Tantra is a very advanced technology of consciousness development. This ancient, deep and highly potent method is considered the fastest Path to self-realization. It consists of mantras, yantras-geometric diagrams, Puja, Yagyas and mudras-specific finger positions. Of all the above, mantra is the most important and for a serious Tantra practitioner, mantra japa meditation is the main tool for awakening Kundalini Shakti and for self-realization.

Tantra, as a primordial practice, due to its intensity has always been kept as secret knowledge that was transmitted orally, through initiations, from Master to disciple.

The first records of Tantra were created around the 8th century, in Kashmir, India. Along the way, several different traditions emerged, each with its own methods, which have been preserved to this day. Of all of them, Naga Sadhu is the oldest uninterrupted tradition of pure knowledge.

The word “Tantra” consists of two words, “tan” and “trayate”. “Tan” means development, liberation, while “trayate” means instrument, technology. Tantra is a technology for the development and liberation of human consciousness.

There are several different types of Tantra, the most potent of which is Shakti Tantra.

Tonči and Ana were initiated into Shakti Tantra, the Mahavidya system (Maha-great, Vidya-knowledge, wisdom). There are 10 cosmic, primordial forces that represent different aspects of Shakti (the energy of manifestation) and intuitive spiritual understanding. This system of knowledge is therefore called Dasha Mahavidyas (Dasha – 10).

They are:

1. Kali-Shakti which dissolves ego structure, illusion and leads to spiritual liberation
2. Tara-Shakti which protects and guides the practitioner across the ocean of samsara (illusion) and leads to spiritual liberation
3. Tripura Sundari-beauty, consciousness, love, bliss, prosperity. Shakti that has the power to bring the practitioner to non-dual consciousness (advaita) and spiritual liberation
4. Bhuvaneshvari-symbolizes space without any boundaries and full potential
5. Bhairavi-Shakti that brings intense purification and deep, powerful sadhana
6. Chhinnamasta-Shakti, which destroys ignorance in the practitioner, also symbolizes sacrifice in the fire of tapasya (intensive practice – sadhana).
7. Dhumavati-symbolizes emptiness, teaches the practitioner detachment and transcendence
8. Bhagalamukhi-stability and control, its siddhi (perfection) is stambhana, stopping all negativity, both in the practitioner and in external life
9. Matangi-Shakti that governs speech and creativity
10. Mahalaxmi (Kamala) – spiritual and material abundance, grace, emotional fullness

This is a brief overview of all the Mahavidyas and their functions. Much more can be said about each of them.

An indispensable and important part of Shakti Tantra is Kamakhya, which does not strictly belong to the Mahavidya family. The oldest and most potent Shakti place (pitha) in India is Kamakhya. Many traditions consider Kamakhya to be the source of all Mahavidyas because it symbolizes the very womb of Creation.

As can be seen, Mahavidyas encompass the full spectrum of all functions contained in the great Shakti. Mahalaxmi possesses an exceptionally nurturing energy that brings emotional fullness, prosperity and energetic protection. The energy of deep transformation that confronts a person with their deepest fears and dissolves the ego structure is found within Kali and Chhinnamasta. Mahavidya that integrates all aspects of the great Shakti and awakens love, bliss and prosperity is found in Tripura Sundari. Kali, Tara and Tripura Sundari are most used for Moksha (spiritual liberation).

For a complete and integrated consciousness on all levels of existence, the practitioner goes through the process of several Mahavidyas.

All these cosmic forces, in their dormant state, are within the human body. Each of these 10 processes possesses enormous potential for awakening Kundalini Shakti, and has its own unique effect on the body, mind, awakening of the meditator’s dormant abilities, and on his manifest life.

Bhole Baba initiated Tonči into the 3 Mahavidyas and the Kamakhya Tantra. These are Mahalaxmi, Kali and Tripura Sundari (Sri Vidya-Hadi system). With these 4 processes, it is possible, with daily mantra japa meditation, to disintegrate all negative karma, fully awaken the Shakti within the body and reach a non-dual state of consciousness. 

These processes encompass all 4 Purushartas, the pillars of human existence. They also bring a deep understanding of consciousness and energy, the world we live in and the eternal natural cycles that adorn this life. 

The Purushartas are: Dharma (a moral way of life that contributes to a higher order within Creation), Artha (material prosperity), Kama (fulfillment of sensual and other desires that are in accordance with the principles of Dharma) and Mukti or Moksha (spiritual liberation). 

Tonči will also give initiations to others in these same processes, after gaining adhara (strength and stability of mind and body) which comes through the process of mantra japa meditation with Om Namah Shivaya and Mahamrityunjaya mantras. These two mantras are necessary and represent the door to entering the intensity of the Mahavidya and Kamakhya mantras. The order of initiations is precisely determined (krama) and has its own energetic wisdom. With each initiation into the mantra, the practitioner also gains the knowledge of Puja.

Before moving on to the next process, it is necessary, through regular mantra japa meditation, to awaken the energy of the previous mantra in one’s own body. All initiations into the Kamakhya and Mahavidya processes are given, as before, individually and live with the ritual of Puja that belongs to a particular process. In the more advanced stages of Mahavidya sadhana, the practitioner will necessarily have to go through the Bhairav ​​process. The Bhairav ​​mantra is like a more intense form of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra. It brings the necessary additional inner strength, stability and fearlessness needed to enter the increasingly subtle and intense spheres of Shakti Tantra.

An integral part of Tantra, as well as any other spiritual process, is seva, a certain form of service, of helping this planet of ours, people, animals, plants… In this way, the powerful energy generated through mantra japa finds its external expression. Thus, the circle closes and the soul is complete. 

Shiva Shakti Tantra in this original form is intended for all those who long for an authentic and powerful process that brings a deep inner transformation, for those who want to free themselves from their fears, transcend the mind and touch the core of existence. Tantra is for those who are ready to dedicate some time, every day, to mantra japa meditation. Despite the fact that Tantra is potent, without disciplined practice nothing will happen. Shakti remains dormant, karma and fears petrified in our energy body and life is an emotional reaction to the river of events we encounter.

As can be concluded from all of the above, Tantra is an initiation process in which the practitioner goes through a series of initiations, each deeper and more subtle than the previous one. As intense as the process is, it is lifelong, and requires experienced guidance where the teacher and student must resonate with each other. 

Considering all of this, before deciding to embark on such a profound journey, it is wise and necessary to contemplate and examine one’s original intentions and aspirations. In addition, it is necessary to see if there is trust and resonance with the energy of Tonči and Ana. Likewise, they themselves will assess whether there is fertile ground and pure intention of the potential practitioner to receive knowledge.