An organ that is associated with a specific chakra and through which that chakra expresses itself physically. 

(Sanskrit) literally “First” and “Sons of the Fire Mist,” an alternate name referring to the Upper Manifestal seventh plane up from the physical level.

Aghora means without fear. The term refers to a Tantric sect that engages in extreme practices. Aghoris embrace that which most of society would find intolerable. 

The name of the ancient God of fire found in spiritual traditions from India.

(Sanskrit) “Non-killing.” The Hindu doctrine of non-violence and non-injury, whether by act or word or thought. Hence, no negative Karma.

Aikido is a martial art that relies on harmonious movements and minimal muscular effort to resolve conflicts.

2.  (Sanskrit) “Command Center.” Primarily known the “Brow Chakra”.

2.  (Sanskrit) See Spirit. The fifth element of Spirit or Ether, one of the five tattvas or elemental forces—the others beingAir, Fire, Water, and Earth, which are derived from Spirit. It is symbolized by an indigo egg shape, and is associated with Vishudda, the throat chakra. It manifests as sound, but is not sound. It is all-pervading Space without dimension. Compare to the alchemical “Quintessence.”

Suggested Reading: A Chakra & Kundalini Workbook, by Dr. Jonn Mumford.

2.  Literally, that which is against death; the nectar of immortality. In classical Tantric sex rituals, commingled sexual fluids that are consumed by the practitioners. Some Neo-Tantric teachers refer to female ejaculate as "amrita."

2.  Sanskrit. "Unstruct Sound." Primarily known the Heart Chakra.

2.  Commonly translated as bliss, but it can also mean happiness, joy, or sensual pleasure. 

(Sanskrit) “Parentless.” Alternate name for the Submanifestal, the sixth level up from the physical

"Little heaven." The bindu or dot that sometimes appears above Sanskrit letters. It indicates prolonging and nasalizing the "m" or "n" sound. It is what gives simple mantras like Om their power to alter consciousness. 

The Tattwa of elemental Water. It is symbolized by a silver crescent with the horns pointing upward as if a container.

A form of the Tantric deity that combines the male Shiva with the female Shakti in one iconic form. Visually, the deity is divided vertically, with one half showing physical male characteristics and the other half showing female characteristics. The name is Sanskrit for "The Lord who is Half Woman."

The Half Lotus Posture. In this modified version of the Lotus Posture, only one foot is placed atop the thigh when the legs are crossed. 

2.  Sanskrit. "Seat" or "Postures. Generally referring to any the postures or exercises taught in Hatha Yoga that provide a stable base for the body so that sensations do not disturb concentration.

"Eight-limbed." The eight stages of Patanjali's Yoga:

Yama: control 
Niyama: observance 
Asana: posture
Pranayama: breath control  
Pratyahara: sense withdrawal 
Dharana: concentration 
Dhyana: sustained concentration, and
Samadhi: universal consciousness with total psychological and physical integration.

Literally, "the gesture of the horse." Ashwini Mudra is the intentional pulsing of the anus. This practice is very important in many Tantric routines, since it is a powerful way to raise energy within the body. It is also reputed to have a wide variety of health benefits. 

2.  (Sanskrit) The Upper Superessential level of reality and consciousness. Also the vehicle of the Second Self.

2.  The Higher Self or Soul that is eternal.

(Sanskrit) The Upper Superessential level of reality and consciousness.

Sanskrit. The mental (silent) chanting of a mantra in which attention becomes so fixed that any lapse or disturbance is nearly impossible.

A Sanskrit term that can mean father, grandfather, sir, or wise old man. When Moslems conquered India it was often added to the names of Hindu and Sikh ascetics. Today it is often used as a term of affection for a holy man such as a monk or teacher.

See: Muladhara

Sanskrit. The Yoga of Devotion and Love in both a religious and philosophical sense. While the practice has been perverted into the deification of the Guru or teacher, the intention is the "Love of God" seen in all things. In some cases, the perversion has led to criminal abuse of the student—sexually, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and financially—while the teacher claims that clairvoyant insight has shown that these acts are for the "good of the student's soul."

