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Tantra is the ancient Indian science of energy activation and control, based on the Shiva-Shakti principle of polar energies similar to the concepts of solar and lunar energies in Hatha Yoga. Its aim is to remove the separation of these energies within the human Being so that the cosmic union may become a direct and intuitive experience. The term tantra however, is often misunderstood and carries with it several connotations today, many of which revolve around sex.
There are two major divisions or paths in Tantra - the Vama Marga (left hand path) and the Dakshina Marga (right hand path). Vama marga tantra deals with principles of energy in a materialistic, exoteric and literal manner, whereas the Dakshina Marga (right hand) deals with them in a subtler, esoteric and more refined manner. Vama marga is a potentially dangerous form of this school of Yoga, while Dakshina marga can be seen as a more elevated, evolutionary path.
The Dakshina Margis of the evolutionary school interpret the directives of the Tantras and Agamas (classical tantric texts) in a metaphorically sense, cultivating a body practices to awaken the kundalini energy, along with internal rituals and symbolic concentrations and meditations which lead to a harmonizing of all the energies of the Being and transcendence to higher states of awareness. The Vama Margis practice entirely different rituals, as they understand the teachings in a literal manner. Hence, the Vama Margis break social taboos, which may be justified by understanding that their goal is not sensual gratification, but self-transcendence in the context of bodily existence. But this is a dangerous path for the uninitiated, and too often misunderstood and grossly misused. Tantra has its own fully developed secret language (Sandha Bhashya) and unless the student fully understands this language, he may lose himself in the body rather than transcend it. For this very reason, it is widely regarded that the practice of tantra should never be approached except under the guidance of a qualified and realized guru.
Source: International Yogalayam, http://www.discover-yoga-online.com
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