Guest guest Posted November 18, 2007 Report Share Posted November 18, 2007 Tantra: Discovering the Power of Pre-Orgasmic Sex by Yogani ©2006Excerpts from Chapter One: Tantra, Sex and Spirituality"Sex has an essential role to play in the process of human spiritual transformation. In these times, the word, "tantra", has become synonymous with "spiritual sex". But tantra is far more than that. It may well be the broadest system of spiritual practices in the world, encompassing all of yoga, and then some, leaving literally nothing out in terms of the many means that can be applied to accelerate our spiritual progress. So, in the sense, tantra sometimes gets a "bad rap" because, in addition to meditation, pranayama (breathing techniques), postures and numerous other aspects of practice, it also includes sexual practices. And we humans, being the sexually fixated beings that we are, say, "Tantra is about sex!" The analysis of tantra usually proceeds accordingly, along sexual lines, for better or for worse.And so too shall we follow the sexual angle here in discussing tantra, not because the other practices are not important (they are very important and fully covered in the other AYP writings), but because sex has a unique role to play in spiritual practices and in our transformation to higher states of consciousness. To ignore this is to ignore an essential part of our path and our potential to enjoy growing fulfillment and happiness. So, in this book, we will give sex its due. Then, along the way, we show the connection between tantric sexual principles and the other traditional aspects of yoga.Contrary to long-entrenched beliefs, sex is not the enemy of spiritual progress. In truth, sex can be a powerful ally, if understood what it is and harnessed in an intelligent way. There are a variety of means for accomplishing this, with each being suited to the personal inclinations of particular kinds of spiritual practitioners. In every case the underlying principle is the same – the pre-orgasmic cultivation of sexual energy toward an increasing manifestation of our inherent ecstatic nature over the long term. Once we have experienced this, even a little, then a whole new permanent inner world will begin to open to us. This is in contrast to the transient nature of reproductive sex.It is funny, you know, how a perception has crystallized as tantra has crept toward the mainstream of our modern society. The common perception for most these days is that tantra is about sex – better sexy, more ecstatic sex, more spiritual sex. So the call of tantra has become, "Sex, sex, sex!" Do we have one-track minds or what? It is natural enough. For most of us, the peak experience of our life is found in the sex act, particularly in the overwhelming pleasure of orgasm. So it is not surprise that we are a culture obsessed with sex – usually for it, sometimes against it, and always in awe of it. We all know that sex somehow connects us with a greater dimension of what we are. It is a fact that sex binds us together in love, family and, ultimately, our spiritual life. So, of course we are obsessed with sex. It lies at the root of everything we are. It defines us. A deep desire we all have is to merge permanently with the ecstasy contained in this thing called "sex".To unravel the ultimate mystery of sex, we will be wise to take a broad view of it. This is where tantra comes in.What if I told you that tantra is mainly about meditation, pranayama (breathing techniques), and other sitting practices that we do like clockwork on a daily basis? It is true that tantra is mainly about these things. Yes, tantra is about sex, too, and we must face up to it if we wish to progress on our path. Enlightenment is not possible if our sexuality is not brought into the process of yoga – the process of union between our inner divine self and the outer world. In cultivating our nervous system toward that, the role of sexual energy must be addressed.Tantra means "woven together", or "two fullness as one". It means the same thing as yoga really – union, with intimacy added. Tantra recognizes from the start that there are two poles to be ecstatically merged for enlightenment to occur – father heaven and mother earth, masculine and feminine energies, shiva and shakti, yin and yang – and that these two poles are contained in us, in our nervous system. This has practical implications in our daily life.Tantra is the broadest of all the yoga systems that approach life as two realities to be joined in the human nervous system. Included within tantra are mantra yoga, kriya yoga, kundalini yoga, hatha yoga, ashtanga (eight-limbed) yoga and others. The practices contained in these traditional yoga systems comprise what is called the "right-handed" side of tantra. Then there is the "left-handed side" of tantra yoga, which is concerned with infusing pure bliss consciousness into the indulgences. In fact, it takes advantage of them for spiritual purposes. The left-handed side is sort of the underbelly of yoga, the part that upstanding citizens are supposed to stay away from. That is the traditional view anyway. That was before the "hip generation" got a hold of tantra. Now it is respectable to practice "left-handed" tantra. At least in the West it is. Maybe Westerners don't have anything to lose, being so immersed in material living to begin with. Why not bring the spiritual side into our material living? Let's have our cake and eat it too. It's got "left-handed" tantra written all over it."….For more information on what tantra sex really is, how it relates to truly enlightened spiritual practice and how to prepare to practice this ancient beautiful and loving spiritual way of living, please do your homework, read on in this book or another source you intuitively trust, speak with a yoga instructor; whatever brings you comfort. Just please remember tantra is not to be viewed along the same lines of pornography or a twisted act, it is, however, a truly sacred act helping us to grow more enlightened and not merely a sexual come-on line of the new millennium. Thank you!Namaste. Much Metta.Alison KainHumanity Healing Ambassador for Holistic & Alternative HealingWhen you go within you will hear the voice of whispered choice, `What path do you seek? What truth do you speak?"Eternally A Seeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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