Yantra and Cakra in Tantric Meditation

In Hindu Tantric meditation, the Śrīyantra is a visual tool composed of nine circuits that correspond to psychic energy centers along the subtle body's vertical midline. The meditative process moves from the peripheral circuit, representing gross consciousness, inward toward the central Bindu, symbolizing subtle and transcendent consciousness. The yantra's symbolic universe includes mantras, deities, cosmic categories, and psychological traits, which provide an interpretative frame for inducing psychocosmic identities between the meditator and the meditative object, overcoming their dichotomy and disconnection.

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Abstract

In Hindu Tantric meditation, yantras are visual meditative tools composed of concentric linear shapes centered on the Bindu, a dimensionless point. This essay discusses the Śrīyantra, the symbol of goddess Tripurasundarī, which represents the meta-worldview of Śākta Tantra. The Śriyantra is composed of nine circuits, which are identified with nine psychic energy centers of consciousness along the vertical midline of the visualized subtle body. The meditative process commences from the gross levels of consciousness represented by the peripheral circuit and moves toward the subtle and transcendent consciousness of the center (=bindu). The symbolic universe of the Śrīyantra consists of mantras, deities, cosmic categories and psychological traits. These symbols form the interpretative frame for inducing psychocosmic identities without which the meditative object, the yantra, and the meditator will remain dichotomized and disconnected.