SEGMENT 5: TANTRIC YOGA- The path of self transcendence through ritual means

The point of Tanta-based yoga is not freedom from embodiment, but freedom in embodiment
The body is a clebration of the divine, and emodiment is the gift of awakening our
potential to see the divine in all things

The Tantric yogi believes that the world is real, not a figment of the imagination.
Through fairly complex rituals the mind is able to transform the body to attain a
supernatural condition.

Interview with Tantric master

Traditionally the tantric initiates were sworn to secrecy. The teachings are extremely
powerful and not to be divulged to the uninitiated. Tantrism can be a dangerous path its
methods are potent and may have adverse affects on those who are not sufficiently
prepared mentally, physically, morally or spiritually.

Tantric rituals can be classified into 3 branches. Often misinterpreted in the west is the
"left hand" branch, (Vama Marga) where sexual union is the central ritual. Also know as
"Red" Tantric yoga, this involves the practice of disiplined forms of sexual intercourse
aimed at channeling the sexual energy along the path of the ascending bodily chakras.

Censored recreation of Red Tantric ceremony
Interview Tantric Master on direction and displacement of orgasmic fluid and energy

"White" Tantric yoga (Dakshin-Marga) was introduced to the west by Yogi Bhajan in the
1960s. White Tantric yoga incorporates an elaborate ritual to dispel all negative
karma through the guru.

Interview Yogi Bhajan
Documentation of White Tantric Ceremony

White Tantric yoga is also associated with Kundalini yoga.
Kundalini yoga aims at awakening the Sakti, the female force of psychic energy. This
female force is represented as a curled up serpent lying dormant at the base of the spine.
Through various chanting, breathing, meditative, and visualization rituals the psychic
energy is moved up through the different chakras. Chakras are the various centers of
psychic energy starting at the base of the spine, extending to the top of the head.
Eventually this female energy is united with Shiva the male force at the sahasrara
padma chakra, the 1,000 petaled lotus at the crown chakra. This union brings about the
blissful realization of the divine.

The Tantric adept, through the help of their guru believe that it is possible to
simultaneously realize liberation and worldly enjoyment.

Documentation of Kundalini Ceremony
Interview with Sri Om Kundalini teacher

The lines between Tantric, Kundalini, and Hatha yoga are often blurred. Part of Tantric
ritual involves techniques to cleanse the body known as Bhakti-Shadhi, in order to create
a new body to serve the adept in manifesting realms of enlightenment. Some of these
exercises are practiced in hatha yoga as well.

Demonstration of Nali by Jason Winn
Documentation of Bhakti- Shadhi practices

Spiritual illumination opens access to a wide array of psychic powers. Couched in
mystery is "Black" Tantric yoga. The followers of this path have harbored the powers
achieved by conquering the senses toward magical aims. Little is spoken or documented
about "Black" tantric yoga.

Shadow interview of Black Tantric Disciple who refuses to be identified

Those that have conquered the senses have the ability to assume various shapes, they can
cause objects to materialize and make others vanish. Since ancient times, yogis have
been not only venerated as saints, but also feared as magicians who could work miracles.
Their powers were respected but also feared.

Recreation of Black arts

  • Segment 1: Introduction & Patanjalis 8 fold doctrine
  • Segment 2: Hatha Yoga- Cultivating the body
  • Segment 3: Jnana Yoga- The path of wisdom
  • Segment 4: Bhakti Yoga- Cultivating love for the divine
                  Karma Yoga- The path of work
  • Segment 5: Tantric Yoga- The path of ritual and the creative spirit
                 Summation
                 Budget: Yoga Documentary
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