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Consider for a moment that the Dalai Lama is a tantric adept, and those visions of sexual bliss that the word "tantra" conjures up quickly dissolve. Tantra is more than the sex play of popular articles and books. Georg Feuerstein, authority of the yogic traditions, conjures up a much richer world of Hindu cosmology, philosophy, and theology. Tantra is a form of devotionalism, in which ritual sounds, gestures, and actions figure prominently. Reverence of the guru as god also plays a part, but Feuerstein tempers our suspicion by repeating the admonitions of tantric texts down through the ages to choose carefully. As much prudence must also go into reflection on the disciple's own person, who engages in strict yogic discipline designed to conquer the six enemies: desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride, and envy. Feuerstein draws on the ancient texts to describe the tantric path in great detail, including realization of the subtle body, directing energy through the chakras, and, yes, sex. Taken together, tantra becomes a vivid, multifaceted path to self-realization. --Brian Bruya
With kudos to Dr. Feuerstein:
In his Tantric teachings, Buddha taught a special practice called “transference of consciousness into another body.” Those who are skilled in Tantra have a profound experience of exchanging self with others. During my Tantric Massage, I am seeking to remove any feelings you may have of anguish, sorrow and stress and replace them in you with feelings of comfort, joy, well-being and compassion
From the beginning, Tantra has straddled both Hinduism and Buddhism. Hindu Tantra is also called “Kundalini Yoga” and Buddhist Tantra is also known as Vajrayogini Tantra. There are, however, many differences between Hindu and Buddhist Tantra. I am a practitioner of Buddhist Vajrayana Tantra.
The most common distortion is to present Hindu Tantra as a mere discipline of ritualized or sacred sex. In the popular mind, Tantra has become equivalent to sex! Nothing could be farther from the truth! It seems that some confuse Tantric bliss (ananda) with ordinary orgasmic pleasure.
Tantra is a highly complex tradition. Tantra is a dangerous path that leads fools into greater bondage and only wise practitioners to freedom and bliss. True Tantric practitioners are called heroes (vita) because they must navigate in treacherous waters that demand constant vigilance and great inner strength.
With the arrival of Tantra in the Western Hemisphere, this ancient tradition is experiencing new challenges. All too often students transfer Western competitiveness to their spiritual practice, where it has no place. They want to be masters overnight and have their own students before they are ready for the tremendous responsibility this entails. This attitude has led to a mushrooming of Neo-Tantric schools, many of which are little more than caricatures of traditional Tantra. The same criticism applies to numerous Yoga teachers and schools, but where Tantric or Tantra-style teachings are involved, the danger of self-delusion and abuse of power is particularly great. Unless the Tantric teacher is of high moral caliber, he or she can do considerable damage to students.
Many are attracted to Neo-Tantrism because it promises sexual excitement or fulfillment while clothing purely genital impulses or neurotic emotional needs in an aura of spirituality.
Tantra in particular awakens latent abilities that must be managed wisely and in the spirit of compassion and kindness toward others. Any misuse of these abilities or powers will have severe karmic consequences, both for the disciple and for the teacher who granted initiation and transmitted the teachings and the energy supporting them. Tantra is a powerful tool, calling for maturity, self-knowledge, and good-heartedness in its handling. The fact that Tantra has never been easily accessible protects both the Tantric tradition and would-be disciples. This is as true today as it was a thousand years ago. Those who are truly ready to receive initiation and transmission are sooner or later bound to come in contact with the right teacher and tradition. If the law of karma holds true at all, we certainly must expect it to apply to this situation. We are drawn to teachers and teachings because of our inner resonance with them. So long as we look at our disappointments on the path as learning experiences, we will continue to grow. Honesty and integrity are our best protection whether or not we have found a teacher.
Before we discuss this type of massage in more detail, we need to understand that Tantric massage is unique and a very special kind of massage. As with other forms of massage, Tantric massage has its own unique benefits. What particularly appeals to me is how this focuses more on our feelings and spiritual well being rather than our physical health.
Unfortunately, it’s not that common and, therefore, not readily available just everywhere due to the specialist skills and training involved. The professional who provides such massage services must be a master of the basic and advanced principles of Tantra and meditation.
The Tantric massage experience always begins with ancient Tantric rituals and a time of meditation in order to focus on the Chakras and the spiritual link with the entire universe.
