Tantra: An Ancient Belief System

Many spiritual beliefs deny the body, desire, and sex. Tantra, however, views the body as sacred, recognizing that various aspects must be attended to in order to achieve health and maximize one’s energy flow, so as to vibrate in harmony with the Universe. Consequently, it views desire as a bridge to transcendence and sex as a source of pleasure, meditation, and spiritual ecstasy.

“You are already perfect; don’t try to struggle to be someone you’re not,” says Osho, a Tantric spiritual teacher. There’s no need to create inner conflict. To transcend, we must let go of the darkness that prevents us from being the diamond we wish to express. Many spiritual paths lead to the liberation of the spirit (nirvana), to attain enlightenment alongside the universal soul. The goal of Tantra is to awaken consciousness to the light by relying on special techniques that open the physical senses, for these are gateways of perception that do not offer opportunities to attain enlightenment.

Etymologically, Tantra means “the fabric” in which consciousness expands, and to achieve this, it employs a variety of techniques—art, science, mysticism, yoga, massage, dance, and breathing exercises—to foster a positive attitude and approach to life. Its philosophy is to act, feel, and think from the soul, in harmony with the divine frequency or supreme soul (atman).
In Tantra, the body is the temple within which the individual faces life’s challenges (Lilah), and a path that leads to liberation and the beginning of the spiritual quest.
There is an openness to sexual relationships, along with the use of creative energy, which includes the creation of mandalas, symbols, breathing, and energy mobilization—which, together with sexual practice channeled toward the sacred spaces of consciousness, seek and pursue the unity of man (Shiva) and woman (Shakti), of the God and the Goddess.

Another way to evolve

Tantra is the teaching of total acceptance; there is neither good nor bad. Everything is accepted just as it is. Tantra brings about the alchemy of energy. It leads from depression to celebration, from rigidity to flexibility, from criticism to creativity, and from blind impulse to awareness. In Tantra, everything that exists is sacred, and it is necessary to have a clear understanding of what the spiritual path means.

Key Points of Tantra:
– Tantra is the teaching of accepting life completely; nothing is denied or rejected. To accept life completely, one must attain understanding, which means that everything must be experienced in order to be understood.
-Tantra is not a teaching of excess or uncontrolled pleasure; Tantra is a teaching of being fully aware of emotions, thoughts, feelings, etc. It is the path to absolute understanding.
-Sex is the creative energy of life; everything is created through sex; therefore, it is the foundation of the spiritual path, not the end.
-Tantra allows for the individual’s total freedom; it is LIFE ITSELF, although it does not condone destructive or self-destructive behaviors, as it recognizes that they are part of the darkness that accompanies us all

The Origins of Tantra and Its Various Traditions:

Tantra is a spiritual path whose teachings were originally transmitted orally; its oldest texts are believed to date back to the 6th century B.C.
Tantra originated in India and later spread to China and Tibet. There are several branches of Tantra.

Tibetan Tantra
In the Buddhist tradition, sexual intercourse is imaginary, with greater emphasis placed on meditation. It has four divisions:
– Action Tantra.
– Presentation Tantra.
– Yoga Tantra.
– High Yoga Tantra.
The Lama determines which type of Tantra a person should study based on their aptitude and abilities.
In Tibetan Tantra, everything is an emanation of the deity, so everything is considered sacred.

Hindu Tantra
It is practiced in groups of couples who come together to form what is called a “house.” Sexual intercourse, in addition to other energy practices, must be performed under the direct guidance of a guru, who must possess all the necessary qualifications, as it is based on many rituals essential for spiritual progress. Sex must not be used in a hedonistic, degrading, or decadent manner, as this would be contrary to the spiritual quest pursued by authentic Tantra.

Neo-Tantra:
In the Western world, Neo-Tantra sets aside certain rituals but still achieves expanded states of consciousness through other ritual practices that are more accessible to everyone.
Neo-Tantra is a blend of Hindu Tantra, Tibetan Tantra, and modern psychology. There are many opinions and interpretations regarding this branch of Tantra, but it has certainly been misunderstood and misused, as it is led by self-proclaimed “masters” who use sex as a source of income, turning Neo–Tantra into an excuse for sex,
Neo-Tantra opens the doors to any experience, but this natural energy can be destructive or creative. Only practitioners with a genuine desire for spiritual progress—and after having understood their inner nature—can enter into the essence of Tantra.