Sanskrit for enjoyment. Often used by Tantrics to mean sexual pleasure.

Sanskrit. "Seed." The root sound of a chakra that is intoned as a mantra and releases its potential. Bija sounds of the first five chakras are Lng, Vng, Rng, Yng, and Hng.

A Sanskrit word meaning "dot" or "point." In some Tantric traditions it is a term for the semen. It also can mean the focal point when meditating. Traditionally, Tantric yantras have a point in the center of the image. When drawing them that point was often made with a drop of menstrual blood or semen.

See the I Ching.

1.  A term for the Ajna Chakra based upon its location. See Ajna.

2.  The higher consciousness of the Second Self, sometimes called “Intuition.”

The fourth plane "up" from the physical, sometimes called the intuitional level.

2.  Buddhi and Manas, the incarnating self. It is the Causal Body that is what is most  identified as the “Soul,” although it is not the ultimate Spirit. 

An expression composed of two Sanskrit words: chakra, meaning circle, and puja, meaning ritual. Thus, a Chakra Puja is a ritual practiced by a group ("circle") of people. In the West, there are public Chakra Pujas that are open to the public, and more private Chakra Pujas intended for people initated into a particular Tantric tradition.

4.  The Chinese name for vital energy, comparable to the Hindu Prana.

A Sanskrit word referring to an energy path that is tinier than the more famous paths known as nadis. Chitrinis are said to actually be inside of the nadis.

2.  Sanskrit. "Concentration." The sixth stage of Ashtanga Yoga.

2.  Sanskrit. "Sustained Concentration." The seventh stage of Ashtanga Yoga.

(Sanskrit) Initiation into a spiritual path. Traditionally, diksha could only be given by a guru to his or her chela.

A Western expression associated with the Tantric concept that, in Sanskrit, is known as Shakti, the creative, life-giving, universal force. In Western mystical traditions archetypal femininity is usually considered passive and receptive. In most Tantric systems Shakti is both the female and dynamic aspect of the Ultimate Reality.

The magickal systems of Asia and Southeast Asia, including India, Tibet, China, and Japan. In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the writings of H. P. Blavatsky and other members of the Theosophical Society helped popularise Eastern Occultism in the West. The Western magickal order The Golden Dawn took one book—Nature's Finer Forces by Rama Prasad—and incorporated some of its Eastern teachings on the Tattwas into its magickal system.

2.  The primary Cosmic Energy fundamental to the universe. Fohat manifests as universal physical forces: motion, gravity, electricity, magnetism, sound, heat, chemical reactions, radiation, etc. These physical forces are convertible, one into another.

A Western version of Chinese feng shui or Indian Vastu, geobiology explores interactions between the Earth and the heavens. It allows people to plan out what are supposedly the best places for homes, businesses, cities, etc. Geobiologists would do this work with the help of dowsers.

A hand bell used in Tantric, Hindu, and Buddhist rituals. 

Sanskrit. "Knowing." The Yoga seeking realization through Knowledge and Understanding. It is "Gnosis," the direct perception and comprehension of "Universal Truth." It is "Cosmic Oneness."

See Ardhapadamasana.

Sanskrit. "I am He." A mantra used in meditation to release a positive emotional attitudes of omniscience and omnipotence from the Unconscious. It is pronounced "Hum" as the breath is exhaled followed by "So" in inhalation.

Sanskrit. "Absolute Necessity" (to overcome the inertia of the human organism). One of the four Yogas mentioned in the Upanisads (Mantra, Raja, Laya). Symbolically, it is the "union" (Yoga) of the "Sun" (Ha) with the "Moon," (Tha) and thus dissolving the polar opposites through the interface of Mind-Body.

Buddi-Manas. The God within, our “Father in Heaven.”

