Week 8- Tantra and Yoga

What does the word “Yoga” me

A system of bodily + meditative practices, fluctuations of the mind conciousness

What are Puruṣa and Prakṛti?

Puruṣa – pure consciousness, true Self
Prakṛti – material world of the three guṇas

What are the three guṇas of Prakṛti?

Sattva (purity), rajas (activity), tamas (inertia).

What is the ultimate goal of Classical Yoga?

Kaivalya—liberation through realizing the true Self.

What are the three practices of Kriyā-Yoga?

• Tapas (discipline)
• Svādhyāya (study)
• Īśvara-praṇidhāna (devotion to God)

What are the eight limbs of yoga?

1. Yama

2. Niyama

3. Āsana

4. Prāṇāyāma

5. Pratyāhāra

6. Dhāraṇā

7. Dhyāna

8. Samādhi

What are the goals of Haṭha-Yoga?

Attain supernatural powers (siddhis) and liberation through awakening Kuṇḍalinī.

What is Kuṇḍalinī?

Serpent goddess at base of spine; rises through chakras to unite with Śiva.

What are the “five jewels”?

Semen, urine, feces, menstrual blood, phlegm—each has transformative power

What is Tantra not?

Not just sexual practice; a complex esoteric ritual + philosophical system.

What are the main goals of Tantra?

Mokṣa (liberation), siddhi (powers), bhoga (enjoyment) → combined = bhokṣa-mokṣa.

Why is initiation important in Tantra?

Knowledge is secret; requires guru; transgresses purity rules

What are the Five Ms of Tantra?

Tadya (wine), māṃsa (meat), matsya (fish), mudrā (grain), maithuna (sexual union).