Tantra - reincarnated thread

[Avinash]

Hi and Namaskar,

Thank you for explaining more about your experiences and present feelings. On my side there are no ill feelings.

I was never closely involved with the actual organization AMPS (Ananda Marga Paracaraka Samgha) nor have I been considered as an active margi by the margis I know. When I was studying at university I attended retreats and dharma cakras (collective meditation functions) for a number of years. Yet I always remained somewhat of an outsider.

How you relate to a guru is a very personal matter (whether it be Jesus or Anandamurti). It took me perhaps ten to fifteen years to make my love for God become somewhat more linked to that physically small man I met several times in India and in Europe. In the first few years I resisted even looking at any photographs. This is perhaps not the right place to tell you of my experiences meeting with Anandamurti in person.

Over the years I have met many people who have had shorter or longer experiences with this path and have chosen another path (Jesus, Buddha, Mr.Moon, etc.) or decided they didn't like any kind of spiritual organization. I also know people who still see themselves as margis but have stopped doing any sadhana. The number of people who took initiation into the practices must far outnumber those that are still practising and even the number of people who still do sadhana but never see another margi must be greater than that of the more involved margis.

I have never completely stopped practising although it took a long time for it to become a part of who I am. After all, the culture of Ananda Marga is quite different from the mainstream western culture I was brought up in.

Besides my personal encounters with Anandamurti, it was the philosophy which has continued to fascinate me over the years and of course my encounters with some of the monks, nuns and margis who work selflessly and hard in childrens homes, on eco-farm projects and many different types of other projects all over the world (I did some travelling).

Andrew/Avinash

[Pathless]

Namaskar Andrew,

Thanks for the reply. Most of my experience with Ananda Marga was through events, like dharma cakra, at a "master unit." Also, I have been to a few retreats, and LFTs and monks would sometimes come to my town. ALthough I'd of course heard that many Margis had dropped out of the organization over the years due to various problems, I've not met many people who have taken the philosophy and practiced on their own, as you seem to be saying that you have done. I find the idea that such people are out there, quietly practicing while choosing not to be involved with AMPS, refreshing.

Originally Posted by Andreas

After all, the culture of Ananda Marga is quite different from the mainstream western culture I was brought up in.

No joke! (Me too)

Originally Posted by Andreas

...and of course my encounters with some of the monks, nuns and margis who work selflessly and hard in childrens homes, on eco-farm projects and many different types of other projects all over the world

Yes, many of the monks and nuns are truly amazing people, radiating warmth and love.

[Netti-Netti]

Originally Posted by Pathless

I was hoping that some people might post what they know about Tantra. I'm aware that there is a huge misconception in the West about Tantra being all about sex.

People tend to gravitate toward more memorable imagery.

To my knowledge, Tantric Budhism has only one sect that deals with Maithuna as a spiritual method. It's known as the Kaula sect.

It seems some of the basic ideas are pre-Vedic.