Tantra Unveiled: Seducing the Forces of Matter and Spirit

by Rajmani Tigunait

THE TANTRIC METHOD OF PRACTICING GAYATRI To further clarify this tantric form of mantra practice let us return to the gayatri mantra, one of the most famous mantras in the Vedas. This mantra has a maternal quality. It guides us in the right direction and warns us at a subtle level when we are about to make a mistake. And if mistakes have already been made, the gayatri mantra lovingly corrects them. The mantra is: Om bhur bhuvah svah tat savitur vareniyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat. In the ordinary course of meditation on gayatri all you have to do is sit with your head, neck, and trunk in a straight line, relax your body, breathe gently and smoothly, and bring your attention to the center suggested by your teacher (such as the navel, heart, or eyebrow center) and remember the mantra. The tantric method is much more elaborate. The most comprehensive method consists of completing auxiliary practices known as sandhyopasana, the twilight meditation, before doing japa (repetition) of the gayatri mantra. A shorter version consists of invoking the guru lineage, purifying the atmosphere and your seat with special mantras, and drawing an imaginary wall of fire around you to protect yourself from external influences.