Four paths of Tantra trika1) Preamble
As breath’s created, sustained and destroyed,
we see trika, threefold aspect at play
through life, where we are by ego decoyed,
until we choose to make love our mainstay.
Beyond religions, scriptures and folklore,
let’s explore the direct path intimate
and immediate, where each pore’s a door,
bestowing God’s grace that does not abate.
Back to basics, we look at sun and moon
and heart’s fire that seeks bliss that does not end,
a burning yearning, humming a love tune,
to know by touch, how our soul does ascend.
We feel deep within, we’re more than this form,
whilst caressed by life’s breeze, both cool and warm.
2) First path - Krama or energisation
Whilst caressed by life’s breeze, both cool and warm,
we notice our awareness does not change,
as a witness that’s still in every storm,
recording events, both mundane and strange.
To meld with the screen upon which we dance,
we slow down by softening attention;
the vast void beckons, so we take a chance,
plunging therein in deep meditation.
In staid silence, we feel stirrings within,
of sublime magnetism ushering bliss,
gently burning ego, cleansing heart’s sin,
which our soul knows, is Divine Mother’s kiss.
This as Krama, is step by step ascent;
the truth is known, when will to God is bent.
3) Second path - Kula or celebration
The truth is known, when will to God is bent,
which awakens in us, Holy Spirit,
light that lights all lights, granting love consent,
transforming feeble form with steely grit.
Once love enabled, heart begins to sing
and as fears recede, joy begins to breed,
infusing in presence, zest, zeal and bling,
where doing nothing, we let bliss beats lead.
Flowing gently, mode embrace and release,
we accept all we chance to meet and greet,
our touch tender, like the fresh morning breeze,
frolicking in bliss that does not deplete.
This is Kula, path of celebration;
pure of heart entwine with God’s creation.
4) Third path - Spanda or vibration
Pure of heart entwine with God’s creation,
whereupon is heard cosmic gong of Om,
resounding from an unknown location,
where one with oneness, we know we’re back home.
The inner sound current fixates focus
and as we become a flicker-free flame,
love our flagship and also our locus,
we see glimmers of light in life’s end game.
As we are so meditated upon,
we hear within, throb of soundless thunder,
moment to moment, with each breath reborn,
we witness all this in childlike wonder.
This is Spanda, the path of vibration,
to embody truth, heart’s aspiration.
5) Fourth path - Pratyabhijna or recognition
To embody truth, heart’s aspiration,
requires direct seeing without mirrors,
laying within heart, wisdom’s foundation,
bereft of doubt that gives us the shivers.
Layer by layer, the false falls away
and we know we are Self, ensouling form,
so holding firm this knowing, night and day,
with the pulse of love, we always conform.
One day ego falls off, like a dead leaf
whereupon we see Self as living light,
which always was and is, what a relief,
with this truth known to us, by direct sight.
This is Pratyabhijna: recognition,
knowing truth of Self, in clear cognition.
6) Assimilation
Knowing truth of Self, in clear cognition,
makes us look at life as a lucid dream,
directed by God, who’s the magician,
birthing illusions which endlessly stream.
Like the eye of each storm, that’s always still,
with the flag of love within heart unfurled,
free from desires, we have surrendered will,
dwelling in the void, in God’s bosom curled.
We yet oscillate between here and there
but for the most part we remain awake,
touch gentled, our awareness self-aware,
rippleless consciousness calm like a lake.
What we’ve imbibed is yet to be ingrained;
our consciousness yet remains to be trained.
7) Epilogue
Our consciousness yet remains to be trained
but who ascends, when there is no one here,
so remaining empty, we are not strained
because we know in time God will appear.
He who sought to ascend has disappeared
and we see all that is, is God alone,
who dwells within, so what’s there to be feared,
since the wisdom is etched on heart in stone.
There remains now no agenda to state,
save witnessing soul blossom like a rose
and we are sure in time we’ll bilocate,
immanent and transcendent in repose.
The truth absolute is known in the void;
as breath’s created, sustained and destroyed.
Crown of Sonnets
