Yantras
A symbolic image or a set of symbolic images meant to be looked at repeatedly in order to reflect upon and absorb the meaning. They are used as visual meditation devices. Many yantras are drawn from mythic stories; they depict the pivotal moment within a scene. The action is caught in time by the artist in order to allow the onlooker to slow the story down at its pivotal moments and reflect on its meaning. Yantras are also meant to bring forth visual maps of the inner world. The depictions bring forth images of important pshyic realities that are encountered when undertaking a sadhana spiritual practice. Yantras point to key areas within the body from which the Yogi orients himself inorder to bring about meditation.