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Glossary

O aspiring mind. Seek the Goddess with intense devotion. Following initiation and instruction from Shiva. You will certainly encounter her and become her. - Tantric Hymns of Enlightenment

Ajna – 6th Chakra, near the center of the eyebrows and commonly called "The Third Eye," associated with spiritual sight or self-awareness on the Cosmic Plane.

Ananda – Sanskrit for "Divine Bliss;" an ecstatic state of complete inward devotion.

Asana – A yoga posture (traditional "position") of the physical body practiced in conjunction with specific breathing techniques (Pranayama).

Ashram – A physical location including residence and Temple for the celebration, worship and practice of Yoga and/or Hindu philosophy; usually serves the community in some way, either through teaching/instruction, charity, or religious services.

Amrita – The spiritual essence or "Nectar" of the Goddess, commonly associated with the spiritual "chi" within female ejaculate exoterically, or the increased glandular production of various hormonal fluids (including pituitary) throughout the body, during ecstatic states and/or Kundalini arousal; alchemically considered "The Fountain of Youth" for its overall health benefits.

Ananda – Divine Bliss, oneness with higher, spiritual realms of holiness, peace, love and ecstasy

Anahata – 4th Chakra, near the heart or cardiac plexus, associated with transcendental Love or the physical experience of "Connectedness" to all of Life and All Beings.

Atman – The essence of perfection inherent to all creatures.

Bandah – Muscular lock, used to direct and intensify Kundalini energy.

Chakras – Sanskrit word meaning "Wheel," esoterically describing the bundle of nerve centers scientifically located in various concentrated areas of the human body at the base of spine, genital region, stomach area, heart/lung area, throat, forehead (third eye), top of head.

Daka – Male Priest or healer which embodies Shiva and may serve Shakti unconditionally.

Dakini – Female Tantrica or Yogini. An attendant or servant to the Goddess by holding the intention to embody Her highest essence; Commonly used to describe a Priestess, healer, alchemist, or initiate skilled at high level esoteric arts.

Darshan – Inner vision; to see a great or holy individual, either human or divine.

Deva – A God, Deity; or divine cosmic power.

Devi – Sankrit word meaning "Goddess;" Feminine Deity; a divine creative power.

Dharana – A yogic practice of Concentration.

Dharma – Divine duty, or highest spiritual path to live in accordance's with one's own "True Nature," Buddha-Nature, Dharma Path or True Will (that execution of purpose which is reflective of one's own Highest Truth and, at the same time, is congruent with the Highest Truth of the Universe).

Dhyana – A yogic practice of Meditation.

Durga – The Indian "Dark Mother" warrior Goddess.

Hatha – Literally the "Sun joins the Moon" symbolically translates to the soul's connection with the body.

Initiation – A ceremony of induction into a specific spiritual lineage or Tradition of knowledge, religion and practice; often thought to "confer" spiritual energy of magickal force at the time of ceremony to directly empower the individual in their pursuit of said path; a "religious confirmation" ceremony.

Kali – Tantric and Hindu Goddess of Enlightenment; Destroyer of Illusion; Consort of Siva.

Karma – A very difficult concept to articulate, having concern with Dharma (true life path) but also the accumulation of merit as well as difficulty as a result of past action, but also spiritual life lessons chosen (at birth, esoterically related to the "birth chart") for the given life in question. It is faulty to th ink that a "bad experience" today is the negative consequence of some "wrong-doing" in the past, which implies a linear perspective to the idea of Karma, which is inconsistent with its esoteric relationship to TIME. Rather, a bad or difficult experience today, may be the releasing of difficult Karma related to the past - or to the future - or to the very present moment in question. Bottom line, Karma is not a system of punishment and reward, though to properly understand its fulfillment, one must understand that for every Action in the universe, there is an equal and repository consequence.

Kriya – System of internal purification, cleansing process.

Kundalini – Commonly thought of as latent energy located at the base of the spine or "as a coiled sleeping serpent" which the yogi works to gently awaken this dormant energy to attain enlightenment. In more concrete, physical terms, may be thought of as the electrochemical bio-feedback component to the nervous system which, through stimulation (activation wi th occult/physical breathing + posture practices) causes rapid changes in body-mind neurochemistry, resulting in "altered states of conscious awareness," effecting perceptions of Self as well as Other (including all the world and worldly experience) or, what may be esoterically defined as "Transcendental Knowledge."

