TANTRIC TEMPLES: THE BODY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.



      "When my beloved returns to the house, I shall make my body into a
Temple of Gladness. Offering this body as an alter of joy, my let-down
hair shall sweep it clean. Then my beloved will consecrate this temple."

                                          --Vaisnav Baul



A temple is a place of worship, a construction wherein God is served and
realized. Tantric tradition holds that "God" is one's true Self, the
soul, to be worshipped in the Temple of cred rivers;
   here are the sun and the moon, as well as all the holy places of
pilgrimage. I have not encountered another Temple as blissful as my own
body."

                                     --Saraha Doha


The physical body is a Temple of the soul, and microcosm of the entire
universe. The bodily Temple, as with many traditional Hindu and Buddhist
Temples, contains gardens, rivers, sanctuaries, and gates; as well as
containing all the elements of the world: earth, water, fire, air, and
ether.

Tan tains nine "gates" to the bodily Temple; these being the anus, the
Yoni or Lingam, the mouth, the nose, the two eyes, the two years, and
the "Gate of Brahma." The Gate of Brahma, known in current medical
terminology as the "fontanel," is an actual opening, visible at birth,
which closes as the baby grows (also known familiarly as the 'soft spot'
at the crown of an infant's skull). Eastern tradition holds that the
soul enters and leaves the body through the Gate of Brahma. Note should
be made that, the number 9 having mystical significance, either the
Tantras or those translating them have not been entirely accurate with
the 9-gate description. For instance, since the eyes are counted as two
gates; so should be the nostrils, rather than naming "the nose" as a
single gate. Additionally, Yoginis possess an extra "gate," our urethras
being separate from our Yonis; unlike males whose Lingam contains but a
single gate used for sexual and excretory processes.

Although the bodily Temple may be entered via any gate; it is the Gate
of Brahma which leads to higher spiritual realization.

In addition to and not separate from the purely physical body, Tantra
describes the Subtle Body. The Subtle Body contains one's aura, the
chakras, while physical nerve centers located along the spinal column,
evoke their "traits" from the Subtle Body. The two bodies are
inseparable, both should be worshipped as one Temple.

The microcosm of the universe can be described in terms of the Subtle
Body. The SIVA SAMHITA describes it thus:

"In this body the central Great Axis, Mount Meru, the spinal column, is
surrounded by seven islands. These islands are named Prana (the vital
force), blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow and Soma (seed/ova). There are
rivers and seas, all the stars and planets, sacred pilgrimage places,
shrines and presiding deities. In this body, Brahmanda (the egg of
Brahma), there is the nectar-rayed moon atop the spinal column; it turns
its face downward, and rains nectar day and night. The ambrosia from the
moon subdivides into two subtle parts. One ray nourishes the body like
sacred waters, and descends ass a subtle channel on the left side; her
name is Ida. The other ray, brilliant as the purest milk, enters the
central nerve of the spinal column in order to maintain and recreate the
moon in its proper place atop the central Great Axis. Its name is
Susumna. At the lower region of the Great Axis of Mount Meru is the Sun,
located within the body itself. From the Inner Sun, situated at the
solar plexus, a subtle channel emanates to the right of the body,
carrying solar flame upward by the power of its rays. His name is
Pingala. Pingala moves through the body, swallowing up vital secretions
and leading the spirit to Liberation. Lord Surya, the Sun, moves through
the vessel of the body. Who knows this microcosm of the body and
experiences its mysteries truly reaches the highest state."

 The Ida and Pingala are conceived as crossing the Susumna, or Central
River, like twin serpents coiling around a central staff. This Yantra is
the same ancient hermetic symbol known as the Caduceus, modern symbol of
the medical profession. The rising, swirling energies produce a vortex
of ascending power, used in Tantra to evolve toward the Infinite.

The main act of worship at the Bodily Temple is this Ascension, the
channelling of sexual energy upward from the root chakra, which contains
the basic life force, through the sexual chakra, producing a liquid
thrill. Upon reaching the Solar Plexus chakra, the Inner Sun is
awakened, burning up bars to pro gress with its 64-petalled flames,
purifying the pathways, the chakras. Upon reaching the heart chakra, the
fire of love floods the three rivers and the solar and lunar energies
unite, illuminating the temple. An ecstatic transcendental delight is
produced. For white Tantric practitioners, sometimes Tantric orgasm is
achieved at this point. During red Tantric sexual practice, a firm
foundation of Temple Worship will consciously aid Tantric orgasm within
the couple, and lead to the union of the sexual and spiritual bliss.

