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.

Tantra For Women: Erotic Eye Contact

In learning tantra for women, it becomes evident pretty fast that there is considerable responsibility on the female to direct the flow of spiritual and physical intimacy with the male. It is the male’s tendency to rush into the sexual act, and the woman must ensure that spiritual bonding is not neglected. Here, the tantra goddess becomes not only the object of worship but also the director of the tantra ritual of worship.

One of the time-tested tantric techniques that women can use to establish a spiritual basis to a physical encounter is to bring about and maintain eye contact with her man. If this is done correctly, she can capture his undivided attention and ensure that it does not stray from the act of erotic worship. She must remember – even if he forgets – that a worshipful attitude is a must for tantric sex.

Establishing and maintaining eye contact is not as easy as it may seem, and the initial attempts must be supervised by an experienced tantra teacher. Initially, the male’s impulsiveness and focus on the physical act are bound to overwhelm all efforts of the woman to keep his eyes on hers. Mutual nervousness and embarrassment can also defeat sustained, loving eye contact. The constant reassurance and instructions of the tantra master will help both partners to concentrate on this very important tantric technique.

The tantra teacher may instruct both partners to sit cross-legged before each other, at a little less than arm’s distance. This closes off the genital areas from immediate attention and reach and encourages easy eye contact. The partners then hold each other’s’ gazes for at least a couple of minutes. When practiced often enough, this tantric bonding technique may eventually prolong into as much as ten minutes or more.

The eyes are indeed the windows to the soul, and properly instructed partners can literally get lost in each other’s’ eyes and the love that they reflect. Especially for the woman – who craves the attention and adoration of her male partner more than mere physical release – this is an extremely satisfying and enriching experience.

Once lovingly maintained eye contact has brought about the requisite attributes of worshipful adoration and spiritual connection, the hands are slowly brought into play. However, the worshipful mood must not be disrupted by sudden fumbling for each other’s private parts. Instead, the partners may proceed to languidly caress each other at arm’s length, maintaining the cross-legged pose and also eye contact. Another ten minutes of this should suffice to bring physical desire to a peak, after which the partners may abandon the cross-legged posture and stretch out next to each other for a full-fledged erotic encounter.

If this sounds fascinating to you but you feel the self-control required is beyond your capacity, do not despair. A qualified tantra teacher can definitely bring both you and your partner into a zone where such tantric sex encounters are perfectly possible.

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.