Compulsive Auto-Eroticism Is Incompatible With Tantra

There is a highly erroneous but persistent belief going round that auto-eroticism (with or without the use of pornography) is in some way compatible with or beneficial to the study of tantra. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the tantric arts teach us to conserve and channelize sexual energy – not diffuse it wastefully.

In the Old Testament, the Bible admonishes man not to ‘spill his seed upon the ground.’ This warning has been interpreted in many ways. The Catholic Church used it to propagate its hard-line stance against contraception. To my thinking, this admonishment would be more aptly directed at compulsive self-gratification – which watching porn definitely encourages.

Learning tantra under an accomplished tantra master will definitely do wonders to your sex life, but sex is neither the beginning nor the end of the tantric sciences. The erotic expression of tantra energy has its place in the spiritual realm, but only when it takes place within the context of a loving, mutually worshipful man-woman relationship.

I am not against self-gratification itself. There is nothing wrong with it as long as it used as a means of relieving pent-up sexual energy that is becoming a source of stress and distress. There are many situations in modern life where indulging in sexual union with a loved one is not possible. In such situations, it is better to ‘spill one’s seed’ rather than be haunted by sexual desires that cannot be expressed in the best possible manner.

However, wilfully stoking the fires of these desires by compulsively indulging in porn is unhealthy and contrary to everything that tantra teaches. No genuine tantra teacher will ever advocate compulsive sexual behaviour. Tantra is a spiritual path that leads to wholesome relationships between the genders. The sexual powers that come with learning tantra must be used responsibly and maturely.

In order to practice tantra in the manner prescribed by the ancient tantric masters, one must understand and respect the nature and purpose of sexual energy. Our erotic drive has been given to us so that we may engage in a loving union with a beloved. It must be shared in a spirit of mutual adoration and cherishment. Compulsive self-gratification – with or without the use of pornography – is tantamount to compulsive self-love.

When abused as a means unto itself rather than being used wisely as a stress reliving method, it becomes an addiction. And any addiction, as we all know, is nothing short of selfish, wasteful, unspiritual and potentially harmful

Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with an in-depth knowledge of traditional Indian sciences and Sanskrit literature. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons, kriyas and mudras from this young Tantra Master.

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