Path of Yoga Tantra

1. Without practice, there is no Tantra. There is a great deal of difference between giving poses for diving and actually diving into water. I am applying the same analogy to the world of Tantra. Reading and discussing about Tantra is good, but it is not Tantra. Tantra and Yoga are the only Practical Ways of Spirituality that involve action. So, they are called Anusthanik Dharma, Practical Religion. Vedanta is mostly self reflection and analysis. Bhakti yoga is also mostly mental-emotional.
2. Tantra is hands-on sadhana, 100% practical, and one can clearly feel the evolution taking place within. And one must push himself and keep pushing beyond unknown boundaries.
3. Tantra Yoga uses vivid visualization of Chakras (Muladhara to Sahasrara), channels (Susumna, Ida, Pingala nadi-s), Shakti (energy), Bija Mantra, Devata (deity), etc. That is a very scientific form of meditation. So in Tantra, progress is rapid.
4. Tantra requires a Guru, from whom this direct instructions must be received. One cannot do tantra sadhana on his own. The tantra related scriptures have been intentionally written in a complicated, multi-layer-ed manner to thwart casual onlookers and non-believers. So, if the adept master doesn't reveal the secrets of his path, one can easily stray.
5. The Nyaya, Vedanta etc. are descriptive analytical paths that explain and explain, which is like beating around the bush. Tantra and Yoga are direct methods of perception. It's like hitting the nail right between the eyes, spot-on.

Mysticism

My path is that of the Mystic... inquiring into my inner realm of existence, catching the subtler Nada that is reverberating in the inner recesses of my mind. I am again and again asking Mother nature to reveal her secrets, that she keeps hidden from the men of this world, concealed behind the curtain of death in the still of solitude and darkness.

Also, Mrityu chintan is a very important part of the spiritual life. Mrityu is death and chintan is thinking. That means, contemplating on death and the evanescent nature of everything in my life, including my current personality, name, form and my body. I carefully watch a dead-body, human or, animal, clean or, gruesome.... I never look away. Thats what this body is, a lump of flesh... lying helplessly, lifeless, cold and still... without my essence, my conscious-soul, vital energy (Prana) & my mind with indriyas.

I used to visit the burning ghats of Kolkata and watch young and old, male and female corpses lined up for their last rites. And I considered the inevitability of death, that catches up with everyone, be it a begger or, an emperor, or, a world famous person... nobody can escape a meeting with death! I am also approaching it in a jolly mood.

Mystery enshrouds everything in this universe. The lure of the unknown is very powerful. The only hurdle on the path is fear. Conquer fear and nature will lift her veil, she will yield some of her hidden treasures. The price to be paid for these nuggets of occult knowledge is courage and winning over one's own fears, that holds us back, paralyzes us.

The paths of Yoga and Tantra traverses through the valley of death and darkness. Those who cling to the comfort of ordinary life, those who bend before the promise of false safety and security of the urban life, cannot gain access to the world of mysticism. The mystic must sacrifice a part of his social life to look eye to eye at Nature. Nature is flowery and beautiful, she is magnificent, yes, but she is also terrible and fathomless.

Thus, in Gita, Vasudeva reveals to Arjuna his terrifying Mahakala like features, along with the heavenly ones. Powerful warrior, fearless Arjuna says:

Dangstra Karalani cha te mukhani, Dristaiva Kalanala sannibhani. 11/25

(The prolonged range of your teeth and those horrifying faces that look as if they would burn this whole world and devour it!)

Dristva hi tvaam pravyathhitantaratma, Dhritim na bindami shamang cha Vishno. 11/24 Gita.

(Your countless heads and glaring eyes have covered the whole sky; your mouths are open and ready to swallow everything. I am restless, my peace has evaporated on witnessing your fierce form.)

The Lord says: Kalohasmi lokaksayakrit pravriddho, Lokan samahartumiha pravritto. 11/32

(Right now, I am Mahakala, the destroyer, Time that puts an end to everything, I am about to devour all the worlds.)

"Adristapurvam Hrisitohasmi dristva, Bhayena cha pravyathitam mano me. ... Praseeda devesha Jagannivasa." 11/45

(Seeing your features, previously unknown to me, I am overwhelmed with bliss, yet my mind is shuddering with inconsolable fear. Please look at me with your peaceful & pleasant gaze.)

 

In the Tantrik meditation of Bhairava in Apaduddhara stotram, we find,

Neel jeemuta sankasham neelanjana samaprabham, Dangstra karalabadanam nupurangada sankulam. Atmavarna samopeta sarameya samanvitam.

(He is like a huge blue cloud, his body is dark in color, like the Kajal applied to the eyes. He has terrifying protruding teeth. Anklets and armlets are the ornaments that decorate his body. He is surrounded by dogs that echo his color and mood.)