It is a common practice among Hindus to offer coconut during prayers. Many people, including Hindus wonder- why this is the case.

Since many of the Hindu practices come from the original Vedic culture, which was very logical and scientific in it's approach, this practice of offering coconut has a very beautiful and logical explanation.

​Watch on to know more...

Categories:
Myths And Beliefs,   Prayers And Sadhanas,   Vedic Symbolism   and   Vedic Tradition

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Tantric practices are considered more esoteric and very few people truly understand the full connotation of their extensive possibilities.

One needs to remember that any of action, any kind of system, right-handed tantric path (Dakshinachara), left-handed tantric path (Vamachara), Shabar tantra or simply doing meditation and/ mantra chanting (Bhakti yoga)- it is ALL ultimately a “tantric” path!
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As the word tantra suggests (tantra, literally means a tool), all these paths are a way of manipulating the energies and when we consider the simple scientific fact that all matter and energy is interconvertible- then we know that by manipulating the subtle energies, we can also manipulate and modify a situation at the grosser level! 

Because people doing black magic or wishing ill on people have taken the guise of doing “tantric” rituals, tantra started getting a bad reputation in the east (as in India). 

On the other hand, in the west, tantra has been portrayed as some kind of sexual technique that allow one to feel a higher sense of physical gratification- thus reducing it to mere physical debauchery!!

Then there is the practice of Shabar Tantra. In this, people can do simple activities which allows them to modify smaller energy patterns. Usually these activities are conducted not for spiritual awareness and raising of consciousness but for material gains or other ego-gratifying reasons such as stopping one’s enemies, taking revenge and so on.
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Shabar Tantra techniques are called as totka in Hindi. Many a times, these techniques seem illogical to the rational mind (unless one truly understands the working-mechanism of the cosmic energy at the level of quantum consciousness). 

The one extremely challenging aspect of Shabar Tantra is that, it also takes help from lower energy forms and spirits such as channeling spirits of dead people, working with elemental forms and other such activities which can easily ensnare and captivate both the practitioner and the one seeking their help!! 

For e.g. a Shabar Tantra practitioner (called as Tantric or Tantrik) may suggest something like feeding grains to birds or tossing a piece of bread down a flowing river to attract more abundance into one’s life. 

As mentioned above, many of the Shabar Tantra techniques seem illogical to the rational mind. But they work by manipulating the universal energy at a small level to bring about the required change. 
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Instead of building up one’s understanding of the cosmic phenomena, people seeking to learn and utilize these techniques are usually asked to work with “faith”- this in turn has led (still continues) to rise in superstition and further abuse of these practices.

Over the years, there has been much abuse of these many such Shabar Tantra practices. 

Also, there are not many clear guidelines for all kinds of tantra- but particularly for Vamachara (left-handed tantra) and Shabar Tantra. There are no clear texts on how these activities should be properly and safely conducted to ensure- what (and how) one is doing something is in-tune, is in-sync with the cosmic flow and so will not captivate one in the lower energy states!

Bottom-line: it is not that tantra or tantric practices are good or bad. It is a medium of energy manipulation. What one does with it, is our choice. It is our action, our karma.

Think of tantra like electrical wires that allow for the electrical energy from the reservoirs to be transmitted and brought to the various appliances. If used positively, it can light our homes and power up our life and if used in a negative way, it can be used to electrocute someone to kill or harm them!!

So, are the electrical wires- good or bad?? They are neither- they are merely a tool that give us the ability to harness electrical energy. 

How we choose to tap into this energy reservoir and how we ultimately utilize this energy will determine our karma and then as per the universal law of Karma- we will need to face the retribution!!

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Read further:

• Understanding the basics of the Tantric Spiritual Pathway
• The two main Tantric pathways of Transformation- Dakshinachara and Vamachara

​#tantra #tantric #tantrik #dakshinachara #vamachara #righthandedtantra #lefthandedtantra #shabartantra #shabarmantra #totke #totka #spiritualtransformation #ascension #spiritualdevelopment

In the tantric way of attaining higher states of consciousness- to ultimately obtain moksha; there are two main pathways- the right-handed path, called as the Dakshinachara and the left-handed path, which is called as the Vamachara.

Tantric practices are considered more esoteric and very few people truly understand the full connotation of their extensive possibilities.

It is not that Dakshinachara is better or worse than Vamachara, they both are equally effective in allowing one to reach higher states. 
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As the word tantra suggests (tantra, literally means tool), both these paths are merely tools that ultimately allow an individual to walk on their path of spiritual awareness.

Dakshinachara practices are usually more in line with societal norms and so have generally been accepted by people. These are the traditionally followed ascetic practices to attain ascension. These practices try to enhance the Sattva guna- the positive principle of cosmic truth in our body.

Vamachara practices on the other hand come across as forbidden activities (the Panchamakara, also called as the Five M-s) that sometimes ruffle up our sense of all acceptable esthetics and at times even seem too morbid for them to be of any spiritual value!!
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Though, if done correctly, the sheer ‘shock’ and extreme negative aspects of the Vamachara techniques can catapult one to very high states of spiritual awareness and accomplishments. These techniques work to transform the “decaying aspect”- i.e. the tamas guna in such a way that it will give us the understanding of  the Divine absolute- (that which is beyond all the three gunas of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas).

Please note that Shabar Tantra, though has the word tantra in its name, is not a true Tantric pathway for spiritual transformation.

In this, people do simple activities that allows them to modify smaller energy patterns. Usually these activities are conducted not for spiritual awareness and raising of one’s consciousness, but for material gains or other ego-gratifying reasons such as stopping one’s enemies, taking revenge and so on.

