In my YogaJournal magazine this month (I splurged, I couldn't help it!) there was an excellent article on the use of yantras in meditation. Now, I wasn't unfamiliar with this by any means but... I had not used one in quite some time. Why do I keep forgetting? Don't answer that... :P Anyway, there are many, many different yantras/mandalas for cultivating many different energies and focus' but the one I'm going to share here is kind of 'all purpose'... well the pinnacle yantra really. For those of us who like to know the ending :) Suitable for whatever interests or ails you, so to speak. I hope you give it a try.

Blessings and love... xxx ooo

**Full article resides here: http://www.spiritual.com.au/articles/meditation/shri-yantra-mandala-meditation.htm

The Shri Yantra Mandala is known as the symbol of wealth & prosperity. It is also known as the yantra of the Cosmos. The worship (editor: meditation on the yantra) of the Shri Yantra Mandala bestows peace, power, bliss and protection from evil. Shri Yantra mandala takes away all kinds of physical, mental or spiritual ailments. more...

How to Use the Shri Yantra Mandala:

The secret key to using Yantras in meditation is Resonance. The process of Resonance is established by mental focus on the image of the Yantra. As long as the mind is tuned into the specific mood associated to that Yantra, the energy flows, but when the Resonance is stopped, the energy disappears.

Instructions for Shri Yantra Mandala meditation:
(Can be done with any Yantra)

1. Hang the Shri Yantra mandala on a wall facing North or East, placing the center of the Yantra at the level of your eyes

2. Adopt your favorite posture or, if you want, sit on a chair maintaining a straight spine.

3. Breath in through the nose and out through the mouth, but do not force at all, just let the breath flow normally.

4. Look into the center of the Yantra, trying to blink as rarely as possible; you don't want to look at the particular details of the Yantra, just keep your sight right in the center and observe the whole Yantra at once.

This exercise should last at least 15-30 minutes every day; the experience will be indescribable.

After at least seven days of Shri Yantra Mandala meditation you will be able to tap into the same yantric energy even without a Yantra (at the beginning you may fix your sight on an exterior or imaginary point or evoke the Yantra with your eyes closed)

When executing this technique it is recommended that we maintain a state of aspiration and intense longing for experiencing the beatific energies of the consciousness.

In superior phases the Shri Yantra Mandala absorbs the practitioner's complete attention, and he can no longer tell if the Yantra is within himself or if he is within the Yantra; this is the state of nonduality.
More about Shri Yantra Mandala's
(Yantra - What is it?)
(Shri Yantra Mandala)
(Shri Yantra Mandala - what is it?)
(Shri Yantra Mandala Meditation)

Authors Details: Unknown Source

Here are a few other Yantra links if I've peaked your interest!

http://www.sanatansociety.org/yoga_and_meditation/yantra_meditation.htm

http://www.swamij.com/bindu.htm

http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2597 (I love this one! Great way to get the wee ones introduced and involved! Try it :)