Self-Inquiry Is A Necessary Ingredient Of Tantra Practice

Many who have discovered tantra cannot wait to go ahead with the much-hyped promises of greater sexual gratification it holds. Such aspiring tantra students wish to learn the tantric arts for this reason alone, and they completely miss the point. Learning tantra is not about having better sex, even if that is one of the promises of this ancient art.

The most important step in learning tantra is finding a qualified tantra teacher who can properly initiate the aspiring student. Without a tantric master, the student will do little more than embark on a wild goose chase and wind up disillusioned. It is no more possible to learn tantra from a book than it is to learn a language in the same manner. A knowledgeable guide who can chart the course of instructions and make necessary corrections when the student veers off course is absolutely essential.

One of the main reasons why it is necessary to learn tantra under a tantra teacher is the fact that learning this science effectively requires considerable self-inquiry. Though this is a process where the student delves within himself or herself, the process itself cannot take place unsupervised. Self-inquiry is not within the natural bounds human nature. In fact, our natural reflex is to avoid self-inquiry because what we tend to see within ourselves makes us extremely uncomfortable.

Why is self-inquiry a prerequisite to learning the tantric arts? The reason is that in order to experience true freedom – spiritual, emotional or sexual – we must first identify what enslaves us. Our ingrained faulty beliefs about ourselves, others and things such as sexual intimacy hold us back from exploring our fullest potential. A tantra teacher will guide his student in the process of self-examination compassionately, but he will not allow the process itself to be avoided.

Various tantra meditation techniques and rituals are employed in the process of self-examination, and these lead to self-discovery. Often for the first time, the tantric student is confronted with what beliefs and attitudes he or she is driven by. This is invariably a shattering experience. However, it is also accompanied by an indescribable sense of blissful release from the bondage of false beliefs.

As these false beliefs about oneself, one’s intimate partner and the whole issue of intimacy crumble, students of tantra become ready for the first stages of initiation. Then – and only then – will they be able to understand the full spiritual power of the tantra energy that lies within them.

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.

Tantra Sadhana For Complete Spiritual Liberation

The word Tantra tends to conjure up visions of complicated sexual practices and techniques. However, as any tantra teacher will tell you, it is actually a complete philosophy, science and way of life in itself. Ancient Indian sages studied mankind as well as Nature and formulated this system so that men and women could synchronize their bodies and souls with Nature.

Ancient tantra involves various rituals and techniques. However, to practice the tantric arts, the student of tantra must first attain the spirit of sadhana. The Sanskrit word sadhana means ‘the path towards accomplishment (of a desired goal)’. The spiritual practice and attitude of sadhana requires the student to relinquish and transcend his or her ego, with the goal being spiritual awakening. It calls for meditation, chanting of spiritual intonations and invocations (mantras) and deity worship.

In tantra, worship takes the form of ‘puja’, which is nothing but a systematic ritual of worship. The student of the tantric arts learns to approach the process of instructions by a tantra master with an attitude of worship. In the sexual aspects of this ancient science, he or she also learns to regard the intimate partner as an object of worship (deity). As a result, all of the tantric student’s relationships undergo a profound transformation.

Ancient tantra is not aligned to any religion. It is an independent spiritual science which embraces the wholesomeness inherent in all religions while rejecting their rigid prejudices and repressive teachings. This is because tantra is about liberation – of the body, of the spirit and of the mind.

In the course of practicing the tantric arts under a tantra teacher, the student experiences a reuniting of Shiva and Shakti. Shiva is the quintessential tantra god, and Shakti the tantra goddess. Between them, the entire dance of life takes place. Any division between the two in a person’s and couple’s life causes spiritual and emotional imbalances.

By means of specific tantra pujas or worshipful rituals, the student gets in touch with both the Shiva and Shakti. These two deities must hold sway over every aspect of intimacy between two human beings. Only then can an intimate relationship be reborn and raised to its fullest divine potential

Throughout, the tantra master acts as conduit of knowledge and spiritual catharsis. His role is to instruct and mold his students by means of rituals and techniques that will set them free. As such, there is no substitute for an accomplished tantric teacher to guide individuals and couples through the process of spiritual awakening and evolution.

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.

Preparing Your Mind And Body To Learn Tantra

Can you begin to practice tantra even before you have located a tantra teacher? You can certainly prepare your mind and body for it. Ancient tantra is certainly not a DIY concept, and requires expert instructions and guidance from an expert tantra master. However, the aspiring student of tantra can do a lot to discipline his or her mind and body and bring them into better alignment.

When a suitable tantric teacher is found, this state of alignment helps the student to absorb his teachings and practice the prescribed tantric techniques to better effect.

In order to prepare mind and body for deeper tantric instructions, the aspiring student must pay closer attention to his or her daily conduct. A person with an undisciplined and disordered  lifestyle cannot benefit from tantra. The seeds of this ancient science of life and love need to be sown in ready, fertile soil. A person leading an undisciplined life is out of rhythm with Nature, and can therefore not respond to spiritual instructions.

If you are serious about learning tantra, get your lifestyle under control. Start training yourself to eat wholesome, nutritionally balanced food in rational amounts and at fixed times. Likewise, do a reality check on how much sleep you are getting every night. Seven hours is the minimum requirement. If you are in the habit of taking long afternoon naps, quit now. They disrupt your natural sleep cycle, which plays a vital role in keeping mind and body healthy and aware.

Get your personal routine under control. If you find yourself spending most days rushing from one thing to the other, you are caught in a vicious, unnatural loop. This loop has ensnared most of mankind today, and rendered most of humanity unsuitable for spiritual instruction. When you begin doing things in time and in their proper order, your soul becomes calm. When a tantra master encounters a calm soul, he rejoices in having found a suitable pupil.

Begin conscious work on reducing the unnecessary stress in your life. There are good and bad kinds of stress. Bad stress is the kind brought about by worrying about things beyond your control. Good stress is the kind that encourages you to do what really needs to be done. Get rid of the bad stress and harness the power of the good kind.

The ancient yogis maintained such robust health and lived so long because were in touch with their bodies’ real requirements. They were able to meditate for long periods because their minds were disciplined and unyielding to external disruptions.

Set yourself a goal to bring the forces that dictate the ebbs and tides of your life under control. If you are diligent and sincere, you can achieve a significant amount of positive change in a couple of months. When you look back on your previous lifestyle after these two months, you should experience a sense of freedom. When you perceive this freedom, you know that you are ready for learning the tantric arts from a tantra teacher.

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.