What is the connection between Freemasonry and tantra?
Freemasonry and tantra share a common interest in the esoteric and mystical aspects of human experience. In the context of Freemasonry, there are references to the stimulation of certain energies within the human body, akin to the principles found in tantra. For instance, C.W. Leadbeater discusses how Freemasonry aims to stimulate the activity of forces in the human body to facilitate spiritual evolution. He notes that during the initiation process, different aspects of these energies are activated: the Ida (feminine aspect) in the First Degree, the Pingala (masculine aspect) in the Second Degree, and the central energy, Sushumna, in the Third Degree, which opens the way for spiritual influence from above .
Moreover, the concept of chakras, which is central to tantra, aligns with the Masonic understanding of energy centers within the body. The Sushumna channel, for example, is crucial for the yogic practice of leaving the physical body while retaining consciousness, a theme that resonates with Masonic rituals aimed at spiritual enlightenment .
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