2.  Hindu goddess of abundant food and of the earth, she would grant any blessings asked of her. Goddess of nurturing energy.

3.  There were two Mountains known as Ida in ancient Greece, one in Crete and one in Phrygia (modern Turkey). Both are linked to mother goddesses.

4.  Sanskrit. One of the three major nadis (psychic nerves). Ida runs up the left side of the spinal column (the Middle Pillar) carrying feminine, intuitive, cooling energy, exiting in the left nostril and triggering right brain hemisphere functions.

An Indian religion founded between the 6th and 9th centuries BCE. There is no creator deity in Jainism, which is similar to Hinduism and Buddhism in its beliefs in reincarnation and karma. Jains are noted for their commitment to non-violence and their expansive understanding of that term.

1.  The repetition of a mantra or name of God as a form of devotion, honor, or to induce an altered state. Note that some people conflate the concept of a mantra with that of japa. Japa may be performed out loud, quietly, silently but with the moving of the lips, or just in the mind.

2.  Sanskrit. Constant repetition (silently or audibly) of an affirmative mantra to drive it deeply into the subconscious mind.

A Sanskrit term meaning the control of the senses. To some Tantrics it relates to the concept of controlling the sexual act and determining when to orgasm. To others it means orgasm per se.

A sexual position in which the person being penetrated is on top, astride and facing the person on the bottom. 

2.  (Sanskrit): Emotional Consciousness.

Literally love or desire points. Marma therapy, which is used in both Ayurvedic and Tamil medicine, is akin to acupuncture or acupressure. Dr. Mumford introduced a system of building sexual arousal using these points at Gnosticon, and it is described in detail in The Essence of Tantric Sexuality. 

4.   In general, the force generated by a person’s actions.

2.  The Yoga of detachment by consciously cutting the emotional and energetic tie between action and reaction. No reaction, no karma, no pain.

A form of Tantra. The most significant scriptures were written between the sixth and twelfth centuries. Abhinavagupta is the most celebrated author of Kashmir Shaivite texts. The tradition has all but disappeared, due in part to the violence in Kashmir over the last thirty years. Swami Lakshmanjoo was among the last great gurus of the tradition, and some of his disciples have carried the teachings forward. Daniel Odier also teaches a form of Kashmir Shaivite Tantra. 

Sanskrit meaning "family," "group," or "self-contained unit." This refers to the group orientation of a set of Tantric traditions, the most famous of which are focused in South India. The Kaulas were noted for flaunting taboos as a means of achieving liberation. They are usually considered left-handed sects of Tantra, meaning that they followed Tantric traditions literally rather than symbolically. Rituals of some Kaula sects include the practice of maithuna, ritual sexual intercourse.

A Tantric and Yogic practice in which the tongue is placed behind the uvula, inside the nasopharynx (the space where the mouth and nasal passages meet.) 

Sanskrit for "sheath" or "body," it usually refers to the five bodies of the human: physical, vital, mental, intellectual, and blissful.

Kriya means action, and Kriya Yoga practices generally combine subtle head movements, breathing techniques, mantra and visualization to lead the practitioner into a meditative state. Paramahansa Yogananda was Kriya Yoga’s best-known exponent in the West, but there are a number of other lineages. For a more in-depth discussion of Kriya Yoga and the term Kriya, see Chapter Three of The Essence of Tantric Sexuality. 

See Kaula.

2.  The Yoga of the arousal, release, and control of Kundalini and latent nerve energies "sleeping" within the human nervous system as the result of stress, resistance, and denial.

Sanskrit. Male Sex Organ, Penis. (See also Shiva Lingam.) While represented by the erect penis as an object of religious veneration, the reality is as a symbol of Male Positive Sexual Force operative at the Etheric (and above) level.

2.  Literally mark or sign, implying the mark or sign of the male deity. Thus, it also means penis. As a symbol, the lingam is associated with Shiva. 

