Introduction
| What is Tantra? Tantra is an ancient concept of Indian origin aiming at living a blissful life. The meaning of the word is 'liberation by expansion', applying to the realization of spiritual liberation and expansion of energy. This energy is mainly in the forms of body vigour and mind awareness. What Yoga does by using Yogic methods, Tantra achieves by using Tantric ones. The most significant of the Tantric methods is the use of ritualistic sexual interaction in order to achieve heightened states of consciousness. The usual psychological term for such mental states is "altered stated of consciousness". One tradition of Tantra is the Kaula Tantra School. This ancient branch of left-hand Tantra is well described in the Tantric literature. However, many of its practices and acquisition of knowledge has been hidden for a long time. Only in the last decades spiritual permission was given to spread to knowledge because of the influence of the Kali Yuga (age) being stronger. This form of Tantra is taught under the name of Tantrananda School of Tantra. How can Tantra benefit me? First of all Tantra creates a balanced life. There are methods to enhance one's intellectual abilities, heal body and mind, and create harmonious relationships. A Tantra practitioner becomes a better person, a better lover and enjoyer of the gift of a human life. A Tantric person becomes blissful, has an excellent health as much as the age permits. Mind's abilities go beyond the normal. What about the practice of Tantra? Practicing Tantra has many aspects. There are Yogic methods used which almost anyone could follow. In advanced stages there are specific Tantric methods suitable for certain kinds of people who are ready for it. Yoga practices have to be seen as preliminaries before the Tantric methods per se are employed. The pertinent Tantric practice is known as Maithuna Tantra, the ritualistic sexual interaction between a man and a woman. Teaching this ritual is for advanced people only. Printed material is available, however, a more practical approach is when a Kaula Tantra guru explains the intricacies of Maituna Tantra and makes some kind of demonstration. Do I need a partner? In advanced stages of learning Tantra any aspirant needs a partner of opposite sex. However, in initial stages of learning Tantra a partner is not necessary. Tantra aspirants need to consolidate a good amount of knowledge as preparation for the interaction with people of the opposite sex. Couples are welcome to learn anything they want in special workshops for couples only. Special Sadhanas (practices) could be prepared for anyone sincere in studying Tantra. What can I learn in the first session? The first session guided by a Kaula Tantra teacher is basically an assessment of personal needs and goals of an aspirant. Various kinds of simple examinations are performed. For example the balancing of Cakras, the breathing process, the checking of the flow of energy within the channels known as Nadis. Some questions might be asked in order to evaluate what the aspirant expects from learning Tantra. Copyright © 2003 by Maria Martins (Ma Bhakti Shakti) |