You must always keep in mind that this kind of massage is not meant solely to relieve the stresses and strains that our bodies have been subjected to, to work the muscles, or to focus on our physical well being. Tantric massage awakens the hidden mystic energy and brings your body and spirit in complete harmony with the universe.
Tantric massage makes use of light, sensual and slow strokes that can channel energy and increase the body’s sensitivity to a different reality. You may wish to apply some medium pressure along the sides of the spine in order to make your massage effective, but otherwise confine yourself to light pressure and to the movements inspired from the way energy flows through the body and especially the classic movement upwards from the base of the spine.
I would suggest that this form of massage should not be taken lightly. Don’t play at it. A great deal of skill is required as well as an in-depth knowledge of your inner energy before even contemplating conducting a Tantric massage.
I am sure the values and benefits of a Tantric massage have been undermined because people may well have “tried it” without understanding its true meaning and the highly specialized skills required to perform a true Tantric massage. Meditation and music are the only things you need for this kind of massage. However, the music used should be known for its connections with meditation and spiritual awareness. There is music designated for use with Tantric massage but it is not commonplace and may be hard to find.
Although unnecessary, oils and lotions can also be used and, I suppose there may be a perception that a massage would not be a massage without them. So as not to diminish the overall effect of this type of massage, I avoid the use of scented oils as they can, in themselves, be distracting.
One of the primary purposes of Tantra (and Tantric Massage) is to awaken the Kundalini. The Kundalini is a very powerful, intense and healing form of energy that (for most people) is lying dormant at the base of the spine (the sacrum). To fully awaken this powerful energy can take years of devoted practice in the various disciplines of the Tantric Arts. Once awakened, the Kundalini will rise from its resting-place under the sacrum and move up the spine, energizing and healing, eventually re-circulating throughout the entire body. The Kundalini is known to infuse a tremendous amount of energy into a person, and has an incredible ability to heal almost any affliction, be it physical, emotional or spiritual.
The reason that the Tantric Arts are gaining such popularity in our culture recently is due to one of the more pleasurable side affects. When the Kundalini is awakened, or drawn out, it also awakens the sexual energy in the body. The Kundalini is different and distinct from the sexual energy, but the two are connected & intertwined. So as the Kundalini is awakened and drawn out of hibernation, so also is the sexual energy in the body. Along with the Kundalini, it is channeled and circulated throughout the entire body. Needless to say, this can be very pleasurable, but it is important to keep in mind that this is only a side effect, secondary to the healing power of the Kundalini.
"The Tantric massage will make you feel as if you are in a trance, where physical boundaries dissolve, time disappears, worries and problems no longer seem important, or are forgotten altogether. According to Tantric ideals, your entire body will be massaged, including those particularly sensitive areas. In this very loving ceremony you will be completely nurtured and pampered in the arms of your goddess, giving you a feeling of comfort and sense of well-being."
I really believe in the the healing benefits of Tantra and take it very seriously.
Through my practice and study of energy work, I noticed that there seemed to be some similarities between Reiki and Tantra. The Life Force Energy, chakra work, Kundalini energy and moving energy through the body all seemed to harmonize well together, and I thought blending these two modalities together would be a dynamic combo! I recently learned that there very well may be an actual connection between reiki and tantra, and that reiki has roots that can be traced back to the same Buddhist sources as Tantra.
I am only interested in working with people who are respectful and genuinely want to heal, experience and learn about tantra. Serious inquiries only please!
Tantra
These texts describe the esoteric teachings of Tantra, a belief system which originated in India, practiced by a small number of Hindus and Buddhists. Tantra has become a synonym in the West for unbridled sexuality; however sexuality per se is only one facet of this elaborate spiritual practice, as a representation of the union of the soul with the Goddess. Rather, this attitude reflects the spiritual vacuum of mainstream Western religions when it comes to sacred sexuality. A deep study of Tantra can take a lifetime, and is not for the undisciplined or the thrill-seeker.
Tantra does not advocate an epicurian or libertine philosophy. Quite the contrary, the practices which involve behavior which is regarded by conventional Hinduism as 'sinful' (such as eating meat, drinking alcohol, and having sexual union), normally requiring expatiatory behavior, are supposed to only be engaged in by spiritually advanced practicioners in the appropriate ritual context. A set of alternative practices are recommended by Tantra for general use (substituting sweets for meat, and praying and chanting for sexual union). (It should also be noted the Hindu concept which we describe here as sin is somewhat different than the Christian version).
