What Is Tantra


What is Tantra?

Tantra is over 5000 years old and is the esoteric traditions codeveloped in Hinduism and Buddhism. It's influence can also be found in Taoist traditions. Most of the forms of yoga practiced today can be traced back to Tantra, usually specifically through Haṭha-yoga which often expresses in it’s literature, homage to the tantras.

“Tantra in the broader sense is a deep, profound, highly spiritual and very aesthetic way of understanding the conscious universe in which we live.” Dr. David Frawley - American Hindu teacher and author.

The literal meaning of Tantra is a scripture teaching a system of practice. The etymological meaning is an instrument for expansion. The interpretive etymology, is "a tantra (tantra scripture) called so because it expands on the topics of mantra and the principles of reality, and because it saves us from the cycle of suffering." Now that's a mouthful! 

More simply put (maybe), is that Tantra is a technology of liberation, a spiritual science for transcendence and a systematic approach through yoga and meditation to climb beyond limitations, illusions and ego to reach higher states of consciousness, enlightenment and samadhi - a spiritual experience that opens us to the highest state of spiritual consciousness and inner bliss. It can even be considered a study of energy (recently this ancient wisdom has been backed by science with quantum physics discoveries) – universal patterns of energy and reality, being aware of them, how to be in tune with them, use them beneficially or for manifestation or in alchemy and for sublimation in the physical and subtle energy body to reach the higher chakras. To be living on a path of enlightenment by using and practicing disciplines in esoteric teachings, yoga, meditation, mantras, yantras, mudras, mandalas, rituals and sexual continence (we'll get more into the later later).

Tantra is different from all other yogic paths because it embraces a totality, an integration with everyday life rather than renouncing it. We don't need to go live in a cave and meditate 24 hours a day to sense and be one with “God/Nature” sustaining the universe. We can unite with the divine essence here and now! We can bring consciousness to every moment, allowing a deeper awareness to the miracle of life unveiled in every form, emotion, and creature. Tantra is the most direct means to realization. 

Tantra is a vast subject and in doing research you'll find many definitions and interpretations of which most may mean nothing like what you have read above. Tantra, especially in Western society is grossly misunderstood and often used as a catch phrase for getting attention to something else unrelated, usually something to do with sex... and for now, know that the Kama Sutra is not a part of tantra. It is actually a sex and love manual, not a Tantric text.  

Tantra Misconceptions 

There are many tantra misconceptions... it may be misunderstood or labeled as a religion, a cult, an orgy or a practice of uninhibited sex. Tantra is none of these. To quote noted yoga scholar Georg Feuerstein, he writes that in the west Tantra has most commonly been reduced to “a mere discipline of ritualized or sacred sex. In the popular mind, Tantra has become the equivalent to sex. Nothing could be farther from the truth!” 

Why is Tantra so misconstrued? Western society's sexuality has been programmed, conditioned and suppressed by religion, society, media and even governments when it comes to human sexuality. In Romania under the communist rule from 1947 – 1989, even yoga was all together banned! Repressing human sexuality can cause all kinds of neuroses, health problems, loss of perspective, dangerous compulsions and inhuman behavior. 

Of all the ancient translated tantric texts, in this vast spiritual science, only a very small percentage (perhaps 5%) has anything at all to do with “sex”! When the texts do refer to sex, it's not in a perverted sense but in a very beautiful, loving, conscious, heart based union of masculine and feminine energies, honoring the Shiva (masculine principle of consciousness) and Shakti (feminine principle of the activating power), creating a balance and polarity that can be used as a bridge to one's spirituality.  

Tantric sex is the preservation and cultivation of sexual energy (Brahmacharya) as part of the whole of yoga practices. Genital orgasm is not a part of this. Sexual continence is the practice of preserving life force energy, circulating and subliming it. There is no ejaculation that happens in Tantric sexual union. In a hyper sexualized society where men and women are objectified and “sex sells”, it's easy to understand why tantra sexuality would be solely focused on and blown out of proportion. 

Modern Tantra 

Tantra is so much more than sexuality as the Agamas present. Agamas meaning tradition of “That which had been passed down”, a collection of scriptures of several Hindu devotional schools which includes cosmology, epistemology, philosophical doctrines, precepts on meditation and practices, four kinds of yoga, mantras, temple construction, deity worship and ways to attain virtues. 

There is a new age movement which is focused very much on tantra sexuality, sacred sexuality, conscious relating, emotional release work, healing, radical honesty and psychology. It could be said that Neo-tantra was popularized by OSHO - Indian Godman and leader of the Rajneesh movement of which during his lifetime he was viewed as a controversial mystic, guru, and spiritual teacher.

"The first part has to be sex. The second part has to be love. The third part has to be prayer, and the fourth has to be transcendence. So from the gross to the subtle you move. And in the fourth, sex has to completely disappear, love too, prayer too. Make it absolutely silent, peaceful, meditative... not even a trace is left. These are the four stages of Neo-Tantra..." 

-OSHO

When it comes to Tantra, finding truth and authenticity in today’s modern age can be challenging. It's advisable that if you would like to learn more about Tantra that you find trustworthy sources to learn from. A suggestion would be to start by reading some reputable books on the subject. Gain a base knowledge in order to be able to decipher and understand that which is authentic, pure, beneficial and what resonates with you when it comes to finding a Tantra practitioner, teacher, school, workshop or retreat. There is a suggested reading list below to assist in guiding you along the tantric path. 
Suggested Reading List:
Tantric Vision of the Divine Feminine – David Kinsley
Tantra Illuminated – Christopher D. Wallis
The Serpent Power – Arthur Avalon 
Tantra the Yoga of Sex – Omar Garison 
The Tao of Love and Sex – Jolan Chang 
Taoist Secrets of Love – Manteca Chia 
The Multi Orgasmic Man – Mantak Chia 


Share by: