In Hinduism, Shaktism assumes an impeccable form as it vests a full focus on the Divine Feminine in its view of the supreme reality. Within Shaktism, the concept of 'Kula' depicts one of the most esoteric spiritual frameworks, which to great degrees connects with family lineage, spiritual community, and the esoteric transmission of sacred knowledge. Knowing more about the Kula could bring one's acquaintance with Hinduism much deeper and possibly be used as a lens to find or understand the communal and mystical aspects of this living tradition.

The Meaning of Kula  

'Kula' in Sanskrit essentially means "family" or "clan," but in Shaktas, especially in Kaula lineages, it has a much broader meaning: Kula defines

1. A spiritual family bound not merely by blood but by initiation
2. The embodiment of cosmic consciousness manifest as both transcendent and immanent reality 
3. A sacred method for realising ultimate truth through specific practices

"There is a boat for crossing the difficult ocean of worldly existence, called Kula"- this is the point in Kularnava Tantra, an important Shakta scripture, which metaphorically underlines how the Kula framework provides spiritual support and directions through life's vicissitudes.

Our Kula as a Spiritual Community

In the physical here-and-now, Kula is understood as the spiritual family with Guru in charge, wherein the transmission of teachings to qualified initiated disciples is made. Such a transmission creates lineages (paramparas), which maintain specific practices and understanding through generations. The relationship between Guru and disciple is the primary aspect that builds Kula practice.

Generally, Kula forms a safe haven where one would practice advanced and secret spiritual techniques. Mahanirvana Tantra: "As the infant is nourished in its mother's womb, so too is the seeker nourished in the Kula" (Mahanirvana Tantra 14.122).
 

Secret Knowledge and Esoteric Practices

Gupta vidya--the secret knowledge--is the defining feature of the Kula tradition. Some examples of such secret knowledge would be: 

- Advanced meditation techniques focused on transforming Kundalini energy
- Understanding the anatomy of the subtle body (chakras, nadis) in extreme detail
- Specialized ritual practices (puja, nyasa, mantra)
- Philosophies for understanding consciousness

Thus, Kularnava Tantra explains why such knowledge is kept quiet: "These teaches are like precious jewels which should be kept safe from those who are misusing them" (Kularnava Tantra 11.85), that is, by ensuring protection, only those who keep safety will get the knowledge.
 

The Five M's and Antinomian Practices 

Some of the Kaula traditions contain controversial practices known as Panchamakara (Five Ms): madya (wine), mamsa (meat), matsya (fish), mudra (parched grain/gesture), and maithuna (ritual sexual union). The understanding of such forms of practices includes methods of transcending duality and social conditioning. 

Further elaborated by the Kaulavali Nirnaya, these practices do not exist so that one may indulge in them, but rather to break through illusion (Kaulavali Nirnaya 8.16). Such practices can do more harm than freedom if they are not properly guided and the spiritual maturity is there. 
 

The Cosmic Dimension of Kula 

And where Kula goes beyond that very social consideration is the all-encompassing unity of consciousness. The Tantraloka of Abhinavagupta states: "Of this great Kula, the entire universe itself contains in it countless manifestations of Shakti" (Tantraloka 29.10-12). 

This cosmic perspective means that the advanced practitioner sees no separation between individual consciousness and universal consciousness. The microcosm reflects the macrocosm. 

Contemporary Relevance 

Kula teaches the modern seeker such that this is also how spiritual knowledge passes on from one generation to the next, while most of the esoteric aspects will require proper initiation and guidance leaving a spiritual family framework, which can be modeled on actual practice. 

Saundarya Lahari poetically sums the goal of attaining: "When the individual merges with the supreme Shakti within the heart's Kula, liberation dawns" (verse 35). 

Intending adopting Hindu practices has a place in the connection with authentic lineages, since these traditions teach that the transformation of the self happens best held within a best supportive container such as a healthy spiritual community that has experienced teachers.