Tantrik Elements
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007Sri Anandamayi MA said:
This body [referring to herself] does not use the language of the Shastras; it refers to ordinary things, such as water, earth, air, and so forth, when it speaks. Those who have understanding are able to comprehend this kind of broken and incomplete language.
Life is simple. Earth, water, fire, air, space. Everything is expressed by these elements, these modes of appearing.
MA is addressing herself to those who are attached to scriptural texts (the Shastras), and perhaps to intellectualism, by referring to the fundamental elements of life as a “broken and incomplete language.” There is some degree of irony being conveyed to those who can hear it.
Why? Because MA’s language of the elements is anything but incomplete or broken. The language of the elements is like an elegant, simple scale that produces an infinity.
In our practice, no matter which road we take, in the end we always eventually return to uncontrived life and simple delight in that.
Tantrik practitioners have, broadly speaking, three ways in which to approach their engagement with human life.
You can learn fundamental practices of eating, sleeping, working, relationships, health, and daily, householder rituals such as honoring one’s ancestors. You can discover the rhythm and elegant naturalness of life in this way. You can completely recalibrate your energy and become open to life’s inherent wisdom through bringing your daily activities more in line with the elements of Nature.
Or, you can go the “yogi” route. This involves all of the above, plus any number of paths of traditional Tantrik sadhana under the guidance of a Guru. But this route always leads, at some point, back to “ordinary things.”
A third way involves direct realization of the natural state. This is the fruit of any Tantrik practice followed to its completion. However, most people cannot sustain this from the beginning and need other methods to help them relax their fixations.
For most people alive at any one moment, the way of the householder is the most appropriate way. Some of us might like to think of ourselves as yogis, but we lack a correct View of the foundation. So we play at being yogis while ignoring the base: everyday life.
The foundation of all Tantrik practice is always daily conduct. Bringing our everyday activities into alignment with Nature has profound effects, and as we begin to expand our aware engagement with life, keeping the tune and rhythm of life becomes a source of abiding contentment and fulfillment.
Many people have certain ideas about Tantra. They are lured by promises of shaktipat, secrets, and sex. The greatest secret Tantra has to offer is that everything we need to Self-realize is already present in our lives in every moment and in every ordinary breath.
In Matriseva,
Shambhavi
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