Tantra – faq and answers

Tantra, is probably the most hyped and misunderstood word in spiritual or even religious people. Word Tantra is made of, TAN + TRA = Body (as instrument) + for expansion (of consciousness).  Buddha said, “Tantra is the fastest path to Enlightenment, but the most arduous”. Tantra is like like double edge sword, which allows a better and quicker way of overall development, personally as well as spiritually, but on the other side it is very easy to self-hurt and fall down. Practitioners of Tantra Yoga will encounter challenges as they encounter the pitfalls of lust, greed, and vices.

Mention tantra, and most people would think of extraordinary power, sex and/or magic more than spirituality and growth. Tantra is neither a religion nor is so shallow to be all about sex, yes it has potential to provide immense power that would seem magical and only nearly 10% out of 64 ancient tantric scriptures is about sexuality. It is a spiritual framework for life and can be used in many aspects of it. Tantra yoga is a general name for a confluence of mystical and religious systems developed in India over the past several centuries.

Tantra is the concept of liberation or enlightenment via Shakti. Tantra is primarily to practice, feel, experience. The width and depth of Tantra are so enormous, it affects all aspects of your life and bodies (soul, mind, emotional & physical). when you start with tantra you must be willing to face your conditioning and personal limitations for growth. Tantra has a magical appeal.

In Tantra, development and refinement of our vital energies goes hand in hand with the expansion of our awareness. There are no techniques for the development of energy alone, since without the strength of mind and balance of mind and simplicity and humility which we gain from the endeavor to elevate our consciousness, the possession of exceptional or extra-ordinary power would lead to vanity and eventually cause our downfall through the abuse of personal power. The higher you go the farther you fall.

We are discussing some important questions often asked but the answers are not easily found, not only about Tantra but also other terms that can create confusion. Hope it would help to enlighten you.

Q: What is meaning of Tantra ? And How or by whom was it originated ?

Word Tantra is made of 2 Sanskrit words, TAN + TRA = Body (as instrument) + for expansion (of consciousness). Tantra is a wonderful gift originally taught by Lord Shiva, while you can easily trace the roots to old spiritual philosophy of Indian and Tibetan tradition. It works on the principles that all creations are result of union of masculine and feminine energy. Tantric flow of life energy is associated with acceptance of ourselves and our bodies with a goal of raising consciousness till liberation (nirvana). It recognizes that consciousness and energy are like both sides of the same coin. This development and refinement of our vital energies goes hand in hand with the expansion of our awareness.

Q:  What is the Difference between Indian traditional and Modern Tantra ?

Huge difference, that too at the fundamental level, so much so that it looses the very essence of goal at most of times.

Ofcourse, we have grown from the social angle and more relaxed to experiment and talk openly without taboo unlike old days, and even more freedom at moral level. But that freedom and less pressure socially to not have a casual approach towards spirituality or religion, has also led tantra and many such things to be practice superficially. Most of people dont have time or want to put efforts to read old scriptures and spend enough time to practice and experience, they want a guide to provide things easily and ofcourse materialistic pleasure are of more important, which is why the practice of Tantra has got hugely deviated.

Indian practice of Tantra has been associated with limited people and group, and solely available through the imitation by its teacher. In Eastern traditions, the way to achieve excellence is based on the repetition of certain closed forms and imitating the master, that follows high standards through vows and very disciplined life.  In modern Tantra the basic form of the work is a workshop where people are invited and only eligibility is to be able to provide high fees, there are no vows and main philosophy and discipline is often missing. Modern Tantra is oriented to the current needs of Western man, who, whilst seeking freedom, does not want to give up his independence.

Q: What would be mainly taught in Tantra course ?

Tantra is a very sacred, rare, very deep and unique course in terms of knowledge. The course would talk from – Basic philosophy of creation, type and behave of energies, development from body and mind towards soul for spiritual advancement that would stay longer and achieved quicker, and about life philosophy that would be of much use whether you lead an spiritual life or like anyone in the society.

For more details of the course you can contact us. 

Q: How does one expand one’s consciousness?

There are many techniques, but the most general is to transcend boundaries. But in order to transcend our boundaries, it is very useful to become aware of them and to understand their mechanism, how they are acting in our life, and why they are there. The techniques of Tantra are designed to discover our boundaries and limitations, understand them, and then transcend them, liberating us from our bondages and sufferings.

Q.: Often one hear that Kundalini energy can be dangerous. Is it ?

No. Kundalini is a huge energy and once awaken it has given many uncomfortable experiences also the people. Hence it needs to be controlled and focused and the entire process from start to working on raising the energy to all the experience and the start of awakening should be under a knowledgeable guru or teacher. Once with right approach, it’s not only a life time experience but also makes life worthwhile.

