Tantra

Tantric phase of Vajrayana employs the energies of avarice, aggression, obsession, paranoia, and indifference to transform dualistic derangement into the five nondual wisdoms.

Tantra is radically positive insanity – the hot blood of kindness. It conjures with the electricity of being: the shimmering voltage that crackles ecstatically between emptiness and form. Tantra is the alchemy of transformation by which one re-emerges limitlessly according to kaleidoscopic moments of experience that arise from space.

Tantra is the short path – the direct line to the summit. Mountaineers on longer paths circle around the peak carrying the safety equipment of codified philosophy and ethics. Tantrikas scale the vertical face without oxygen. They ascend naked. At the peak they find liberation: freedom from the dominion of conflicted emotions, societal condition, prescribed rôles, and constricted expectations.

Tantra as it is approached with the Aro gTér Tradition

Aro gTér is a non-celibate non-monastic ordained tradition. Tantra is mainly taught to those who are able to devote the majority of their time to formal religious practice. This can require years of theoretical study as a preliminary and is followed by elaborate ritual practice. These rituals consist primarily of chanting texts. This is effective — but not always accessible to people with families and working lives.

Vajrayana as it originated in India was practised by people from all walks of life: farmers, prostitutes, kings, beggars, merchants, musicians, housewives, and industrialists. Their methods of practice were diverse and suited to their individual circumstances. This tradition was preserved by a minority of Tantrikas in Tibet. The Aro gTér is a lineage in this tradition.

Tantra in the Aro gTér is essential because it is traditionally presented from the perspective of Dzogchen. This means that it is less elaborate than is commonly presented.

Aro gTér Vajrayana teachings

Our recommended reading list has many books on Vajrayana – several by Aro gTér teachers.

Spectrum of Being is our series of evening classes concerned with the transformation of the five elemental neurotic emotions into the corresponding five elemental nondual wisdoms. This is a central practice of Vajrayana.

Wearing the Body of Visions is another series which teaches two additional key practices. These are self-arising and Lama’i naljor. Self-arising is the practice of visualising oneself as a yidam. Lama’i Naljor is the method of uniting one’s mind with the nondual mind of the Lama. The series of teachings includes an empowerment that is the prerequisite for these practices.

You can find these series of teachings on our events calendar. There you can also find weekend retreats on Tantra. Some of these are:

Passion and the Geography of the Elements and Embracing Emotions as the Path – using the energy of emotion for meditative practice

Wearing the Body of Visions – the practice of self-arising as a yidam

Heart of the Sun & Moon – the Dzogchen long-dé practice of vajra romance

The relationship with the Vajra master – the heart of Vajrayana

Sky Weaving – the craft that magnetises neuroses, fears and obsessions and releases them in their pure, enlightened forms

Inner Yogas – practices of: clear light, dream yoga, and illusory body for finding luminous awareness in every moment of the day and night – whatever state of consciousness

The Method of the Mahasiddhas – the means of integrating Vajrayana with everyday life