But after all, what is this Tantra?

Here in the West the concept of Tantra is closely linked to sex, multiple and transcendental orgasms. There are a lot of people promoting and promising worlds and funds (and charging a lot for it) to dramatically change their experience regarding sex. This is a limited and very superficial view of an ancient philosophy that has influenced many spiritual practices throughout history.

First I would like to emphasize that I am exposing here my view on Tantra, something I have built through my studies and experiences. And I want to describe it in a simple way for everyone to understand. Tantric philosophy is extensive and complex, I will focus on the concept of what Tantra is as a philosophy and not go into its divinities, history, rituals or symbolism. In other posts I will definitely address this.

But if it is not about sexuality what is it then?

Tantra is an ancient philosophy (some estimate it is around 8 years old) whose basic characteristics are to be matriarchal and depressing. During all these millennia philosophy has been evolving, segmenting and changing and today we have Tantra of various strands, often following clearly contradictory concepts. It is like in the Christian tradition where we have Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals, Adventists, etc ... However, as in Christianity, all tantric strands have this common goal: To expand consciousness and release the primal energy of the human being (Kundalini) through a wide range of practical teachings.

The basis of Tantra is that, through the experiences of the material world, we can reach the supreme consciousness and enlightenment since our reality is closely linked to another, more subtle and superior, which is connected with our own nature.

That is, in Tantra our body is our Sacred Temple and we are all already Buddhas (enlightened) and we can achieve this state through a full lifestyle, with techniques of health, vitality and flexibility.

Tantra is not sex

The main issue among the people I talk to about Tantra, whether they are friends or clients, is the direct association with sex.

Unfortunately, many professionals promote a superficial and limited and often irresponsible view of Tantra, perhaps because of the fascination that a repressive and naturalistic philosophy causes in a society of repressive and conservative culture. Reducing it to practices to improve sexual potency, improve and multiply orgasms and seduction techniques and to maintain relationships.

“Some people have come to me asking for information about“ Tantra classes ”. Since I don't know exactly what they mean by Tantra, I wonder how I could help them find what they're looking for, or avoid the pitfalls they risk falling into.

To begin, let's say what Tantra is not.

Tantra is not a cheesy guru promising multiple orgasms and enlightenment and charging worlds and backgrounds for it. Tantra is not a goddess-named prostitute offering services over the internet. It is not a group of needy alienated people getting excited and stroking in the name of hyperconsciousness. It is not slutty, nor institutionalized infidelity. Tantra has nothing to do with "letting go." Tantra is not tare. ” (Pedro Kupfer)

You may have seen promises of orgasms that last for minutes and techniques on how to improve your sex life by being associated with Tantra in readings and on social media.

In the book “Tantra: From Sexuality to Illumination” Otávio Leal speaks:

“In the West, Tantra is sought mainly for its aesthetic, magical, sexual and frivolous aspects. Photos of sexual positions, superficial massages and tantric sex manuals are often confused with the totality and richness of this tradition. In fact, sexuality is only one part of this philosophy of extreme depth, so poorly studied and little practiced. ”

Within the tantric teachings, contrary to what is believed, there is almost no mention of the sexual act. Less than 10% of all scriptures talk about this. There are some techniques, such as seminal retention and resorption (dry orgasm) described in the texts of Hatha Yoga, for example. There are even strands of tantra that preach celibacy, that study the enlightenment and channeling of sexual energy through meditation. These techniques greatly influenced, for example, the practices of Zen Buddhism. The Dalai Lama, for example, is a great tantric master.

But how did Tantra get to that point then?

In the United States in the 60s, a movement called Neo Tantra emerged, which was responsible for popularizing some tantric teachings, but "adapted" to Western culture, encouraging the sexual vision that Tantra has today. The Neo-Tantric system has escaped the original existentialist view and often does not clearly bring what Eastern philosophy represents by spreading the banalization of sex and encouraging the enhancement of the game of seduction in relationships.

The introduction of this aspect is attributed to Peter Bernard , an occultist and philosopher who created a "Tantric Order" in the USA in 1905. Pierre propagandized, among other things, his view that sex could be used as a tool for spiritual elevation.

This mixture of massage techniques, oriental erotic manuals such as KamaSutra, Ayurveda, Yoga and Hindu erotic art, spread quickly throughout the West, being replicated and reinvented by masters such as Osho, Mantak Chia, Charles Muir, Margot Anand, Must Nishok, etc. This aspect seeks mainly to improve the experience of the sexual act and help people to have better orgasms.

I am not opposed to these masters or their techniques, which are effective and really come from ancient practices adapted to Western culture. However, reducing Tantric philosophy to sexual ecstasy is superficial and partial. Tantra is neither hedonistic nor orgasmic, its aim is to awaken man's full potential.

