excellent post I'm waiting with baited breath to see how deep down this rabbit hole people are willing to go."Secret" information bulls**t, "tell the children the truth".
Great information on this site:
http://www.shivashakti.com
.
The basics of Buddhism are set out in the tripitaka. They are like the old testament for Buddhists. The primary method of cultivation being one where the practioner increases their everyday awareness of their body, feelings, thoughts and the phenomena of reality.
There's no hocus pocus. It's simple and straightforward and is found in the Theravada tradition.
The Mahayana tradition adds more insight into the abhidarma, or the metaphysical teachings such as emptiness and cause and effect.
Tantra however contains a volume of different techniques to do with the subtle body or energy of the individual.
By manipulation of the subtle body, one can accomplish much more, much faster, but not without certain risk.
It's like Buddhism on steroids. How crass. Anyway, it echoes my point.
Tantra uses the negative energies like desire and hatred (hence the scouring faces of demon deities and the naked virginal ones), AND the positive ones in order to attain enlightment, whereas the hinayana teachings (Theravadin) sublimate the negative energies.
Tantra uses techniques such as visualising yourself as a particular deity, reciting mantras, breathe work, visualising the flow of Kundalini energy etc.There are some explainations posited as to how this actual works, but none have been able to fully explain them.
The Kundalini energy resides from the base of the spine up to the crown of the head. They say it has something to do with the nerves.
Just as someone can take control of their breathing where it was before automatic, so you can take control of the Kundalini.
If you choose not to breathe however, there are dire consequences, and if you mess around with the Kundalini, the consequences can be just as bad. This is why the teachings are supposed to be secret.
The use of sexual energy is the same. It is a powerful tool which one can use to overcome the primary obstacle to one's enlightenment, the ego. Of course it is exceeding difficult to remain equanimous in the face of great temptation and even while in the act. Consort yoga is therefore only taught and practiced by the elite.
All the while these techniques are being used, the basic motivation much be carefully watched. This is why purification and devotional exercises are so important in Tantra even though they may seem a waste of time.
Tantra provides a fast way to progress spiritually, and should only be attempted by the sincere and well-meaning person.
If you're interested in Buddhism, I suggest you start with the four Noble Truths and work from there. Trying tantra without a basic understanding of Buddhism is like putting a cherry on a cake that isn't there. No cake(hinayana), no icing(mahayana).
Anyway, good luck in your search.[/QUOTE]
