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The Saraswati Center @ West Seattle Yoga and Ayurveda
Integrating Today's Yoga with Ancient Ayurvedic Tradition
2140 California Avenue S.W. Seattle, WA. 98126
Located in the Admiral District of West Seattle
206.937.2009
info@westseattleyoga.com
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ARTICLE
Tantra, Mantra and Yantra
- Melanie Farmer
YANTRA 'As Body is to Soul... Yantra is to Deity'.
When we focus on yantra, our mind is attuned by resonance, to the specific energy of that yantra. This amplified resonance acts as a doorway inviting subtle, creative cosmic forces into our lives. Through contact with these extremely elevated energies and forces, we gain invaluable help on the spiritual path. Yantra represents karmasanyasmarg, the path of detached action. Tantra represents bhaktimarg; the path of devotion and mantra represents jnanamarg, the path of knowledge. Yantra literally means Instrument (a compass) used to establish containment and support. Yantra is the ultimate form-equation representing subtle energies manifesting in universe.
Whatever the outer macrocosmic structure, there is a microcosmic unity. This is called the form principle and in Sanskrit is called akriti-rupa. Akriti-rupa refers to the inner or hidden form of structures. Any structure, from an atom to a star, has its akriti-rupa yantra. A flower or a leaf has an outer structure immediately perceptible. It also has an inner form consisting of a skeletal framework. All these forms intersect at a central axis or nucleus.
Yantras function as symbols of cosmic truth and are instructional charts for spiritual experience. This is called the function principle, Kriya-rupa. Kriya-rupa defines all shapes within the yantra as psychological, meaning they correspond to inner states of human consciousness. Through deep, appropriately facilitated states of awareness, control and expansion of psychic forces are possible.
Sakti-rupa is the power principal. When properly executed, yantras move beyond 'form' and 'function' emerging as 'power diagrams' (Sakti-rupa). Yantras are archetypal forms concerned with inner psychic experience. Inner psychic experience is gained through authentic, direct, intuitive vision. The outer meaning of a yantra may appear easy to understand however; its inner meaning remains hidden if only filtered through the intellect.
USE OF PLANETARY YANTRA
Yantras placed correctly within your home of workplace, treat imbalances reflected in the lives of those living and working within those settings. How a correct yantra is determined is according to Jyotish (your Vedic astrological chart), ayurveda (personal health and well being) and vasstu (architecture of the home or workplace).
Vaastu is an architectural science that means ‘dwelling' in Sanskrit. The placement and design of our dwellings affect health and well being on many levels. Creating and maintaining a dwelling through Vaastu balances the magnetic field of the earth with the home thereby alleviating disturbances.
Jyoti means light while jyotismati means being embodied or possessed of the (light) luminaries. Jyotisha is the actual study of light emanating from the sun, moon, stars and planets and is a diagnostic of our karmas. Based on the time, date and place of birth, Jyotisha reveals past and present karmas. Jyotish practiced with ayurveda guides' right action affecting our physical health and mental-emotional state setting into motion, the purification of karmas.
Ayurveda is the science of life and a dharmic medicine practiced with jyotish and vaastu. Ayurveda provides an integrated approach to physical health, mental clarity and spirituality preventing and treating illness through lifestyle interventions and natural therapies. Ayurveda treats our physical body, guiding correct yogic practice thereby healing and spiritualizing the mind.
THE PLANETS
JUPITER - GURU The largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter is considered one of the most important planets. Jupiter rules the higher qualities of the mind and the elevation of the soul. Jupiter deals with sons, husbands, religion, finance, prosperity, truth, philosophy, teaching, wisdom, knowledge, charity, positive thought, happiness, intelligence, one's spiritual orientation, learning, superior persons, guru, and religious activities. It is associated with education, pilgrimage places, transcendental wisdom, scriptural understanding, treasury, fruit, and fruit trees.
SATURN - SHANI Saturn's influence is powerful and often feared. Saturn rules death, disease, and old age creating vairagya (detachment). Saturn is the furthest planet (in the Vedic system) from the Sun and has little light. It influences a person's work and employment, and the problems one must overcome to become successful. The beneficial effects of Saturn are stability, prudence, patience, perseverance, endurance, self-control, economy, industry, sense of duty,
MERCURY - BUDDHI governs intelligence and fields such as education, literature, communication, the arts, public speaking, and advertising. Mercury's nature is fast moving and youthful. Mercury enhances the ability to learn languages and the scriptures, improves memory, speaking ability, and business. It is associated with friendship, logic, leafy trees, discrimination, charms (amulets), travel, agriculture, the nervous system, vocation, speech, adaptability, and commerce
KETU is the indicator of enlightenment and acts like Mars. It often causes poverty and obstruction to a person's endeavors. Ketu deals with the maternal grandfather, pain, suffering, causing trouble to enemies, poison, fever, injury, pride, death, negation, enmity, and selfishness. On a positive side, it deals with religion, philosophy, knowledge, salvation, spirits, liberation, and psychic ability.
VENUS - SHUKRA deals with marriage, happy family life, a good home, vitality, love, sex, beauty, sensual pleasure, comfort, luxury, art, poetry, and material comfort. A person influenced by Venus is optimistic, charismatic, gives others happiness, and moves gracefully. Venus gives a person pleasure in life and is a teacher. Venus is associated with flowers, jewelry, beautiful things, semen, sweet foods and flavors, tropical climates, makeup, cows, sexual activity, nice clothes, various sensual pleasures, pleasant scents, ornaments, and flowering trees. Venus rules singers, dancers, musicians, artists, craftsmen, actors, prostitutes, and entertainers. Venus also rules salesmen, watery places, diplomats, and peacemakers.
MOON - CHANDRA represents the mind and the mother. The Moon deals with the mind, and affects both the way a person thinks and his or her thoughts. It influences happiness and emotions. The moon deals with feminine qualities. It rules things dealing with water and affects the ocean tides. It affects the body fluids, liquids, and occupations dealing with water.
SUN - SURYA is the king of the planets and the cause of universal light. The Sun is significant for royalty or high government or political position. The Sun deals with the father, a person's external appearance, how the public sees him or her, and the way a person acts. It deals with the soul and the self. It affects philosophical tendency, health, political power, and the native's status and respect. The Sun can make one decisive and determined.
MARS - MANGALA deals with the brothers, land, immovable properties, warfare, science, fire, competition, courage, and determination. A positively placed Mars gives a person strong energy, productivity, a powerful leadership position (such as army leadership), physical strength, strong character, successful material life, quick mental facility, good organization skills, strong determination, ambition, and enables one to act independently. Occupations that deal with Mars are the military, ambassadors, public speaking, construction, real estate, flying, athletics, restaurant management, and cooking.
RAHU influences the paternal grandfather, prosperity, abuse of alcohol and drugs and the use of intoxication in general. Strong pain, theft, corruption, frustration, problems with ghosts, uncleanness, renunciation, psychic disturbances, epidemics, harsh speech, gambling, traveling, wickedness, widowhood, disease, epidemics, supernatural phenomena, and suicidal impulses. It represents fear, snakes, snakebites, and problems from past bad activities.
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The Saraswati Center @ West Seattle Yoga and Ayurveda
ACVA Vedic Astrologer
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