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a mandala is a visual symbol often utilized in meditation practices and teachings. the mandala symbol itself is a geometric construction of points, lines, planes and solids symbolizing the universe. mandalas are geometric designs depictive of the universe specifically. other designs are similarly meditation tools, but may not be mandalas specifically. the visually conceived geometric symbols are visual meditation tools. a visual meditation tool is called a yantra. mandalas and all other yantras are visual meditation points of concentration. yantras are visual meditative tools similar in value to points of concentration. the image above is the sri yantra, sri meaning king or most important. 




a mantra is the audio version of a mandala. a mantra is an audio meditation tool. whether the sound of the mantra is a single syllable tone or a series of lengthy metaphysical musings, a mantra is an audio meditation tool. mantras, as sound vibration, are wavy linear vibrations of connection. 




the terms asana and mudra both reference physical positioning. an asana is a body posture as a meditation tool, and a mudra is a hand gesture or posture as a meditation tool. asanas and mudras enable our own bodies to become a geometric representation of a meditation tool. the postures are physical meditation tools transforming self into one's own geometric figure or plane among the space and sensitive to the space of self and surroundings. 




tantra means unification, or looming/weaving together principles and practices, instruction and individual action. tantra unites entirety. tantra signifies confluence and integration; a fusion. it is sanskrit for loom, the device which weaves together string into cloth. it is an ancient word with many properties and has been variously used to describe the knots of strings weaved together in a rug, and the cord on which sacred mala bead necklaces were strung, (mala beads are tibetan prayer necklaces of 108 beads used to assist mentally or vocally repeating a mantra 108 times.) and practices of unification of individual with the universal. today the word tantra is often used in reference to the union of lovemaking. though there is also a specific type of yoga called tantra yoga it means unification. 




there is the potentiation of the unification of principle and practice. there is the potentiation of tantra of yantra, mantra and asana. and there is certainly the lesson of the potentiation of yin yang tantra. the combination of yin and yang potentials and energies within leads to all sorts of aspects of development. this can be energetically understood in the idea that there are only two types of energies, straight and circular, straight for yang potentials and circular for yin potentials. it can be understood on a tangible level that rest and work are both required. when straight and circular energies combine, a spiral results. a spiral is one of, if not the highest expressions of energy. 




more broadly and generally, tantra notes a mutually accepted connection, a tied knot of intertwined being, like lovemaking, but not necessarily beginning with or limited to the act of lovemaking. humanity itself is a tantra; a fused weaving knot or many strings, of many instructions and many individuals. - advertisement - 




essentially tantra is spiritual understanding of the relationship and connections between individuation and universal energies. an ancient spiritual philosophy preceding both buddhism and hinduism, tantra represents integration, unifying the macrocosm with the microcosm, the universal and the individual, the feminine and the masculine, the yin and the yang. it also refers to integrative knowledge and its continuation and building refinement through the interaction of teacher and student, signifying union and fusion; the acceptance, integration and transmutation of knowledge between individuals, like the string of life. 




tantric ideas enhance and explore metaphysical merging of ideas and energies. tantra is the merging of the physical and spiritual, through the merging of the conceptual. in essence, tantra is the integration of yantra (the philosophy of visual symbols), mantra (communication of audio symbolism) and mudra (our very physical posturing) each of which is important on their own and increasing so when intertwined aspects of yoga, and life. tantra unites meditation practices and enhances the individual unity expansion with entirety of the universal. 




there is not necessarily the need for a specific yantra, or specific mantra, or specific asana in meditation, however each are tools that can be used and considered, and most are most powerful when practiced in unified tantric manner, or tantric mind state. a tantric mind state recognizes unity expansion and aims toward it, rather than cultivating a mind state of separation. 




no matter how one approaches meditation the unifying tantra of our meditation principles and practices bring about the unity expansion of yantra no matter. no matter our level of refinement of posture, we are always in an asana, no matter if we utilize mantra, or yantra, we for th most part still see and hear and those who cannot can still concentrate and connect. and no matter the mantra, yantra or asana, it is the principles behind and pertaining to the symbolism that contains the real power, the highest potential for tantric connection. yantras, mantras and asanas establish your sacred space and sacred perimeter and uniting with entirety in tantric balance. 




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one of my favorite meditations relates to the four dimensions of geometry, but is extracted from buddhist lessons. it is one of the most powerful meditations i have learned and as i learned it, buddha himself practiced and taught this meditation. i learned this meditation from a tibetan buddhist monk from nepal before i considered the four dimensions of geometry applied to meditation. on later examination however the components of the meditation relate to the four dimensions of geometry. 




this meditation is direct and simple, but can lead to infinitely complex profound lessons. the profundity of each of the ideas in this meditation cannot be understated. and each of the concepts has been elaborated on endlessly for centuries since buddha, and so the presentation here is of course a simplification of the ideas and processes that might be endlessly explored and refined. and that is what meditation is all about really, our own personal inward exploration and refinement. 




to begin, sit in a comfortable cross legged position on a meditation pillow. sit for a time to simply settle into absorption and relaxation, focusing on the breath. the rhythm of the following meditation consists of mindfulness of an idea followed by mindfulness of no idea, where as much as possible we think on nothingness. the nothingness gives us a chance to relax, compared to processing the series of ideas which can all be quite intense. the process can be done in any time period. the point is to cover each idea as deeply as can be, given time or mental state circumstances. 




the meditation is formed from important buddhist concepts. many meditations are derived from such teachings, buddhist and otherwise, so that there are lessons in a sense for the secular, and meditation practitioners.
the geometry of energy and meditation of buddha
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