Yantra literally means "support" and "instrument". A yantra is a geometric design acting as a highly efficient tool for contemplation, concentration and meditation. It is considered to be a focal point, a window into the absolute; when the mind is concentrated on a single, simple object - in this case a yantra, the mental chatter ceases. Eventually, the object is dropped when the mind can remain empty and silent without help. In the most advanced phases, yogis say it is possible to attain union with God by the geometric visualization of a yantra.

Yantras are closely related to mandalas. Usually a yantra is represented in black and white while mandalas in color. Also the process of meditation with a mandala can be much more complex, implying contemplation of various symbolic meanings associated with different regions of the mandala.

The yogic vision about yantras

A link between microcosm and macrocosm

The yantra is like a microcosmic picture of the macrocosm. It is a focusing point and an outer and inner doorway. The yantras are often focused on a specific deity and so, by tuning into the different yantras you can tap into certain deities or creative force centers in the universe.

Shape energy

At the basis of yantra operation is something called "shape energy" or "form energy". The idea is that every shape emits a very specific frequency and energy pattern. Other examples of hystorical beliefs in shape energy the mandalas of eastern philosophies, the star of David, the five pointed star (pentagon), the Christian cross and the pyramids. Certain 'powers' are ascribed to the various shapes. Some have "evil" or negative energies and some "good" or positive energies, but in yoga, only the benefic and harmonious energies are used.

A yantra can be composed from one or more geometrical shapes which combine into a precise model representing at symbolic level a deity, spiritual entity or plane of existence.

When one focuses on a yantra, his mind is automatically "tuned in" by resonance into the specific form energy of that yantra. The

Basically yantras are secret keys for establishing resonance with the benefic energies of the macrocosm. Very often the yantras can put us in contact with extremely elevated energies and entities, being of invaluable help on the spiritual path.

From this point of view, the yantra functions similarly to a mantra (sacred word). They both are instruments of tuning in a specific mental state, initiating and amplifying communion with a sphere of energy that exists in the universe.

Sri Yantra

The most celebrated yantra in India is the Sri Yantra, a symbol of Great Cosmic Power Tripura Sundari and is said to be in resonance with the energies of beauty and love. Sri yantra has a very complex construction and contains 9 triangles with 37 points where three lines intersect and 9 points where 4 lines intersect. The largest triangles are based on the golden ratio and have angles similar to the face triangle of the Keops pyramid.

Construction of yantras

yantras are usually designed so that the eye is carried into the center, and very often they are symmetrical. They can be drawn on paper, wood, metal, or earth, or they can be three-dimensional.

The yantric contour

Every yantra is delimited from the exterior by a line or a group of lines forming its perimeter. These marginal lines have the function to maintain, contain and prevent the loss of the magical forces represented by the core structure of the yantra, usually the central dot. They also have the function to increase its magical and subtle force.

The core of the yantra is composed of one or several simple geometrical shapes : dots, lines, triangles, squares, circles and lotuses representing in different ways the subtle energies.

The dot (bindu)

For example the dot (bindu) signifies the focused energy and its intense concentration. It can be envisaged as a kind of energy deposit which can in turn radiate energy under other forms. The dot is usually surrounded by different surfaces, either a triangle, a hexagon, a circle etc. These forms depend on the characteristic of the deity or aspect represented by the yantra. In the tantric iconography, the dot is named BINDU; in tantra bindu is symbolically considered to be Shiva himself, the source of the whole creation.

The triangle (trikona)

The triangle (trikona) is the symbol of Shakti, the feminine energy or aspect of creation. The triangle pointing down represents the yoni, the

The intersection of two geometric forms (lines, triangles, circles, etc.) represents forces that are even more intense than those generated by the simple forms. Such an interpenetration indicates a high level in the dynamic interaction of the correspondent energies. The empty spaces generated by such combinations are described as very efficient operational fields of the forces emanating from the central point of the yantra. That is why we can very often encounter representations of mantras in such spaces. yantra and mantra are complementary aspects of Shiva and their use together is much more efficient than the use of one alone.

The six pointed star (shatkona)

A typical combination often found in the graphical structure of a yantra is the superposition of two triangles, one pointing upwards and the other downwards, forming a star with six points (shatkona), also known as David's Star. This form symbolically represents the union of purusha and prakriti or Shiva-Shakti, without which there could be no creation.

The circle (chakra)

Another simple geometrical shape often used in yantras is the circle, representing the rotation, a movement closely linked to the shape of spiral which is fundamental in the Macrocosmic evolution. At the same time, the circle represents perfection and the blissful creative void. In the series of the five fundamental elements it represents air (vayu).

The square (bhupura)

Between the simple geometrical elements that compose yantras' there is also the square (bhupura). The square is usually the exterior limit of the yantra and symbolically, it represents the element earth (prithivi).

Every yantra starts from the center, often marked by a central dot (BINDU) and ends with the outer square. This represents the sense of universal evolution, starting from the subtle and ending with the coarse, starting from "ether" and ending with "earth".

Even tough most of the times yantras are composed of these simple geometrical shapes, sometimes we encounter other elements such as arrow points, tridents, swords, spikes included in the design of a yantra with the purpose of representing vectors and directions of action for the YANTRIC energies.

The lotus (padma)

The lotus symbol (or its petals) is both a symbol of purity and variety, every lotus petal representing a distinct aspect. The inclusion of a lotus in a yantra represents freedom from multiple interference with the exterior (purity) and expresses the absolute force of the Supreme Self.

In conclusion, a yantra is a very complex spiritual instrument in the tantric practice (sadhana). It can calm and focus the activities of the mind, and by its positive auto-suggestion it has a benefic impact on the health and psychic well being of a person.

How to use yantras

As we showed above, the secret key to using yantras in meditation is resonance. The

Instructions for yantra meditation

1. hang the yantra on a wall facing North or East, placing the center of the yantra at the level of your eyes
2. adopt your favorite posture or, if you want, sit on a chair maintaining your spine straight
3. breath through the nose, but do not force at all, just let the breath flow normally
4. look into the center of the yantra, trying to blink as rarely as possible; you don't want to look at the particular details of the yantra, just keep your sight right in the center and observe the whole yantra at once
5. this exercise should last at least 15-30 minutes every day
6. in time, after at least seven days of yantra meditation you will be able to tap into the same yantric energy even without a yantra (at the beginning you may fix your sight on an exterior or imaginary point or evoke the yantra with your eyes closed)
7. when executing this techniques it is recommended that we maintain a state of aspiration and intense longing for experiencing the beatific energies of the consciousness
8. in superior phases the yantra absorbs the practitioner's complete attention, and he can no longer tell if the yantra is within himself or if he is within the yantra; this is the state of non duality.
9. the fruits of this meditation should be consecrated to God, as not to accumulates positive karma. This way the meditation is also a form of karma yoga.

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