What is Tantra?

A simple question without a simple answer, and any attempt at definition will necessarily be incomplete. The roots of the word are Sanskrit: Tan - thread, web, stretch, spread or expand, and Tra - tool or instrument. Tantra - tool for expansion or a weaving.

Through Tantric practice one can experience an expansion of consciousness and recognize the interconnectedness of the web of existence. In Tantra, the energies of the body are used as the fuel for spiritual develop- ment.

Real “Tantra” is a rigorous spiritual discipline and a vast field of study, with the sexual aspect being an important part of it. Mystical experiences and altered states of consciousness result from many of the processes, especially the ones with sexual energy at their core. The act of ritual lovemaking is a participation in cosmic and divine processes. The experience of transcending space and time, of surpassing the phenomenal duality of spirit and matter, of recovering the primal unity, the realization of the identity of God/Goddess, Shiva/Shakti and of the manifested and unmanifested aspects of the All: these constitute the very mystery of Tantra.

The origins of Tantra can be traced back at least 20,000 years to markings on cave walls that resemble the symbols still used in Tantra today. Associated with fertility worship and paganism, early Tantric beliefs were based on observations that life itself was a result of the act of love. This simple fact is difficult for us to remember at a time when sex is considered shameful and dangerous by many.

The establishment of Tantra as a religion in India goes back to about 800 AD when the great sacred erotic temples were built. This golden age of Tantra began when the people rebelled against the stratified upper caste priesthood that controlled religious worship. The central theme of the new spirituality that swept through India was direct spiritual experience through ecstatic sexual practice, meditation and the use of sacraments. This era lasted until the invasion of India that led to the destruction of most of the Tantric temples and the killing of many of its practitioners. It has been largely an underground force in India since that time.

Many of the same issues seem to exist today as they did in India during the time that led to the golden age of Tantra . We all have an inner spiritual force that guides us. Throughout history this guidance has led us to organized religion. Unfortunately, religions sometimes lose their original essence as they become over-burdened with centuries of new ideas.

Neo-Tantra is an eclectic mix based on personal experience as was the original Tantric “anti-religion” in India. This is why it is so hard to define. What these beliefs have in common is the vision of sexuality as a spiritual force or as a pathway to direct spiritual experience. Sexuality is the vehicle, not the destination. Our true spiritual nature is the goal.

Tantra is the spiritual art of love…of connecting spirit with form. It is experiencing love through the beauty of the earth and all existence. It is about acceptance, rather than denial. It also embraces compassion…about truth within unconditional love…

Tantra is essentially a lifestyle…a way to acknowledge our sensual and spiritual selves… To accept all…even the paradox… To open the heart totally.Tantra is about dropping dogma, and simply being in bliss. This is difficult to talk about since all talk is the beginning of a philosophy. Philo from the Greek language means “life” and “sophy” from sophic represents study. In Tantra life in its totality is beyond study… It is experience.

Tantra avoids mind and encounters life face to face, neither thinking, “This is good,” nor thinking, “This is bad”: simply facing that which is. So it is difficult to say that this is an attitude — in fact it is a no-attitude.

The second thing to remember, that Tantra is a great yea-sayer; it says yes to everything. It has nothing like “no” in its vocabulary, there is no negation. It never says no to anything, because with no the fight starts, with no you become the ego. The moment you say no to anything, you have become the ego already; a conflict has come in, now you are at war.

Tantra loves, and loves unconditionally. It never says no to anything whatsoever, because everything is part of the whole, and everything has its own place in the whole, and the whole cannot exist without anything missing from it.

What is the exact relationship between Tantra and sexuality?

In Tantra, sexuality is total and filled with bliss. However, Tantra is not about sex. Sex practiced or performed in Tantra is what is taught by most teachers of this spiritual lifestyle. In Swami Virato’s experiential events sexual ignition energy is used as a tool to raise the Kundalini, or the participants bioenergy. Swami Virato simply uses this energy as a tool. At some point Tantrikas experience a bliss-filled state that can be identified as asexuality. Perhaps because of general sexual suppression by cultures and religions, ancient carvings in Nepal and India depicting unbridled sexual sharing create indelible labels. Some Tantrikas do not engage in sex at all.

Is Tantra an attitude, a belief, or a practice?

No belief. It is an attitude and there are practices, in sex, and many other areas of life that can be used as tools. Many of these include contemporary conscious psychotherapeutic methods, as well as  Eastern philosophy and techniques, such as pranyama, yantra, mantra, etc., as well as simply applying expanded consciousness to one’s existence.

Are there common elements in its practice, if it has any? If so, how do these relate to any common attitudes or beliefs? When you say you “practice” Tantra, what do you do exactly?

Tantra is a lifestyle of letting-go, feeling a oneness with everything. If we were to relate Tantra to life in general, we would say there is much more lay-back living, more enjoyment of our sensual nature, a sexual freedom which follows a lifestyle of let go as well. Practicing Tantra is to walk our talk…to visualize others as Divine… to meditate, get and give and receive massages ..and to say YES! more often…to seek for the purest, highest quality of life, yet to accept whatever we have…and to feel our

 Is there an ‘ideal’ Tantra, regardless of how it manifests today? If so, what is this like?

Returning to the Biblical Garden of Eden, or a vision of Nirvana or Heaven. A community of people filled with unconditional love, bliss, a joy of life, tenderness and acceptance of all. Enjoying the good life, so to speak, unaddicted yet experiencing with totality and enlightened, of course [chuckle].

Is there an objective or ideal focus of a Tantrika? If so, what is it?

Yes, to reach full union with God..Enjoying God’s existence at every moment and allowing enlightenment to occur in the process. Becoming aware…awake. Follow a form of mantra or yantra meditation, eat a proper vegetarian diet, be gentle and find love within you at each moment. The lifestyle itself is the gift and path….

Why do people get excited and mention sex when they hear the word Tantra?

Because sex sells, and most Tantra teachers accent this portion of the Tantric lifestyle in their courses, workshops and seminars. However, Tantra is much more than sex.

What inhibits Tantra, what stimulates it, and what kinds of people are more likely to practice it?

Fear and a closed mind inhibit living the Tantric life, while dance, other movement, meditation andpranyama (various breathing techniques) stimulate it. People who are adventurous and open are more likely to connect to a Tantric lifestyle

 Is it possible for Tantra to die out?

Never!

Dharam Avtar – Tantra Educator