Tantra BasicsTantra BasicsTantra BasicsTantra Basics

What is Tantra?What is Tantra?What is Tantra?What is Tantra?The spiritual art of love...of connecting spirit with form. It is experiencing love through through the beauty of the earth and all existence. It is about acceptance, rather than denial. It also embraces compassion...about truthwithin unconditional love...What are its elements? Is Ta What are its elements? Is Ta What are its elements? Is Ta What are its elements? Is Tantra a yoga?ntra a yoga?ntra a yoga?ntra a yoga?Some call it Tantra Yoga. If we see yoga as union, then I agree. Others say Tantra is not a part of Yoga, which most people see as Hatha Yoga anyway, but rather an entire lifestyle. Many in the yoga community considerTantra "something they would rather not deal with," so to speak. So, in that sense it is not about yoga as practiced in America, unless that yoga teacher also embraces the openness an sensual nature of Tantra.Is Tantra a religion, or a movement within religion(s), or is it entIs Tantra a religion, or a movement within religion(s), or is it entIs Tantra a religion, or a movement within religion(s), or is it entIs Tantra a religion, or a movement within religion(s), or is it entirely separate from religion? irely separate from religion? irely separate from religion? irely separate from religion?Tantra is not a religion. It is a spiritual path. When religion enters, then barriers are drawn. However, some callTantra a religion, although there is no organized body of thought or practitioners as such. Tantra cannot beencapsulated into a religion or dogma.What distinguishes Tantra from neoWhat distinguishes Tantra from neoWhat distinguishes Tantra from neoWhat distinguishes Tantra from neo----Tantra?Tantra?Tantra?Tantra? Historic/cultural Tantra follows many rituals,

yantra

and

mantra

. Neo-Tantra is an adaptation by a particular teacher. Few today follow classical/historic/cultural Tantra, which can be read in boring texts. Swami Virato teaches authentic Tantra for the 21st Century based upon Tantra's essential spiritual nature. However, learning technique, method and practice are the choice of the adapt. Swami Virato's sannyasins (disciples) are asked tobecome unconditional love. Tantra is essentially a lifestyle...a way to acknowledge our sensual and spiritualselves... To accept all...even the paradox... To open the heart totally.What is the exact relationship between Tantra and sexualiWhat is the exact relationship between Tantra and sexualiWhat is the exact relationship between Tantra and sexualiWhat is the exact relationship between Tantra and sexuality? ty? ty? ty?In Tantra, sexuality is total and filled with bliss. However, Tantra is not about sex. Sex practiced or performed in Tantra is what is taught by most teachers of this spiritual lifestyle. In Swami Virato's experiential eventssexual ignition energy is used as a tool to raise the Kundalini, or the participants bioenergy. Swami Virato simply uses this energy as a tool. At some point Tantrikas experience a bliss-filled state that can be identified asasexuality. Perhaps because of general sexual suppression by cultures and religions, ancient carvings in Nepal andIndia depicting unbridled sexual sharing create indelible labels. Some Tantrikas do not engage in sex at all.PracticeIs Tantra an attitude, a belief, or a practice?Is Tantra an attitude, a belief, or a practice?Is Tantra an attitude, a belief, or a practice?Is Tantra an attitude, a belief, or a practice?No belief. It is an attitude and there are practices, in sex, and many other areas of life that can be used as tools.Many of these include contemporary conscious psychotherapeutic methods, as well as

Eastern philosophy and techniques, such as pranyama, yantra, mantra, etc., as well as simply applying expanded consciousness to one'sexistence. Are there common elements in its practice, if it has any? If so, how do these relate to any common attitudes or Are there common elements in its practice, if it has any? If so, how do these relate to any common attitudes or Are there common elements in its practice, if it has any? If so, how do these relate to any common attitudes or Are there common elements in its practice, if it has any? If so, how do these relate to any common attitudes orbeliefs? When you say you "practice" Tantra, what do you do exactly?beliefs? When you say you "practice" Tantra, what do you do exactly?beliefs? When you say you "practice" Tantra, what do you do exactly?beliefs? When you say you "practice" Tantra, what do you do exactly?Tantra is a lifestyle of letting-go, feeling a oneness with everything. If we were to relate Tantra to life in general, we would say there is much more lay-back living, more enjoyment of our sensual nature, a sexualfreedom which follows a lifestyle of let go as well. Practicing Tantra is to walk our talk...to visualize others as Divine... to meditate, get and give and receive massages ..and to say YES! more often...to seek for the purest, highest quality of life, yet to accept whatever we have...and to feel our Divine nature...God...Goddess.Origins/Ideals

Where and when did Tantra start, if it had an origin?Where and when did Tantra start, if it had an origin?Where and when did Tantra start, if it had an origin?Where and when did Tantra start, if it had an origin?While there are many opinions, there is no real beginning as such. See articles and books, particularly the Hinduvedas, and the spiritual philosophy of Tilopa and Milaropa. However, it is now known that using sexual-heart

energy of the Kundalini for transcendence and connecting with God or Divinity was known by many cultures throughout the world. There are references to it in both the new and old testament's of the Bible, in the Koran, the