Worshipping the Bodily Temple takes place on all levels, from the
physical to the most subtle. Regard the body as a True Temple, cultivate
this awareness at all times and in all places.

The physical and subtle condition of the body are most important.
Physically, out of respect for the Divinity within, the body should be
kept clean, well nourished and healthy; through the practices of
hygiene, *sacred bathing* and the practices of Hatha Yoga and Pranayama,
as well as healthy diet. The Templ e deity's satisfaction should be
sought after; provide enjoyment and laughter and sensual delight to
satisfy the Divinity within. Hold nothing back out of embarrassment or
doubt; true worship is not an act of rote but of spontaneous and total
love. During Tantric lovemaking, such worship of one's own bodily Temple
and that of the partner produce fulfillment of all desires; Tantric
sexual love is an act of great magical and spiritual potency.


THE OUTER TEMPLE; THE ENVIRON OF WORSHIP.

An erotic temple is necessary for Tantric worship and High Tantric
Sexual acts. The senses, the body, mind and spirit should be aroused
within this Temple. An inner sanctum can be created within one's home, a
place in natural harmony with one's true spirit. Eastern temples usually
incorporate arches and curved, soft shapes harmonious to the human
body's lines. Hard lines and corners can be changed with drapes,
canopies, ornaments, screens, and the like.

Colors are important. Red and purple stimulate and arouse; deep blue and
violet relax and invigorate. Color combinations as they relate to the
chakras are most excellent; ideally ones that stimulate spontaneous
erotic expression rather than inhibit it should be chosen as the
dominant colors of the Sanctum. The bed should be kept close to ground
level, or lovemaking should take place on carpets, padded mats and
cushions.

The KAMA SUTRA suggests: "The abode should ideally be located near
water, surrounded by a garden, and contain inner and outer rooms. The
main room should be balm y with rich perfumes and contain a bed, soft,
agreeable to the sight, covered with a clean cloth, low in the middle,
having garlands and flowers upon it, a canopy above it and two pillows,
one at the top and another at the bottom. There should also be a sort of
couch, at the head of this a stool on which should be placed fragrant
ointments, perfume and flowers. An open fire provides stimulation and
calls to Agni, Surya and Ushas."

Such technicalities aren't always practical in the modern
world--especially for apartment dwellers! But candles and incense, and
jugs or bowls of fresh water can be easily substituted. Introducing
natural elements into the home harmonizes the senses. Lovemaking is
recommended in natural environs, but the practice of Tantric Union must
be undertaken without danger of distraction or interruption, so natural
elements such as fresh fruit, flowers, plants and natural organic
materials are no less sacred for being *substitutes.* Silk wall hangings
or sheets, feather pil lows, and cotton or down comforters should
enhance the bed, or even take the place of it.

Electric light is unadvisable; electricity has a current of its own
which is inorganic and not harmonious with the erotically stimulated
body's natural currents. Candles are neutral, and the softness of their
glow can help still the mind, focusing it totally on the spirituality of
the sensual act to take place.

Ordinary, non-ritual lovemaking is more easily accomplished in natural
environs; and since Prakriti, the inherent Sakthi of nature and
creation, exists in such places as wooded areas, beaches, and fields,
physical, non-ritual lovemaking can be heightened by communion with the
elements of nature. Additionally, if one brings back a stone, rock,
shell, pinecone, or other object acquired during natural acts of love,
it becomes a potent talisman, and should be provided a prominent place
in the Inner Temple of the Home.

Try to instill as much of your inner nature and true Self into the
Temple's abode as possible. This will not only please you, but endow
your Erotic Temple with a vital energetic current of its own.


"The bed was made ready, provided with luxuries, including a bronze
censer for scenting the quilts. She let down the bed curtains to the
floor, letting down her hair, covering her body with it. The mattress
and coverlets were piled up, the pointed pillows laid across them. She
then shed her robes and revealed her white body, with delicate bones and
soft flesh. We then made love, and her body was soft and moist, like
fine oin tment."
                                        --Mei-Jen Fu.

AUM MANI PADME HUM.