A Sanskrit word literally meaning the great (maha) seal (mudra). A Tantric yoga position that begins with the practitioner sitting with his or her left heel pressed against the perineum (the midpoint between the anus and genitals). Then the nine orifices of the body are closed (2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils, mouth, anus, and genitals) for the control of the physical and spiritual breath. According to some Tantric traditions Mahamudra refers to ritualized Tantric sexual union. 

2.  Sanskrit. Sexually Paired Couple, Male & Female.

(Sanskrit) The Higher Mind or thinking function. The action of mind which produces or modifies the manifestation of objects. The incarnating ego.

3.  Sanskrit. Also known as the Solar Plexus Chakra. The Third Psychic Center known in Sanskrit as Nabhi located at the solar plexus below the navel. Associated with the color yellow and the planet Mars. No associated Sephirah suggested.

4.  A word or phrase, usually in Sanskrit, Hebrew or Latin, [that may be] repeated or chanted repeatedly as a way to still the mind in meditation, and/or to instill a particular feeling or to invoke a special state of consciousness. Mantras are usually associated with particular images which may be visualized during meditation and chanting for increased effect. Some mantras are "God Names" and the associated images are of the deities. 

An expression created by Dr. Jonn Mumford describing the methods of using certain mantras to achieve a state of trance and anesthesia.

Sanskrit. "Man" (mind, to think) and "tra" (a tool or instrument), so literally, a "mind tool" for manipulating consciousness. The systematic use of sound vibrations (usually monosyllables) to bring about physical, psychic, and psychological changes. See also Mantra, involving the use of associated images visualized during meditation and chanting.

Sanskrit. The sixteen vital body areas that are concentrated upon in certain exercises of Raja and Hatha Yoga. The location varies in different traditions.

A particular training of the whole person, and not just the physical body, uniting physical and psychic actions. See also "Tao."

Suggested Reading: Carnie: Chi Gung: Chinese Healing, Energy and Natural Magick

A mythical mountain in ancient Indian lore. Since it's claimed to be about 672,000 miles high, it's obviously not real! There are many stories about it in ancient Indian lore. It's considered to be the abode of the gods and demi-gods. Mount Meru is known as Shiva's mountain, superficially representing the entire body. Mystically, however, it represents the spiritual mountain of the major chakras with the energy paths, or nadis, that connect them.

See Perineum.

Sanskrit. "Dead pose." The relaxation posture also known as Shavasana.

2.  A gesture, most often of the hand, that has symbolic significance and that can bring about physiological or psychic changes in the practitioner. Also, a kind of parched grain that is used in the traditional Tantric sex ritual. 

Sanskrit term that literally means mouth (mukha) union (maithuna) and therefore stands for oral sexual practices. Specifically, it is used to mean spiritualized mutual oral sex. When the position of a couple is this way, they can mutually orally worship the lingam and yoni and their bodies are said to form a symbolic image, or yantra. 

2.  Literally root lock. In Tantra and Yoga, the practice of tightening and holding the anal sphincter. 

2.  Sanskrit. "Root Chakra." The first psychic center physically represented by the testes or ovaries and the sacral, or pelvic, plexus. The Earth center; also called the Base Chakra, suggesting grounding and matter (Latin "Mater," meaning "Mother") from which our being evolves as a seed sprouts.

2.  Sanskrit. "Motion." An astral nerve tube involving the polarization and depolarization waves of activity in the nervous system. Yoga teaches that 72,000 such nadis exist in the psychic counterpart of the gross body.

Sanskrit. The purification of the nadis through conjoined breathing and mental exercises.

3.  A symbol that predates written language. Om is often described as being the primordial sound; it is also called the primordial or liberation mantra. Chanting it, even just for a few minutes, can produce changes in consciousness.

Ekagrata in Sanskrit. The capacity to focus intently on a single thing, without distraction. 

See Pierre Bernard.