Bhagavagita

and countless other spiritual texts. Are there certain Are there certain Are there certain Are there certain

typestypestypestypes

of cultures where it arises?of cultures where it arises?of cultures where it arises?of cultures where it arises?Interesting question. Tantra seems to arise and gain interest when we have gone too far with our materialworld. More of the lay-back, natural cultures like the Cherokees and Polynesians follow a similar lifestyle. Some pagan traditions also do. Whenever civilization has filled its members with fear, Tantra becomes popular. It issomething we all experience at one time or another in our lives. Now, in Russia, Tantra has become very popular. Are there historical or fictional people associated with its origins? Are there historical or fictional people associated with its origins? Are there historical or fictional people associated with its origins? Are there historical or fictional people associated with its origins?You can see glimpses of Tantra in Krishna's playfulness with the dakinis, and Jesus, no doubt, was also a Tantrika based upon his words of love and his association with Mary of Magdalene and Veronica of Nazareth.Tilopa, Naropa and Milaropa also were the so-called original messengers of Classical Tantra. However, evenwith the writings of Sir Richard Burton, much has been lost to antiquityIs there an 'ideal' Tantra, regardless of how it manifests today? If so, what is this like?Is there an 'ideal' Tantra, regardless of how it manifests today? If so, what is this like?Is there an 'ideal' Tantra, regardless of how it manifests today? If so, what is this like?Is there an 'ideal' Tantra, regardless of how it manifests today? If so, what is this like?Returning to the Biblical

Garden of Eden

, or a vision of Nirvana or Heaven. A community of people filled with unconditional love, bliss, a joy of life, tenderness and acceptance of all. Enjoying the good life, so to speak, unaddicted yet experiencing with totality and enlightened, of course [chuckle].Is there an objective or ideal focus of a Tantrika? If so, what is it?Is there an objective or ideal focus of a Tantrika? If so, what is it?Is there an objective or ideal focus of a Tantrika? If so, what is it?Is there an objective or ideal focus of a Tantrika? If so, what is it?Not really. Maybe enjoying God's existence at every moment and allowing enlightenment to occur in the process. Becoming aware...awake. Follow a form of mantra or yantra meditation, eat a proper vegetarian diet, be gentle and find love within you at each moment. The lifestyle itself is the gift and path....What are the essentials of 'Tantric philosophy' if there is such a thing?What are the essentials of 'Tantric philosophy' if there is such a thing?What are the essentials of 'Tantric philosophy' if there is such a thing?What are the essentials of 'Tantric philosophy' if there is such a thing?Same as above. How does this relate to other Eastern or Western philosophies? How does this relate to other Eastern or Western philosophies? How does this relate to other Eastern or Western philosophies? How does this relate to other Eastern or Western philosophies?Most philosophies and religions have a dogmatic point-of-view of existence. Eastern and Western philosophiesare tied up in dogma. Tantra is about dropping dogma, and simply being in bliss. This is difficult to talk aboutsince all talk is the beginning of a philosophy.

Philo

from the Greek language means "life" and "sophy" from sophic represents study. In Tantra life in its totality is beyond study... It is experience.Sociological/Cultural Are there certain sects of religious traditions which consider themselves or are considered by others to be Are there certain sects of religious traditions which consider themselves or are considered by others to be Are there certain sects of religious traditions which consider themselves or are considered by others to be Are there certain sects of religious traditions which consider themselves or are considered by others to be'Tantric'?'Tantric'?'Tantric'?'Tantric'?Yes, many. Yogi Bhajan of the

3HO

organization (adapted from the Sikh tradition) considers his path "white"Tantra. Pagan traditions call it Tantrik practice, Tibetan Buddhists follow a Tantra path (commonly called yellow Tantra), and aspects of

Voodoo

and

Santamaria

use similar practices as in black Tantra, and the worship of Kali, the destroyer. This is only a sampling. There are many texts available on Classical Tantra in new age bookshops and select libraries. Swami Virato follows the path of red Tantra...for the passion of flesh and spirit. Are there Western forms of Tantra or rough equivalents? Are there Western forms of Tantra or rough equivalents? Are there Western forms of Tantra or rough equivalents? Are there Western forms of Tantra or rough equivalents?Not really. Perhaps what is being taught by most teachers today could be called Western forms.

Quodoshka

was a similar form practiced by Native Americans (Cherokee).

Can Tantra be found in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism? If so, in what forms and characters?Can Tantra be found in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism? If so, in what forms and characters?Can Tantra be found in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism? If so, in what forms and characters?Can Tantra be found in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism? If so, in what forms and characters?Yes. Read the various texts. Some say Tantra predates all of them.Why do people get excited and mention sex when they hear the word Tantra?Why do people get excited and mention sex when they hear the word Tantra?Why do people get excited and mention sex when they hear the word Tantra?Why do people get excited and mention sex when they hear the word Tantra? Because sex sells, and most Tantra teachers accent this portion of the Tantric lifestyle in their courses,workshops and seminars. However, Tantra is much more than sex.What inhibits Tantra, what stimulates it, and what kinds of people are more likely to practice it?What inhibits Tantra, what stimulates it, and what kinds of people are more likely to practice it?What inhibits Tantra, what stimulates it, and what kinds of people are more likely to practice it?What inhibits Tantra, what stimulates it, and what kinds of people are more likely to practice it?Fear and a closed mind inhibit living the Tantric life, while dance, other movement, meditation and

pranyama

(various breathing techniques) stimulate it. People who are adventurous and open are more likely to connect to a Tantric lifestyle.Is it possibleIs it possibleIs it possibleIs it possible for Tantra to die out?for Tantra to die out?for Tantra to die out?for Tantra to die out?

Never!