using YANTRAS in meditation is RESONANCE.
The process of RESONANCE is established by mental focus on the image of the
YANTRA. As long as the mind is tuned into the specific mood associated to that
YANTRA, the energy flows, but when the RESONANCE is stopped, the energy
disappears.
Instructions for YANTRA meditation :
·
hang the YANTRA on a wall facing North or East, placing the center of the YANTRA
at the level of your eyes
·
adopt your favorite posture or, if you want, sit on a chair maintaining your
spine straight
·
breath in through the nose and out through the mouth, but do not force at all,
just let the breath flow normally
·
look into the center of the YANTRA, trying to blink as rarely as possible; you
don't want to look at the particular details of the YANTRA, just keep your sight
right in the center and observe the whole YANTRA at once
·
this exercise should last at least 15-30 minutes every day; the experience will
be indescribable
·
in time, after at least seven days of YANTRA meditation you will be able to tap
into the same yantric energy even without a YANTRA (at the beginning you may fix
your sight on an exterior or imaginary point or evoke the YANTRA with your eyes
closed)
·
do not forget to
consecrate the fruits of this practice to
God (karma
yoga); you should not chase any objective when doing YANTRA meditation, just let
it gradually guide you towards the sublime energies of the MACROCOSM
·
when executing this techniques it is recommended that we maintain a state of
aspiration and intense longing for experiencing the beatific energies of the
consciousness
·
in superior phases the YANTRA absorbs the practitioner's complete attention, and
he can no longer tell if the YANTRA is within himself or if he is within the
YANTRA; this is the state of nonduality.