Q.: What are different paths of Tantra ?
Tantra has its branches. Based on the way of practice it is divided in to – Right hand Tantra, and Left hand Tantra.  While as per the path started at different times, Tantra is divided into 3 paths – Kaula path (this focuses on external rituals),  Mishra path (blends both internal and external practices), and the Samaya path (it is purely internal and meditative). 

Q.: Do you teach or train people in Tantra? Who all are in therapy?
For workshops, normally those involved are called participants and coaches, while for massages its termed as clients and therapists. In professional Tantra courses, students are trained in the use of Tantra techniques along with concepts and given the path for growth.

Q.: Tantra talks on union of the masculine and feminine energy, please explain more on union and separation.

Each human has both masculine and feminine in them. We usually tend to enjoy one aspect more than the other—that’s what is called the essence.

The feminine energy dominated women. Its more towards the flow of life and love, compassion, revels in the ability to enjoy beauty, nature, textures, colors, and experiences. Fullness is the feminine principle. Sexually speaking, the partner with a feminine essence enjoys the aspects of surrender, dissolution, and being ravished.

The masculine in men and women alike enjoys the forward motion of directed action and purpose. A time/space grid of linear planning and thinking feels enjoyable to the masculine. The masculine principle is emptiness. Through meditation, watching sports, competition, having a drink, “zoning out” in front of a TV, and relaxation through sex are activities the masculine in a person enjoys.

In long term relationships partners often become very much the same—we start to like the same things, do the same things—over time, the couple resonates rather than polarizes and hence has less sexual chemistry. Men and women have both traits, but in a polarized (meaning sexually oriented) relationship one partner takes on the feminine expression and one takes on the more masculine expression and the radical differences in orientation create a strong arc of sexual polarity. The further the “poles” are apart, the stronger the sexual attraction.  In long term relationships, partners often become very much the same—we start to like the same things, do the same things—over time, the couple resonates rather than polarizes and hence has less sexual chemistry.

Q.: What is the meaning of often heard term – Neo Tantra, or its same ?  

The term “Neo-tantra” is a recent one used to distinguish between traditional Asian tantra yoga (which is more at Spiritual level) and Modern western techniques for spiritual sexuality (being taught in “workshops” and through periodicals and books in Europe and the Americas). Neo-tantra typically makes use of the traditional tantra yoga asanas (positions), breath control, and meditation, but it is taught outside the framework of original Tantra and Hindu religion.

Q.: What is the often heard term “Tantra” and “Tantra sex” ?

Tantra is a very deep  spiritual practice from ancient India but currently the way it is seen in the material focused Western world is very different from the original ways it was practiced. It is essentially a tradition in which awakening is pursued through embodiment than disembodiment in meditation. Its science of transformation, leading to self-realization and enlightenment.  In the West it has been mostly pursued for its emphasis on using sexual union as one of the vehicles to awakening (enlightenment). In reality, Tantra has 12 parts only one of it deals with intimacy or sexuality, and that too only as a way to expand the consciousness and merge with the divine. Tantra is a deep and much wider discipline that believes everything has a purpose and energy and hence accepts and combine them in right way.  

Q: Does Tantra provide special power or experience?

Any spiritual experience, enlightenment itself is a special experience. Human is the best creation of God and too much of power is stored inside us, no wonder many enlightened sages were able to do what well only say magic. While Tantra isn’t focused to gain any power, there are no techniques in general Tantra which specifically develop occult powers or any exceptional personal power, its deep experience and enormous energy is the fastest way to attain  enlightenment or powers stored inside.  the regular practice of meditation inevitable leads to the enhancement and development and refinement of ones vital energies and ones personal power. Sometimes abilities which would be considered extra-ordinary or occult today arise as natural side effects of the all round development of the full potential of the human mind.

Q: Is Tantra concept specific to a religion?

No. Tantra itself is not a religion, though its thousands years old philosophy has certainly contributed to all confined practices within religions –  Judaism, Catholicism, Christianity, Buddhism, and of course, Hinduism. Not only religion, but Tantra refers to interconnectedness of all matters material or non-material, combines energy and consciousness to what similar views in western science (most notably in quantum physics and astronomy). In reality, Tantra is too wide and deep to be confined in a confined system of religion, it works with Universal laws and concepts.

Q.: Why is Tantra often controversial?

Because even though a small part, but it touches upon that most controversial and powerful of all subjects and practices – human sexuality. Which is mostly scared off, only things that touch everyone’s life and take lot of tie in engagement but least understood.

