The art of sacred union

By Apolo Mantecon

"The art of sacred union"

 

In this tantra book, "The Art of Sacred Union"

you can discover a world of knowledge and practices related to spirituality, intimate connection, and consciousness expansion.

Remember that the word "Tantra" literally means a technique or a technology. It is an internal technology, subjective methods, not objective ones.

However, in the current understanding of society, the word "Tantra" refers to very unorthodox or socially unacceptable methods.

It's just that certain aspects are used in a particular way. It is no different from Yoga.

The real tantra is a branch of Yoga called Tantra Yoga.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Apolo Mantecon
• Release date: Feb 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224579297

Book preview

Who is Apolo Mantecón?

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Apolo Mantecon has written several books, And the most well-known ones are I am part of you, a book that talks about the philosophy of yoga for beginners, another known book is spiritual path that answers a series of questions that we can all ask ourselves when starting on the evolutionary spiritual path. All are a small guide at hand for anyone to start in spirituality and their own evolutionary path.

The art of sacred union

In this tantra book, The Art of Sacred Union

you can discover a world of knowledge and practices related to spirituality, intimate connection, and consciousness expansion.

Here are some areas covered:

1. Philosophy and Origins: You'll learn about the philosophical foundations of tantra, its historical roots, and how it has evolved over time.

2. Energy and Chakras: Tantra views the human body as an energy field. You'll discover how to work with chakras (energy centers) to balance and elevate your vibration.

3. Rituals and Ceremonies: Tantra books often describe sacred rituals, union ceremonies, and practices to connect with the divine.

4. Sacred Sexuality: Tantra sees sexuality as a path to spiritual expansion. You'll explore conscious sexual practices, the connection between love and sexual energy, and how to cultivate deeper intimacy.

5. Mantras and Meditation: Dive into mantras (sacred sounds) and meditation techniques to calm the mind and access higher states of consciousness.

6. Body Relationship: Tantra celebrates the body as a divine temple. Discover how to honor and care for your physical body.

7. Union of Polarities: Tantra seeks the union of opposites—masculine and feminine, earthly and spiritual. You'll learn to integrate these polarities within yourself.

8. Unconditional Love: Tantra promotes unconditional love for oneself and others. Explore how to release emotional blocks and open up to love.

9. Art and Symbolism: beautiful illustrations, symbols, and metaphors representing profound spiritual concepts.

10. Embodied Practices: From postures to breathing techniques, you'll discover how to use your body as a vehicle for transformation.

Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmir Shaivism is a philosophy and spiritual practice based on the non-dualistic vision of Shiva, the supreme and absolute principle of reality.

Kashmir Shaivism originated in the Kashmir region, in northern India, between the 8th and 9th centuries, and developed until the 12th century, with the work of Abhinavagupta, the most important exponent of this tradition.

Kashmir Shaivism is inspired by various sacred texts, called tantras, which reveal the secrets of union with Shiva through various methods, such as meditation, yoga, mantra, ritual, art, and ethics.

Kashmir Shaivism is characterized by its philosophical system called Pratyabhijña, which means recognition or identification, and proposes that the human being is essentially identical to Shiva, but has forgotten it due to ignorance and conditioning.

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The goal of Kashmir Shaivism is to awaken the consciousness of one's own divine nature and experience the bliss and freedom that derive from it.

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Kashmir Shaivism also stands out for its concept of Spanda, which means vibration or pulsation, and refers to the dynamic and creative energy of Shiva, which manifests throughout the universe.

Kashmir Shaivism teaches to perceive and tune into this vibration, which is the source of life and happiness.

Kashmir Shaivism is one of the deepest and most fascinating traditions of Hinduism, offering a comprehensive and sublime vision of reality and the human being.

What is Tantra?

It is a philosophy that is based on the non-dualistic vision of Shiva, the supreme and absolute principle of reality. Tantra seeks to awaken to this reality and experience divine unity in all aspects of existence, through the practice of bodily, meditative, and ritual techniques. Tantra is inspired by sacred texts called tantras, which reveal the secrets of union with Shiva. Tantra adapts to different religions and traditions, and has different branches and schools. Tantra is a complex and profound philosophy, which requires careful and respectful study and practice, under the guidance of a qualified teacher.

What is Tantraloka?

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Tantraloka is a masterpiece of non-dual Shaivism from Kashmir, written by the philosopher and yogi Abhinavagupta in the 10th century.

Its name means light on the tantra, and it is an exhaustive and systematic treatise on the theory and practice of tantra, covering topics such as cosmology, ontology, epistemology, ethics, ritualistics, initiation, meditation, yoga, mantra, mudra, maithuna, kundalini, chakra, spanda, pratyabhijñā, anuttara, and parātrīśikā. Tantraloka consists of 37 chapters or āhnika-s, totaling more than 5800 verses in Sanskrit, and is considered one of the most important and authorized works of non-dual Shaivism from Kashmir. Tantraloka is a source of inspiration and knowledge for practitioners and scholars of tantra, and has been  commented on by various authors, both ancient and modern.

How has Tantra evolved over time?

Tantra has evolved over time, adapting to different cultures, traditions, and needs of practitioners. Some of the most important changes that Tantra has undergone are:

•  The development of different branches and schools, which emphasize different aspects of practice, such as meditation, yoga, mantra, ritual, art, or ethics. Some of the best-known schools are Kaula, Krama, Trika, Kubjika, Kashmir Shaivism, Vajrayana, Kalachakra, Dzogchen, etc.

•  The emergence of great masters and works that have systematized and deepened the teaching of Tantra, such as Abhinavagupta, Gorakshanath, Naropa, Tilopa, Padmasambhava, Saraha, Matsyendranath, etc. Some of the most important works are the Tantraloka, the Hevajra Tantra, the Guhyasamaja Tantra, the Chakrasamvara Tantra, the Kalachakra Tantra, the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, etc.

•  The spread of Tantra in the West, where it has become popular and reinterpreted, sometimes faithfully and sometimes with distortion.

Now that we have seen what Tantra is, we will take a brief journey through its origins and its initial structure.

The best way to start with this philosophy is with the 37 chapters of the Tantraloka, which cover both the ritual and philosophical aspects of tantra.

Achieve supreme consciousness.

The different types of knowledge or consciousness that exist , According to the degree of identification with the supreme reality, which is Shiva.

There are four types of knowledge or consciousness:

- Limited knowledge or parokṣa, which is based on the senses, mind, and reason, and does not perceive the true nature of things, but only their appearances.

- Direct knowledge or aparokṣa, which is obtained by personal experience, and surpasses the limitations of the senses, mind, and reason, but still depends on the subject-object duality.

- Supreme knowledge or parāmarśa, which is realized by the grace of Shiva, and consists of the recognition or identification with the universal consciousness, which is the essence of everything that exists.

- Absolute knowledge or pratyabhijñā, which is achieved by total liberation, and consists of the fusion or absorption in the supreme consciousness, which is Shiva himself.

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Direct identification with Shiva.

Devoid of means, or anupāya, is the highest and most subtle state of consciousness, where there is no means or method to achieve union with Shiva, but only direct and spontaneous identification with him. This state is like that of absolute freedom, supreme bliss, and total fullness, which does not depend on any object, nor any act, nor any thought. The anupāya is the natural and original state of consciousness, which is Shiva himself, but which has been forgotten due to ignorance and conditioning. The anupāya is the state that is revealed when the subject-object duality is transcended, and the unity of everything that exists is recognized. The anupāya is the state that is realized by the grace of Shiva, which is the energy that drives and sustains the entire universe.