Yantra
Yantras
By Harish Johari
Yantras are visual tools that serve either as centering devices or as symbolic compositions of the energy pattern of a deity as seen by Tantric seers in their vision.
The word yantra is used in two or more ways in Sanskrit. It comes from the root "yam", which means supporting or holding the essence of an object or concept. The syllable "tra" comes from "trana" or liberation from bondage. Yantra also means liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth (moksha). As a tool, yantra is used to withdraw consciousness from the outer world, so as to help the student to go beyond the normal framework of mind to the altered states of consciousness known as turiya.
The act of drawing and painting yantras teaches the mind how to concentrate, how to be one-pointed. To some people this practice is fascinating and absorbing, while others might not find it as interesting as doing calligraphy or singing, but creating a yantra can yield a valuable lesson. Yantra drawing requires accuracy, exactness, discipline, concentration, neatness and patience. The geometrical forms of the yantra activate the right hemisphere, which is visual and nonverbal.
Printed with permission from www.sanatansociety.com.
Please acknowledge Harish Johari as the author when making any copies or sharing this information.
By Harish Johari
Yantras are visual tools that serve either as centering devices or as symbolic compositions of the energy pattern of a deity as seen by Tantric seers in their vision.
The word yantra is used in two or more ways in Sanskrit. It comes from the root "yam", which means supporting or holding the essence of an object or concept. The syllable "tra" comes from "trana" or liberation from bondage. Yantra also means liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth (moksha). As a tool, yantra is used to withdraw consciousness from the outer world, so as to help the student to go beyond the normal framework of mind to the altered states of consciousness known as turiya.
The act of drawing and painting yantras teaches the mind how to concentrate, how to be one-pointed. To some people this practice is fascinating and absorbing, while others might not find it as interesting as doing calligraphy or singing, but creating a yantra can yield a valuable lesson. Yantra drawing requires accuracy, exactness, discipline, concentration, neatness and patience. The geometrical forms of the yantra activate the right hemisphere, which is visual and nonverbal.
Printed with permission from www.sanatansociety.com.
Please acknowledge Harish Johari as the author when making any copies or sharing this information.
Pieter Weltevrede with some of the 2008 students with their work. Notice the Ganesha yantras. This is often the first yantra that is painted in a weekend. Returning students begin other yantras and begin to learn the Vedic square technique, as seen in many of the yantras above.