Lakshmi – Goddess of abundance, wealth, happiness and prosperity. The consort of Lord Vishnu

Lingam – Commonly associated with the male "Wand of Light" originating from the Sanskrit word "Linga," meaning "pillar of adoration and worship of Lord Shiva" - associated with cosmic masculine force, igniting destruction or creation, consort and Tantric lover to Shakti. Another word for "phallus."

Maha – Great, mighty one.

Maithuna – Elaborate Tantric ritual with many parts, usually culminating in some form sacred sexual union.

Manipura – 3rd Chakra, near the solar plexus, commonly called "The Power Center" - associated with personal Will.

Mantra – A sacred phrase of spiritual significance and power; verbal chant.

Maya – Illusion that one's personality can use to limit or challenge the Soul.

Mudra – Sacred hand gestures to focus the body's energy with intention; can be said to "transmit" sacred spiritual or cosmic energy on a harmonic, vibrational level.

Muladhara – 1st Chakra, commonly called "The Root Center," located near the base of the spine at the interior of the body, between anus and perineum.

Mula Bandha – Bandhas (comes from the Sanskrit word Bandhu for "lock") are physical yogic techniques to "lock" the areas of the body where energy is temporarily contained, so that it may be directed as desired by the Yogi; Mula Bandha locks and re-directs energy at Muladhara Chakra.

Nadis – Subtle bundles of nervous energy along the central nervous system, related to psycho-spiritual energy and mind-body consciousness.

Nirvana – Ultimate spiritual peace, a place that transcends birth and death and absolute freedom from attachment is achieved. The Vedas say when you reach the attainment your soul no longer needs to incarnate on the earth plane.

Ojas – Subtle vital life force within the body which is connected to health, immunity and reproductive functions.

Ordination – A religious ceremony whereby a Priest or Priestess or other Officiant receives Recognition and Title of Office by an officially recognized clergy within a specific church or faith, usually in the presence of a congregation of followers or disciples.

Pratyahara – The withdra wal of the mind's focus of attention towards external objects, toward internal points of focus.

Prana – Energy, air, breath, life force; received by the body from pure food, nurturing, healing and self transformation.

Pranayama – Yogic breath techniques; conscious control of breathing patterns to quiet the mind and balance the body's natural energies.

Puja – A specific ritual, or sacred circle and ceremony of worship.

Reiki – Japanese energy work involving a type of "laying on of hands" and psychic meditation which employs Universal Healing Energy.

Sahasrara – 7th Chakra, commonly called "The Crown Center," located at the top of the head, associated with Supreme Inner Realization of Godhead.

Samadhi – The state in which consciousness is in concentration and is illuminated by the Divine Light - without any desire - also c alled "Superconsciousness" or state of being, therein.

Sarasvati – Indian Goddess of Knowledge or Cosmic Teacher of Sanskrit.

Shakti – Indian concept of the Firey Nature or Power of Consciousness and spiritual evolution seen as Divine Feminine.

Shaman – American Indian name for a spiritual healer.

Shaktipat – A transmission of spiritual energy usually given by a Guru.

Sky Dancing – A translated Tantric term used to describe Transcendental Love.

Svadhisthana – 2nd Chakra, commonly called "The Sexual Energy Center," located near the genital region, encompassing the lower belly region, associated with the lower emotional needs as well as sexual identity, sexual expression and "gender".

Tantra – A Yogic Science which seeks to enlighten the individual through contemplating the nature of Divine Bliss in All Things.

Upandishads – Literally "secret teachings," the last portion of the Vedas.

Vishuddha – 5th Chakra, commonly called "The Throat Center," located at the throat and associated with Spiritual Self-Truth and the element of Sound and voice (ie, "speaking one's Truth").

Yab-Yum – An asana in which the two partners sit vertically facing one another, Chakras aligned, accompanied by Tantric Breathing, Mulahbunda and spinal undulation.

Yang – Active, quick, firm, masculine or technical energy.

Yantra – Mystic geometrical diagram used for healing meditation.

Yin – Receptive, gentle, soft sensuality, feminine or intuitive energy.

Yoni – Commonly associated with the female "Vulva" or cosmic feminine energy and/or receptivity.

Yuga – Era, epoch. This age is the end of the Kali Yuga

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