Yoga & Tantra

by Swami Satyananda

What is the relationship between yoga and tantra? Yoga is a process of fission and fusion. Therefore, tantra and yoga have exactly the same meaning. They are not two separate philosophies. They are only two different terms belonging to the same way of life. More accurately, we can say that yoga is the practical aspect, while tantra is the theoretical aspect. What tantra explains, yoga asks us to practice.

Tantra and yoga should be viewed as one science, not as two. Tantra is the mother and yoga is the son. The different books you have read on yoga have all been reproduced from tantric texts, not from any other school of philosophy. The varied and diverse systems of yoga which are being practised all over the world today originated from tantra.

All practices such as asanas, pranayama, all yogic paths such as karma yoga, bhakti yoga, kundalini yoga, hatha yoga, mantra yoga, kriya yoga amd so on, are all an integral part of tantra. All the practices that you know as yoga, are also a part of tantra. You have been practising tantra and you have not known it!

The word tantra is made up of two words: tanoti and trayati. The word tanoti means “to expand”, to “stretch” and to “extend” , while the word trayati means “to liberate” or “free”. Therefore Tantra (tan+tra) means to expand one’s experience and awareness of everything, to extend the frontiers of apprehension beyond the material, and hence to attain spiritual knowledge and liberation.

The objective universe is utilized as a launching pad into the eternal. Tantra aims at expanding the experience of everyday life, of enjoying and living life to the full, as means to higher awareness. It encompasses all aspects of life, whether in the material world or that which is transcendent.

Tantra encompasses all aspects of life. Its philosophical basis reaches the loftiest heights of comprehension, yet at the same time it is amenable to practical application. It has different levels of meaning and significance which only hold true through personal experience.

Modern man is looking for something, but does not know what it is. We feel that tantra, including yoga, is the answer that you are looking for. It is based on the wisdom of thousands of tuned in sages, throughout the ages. It is tested by time.

Without joy and experience of higher awareness, life is dull, frustrating and often purposeless. Even one small glimpse of a transcendednt experience will inject new aspiration, new joy into even the most unemotional person. Tantra promises just this; higher awareness, happiness and knowledge. Yoga and Tantra are a method of instructing and leading you to material and spiritual fulfilment. Cosmic awareness can come through participation in the world; it is not necessary to reject life and become an ascetic. This is the way of tantra.

Tantra is a system for those people who are not ascetically inclined and who are intimately involved in the activities of the world. It is therefore most suitable for modern man. It is a means for removing inhibitions and complexities. Tantra says that life should be an expression of joy, though the acts of joy, should of course be dharmic (harmonious) and not adharmic (disharmonious). Tantra takes the individual by the hand and slowly leads him towards higher awareness.