Ritual

Jaina icon of the Jina as released
spirit. Rajasthan, c. 19th century.
Brass.
192
Stages of psychic growth
The pilgrimage of the ego from its incipient potential state to selfactualization-
an unwinding of the inner energies to expand, to be,
to become - is a slow gradual process which begins at the very
advent of spiritual life. The ultimate goal of the human ego
treading the tantric path is liberation or enlightenment through the
experience of ecstasy: to become a total being through the
awareness of one's psychic potencies. Psychic ascent can be viewed
in terms of sharply defined phases which can be subdivided into
various categories: first, preparation and incubation; second, selfactualization
and realization.
The psyche, as a condensed nucleus of energy with the
possibility to expand, first begins to be aware of its unbounded
potentiality and concurrently accepts the belief system, in this case
tantra, in which it is going to be actualized. Then begins the quest
for a spiritual preceptor who can direct and point out the signposts
on the path. When the sadhana begins and under the guidance of
the guru various techniques are adopted, the neophyte, by
following a continuous, uninterrupted physical and mental
discipline, allows these disciplines to infiltrate into his life and
actions. He absorbs the technique in a process analogous to
incubation, until their daily performance and observance becomes
as natural to him as breathing.
The special states of consciousness conducive to psychic ascent
consist mainly in narrowing down the field of concentration by
becoming more centralized, and gathering into a nucleus one's
own energies through the use of various concentrative and
absorptive methods in relation to one's temperament and
potencies. Prescribed techniques may include the recitation of
mantra, use of yantra, mudra, nyasa, pranayama, daily puja,
meditation, etc. By daily practice, the sadhaka enhances his
possibilities of entering into unusual states of mind, albeit such
awareness in the preliminary stages is only one aspect of the whole
manifestation. Once a balance is struck between external aids and
the sadhaka's inner rhythm, the next step of sadhana which follows
simultaneously as a consequence of outer worship is the inner
control of the mind by a total 'disintegration of the ego'. This stage
consists of facing and confronting the shadow self, the unconscious
forces, and the perception of the creative, destructive continuum
of the polarity principles manifesting as one. At this stage, either
one advances towards total liberation or returns to material
conditions. Many who cannot bear the forcefulness or arduous task