The recorded texts of the Tantras are written in what is called “twilight language” (sandha-bhasha, or gongpe-ke), an opaque language that expresses meaning that cannot be accurately expressed in words. It is a language indecipherable by conceptual mind that points, with the help of a teacher, to that intimate inner terrain. The core insight of Tantra, the nonduality of intrinsic awareness, suggests that there is nothing to be rejected in human life. The very obstacles and poisons that we would rather eliminate provide the gateway for the greatest spiritual growth. Twilight language ensures that we do not sabotage our realization with our intellect, and that we go directly to this intrinsic awareness. The insights and methods of Tantra are direct and powerful. They are secret not because they are shameful, obscure, or cultish—but because they must be experienced to be known. A casual relationship with Tantra—one that misuses the powerful methods of Tantric meditation for self-centered purposes—could cause disastrous consequences. A traditional analogy used to illustrate this is to liken it to mistakenly grabbing a poisonous snake by the tail instead of behind the head.
The Hevajra-tantra describes twilight language as a “secret language, that great convention of the yoginis, which the shravakas and others cannot unriddle.” The shravakas are considered the Buddhists of lower vehicles, who have a conceptual approach to the dharma. Why is this called a convention of the yoginis? It relates to the esoteric tradition of the feminine principle in Tantra, in which the genuine intuitive wisdom of Tantric teachings is considered feminine, and is guarded by esoteric Tantric goddesses called dakinis, sometimes also referred to as yoginis. They are beings, visionary and actual, who embody intrinsic awareness, promote it when auspicious circumstances prevail, and protect it when obstacles are present. Tantric language is also called “dakini code” because of this protection.
The Hevajra-tantra describes twilight language as a “secret language, that great convention of the yoginis, which the shravakas and others cannot unriddle.” The shravakas are considered the Buddhists of lower vehicles, who have a conceptual approach to the dharma. Why is this called a convention of the yoginis? It relates to the esoteric tradition of the feminine principle in Tantra, in which the genuine intuitive wisdom of Tantric teachings is considered feminine, and is guarded by esoteric Tantric goddesses called dakinis, sometimes also referred to as yoginis. They are beings, visionary and actual, who embody intrinsic awareness, promote it when auspicious circumstances prevail, and protect it when obstacles are present. Tantric language is also called “dakini code” because of this protection.
Ancient tantric art paintings discovered displaying hidden tantric secrets
