Kamakhya quote from _Tantra Unveiled_

[Guest guest]

Today I ran across this interesting quote concerning

Kamakhya (the shrine, not really about the goddess.)

 

The book (at least much of it!) is available online

at the link below.

 

Tantra Unveiled

By Rajmani Tigunait

http://books.google.com/books?id=EudU6IxUxYUC

Pg 29 - 30

 

Inexperienced students believe that the different schools of

tantra are antithetical. They mistake a particular technique for

the sum of tantra and have no way of resolving apparent

contradictions among different disciplines. But after coming

into contact with a variety of teachers and disciplines they will

come to see that apparently contradictory tantric practices are

appropriate in a specific context and inappropriate in others,

and that specific practices are meaningful at different levels of

sadhana.

 

The experiences gained at these sites [tantric shrines] also

teaches us to understand apparent discrepancies in the

scriptures. Tantric practices are rarely documented in a

systematic or comprehensive manner. And until we understand

the context in which references to particular practices are made

we will find contradictions among different tantric texts. In

some practices, for example, the use of meat and liquor is

compulsory; in others it is prohibited. Some scriptures

prescribe sacrificing the inner beast (the ego) by means of

contemplation and self-surrender; others prescribe sacrificing

an animal to achieve the same result.

 

Those with only a superficial knowledge of tantra will also find

a contradiction between the " left-hand " and " right-hand " paths.

Because left-hand tantrics do not hold conventional standards

of ethics and morality in high regard there is the general

impression that in addition to consuming meat and fish in their

practices, left-hand tantrics invariably drink liquor and have sex

as part of their rituals. On the other hand, it is believed that

right-hand tantrics are pure people who maintain high

standards of ethics and morality and condemn the philosophy

and practices of left-hand tantrics. They are more " spiritual " , it

is thought, than those of the left-hand path. This sense that

there is a sharp dichotomy between the two paths was not

prevalent before writing books became a profession; it has

been created and perpetuated by those who have neither

studied the scriptures nor thoroughly visited tantric shrines to

observe how aspirants from both paths study and practice

under the guidance of the masters.

 

The Shrines as Teachers

 

The apparent contradiction between the left- and right-hand

paths of tantra can be resolved by visiting the Kamakhya shrine

in Assam and doing practices there. This is a shrine where

animal sacrifice is still practiced-but the atmosphere is

permeated by an overwhelming air of compassion and

tranquility. Here all pairs of opposites-light and darkness,

compassion and cruelty, to name a few-exist side by side.

The protector of all living beings, the Divine Mother

Kamakhya, consumes flesh; Bhairava, the giver of mental

clarity and spiritual illumination, is pleased by the offering of

liquor. Tantrics at Kamakhya talks as if they invariably include

sex as the fifth and last step in their sadhana, bit in reality the

observe celibacy. Those tantric masters who simply sing the

glory of the Divine Mother but do not display special powers

are honored by those aspirants who seem to possess

extraordinary tantric siddhis (powers). Anyone who is not

familiar with the basic metaphysics of Tantra will find the

experience at this shrine disorienting. On the other hand, if

they come properly prepared they will experience the dance of

the destructive and creative aspects of divinity. In other

words, if you do not know how to see motherly affection in

both aspects of the divine force, the initial experience of

compassion and tranquility is soon replaced by fear, and you

will vow never to return. But if you are interested in unveiling

the mystery of left-hand tantra and the sublime method of

meditation on tantric goddesses like Kali, Tara, and Tripura

Sundari, then this is the right place for you.

 

The habit of allowing your attention to be pulled here and there

by distractions is the greatest obstacle to an extended stay at

Kamakhya. The next obstacle is an attraction to miracles. The

Tantrics who deliberately perform miracles, however, are

shielding the true adepts from aspirants who are merely seeking

power and pleasure. If you are not distracted by miracles you

will meet a master. Incidentally, this is one of the rare sites

where you can find tantric adepts of all ten of the esoteric paths

known as the maha vidyas.