The view of sex for Tantra

Tantra sex is seen as something natural and sacred. It is one of the means, mainly through the Maithuna (tantric sexual ritual) of attaining enlightenment by raising the Kundalini.

Therefore, for Tantra, there is no such thing as dirty sex, there is no concept of "right" or "wrong" and neither depraved as our Judeo-Christian society thinks.

We are not born of sin, quite the contrary, we were created through one of the greatest demonstrations of love and connection we can have. Our body is sacred and was conceived through an equally sacred act.

Unfortunately, for us Westerners, this line of naturist thinking about sex opens many doors for us to use Tantra as an argument and reproduction of the macho models of dominance, seduction and excuses for betrayals, abusive relationships, orgies, etc ... this is not Tantra .

For Tantrism, sexual intercourse is a time when lovers break free from their ego and are in a state of meditation. There is no relationship of dominance, the energy is balanced and mixed and the consciousness is in the moment, in the sensations. It is when there is a full relationship of trust and respect, vulnerability and reverence for each other. A path of deep intimacy. When genital orgasm ceases to be a priority and the connection of the male and female saints prevails.

And at that point there is no man or woman, there is no sacred or profane. There is only ecstasy, awareness and enlightenment.

When there is an abusive and possessive relationship. Dominance, submission, mistrust, suffering, lack, anger or any relationship in which there is no balance between the union of the divine male and female is not Tantra.

Osho said, "Let sex be a game."

If there is any manual for sex, it will not be a joke. In sacred sex you have to let go of your ego and selfishness. Forget your power, your erection, your attitudes, your body and your performance. You have to be relaxed enough to enter a “no-mind” state and not have a script to follow. Sacred sex is a dance and a natural celebration.

Tantric practices that use sexual intercourse are not at the heart of Tantric philosophy and, for the most part, are misinterpreted by the Westerner. They are practiced more regularly in the "Left" or Tantra negative schools, where unfortunately, many of the practices have become real orgies, due to the low spiritual level of their practitioners.

Difference between “Control” and “Repress”

For the East, questions about sexuality are already seen from a naturalistic perspective. Ancient oriental culture in general seeks to control sexuality. The Westerner represses his sexuality. There is a very big difference between suppressing and controlling. He who suppresses his desires stays with them all the time in his head and loses control over his mind. He who controls them is master of himself, knows the time to express and count them.

There is a fine line between "repression" and "unload repression". I see many people, including people within the world of tantra, using the concepts of neo-tantra to justify behaviors that simply reproduce attitudes of our macho, repressive and patriarchal culture under the guise of a beautiful discourse of freedom and "repression". People who fall into this discourse and are willing to go beyond their limits to try something without being completely willing to do so often feel shame, frustration, guilt, among other negative feelings arising from the “moral hangover” of doing something that, in essence, elxs did not want to intimately experiment.

When we are really freeing ourselves from these bonds, we don't have that kind of feeling. Tantra provides self-awareness. And when you know yourself you can control your energies, because nothing that is not known can be controlled. Then you will really be aware of what is convenient for you and what is not for you. And you can experience whatever you want, always with love, compassion and respect for you and your body.

“This ancient knowledge, which is a pearl of humanity, is available for us to use. But it can be used for love or for lust and many of the experiences I have had on this learning path are how lust appropriates cool things. As a result, we often repeat patterns of the distorted and patriarchal system: domination, egocentrism, submission of women and authoritarianism of men. What I have been bringing is a more critical view of this path, of self-observation. ” (Teo Balieiro)

Finally, Tantra is not about sex. It's about awareness. Awareness of your life, your feelings, emotions and your body. Within this cake all sexuality is a strong energy that is naturally included. And that when known and controlled, it can lead you to states of love, pleasure and empowerment and very high consciousness.

Tantra is not religion

The second issue that I am asked most (after Tantra's relationship with sex) is “confronting” with other religions. Or to be a “demon” thing mainly due to the mistaken view of a hypersexualized and libertine Tantra.

Although some tantric strands idolize Hindu gods, philosophy itself treats you as a divine force is within you. That is, the figure of Shiva as the creator of the universe and the passive force that creates and connects everything and everyone and the figure of Shakti as the physical and active manifestation of this whole can be interpreted as the male and female forces present within people. It would be like our unconscious, which records our experiences and which manifests itself indirectly through our actions, blocks, values ​​and feelings.

Tantra has no restrictions and can be followed by believers of any religion.

Inwardly, it is a school that facilitates the search for self-knowledge and healthy maturation, proposes transformations of our limits, the quieting of the mind and ego desires and the search for the recognition of our enlightenment, which already exists and is within us.

It does not exclude any commandment or code of conduct, Tantra suits each one.

