The history of Tantra is as old as time itself. This spiritual tradition focuses on the blending of ritual, mantra, and meditation. Its origins may be traced to the Pre-Vedic Ages because of the seals found in the Indus Valley Civilisation, which show people sitting in a yogic posture.
There are references to hymns, ceremonies, and chanting in the Atharva Veda. Over the ages, it has developed immensely. It became quite developed in the 5th and 7th centuries and was divided into Hindu and Buddhist movements later on.
In Hindu Tantra, it was divided into Shaivism, Shakti, Vaishnavism, Ganpataya, and Saurya Tantra. Shaivism refers to Shiva, while Shakti is the divine feminine.
There are seven stages as well- Vedachara (the Vedic path), the Vaishnavachara (the way of the Vaishnavs), Shaivacharya (the Shaiva Way), the Dashinachara (the right-handed path), the Vamachara (the left-handed path), Siddhantachara (the perfect doctrine), and Kaulachara.
Buddhist Tantra is influenced by Buddhist ideas like the Vajrayana path. It is a path identified through mantra, initiation, and visualisation. In all tantra paths, the people use mantra (sound vibrations), yantra (geometric diagrams), mudra (gestures), chakras (energy centres), and initiation (guidance).
Tantra in the medieval ages was misunderstood immensely and misrepresented as occult. It became deeply connected with temple worship and the spiritual representations in various parts of the country.
In the modern age, tantra is represented in a new light. Many great teachers came along, like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, who delved into tantra practices as part of his great spiritual journey. Tantra in current times is the path to awaken and unite the masculine and feminine, the material and the spiritual. It shows the way to a harmonious living. This empowerment helps some people to understand unseen problems that trouble others and solve them.
Tantrik practices and their successful completion lead to the attainment of certain powers that can be used to help others. These, however, are attained through intense meditation over a long period of time.