TANTRA - WHAT IT IS...AND ISN'T

Tantra has often been misunderstood and misrepresented, mainly due to its association with sexuality. However, Tantra is a multifaceted spiritual practice that goes beyond mere sexual experiences. It is essential to clarify what Tantra truly is and dispel some common misconceptions surrounding it.

At its core, Tantra is a path of self-realization and spiritual awakening. It is a journey of personal liberation through presence, mindfulness, and embodiment. Tantra embraces the exploration of the senses and the celebration of pleasure in the physical body. Through this practice, we can seek to connect with the Divine, merging universal consciousness, power, and energy with our own physical form.

One of the fundamental aspects of Tantra is the practice of embodiment. It teaches us to honour our bodies as sacred temples of the Divine and to recognize the inherent divinity in all of creation. Tantra offers a pathway to healing by helping release blockages and heal past traumas. It harnesses sexual energy as a life force for the body and soul, providing vitality, deepening connection, and facilitating personal growth.

Contrary to popular belief, Tantra is not solely focused on sex. While it acknowledges the importance of sexual energy, Tantra encompasses a wide range of practices beyond the realm of physical intimacy. These practices include rituals, breathwork, meditation, energy work, and massage, all aimed at cultivating presence, expanding consciousness, and balancing energies.

Rituals are used to bring us out of our heads and into our bodies, creating a sacred space where we can connect with something greater than ourselves. Breathwork helps to connect with ourselves and others, move sexual energy throughout the body and opening the heart space. Meditation cultivates presence and stillness, enabling us to tap into the power of witnessing our experiences. Energy work focuses on the chakras and the harmonisation of feminine and masculine energies. Massage brings relaxation, connection, and nourishment to the body.

It is crucial to emphasize that Tantra is not a religion, and it does not impose specific do's and don'ts. It is an embodied spiritual practice that encourages us to explore our unique path of personal liberation. Tantra opens the door to spiritual experiences, but these experiences are deeply personal and aligned with our own journey of growth and liberation.

Another common misconception is that Tantra is exclusively practiced by heterosexual couples. In reality, Tantra can be practiced by individuals of all genders. We are all made up of a combination of yin and yang (feminine and masculine) energies and balancing these within ourselves can make way for a deeper sense of intimacy with ourselves and others.

Solo Tantra offers endless opportunities for sexual and spiritual growth. Engaging in solo Tantra can be a powerful practice for attracting a partner one resonates with or manifesting other desires in life.

There are many ways one can learn about Tantra. You can go all in and study classical Indian Tantra in depth with a guru but it’s not necessary to incorporate it’s teachings and rituals into your life. The important thing is to drop your expectations, approach it with an open mind and see what the practice has to offer you. Take what resonates, leave the rest.

Tantra is a profound path toward healing, spiritual awakening, and personal growth. It is a practice that honours the body as a vessel for the Divine and encourages the integration of mind, body, and spirit. By dispelling misconceptions and embracing the true essence of Tantra, we can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for this transformative practice in modern Western society.