There are currents that even preach celibacy (called Tantra Branco or right hand path), other currents preach that the sexual connection is made with love and between people who have the same energetic vibration and a deep intimacy (called the middle path) ). And also the path on the left, or black Tantra. That says that the less intimacy and the less we know our partners the better to achieve enlightenment.

There are other specificities of these 3 schools. But I will dedicate a post just for that.

Tantra uses techniques and symbols that easily blend with other religions.

Anyway, Tantra has a multitude of beliefs and techniques and all have the same objective and use the same tools to achieve it: Mantras (sounds of power), yantras and mandalas (sacred diagrams for meditation), chakras (centers of vital force) ), initiation and purification practices and an ethical system that unites and protects the group of practitioners.

These techniques, tools and practices do not exclude or go against any manifestation of faith, they can even be mixed with them. For example, in all religions we have our own mantras, meditation techniques and mandalas (like “Hallelujah” and “Amen”, prayer and the sign of the cross in the Christian tradition).

“Tantrism is an experimental quest that aims to eliminate the illusory and conflicting sense of being an ego. Separated, in order to lead us to the awareness of our true reality, which is eternal our physical, sexual and mental energies, teaching us to see sacred character in all life.
Tantra is pure science. You can transform yourself, and that transformation needs a scientific methodology. The hundreds of tantric techniques constitute the science of transformation.
Tantra says that you cannot change a man unless you are given authentic techniques to change. Only by preaching is anything changed.
Tantra is the great teaching. Little teachings tell you what to do and what not to do. They give you the "10 Commandments". Great teaching does not command you. He doesn't take care of what you do. He takes care of what you are, of your center. Your conscience.
Tantra says to accept what you are. You are a great mystery of multidimensional energy; accept it and move with all your energy, with deep sensitivity, attention, love and understanding. Move like that and then each desire becomes an aid to your enlightenment, so this very world is Nirvana, this very body is a temple - A Holy Temple. ” (Osho)

Tantra is a style of being

“The word Tantra has a profound definition. Tan means expansion, growth, cord (tantu) and Between it is interpreted as a lever or tool. Anyway, it is a tool for expansion. It can also be described as weaving fabric, weaving life itself, expanding consciousness. And for that Tantra uses all the bodies or elements of being: body, mind, emotions, sexuality, shadows, consciousness, etc… ”(Otávio Leal in his book“ Tantra - From sexuality to enlightenment ”)

Contrary to what it seems, living the way of Tantra is not easy. We are created to deny our bodies, to condemn our pleasures and to repress our emotions and wills. Practicing Tantra requires facing your shadows and accepting them, it requires giving up your ego and being vulnerable. It requires study, dedication, time and discipline.

The peak of Tantra is to recognize yourself, using the material world and the physical body for this recognition. Nothing is denied. Everything can be a stepping stone to fullness. But it is useless to take advantage of all external stimuli if we do not look at who we are.

The persecution of tantrism

Tantrism has historically been much persecuted and condemned, and still is, for its naturalistic way of looking at things. He was persecuted in India primarily for not recognizing the caste system, for believing that the path of spirituality and self-knowledge is for everyone.

And she was also condemned for her vision of the woman.

The other philosophies and religions basically say: “The Spirit is the Beatitude and the Man is equal to the spirit. Nature (material and phenomenal world) is suffering. And Woman is equal to Nature. ”

For Tantra, Women continue to be associated with Mother Nature. But in this case, Nature is neither an illusion nor a sinful place where you need to earn salvation to enter a higher spiritual world. On the contrary, Nature is a perfect manifestation of the Divine, so the conviviality and association with women have always been very well regarded, as they represent the Universal Nature personified.

Tantra's way of life does not seek "Why" but "How".

Instead of worrying about the reason for the suffering, we look for a way to be happy, a behavioral philosophy that encourages us to discover who you are and how to be full, mature, free from the ego, free, energetic and, whenever possible, self-sufficient . It sacralizes everything in existence: people, animals, nature, dance, music, food, natural cycles, simple everyday things and also sex, which is based on love, vitality and sharing.

Tantra is not just for ordinary, orgasmic pleasure. It is an arduous path of self-knowledge. Through practical and technical methods, such as physical postures (asanas and yoga), breaths, concentrations, care with food, and a universe of techniques that are used in life as a whole in a full and libertarian way, Tantra seeks the recognition of essence and spirit.

Sources:
alegriaemsentir.com.br/2019/10/12/mas-afinal-o-que-e-esse-tal-de-tantra/
Book “Tantra - From sexuality to enlightenment” by Otávio Leal (Dyhan Prem)
"How the ancient Indian tradition of Tantra became all about sex and orgasms in the US"
"On Sacred Sex"
"The Tantra"
“Tantra: An Illustrious Unknown”
"Tantra is not quite what you are thinking - and it is all about innovation"
"Tantra - Philosophy and Behavior for expanding consciousness."