4..1. Feminine Mysticism and tantra

 Tantra, Mysticism and women's spirituality.

     Sept.22,1993.

     Feminine Mysticism is a topic to be pursued today.  Now, again Tantra is a very ancient science first given by Lord Shiva.  But you know Tantra also existed in very ancient times, but it was not systematized.  In a matriarchal culture,  forms of Tantra developed and certain rituals and practices were utilized for the transformation of consciousness.  But the overall systematic approach did not become formulated until Lord Shiva took these ancient practices and rituals and systematized them, so that an entire logical and systematic format existed for the development and transformation of human consciousness.  So in Tantra, consciousness is transmuted from the basic animalistic tendencies and fundamental drives which govern the animals and human beings  to the sweet and subtle manifestation of pure cognitive awareness.  You see the complete metamorphose of the psychic sphere,  the intellectual development and focus of awareness.  The little is transformed into the Great.  The animalistic mind which has so many  animal concerns for food,  shelter,  sex and the other  basic necessities is redirected from these external pursuits to the sweet and subtle internal expressions.  Then through  constant ideation upon that most subtle Entity, mind gets metamorphosed,  consciousness becomes transformed.  There is no little person, only the Great exists.  So don't worry about small matters,  keep your mind ever focused on Parama Purusa.  Keep it ever fixed on His glorious expressions.

     Do not think ' I am eating food'.  Think instead, ' Lord has given this gift of food,  it is from Him and it is of Him,  as I am of Him also'.  Think instead , ' it is His grace that is bestowed in the form of this food'.  That way all food becomes prasad, isn't it?  It is given by the grace of Parama Purusa.  All the strength that you have is also from Him, you do not have any characteristics,  any qualities, good or bad which are outside of Him.   All is from Him.  All are His children. There is nothing outside of Him.  So if you are unhappy,  what should you do?  You should remember that this entire manifest expression is nothing but His Liila,  and you are never separate from this Great Entity.  He is always with you.  If you keep your mind fixed thus,  a day will come when you will never feel you are without Him.  You will taste Him in the food you eat,  smell His scent all around and enjoy the sweet aroma of His Love.  You will be blissful in every act,  life or death,  heaven or hell it will make no difference,  all are the same to eyes not clouded by illusion.

     Women who practice Tantric sadhana must become aware of their physical potentiality, their psychic potentiality and their.spiritual potential. They must direct all their actions towards Supreme. All thoughts,  all desires, all propensities must get focused on that Supreme  Entity.  So to do this, it is best for a woman to take the attitude that Lord is my omnipresent Beloved who is ever with me,  ever sporting with me in the ups and downs of this everyday life. He is my sweet and tender Beloved,  who  in the depths of my sadhana  takes my heart as His own,  who will ever guide,  ever protect through all time and be always with me.  A woman feeling this sentiment,  serving Lord as her most Beloved Entity and thinking how may I serve this one, she will get her mind transfixed and eventually her whole system will change to support these feelings.

     So a woman who wants to attain Blessedness,  must first learn to ideate upon the Supreme,  day and night. She must  involve herself  wholeheartedly in this pursuit. Now, to best do this, she must have proper utilization of her inner tendencies,  physically and mentally. This utilization of innate tendencies for the pursuit of spiritual Blessedness,  constitutes the science of Tantra. Basic sadhana practices, pranayama,  asanas,  cleansing of chakras, all of these things are given to assist in the building of the psychic momentum which will keep the mind attached to Parama Purusa,  rather than to worldly pursuits.

     Attachment is a great asset to a woman in spiritual life. If her attachment is foremost to Parama Purusa, then it will propel her with great speed towards spiritual awareness. That which we pursue, we will become close to. If a woman gives her first attachment to husband and children, but does not see their relationship to Parama Purusa,  she will not make steady progress in spiritual practice. She must see husband as the expression of Lord and children as His form also,  thus giving her attachment to Parama Purusa and not to individuals. That way progress will become steady in the spiritual arena.

     So for a woman,  this subject of attachment is very significant,  it is a critical point in whether spiritual practice may be successfully pursued.  When attachment is to Lord,  and all service rendered to others is service to Lord,  then real progress comes about,  and sadhana will be fruitful.  So my daughters,  you perform your sadhana with your whole heart and live your life in dedicated service to your Supreme Beloved in every action,  every word and every deed.

     I think,  it is sufficient.