What is Spanda?
Published December 2024
Spanda = Vibration or pulse
Spanda is the vibration of Divine Consciousness manifesting through the entire universe, including both physical and subtle bodies of every being. Tantra teaches that we are all manifestations of a single source, therefore we are all microcosmic expressions of the whole; materialized in bodily form with our individual personalities, beliefs, likes and dislikes.
B.N. Pandit , Specific Principles of Kashmir Shaivism -
“Spanda is the double-edged movement of Pure Consciousness proceeding outwardly and inwardly at the same time.. Even though spanda has no physical movement in space, its essence pervades and controls matter and its motion at all levels. Similarly, even though spanda has no mental vibration as defined by psychology, it is still the basic source of this more overt form of vibration. Spanda is often called phuratta, the ‘scintillating pulse’ of the Supreme Light which continuously trembles within its own incandescence. This very vibration makes up the totality of all beings. Thus the Universal Spanda blissfully vibrates as all aspects of the Self. Even ‘negative’ feelings and thoughts are a part of Spanda; when it contracts (nimesha) into the form of negative thoughts and feelings, these are used as a spring-board to move into an expanded (unmesha) state, thus completing the dance of life.”
To me, this is one of the most beautiful concepts - the further you get from yourself, the closer you actually become, simply because that is our nature.
Why Spanda?
I wanted the journal to have a name that paid reverence to energy and movement in all forms. Honoring when we feel expansive, so full of love and light, that we can easily radiate it outwards, while simultaneously honoring the contraction, the internal draw, gestation in the darkness, the lower frequencies, denser emotions, feelings and thoughts. Essentially, come as you are, knowing that everything is always changing, shifting, transforming, whether you feel in tune or far from yourself, you are on your path of evolution and you are welcome here.