Taken with these caveats, the assertion of Tantra that sexual energy can be harnessed to achieve union with the divine is fairly unique among world religions. The encounter with this school of thought by western occultists had a profound impact on the development of modern Neo-paganism.
Mahanirvana Tantra
The Tantra of the Great Liberation: Translated by Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe) [1913]
This is the best known of the Tantric scriptures. It was translated by Sir John Woodruffe (under the pseudonym 'Arthur Avalon'), one of the few Indologists to gain direct access to this obscure and secretive branch of Hinduism. Framed as a conversation between the god Shiva and goddess Shaki, this text describes the chakra, or subtle energy structure of the human body, ceremonies, yogic practices and mantras for meditation, and a summary of the Hindu laws (dharma) regarding sexual behavior.
The text of the Mahanirvana Tantra has been suspected to be partially or completely fabricated by Hariharanandanatha to support his reformist views, and apparently dates to the 18th Century A.D. This is not to say that it is invalid, just that it is a comparatively recent text which puts forward an unorthodox branch of Hinduism. This should be kept in mind when reading it.
With kudos and thanks to my beloved Guru,may he be blessed, Guru Swami Abhayanand, a Tantric Samrat - who trained me in the Tantric Arts.
The word tantra means “thread.” It is a system of codes and regulations to help man attain his spiritual quest. Though many of the rituals may seem unusual or strange they are like algebraic equations or computer programs that produce certain results. The root word “tan” means to expand. Tantra dedicates itself to the expansion of knowledge.
Rusi Daruwala says:
"Sree Sree Chandi is the essence of Tantra (as the Gita is the of the Upanishads) and is said to be that which is concerned with the parvidya, a knowledge of the Ultimate Reality responding for the creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe and that will help men tortured by the cycle of births and deaths and burning under the smart of three classes pain, namely adhibhautic (pertaining to the body) and adhyattika (pertaining to the mind) and adhidabik (pertaining to natural phenomena like heat, cold droughts and floods) to the path of liberation from all sufferings. In Tantra, the conscious energy has been called Brahmavidya, which shows that Tantra covers the same ground as the Advaita Vedanta but its approach is different."
"While the Advaita philosophy emphasizes the oneness of the things around us and urges the need for realizing the One behind who is the only substantial thing. Tantra says that the Absolute One is the sole possessor of energy which makes and moves this universe with its diversity. In Tantras, the energy has also been called Mahemaya the great mother affectionately holding her children in her bosom and graciously granting all their desires of life and caring for them through numerous vicissitudes to the abode of permanent bliss."
Tantra is not about sex nor black magic
These are popular misconceptions spread through the world and now the Internet about tantra. Tantra is about mantras, yantras, rituals and how to gain enlightenment through these techniques. It is about helping others to overcome problems in life.
Tantra is the essence of spiritual sadhana. Just as you cannot eat something without applying principles of the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda neither can you practice yogic techniques without involving a principles of tantra.
There are many people in the world and particularly on the Internet who claim to be tantrics and claim to teach tantra. Many of these people come from no tradition; some have only learned things from books, while others have only made things up. Some have studied from gurus who themselves come from no tradition and may even have learned from books or made it up.
You cannot learn tantra from books! Would you have surgery from a doctor who has only learned about it from books? Of course not that would be very dangerous. Then why would you trust your mind to someone who has only learned from a book? Likewise you cannot learn tantra from the Internet. You can learn about tantra from books or the Internet but not tantra itself.
Tradition is very important. The farther back the tradition of the guru the more powerful the techniques he can give you. That guru’s mantras will be more powerful. You will acquire knowledge from them quickly.
About Black Magic
There are some people who have learned a little tantra and misuse it to cause harm to others. This is a form of black magic and such people will suffer consequences for such actions. These people have given tantra a bad name. The real tantra helps people and guides them toward liberation or enlightenment.
Tantra Rhymes with Mantra
Many western movies such as "American Pie 2","Go", and "Moulin Rouge" mispronounce the tan in tantra like it is pronounced in the word suntan. We cringe when we hear the word pronounced this way. Pronounce tan like it rhymes with dawn (tawn-tra). Actually the N is nasalized in Hindi and Sanskrit so there is no sound like the "a" in the word “cat.” Most of these films refer to tantra as some kind of method to gain sexual prowess. That would be a misuse of tantra.
Usually the first step in learning tantra is to learn mantra meditation. But most neo-tantra teachers do not know any mantras and if they do how to give them properly. Hence the first step to learning the real tantra is missing and you are going nowhere.
