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126<br />
Moscow Institute of Oriental Studies, aptly observes: 'But what<br />
explains its persistence in Indian life is its greater awareness of<br />
human psychology.'<br />
Tantra's exclusive concern with practical techniques of selfenlightenment<br />
over theory and speculation has given sadhana<br />
(spiritual discipline) a unique place of importance in the whole<br />
system. A vast body of tantric literature concerns itself with the<br />
systematic attuning of the body and psychic forces for a gradual<br />
unfolding, so that the tantras are often considered a way of action, a<br />
way of life, a way of joy for the attainment of desired ends. Tantric<br />
rituals are an internally consistent code of practices which follow<br />
logically from its belief system. They have definite symbolic<br />
meanings: though all rituals are performed as symbolic acts, they<br />
have the power to bring about alterations in consciousness and<br />
therefore when they are efficient they become sources of<br />
manifestation of that power. In tantra, ritual assumes the status of<br />
much more than mere obeisance to the deity; it calls for<br />
unification, an internalization of the personal and specific towards<br />
the timeless, abstract and universal. In this way, rituals in tantra<br />
become an operational concept uniting theory and practice. Its<br />
merit depends upon its correct application, for only then can it<br />
become a verifiable experience of a definite state of consciousness.<br />
The various rituals generally practised are basically<br />
consciousness-amplifying techniques in so far as they represent<br />
psycho-physical experiences touching every aspect of our senses;<br />
but when they are practised mechanically for material gains or<br />
results, the rites may not necessarily lead to higher results.<br />
A distinction can be made between a single ritual act and a<br />
sadhana. A ritual technique performed in daily life may be<br />
artificially separated from the whole discipline and the entire<br />
process may remain value-free without being bounded by any<br />
specific code, whereas sadhana implies a total spiritual discipline<br />
comprising many concurrent practices of which a particular ritual<br />
forms an integral part of the whole belief system.<br />
If tantra is freed from its cult-oriented associations, that is, if not<br />
pursued for its wider goals of sadhana but for its own sake as a<br />
device of expansion of consciousness, it can become a key to<br />
modern needs.<br />
There is a multiplicity of techniques employed in tantric rituals<br />
through the medium of sound (mantra), form (yantra), psychophysical<br />
postures and gestures (nyasas and mudras), offerings of<br />
flowers, incense and ritual ingredients, breath-control (pranayama),<br />
sexo-yogic practice (asana), concentration (dhyana).