1.  A Sanskrit term meaning lotus flower. In Tantra, a word often used to mean the Yoni.

Sanskrit. "Lotus pose." An advanced foot lock (easily maintained yoga posture) suitable for meditation. It is a symmetrical arrangement of the legs produced by placing the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh (Buddhists reverse the position with the right foot on top) said to resemble a lotus flower. The pose produces a total solid base with a low center of gravity, while conserving blood for the torso and head.

The author of Yoga Sutras who lived sometime around 200 BC. He divided Yoga into the eight distinct branches, or stages, we know today. This outline of Yoga is known as Ashtanga.

2.  Sanskrit. One of the three major psychic nerves, or nadis. Pingala is visualized as running up the right side of the spinal column conveying masculine, heating, rational energy. It exits in the right nostril and is a trigger for left-hemisphere functions.

An alleged technique supposedly performed by women who have performed kegel exercises until their inner, vaginal muscles are very strong. Thus, during Tantric intercourse, a woman can caress a man and stimulate him without any outwardly visible motions. Mythically, some woman who are masters of this technique are able to hold on to a man so strongly they can drag him across a room.

2.  Sanskrit. Breath control. The control of life force (prana) through the regulation of the respiratory process, coupled with visualization. "Pra" means "first or before," and "ana" means "breath"—literally, the first essence underlying the breath.

3.  Control or regulation of the breath, usually applied to various Tantric and Yogic breathing techniques. Since prana also refers to energy, another way to think about controlling the breath is to understand it as directing energy.

Sanskrit. The first element, Earth, symbolized by a yellow square or a cube. The Tattwa of Muladhara with cohesion and solidarity as principle characteristics.

Chinese breathing exercise while meditating.

Sanskrit. "The Royal Path." A system of meditation to control the constantly moving "mind stuff" and thus producing a union of the conscious and subconscious minds leading to a third state called the superconscious mind ruling over the many facets of our being. It is the "realization of Self."

See Mulabandha.

A Sanskrit term for ascetic, someone who renounces the physical world for a spiritual life. A renunciate.

Sanskrit. "With form." Concentration upon a definite form or that which is of a very concrete nature. The search for the "Absolute Essence" behind reality.

1.  An exercise used by women to strengthen control of the Yoni and PC Muscles through contraction. Spiritually, it is the focus of the mind on the chakra at that location.


2.  The Sahajoli Mudra literally [means] the spontaneous gesture. In some traditions it is synonymous with Vajroli Mudra; in others, it refers to the female version thereof. In either case, it involves the pulsation of the muscles around the urethra.

2.  Sanskrit, "With God." The merging of the individual consciousness with universal consciousness. The ultimate personal realization of the "Collective Unconscious." Samadhi is the final stage of Ashtanga Yoga and the goal of all Yoga. It is the "at-one-ment" of the meditator with the universe.

Also spelled Sankalpa, it's a Sanskrit word meaning "resolve" or "intention," as in the intention to achieve the desired goal. A person practices Samkalpa when they vow to perform a particular practice for a specific length of time, at a specific time of day, in a specific place, etc. Although this initially referred to a spiritual practice, some people have extended this to any such vow that requires a regular practice, such as a vow to regularly exercise.

Sanskrit, "With control." The three higher phases of Ashtanga Yoga. These are Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

See Samkalpa.

2.  The ancient language of India. Many Tantric texts were written in Sanskrit, although some were written in regional languages. Sanskrit is still the language of Hindu ritual, although it is no longer living as a conversational tongue. 

See Saraswati.

A Sanskrit compound word meaning existance or truth (sat), consciousness (chit) and blisss (ananda). Taken together they mean the state in which is found a fully liberated human, a true yogi.

Pulsing the pubococcygeal muscles back and forth during penetrative intercourse.

The sense that is associated with a particular chakra.

3.  Goddess, particularly the Goddess in the form of energy. It also refers to a goddess in her role as consort to a male deity and hence to a female participant in Tantric sex rituals. 

