Tantra
Self Help Article
by David Yarian Ph.D.
Tantra is a meditative approach to sexuality, a profound path to deepening the intimate relationship one has with oneself and with the Beloved.
While rooted in ancient ritual practices from Hinduism and Buddhism, modern Tantra combines insights from humanistic and transpersonal psychology, sexology, yoga and meditation to create a set of powerful tools for personal growth and deep intimacy.
Tantra, in the ancient Sanskrit language, means “weaving”, and refers to a weaving-together of sensory experience, and the joining of masculine and feminine energies. In the Hindu myth of creation, Shiva and Shakti created the Universe by conjoining their masculine and feminine energies.
The tantric practitioner approaches enlightenment through the avenue of bodily and sensory experience. Tantra teaches that bliss is possible in every moment, if we only pay attention to our experience, quieting the chattering, busy mind.
The goal of tantric practice is the union of the Masculine and Feminine; since each of us has masculine and feminine energies within, Tantra can be practiced alone or with a partner. The meditative practices take one deep within the body, working with sexual energies which arise in the genitals.
Through using the breath and focused attention it is possible to draw that energy upwards, to the heart and ultimately the crown of the head, spreading energetic joy throughout the body.
While intensifying sexual experience, Tantra is primarily about intimate and present connection – with the self, and with the Beloved – and ultimately, with the Divine.
See also: Sexuality and Sex Education; Spirituality; Meditation
Positive Sexuality Resources is a list of recommended readings on many facets of sexuality and human sexual behavior, with an emphasis on sexuality as a positive force in life.
Tantric Sexuality Resources is a large bibliography that covers all aspects of Tantra and Tantric practice. It includes an introductory essay describing the historical development of Tantra and a contextualized approach to understanding modern Tantra.
Joy of Making Love. Have a look at the Tantra books and videos reviewed in the Sacred Sex section as well as the video section of Joy of Making Love, a new resource for adult sexuality education. Joy of Making Love offers 500+ recommended books, CDs and videos on intimate relationships, eroticism and desire, erotic poetry, erotic art, sexual technique, the science of sex, sacred sex and much more.
