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Tantra and Philosophy
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TANTRA AND PHILOSOPHY:
Philosophy , though etymologically means 'Love for Wisdom', is, in fact, much more and deeper than sheer love for wisdom. The quest for truth and passion to determine the nature of the ultimate truth is the main concern of the philosophy. Philosophy, being the mother of all sciences, examines the basic or fundamental assumptions, the values and ideas. To look upon an idea, or issue, or an object as a whole, the holistic view, is to look philosophically. Philosophy thus is characterized by its holistic and integrated views. It beautifully synthesizes the inner and the other, the physical and the moral, the lower and the higher, the material and the spiritual. Philosophy has enormous vastness of its subject matter and has rich contemplative thinking. However, philosophy is mainly concerned with the Soul, the World and the God (Jiva, Jagata and Ishwar). In its approach and methods, philosophy very much differs in East and West. 'Intellect' and 'mental thinking' have been given the supreme rank in the West. In East, mainly in India, 'Spiritual Intuitionl and 'Spiritual experience' have been given the first rank.
Tantra, as we have seen, is an independent system. It is a way of life and not a religion though it unites religious functions of human nature. Tantra is not philosophy either, though it has its own philosophy. Because of Yoga, Occult and Mysticism, part of Tantra, Tantra has become subtle and philosophic. Tantra is a technique and it has its own methods. “Tantra asserts that one must rise by that by which one falls. Tantra, whose technique is different, prescribes the discipline of sublimation."38 Philosophy determines and declare that the Highest Reality is Truth, Consciousness and Bliss. Tantra wants everyone to experience Bliss or Joy - Ananda'. Unlike Philosophy, Tantra is amoral and alogical. It is grounded on highly scientific as well as esoteric as well as occult knowledge which make the entire system, in the words of Sri Aurobindo, "Great and Bold". CONCLUSION:
Tantra, after going through its various aspects, emerges before us as an old, bold and greatly esoteric system with its own aims
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