The Tantric Significance Of Rudraksha Beads

Those familiar with Indian lore in general will have heard of or seen images of Shiva, the quintessential tantra god. Shiva is depicted as wearing chains of dark beads around his neck, arms and ankles. These are rudraksha beads, which have a special significance in Hindu tantra.

When we study the story of Shiva and Shakti, his consort and the traditional tantra goddess, several fascinating stories emerge. One of these is that that Shiva, who is also the Destroyer, took the incarnation of Kali and defeated several demons.

Mythology tells us that he beheaded the vanquished demons and allowed their heads to dry up and shrivel, after which he adorned himself with them. The rudraksha beads which Shiva devotees wear represent these heads of defeated demons.

How is this significant for someone learning tantra? There is, in fact, great relevance in wearing rudraksha beads if one is aware of what they represent. Your tantra teacher will inform you that in order to pursue this ancient science of life and love, one must certainly overcome some demons in one’s life – just as Shiva had done.

These demons are jealousy, selfishness, hatred, dishonesty, bigotry, misogyny and the various other negative traits that contaminate an untutored human life.

When you progress in your study of ancient tantra under a gifted tantra master, you will be confronted with these negative traits within yourself over and over again. The specific tantra instructions and rituals to which you will be introduced will help you to gradually shed these traits and evolve into a superior, spiritually accomplished person.

At this stage, you will be able to wear a chain of rudraksha beads with pride – for you have defeated the demons that hindered your spiritual progress.

These beads have various other mystical properties – they are said to reduce blood pressure, act as a detoxifying agent and have the ability to cleanse and focus the mind. This is why they are also of great help in tantra meditation. However, the benefits of wearing Shiva’s traditional adornment can only come when one’s mind has responded to them with understanding, and one’s actions correspond to their symbolism.

As a traditional tantric teacher, I am firmly against my students wearing such adornments without fully comprehending what they stand for. The fact is that wearing rudrakshas is symbolic of the fact that one has overcome base desires and drives and is committed to the study and enforcement of the Truth. Let no one belittle Shiva’s victory over evil with idle tokenism, for his battle must be ours as well.

Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with deep knowledge of traditional Indian sciences. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons from this young Tantra Master.

The Mystical Power Of The Tantra Breath

We all know that the simple process of inhalation and exhalation is the very basis of our physical lives. Without this process, life is considered to have left the body. Most of the time, we are completely unaware of it. However, most people are also unaware of how the manner in which we breathe affects our mental and emotional state, as well.

In tantra breathing, we bring the normally unconscious process of breathing from the unknown into the known. We become aware of it, and learn to appreciate how this simple yet vital process affects us.  It is only when we become aware of how we breathe that we can understand just how many of our physical, mental and emotional processes are dictated by it.

Did you know that the way in which we breathe actually affects our sex life? Yes, it’s true. In fact, in learning the mysteries of tantra breath control and awareness-based respiration, you are getting closer and closer to mental, emotional and sexual mastery.

You may have heard of the time-honored ‘sexual aid’ known as the metronome. This simple instrument, which produces a steady, metered sound, has been used for centuries to ‘time’ the strokes in sexual intercourse. In tantra breathing, we use our breath in a similar way – to slow down the entire process and take control of the orgasmic reflex. It is also an important component of all tantra yoga exercises.

The science of tantra breathing is a precise one, and one needs to learn it from an authentic tantra teacher. Remember that watching our breath and harnessing its latent power is not something that comes naturally to anyone. In my experience as a tantra master, it usually takes at least five tantra for couples sessions before the couple begins to go beyond chest breathing and progress into the deep belly breathing that defines tantra breath control.

How will your sex life benefit from learning this science? The woman will begin to experience deeper, longer orgasms and also attain complete mastery over her natural prerogative of being multi-orgasmic. Likewise, a man who is trained in tantra breathing will never be plagued by premature ejaculation again. He will also be able to prolong the entire episode of sexual intimacy for indefinite periods.

Do not, however, assume that these miracles will happen overnight. It takes many sessions with a genuine tantra teacher who has true knowledge of the tantric arts before you will experience these results. Have patience and persevere in your tantric instructions, and the fruits of this ancient technique will surely be yours.

Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with deep knowledge of traditional Indian sciences. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons from this young Tantra Master.

Two Great Tantra Truths

There are times when a tantra teacher must step back from imparting active tantra instructions and go into the philosophy in which this ancient science of love and life is based. In this article, I will discuss two great tantra truths. Much of what you will learn from your tantra master is based on these two premises.

The first truth is that though tantra is based on scientific precepts, it cannot be grasped and practiced by someone who is completely entrenched in modern ways of thinking. It is that the uncivilized, untrained and uncultured mind that can really understand the ways of tantra because it has not been contaminated. For those who have attached themselves to modern or religious concepts of morality, sexuality and the purpose of life, it is much harder.

Yes, to learn tantra you must be willing to realign yourself with your primitive, primordial side. This is because tantra teaches you that you are not what you think you are or what the priests and politicians say you are (or should be). You are part of the Cosmic Whole, and every impulse and desire that you experience is in fact natural and very much in tune with that Cosmic Whole.

You suppress your desires because you have bought into the warped doctrines of religion and moral and political correctness. You are unaware that we are all equipped with an inherent knowledge of right and wrong, but you no longer trust that primitive, yet highly intelligent side of yourself.

Also, we are meant to understand and express our desires – not suppress them. By suppressing them, we kick-start a diseased process in which the negative energy of these suppressed desires fouls up our thinking, and our relationships.

This brings me to the second great tantra truth. You may have heard of the term ‘karma’ – it is often used in context with Hindu scriptures. Basically, karma is the feedback that the Universe gives you on your thoughts and actions. In the tantric context, karma is what you get when you leave something incomplete, or half-done. This includes expressing your intimate desires to your partner in a natural manner, free of guilt and self-condemnation.

Karma is a very real thing. Whether it is something that the Universe hands you or whether it is actually something you gift to yourself can be debated. But karma is real, and its repercussions are real. In anything you do – be it work, play, rest or make love, you need to be fully immersed in it. If you do it with reservations – if you hold something back while doing it – you will pay the price.

Incomplete work or work done half-heartedly will earn you minimal or negative rewards. Incomplete rest leaves you feeling drained and only half-alive. Reservations while making love to your mate will leave you unsatisfied, resentful and incomplete.

This is karma in the tantric sense. Your tantra teacher will instruct you in how to immerse yourself fully in the experience of life – to live and love to the fullest extent. You will be free of the karmic cycle of incomplete experiences and expressions. For the very first time, you will be fully alive – alive in the tantric way of life.

Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with deep knowledge of traditional Indian sciences. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons from this young Tantra Master.