Digest Number 322

[Guest guest]

>ps - sister usha may be able to throw more light on

>this...

>

>"For me there is nothing more feminine than a naked

>woman in the moonlight, unless it is several naked

>women standing in the moonlight, gathered to honor

>the Goddess.

 

Certainly I agree. Every woman is an avatar of the

Goddess, and should be proud of this. We should all

revel in the glory of feminity in its fullest extent.

Our bodies are the home of the Goddess and worshipping

our bodies is a manner of worshipping the Great Mother

of All.

This is not to say of course that this should

become an everyday event. The sacred loses its meaning

if it becomes mundane.

 

Sister Usha

 

=====

Sister Usha Devi

Founder, Divinely Female and worshipper of the Sacred Flame that shines inside

every woman

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Thank you ushaji for your short but strong response....

 

YES, A resounding yes!

 

" Our bodies are the home of the Goddess and worshipping

our bodies is a manner of worshipping the Great Mother

of All."

 

The whole body is the temple of God/ess !

 

the goal of Tantra is to use the 'human body as a vehicle for

Enlightenment - mundane 'sexual enjoyment' is not the goal - only a

goal towards a higher end- the 'yoga' - or oneness with the 'divine'

 

 

HOW IS THE 'body a TEMPLE.'

 

 

THE HINDU TEMPLES ARE BUILT AS REPLICAS OF THE HUMAN BODY. (THE

ARCHITECTURE )

 

IN FACT, the names of the various areas of the temple are named

after the different parts of the human body according to an ancient

tantrik text called " viswakarmeeya."

 

ALSO, WHILE CONSTRUCTING THE 'TEMPLE' , the 'vaastu experts have

brrowed from hindu yoga philosophy.

 

" human organism has a subtle invisible body besides the visible

gross body, called by the Yogis the physical sheath. Encased in it,

is the subtle body with its four sheaths, arranged in concentric

order. Immediately inside the physical sheath, is the vital sheath;

then the mental, the cognital and the blissful, each one inside the

other. Thus, according to the Yoga literature, the human body, when

viewed laterally, has five sheaths including the physical."

(PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS)

 

All these five are represented by different enclosures or spaces in

temples constructed according to Tantrik formulae.

 

The outermost one, called `Bahyahara' is between the outermost wall

of the temple precincts and the first circumambulatory passage. This

space represents the physical sheath.

 

Lying between this passage and the array of lamp holdings, is the

Madhyahara' or the middle enclosure. It represents the vital sheath.

The sacrificial stone or altar is installed in this enclosure. The

devotee is expected to sacrifice his `ego' at this altar.

 

The Madhyahara leads into the space called `Anthahara' or inner

enclosure, representing the mental sheath. It will have verandas on

all the four sides for keeping the objects of worship and

offertories. This is quite symbolic as worship essentially should

originate in mind.

 

Then is the cognital sheath, represented by the space between the

third enclosure and the passage for going round the sanctum. It is

named the `Antarmandala', the intermediary space. It is here, that

the platform for prostration, is built. The scriptures are recited

sitting on this forum.

 

Beyond this, is the innermost space called the Sanctum or `Srikovil'.

It represents the `blissful sheath'. Technically, its name is

GARBHA GRIHA (WOMB CHAMCER) It is named so, precisely because it

protects the Deity installed therein, as the womb preserves the

foetus. "

 

THIS HUMAN BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE DIVINE. .IN FACT, many self -

realized souls once they realize the 'self' do not even visit temple

or undertake pilgrimages for they know that the 'divinity' is

within!!!

 

some of the indian temples in the past whose entrances resembled

the 'Yoni' and it is believed that when moslems and british invaded

india, they destroyed these temples as being 'obscene' and 'erotic. '

But , Tantra is not about 'eroticism' - tantra is about 'expanded

consciousness' - tan means body and tra means to 'expand' and the

body is used as a 'vehicle' towards enlightement. tAntra does not

deny 'sex' but by the same token 'sex' is something 'sacred'

and 'holy' and not to be equated with 'better orgasms.'

 

IDEAS BORROWED FROM WEB SOURCES...

 

LOVE and have a great day!