Literally "conch channel." In occult, Tantric anatomy, a psychic nerve that is said to run from the philtrum to the clitoris. While the mechanism for this function appears to be unknown to western science, our own experience and observations suggest that many people will feel a mild genital response when the philtrum is stimulated, and this is true regardless of gender.

A Sanskrit word meaning tranquility, bliss, or peace. It is frequently used at the end of prayers and is repeated three times for inner, outer, and world peace; spiritual, mental, and physical bliss; etc.

Corpse. It is said that Shiva (Consciousness) is a corpse without Shakti (Energy.)

Sanskrit, "Corpse Pose." The technique of consciously relaxing the body, section by section. An exercise of immense value for fatigue, exhaustion, auto-immune diseases, insomnia, and certain types of high blood pressure. It is the deep dreamless, Delta wave sleep we should die into each night, and are reborn from each morning upon awakening.

Perfected ones. A term for Tantric practitioners. Mostly commonly used to refer to the South Indian, Tamil Siddha tradition. 

1.  Magickal powers that naturally develop during the development of spirituality following Eastern practices. In standard Hinduism, Siddhis are considered a hindrance to spiritual development. In India today, the development of Siddhis is usually attributed to Tantric practices. Siddhi powers include clairvoyance, levitation, bilocation, shrinking to the size of an atom, the ability to remember past lives, and the ability to cause desired objects to materialize.

2.  Sanskrit, from sidh, meaning "to succeed, accomplish." Siddhis are the potential "psychic" powers that are experienced and thus developed along the path of Yoga and other techniques of Psychic Empowerment. They are the undeveloped abilities of ESP, which most people are unaware of possessing.

A follower of an Indian religion founded by Guru Nanak in 15th-century Punjab. Sikhism is monotheistic but shares many philosophical precepts with Hinduism and Buddhism. The gurus of the Sikh tradition appear to have been influenced by Sufism and Bhakti (devotional) Hinduism. 

Sanskrit, "Easy pose." A simple cross-legged position for meditation. It is also known as the "Tailor's Pose," from the days when European tailors sat cross-legged.

2.  Sanskrit. The major central nadi corresponding to the spinal cord, the channel through which Kundalini (spiritual fire) ascends to unite in the Crown Chakra, Sahasrara.

2.  Sanskrit, "One's own place." Primarily known as the Sacral Chakra, Svadhisthana (or Swadhisthana—spellings differ) is the second psychic center above Muladhara, the way water is cradled by earth. Physically indicated by the adrenal glands and the hypogastric plexus. Sometimes called Chandra (Moon) chakra, as Swadhisthana is the control center for the fluid tides of the body.

A Hindu holy man; literally, one’s own master, a reference to being released from conventional social obligations. Traditionally Swamis were celibate and either resided in monasteries or would wander and teach and depend on alms for their sustenance. Some modern reformers have modified the requirements and have initiated women and married people as Swamis. From our perspective, a Swami is a person who has dedicated his or her life to the spiritual well being of others. 

Sometimes called the ancient Tantric science of "Brain Breathing." It is a concept of controlling the breath to balance the male and female energies in the body.

1.  A practitioner of Tantra. Refers to both genders.

2.  A Tantric practitioner. In some contemporary circles, the term has become associated with practitioners of "Tantric massage."

2.  A Chinese spiritual tradition that shares some common elements with Tantra, including the recognition of sexuality's sacred dimension. As a general rule, however, Taoist sexual practices focus more on health and longevity than on attaining mystical states. In the Taoist system, there is frequently an emphasis on non-ejaculatory sex for men, based on the belief that the semen contains vital energy that must not be depleted.

See Tattvas.

Tibetan Buddhist religious paintings. 

The form of Buddhism that is practiced in Tibet, although the term is often applied to Buddhism indigenous to other Himalayan countries and Mongolia. The Tibetan Buddhist tradition is, for the most part, Tantric. 

An ancient method of inducing a meditative state through gazing at a single point. Typical examples of this focal point include a black spot or a candle flame.