Q.: What is Tantra Yoga ?

Tantra is the Yoga that uses the diverse elements of manifestation – such as the body (Hatha Yoga), colors, sounds (mantra), shapes (yantra), dreams, and sexuality – to elevate the consciousness and reach spiritual realization. Yoga and Tantra both refers to unification, and it expands the body and consciousness allow ne to reach higher self.

Q.: What is initiation and why is it important?

Initiation refers to Knowledge passed on from teacher to pupil during initiation, involves the direct transfer of a specific form of energy that imparts a subtle influence to allow higher energies to work through. This process better be achieved in person, it cannot be acquired from books. Initiation greatly accelerates spiritual progress and ensures accurate practice, opening the gates for true personal evolution.

Q: What is Kundalini power?

Kundalini is the power or Shakti stored inside the body. It is the coiled energy and is the strongest potential force in the human being whose arousal is essential to any spiritual evolution and also for many extraordinary feelings and powers. In the average person, it lies dormant at the base of the spine. Kundalini Yoga is the Yoga of directly awakening Kundalini Shakti and directing it up the spine to the crown center (sahasrara, above the top of the head).

Q: What is sacred sexuality & Tantra?

In Sacred Sexuality and Tantra we acknowledge our body, our sensuality, our sexuality, our thoughts, our feelings, our desires, our boundaries and our fears. We practice to accept with gratitude, say yes and open up to everything there is. We release shame, fear and guilt to come back to our true loving nature and expand our hearts.

Furthermore Tantra is about the Sacred Union between Shiva and Shakti, the masculine and the feminine source energy, in ourselves and with a partner. We practice gratitude for our partner, for sharing his or her sacred love and energy with us. When we can see the beauty in our partner, we actually can see the beauty in ourselves. We acknowledge that connections, interactions and consciousness can support us to be present—the only place where love exists.

Q.: Is it similar to Sex magick / Sex magic, which I heard somewhere? 

Ceremonial sex magick (often spelled with a k) is the ritual utilization of sex — or a context in which sexual energy is used — to produce magical effects. It is often considered in a two-fold evaluative system divided into low magick (i.e.materialistic, sometimes selfish) and high magick (i.e..mystical, spiritual, or religious) The energy from the sexual activity, which is sometimes supplemented with ritual incantation or imagery, either facilitates or is applied to the change desired, and often sexual effluvia are used within sigils, consecrations, or spells so constructed. Some prominent sex magicians of the 19th and 20th century were Paschal Beverly Randolph, Theodor Reuss, R. Swinburne Clymer, Austin Osman Spare, Aleister Crowley, and Kenneth Grant. In folkloric terms, sex magic (never spelled with a k) is any use of a charm, incantation, amulet, talisman, ritual, herb, sexual effluvia, oil, potion, sigil, sachet powder, incense, candle, and/or bath to obtain magical results in the sexual sphere. Typical results might be to obtain sexual desires (e.g. “love-drawing”), to stop another from enjoying complete sexual freedom (e.g. “hoodooing a man’s nature”), or to control and dominate another through sexuality(e.g. by constructing a nation sack), increasing sexual vigour, attracting a new lover, aiding fertility and conception, or gaining a proposal of marriage Generally, practitioners of sexual folk magic seek to obtain results in the realms of sexuality and relationships, while those involved in ceremonial sex magick may have similar goals or may wish to use the energy of sex or its physical adjuncts (such as semen, menstrual fluid, or vaginal fluid) to achieve other goals, including money-drawing, improved health, casting curses, contact with invisible entities or spirits (e.g. the dead, angels, demons, and deities), mental telepathy,

Q.: What problems can a tantra massage be useful for?

Especially people who are restless, stressed or traumatized, do not feel good about themselves, or experience problems of a relational or sexual nature, may benefit greatly from treatment. It would also help clean and energizing chakras which in turn will impact our life force, physical and emotional health.  

Q.: How can the energy be developed or freed up , better or faster?

Energy needs to be driven up to maximize the utilization, individual growth as well as the deep experiences of life. There are various methods like meditation,  massage technique on the lower abdomen our energy is awakened. According to the principles of tantra, this energy is led up into the body during the massage, which can cause quite intense sensations. You can describe it as a tingling, a bit like a sleeping arm that suddenly gets a supply of blood again. This feeling can occur over the entire body, but it is mostly situated in the head and arms.

This article is the result of discussion with a great soul, and rest of part will be posted later. You can participate or start a discussion on this or similar topic at – Shikti Forum.

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Dr Sant