There is also a medium pathway called as the Madhyama Tantra is also possible. It utilizes the Rajas guna of transformative action. Though in terms of formal schools of Tantric practitioners, the two main schools of thought are the right-handed pathway of Dakshinachara and the left-handed pathway of Vamachara. 
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Coming back to utilizing a tantric pathway for our spiritual transformation and ultimate liberation- it is not that the right-handed path (Dakshinachara) is better or worse than the left-handed path (Vamachara). Both these pathways allow us to spiritually transform ourselves. 

Dakshinachara involves more acceptable forms of worship, prayers, and rituals and so it provides one a safer way to advance on their spiritual journey. On the other hand, because Vamachara practices involve unconventional methods that typically tend to lower our spiritual energies such as drinking wine or indulging in sex; unless practiced with full understanding and the guidance of a wise guru, it can easily ensnare a person and push them into lower states of delusion and debauchery!

Take your pick- you can choose either of the tantric pathways for your spiritual transformation and advancement. Just make sure that you have adequate knowledge and the required wise guidance to properly follow that pathway, so you can progress on your spiritual journey.

​#tantra #tantric #tantrik #dakshinachara #vamachara #righthandedtantra #lefthandedtantra #spiritualtransformation #ascension #spiritualdevelopment 

The term tantra means any "text, theory, system, method, instrument, technique or practice" that can be systematically and broadly applied- because, in its simplest meaning- the word Tantra means a “Tool”.

Tantra also means a “loom” as well as the process of “weaving”. 
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This goes to explain that the tantric teachings inter-weave various philosophies, activities and techniques such as the ancient texts, mediation, mantra-chanting and so on to spiritually transform a practitioner and help them advance on their spiritual path to ascension.

As per Ayurveda (called as the Science of Life), our bodies are made up of the three gunas- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Accordingly, there are three tantric pathways that helps to transform our physical and energy systems.

The first tantric pathway is the right-handed tantra called as the Dakshinachara. Dakshinachara practices tend to be in line with societal norms and so have traditionally been accepted by people. This path involves using ascetic principles and practices to attain ascension. Dakshinachara (right-handed tantra) practices try to enhance the Sattva guna- the positive principle of cosmic truth in our body.
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The second tantric pathway is the Madhyama tantra. It is the middle pathway that utilizes some techniques from the right-handed tantra and some others from the left-handed tantric practices so as to work with the Rajasic guna of activity, transition, and transformation. 

The left-handed tantric pathway is called as the Vamachara. Vamachara practices utilize ‘forbidden’ activities such as drinking wine or indulging in sex, which are typically found to lower our energies and spiritual conscious. The activities conducted within Vamachara (left-handed tantra) can disrupt all our sense and sensibilities of norms and esthetics!

These Vamachara techniques work to transform the “decaying aspect”- i.e. the tamas guna in such a way that it will give us the understanding of the Divine absolute- (that which is beyond all the three gunas of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas).
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All the tantric pathways are ultimately a way of manipulating the subtle energies of our bodies and thus bring about the required spiritual transformation. 

Tantric practices are considered very esoteric and extremely few people truly understand the full extent of their cosmic possibilities. Deeper symbolism and true effect of tantric practices is often misunderstood or completely missed; because of which, people rarely are able to utilize the full benefit.
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Tantric practices can seem challenging at first glance- but the divine grace and a wise guru can help one on this path. If one is able to truly understand the underlying significance and correctly work with that guidance, then they can use these practices to easily transform their energy state and ascend to higher dimensions.  

Read further:

• What do I do if I do not have any Spiritual Guru? - How can I still obtain Divine guidance and proceed on my spiritual path to ascension?
• Why Tantra has a ‘bad’ reputation!!
• The two main Tantric pathways of Transformation- Dakshinachara and Vamachara

​#tantra #tantric #tantrik #dakshinachara #vamachara #righthandedtantra #lefthandedtantra #spiritualtransformation #ascension #spiritualdevelopment

Uchchhishta Ganapati, which is the tantric form of Lord Ganesh, is typically worshipped by those following vamachara, which is the left-handed tantric traditions. 
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Uchchhishta Ganapati is usually shown darker in complexion. Sometimes he is shown with a reddish hue or having a blue color. One of the key features that is observed in his form- is that Uchchhishta Ganapati is mostly shown with his consort sitting on his lap.

This is where there are some contradictory symbolisms!! There is certain school of thought which indicates that this tantric form of Lord Ganesh, i.e. Uchchhishta Ganapati is one of those rare instances where Shakti is depicted as his consort. 

Note: For those of you who may not be very familiar, Lord Ganesh is considered as the second child of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti.

Irrespective of this viewpoint, Uchchhishta Ganapati is always shown with a naked consort, who is seated on his left lap. The god is generally depicted with four arms and holds a pasha, an ankusha and a laddoo or a modak (a sweet confection), while the fourth arm hugs the nude goddess around her hip. His consort typically holds a lotus or another flower with her left hand while touching the lingam (phallus of Lord Ganapati) with her right hand.  Similarly, the tip of Ganapati’s trunk touches the yoni (vagina) of the goddess.

It needs to be mentioned that as with many of the left-handed tantric rituals, there are not many authoritative scriptural references. And there are also many contradictions in the accepted imagery and iconic symbolism of Uchchhishta Ganapati.
 
You can read about the symbolism that is involved in this erotic imagery:
How Ascension is depicted in the Tantric traditions- The Divine Union (yoga) of the Male & Female Energy Principles

​#Ganesh #Hindu #God #Ganesha #Hindu #Vedic #VedicWisdom #GaneshSymbolism #Vighnaharta #Vinayaka #SiddhiVinayak #tantricformofGanesh #TantricGanesha #TantricGanesh #Uchchhishta #lefthandedtantra #vamachara #tantra #Ganapati #ascension #consciousness