What is Tantra?

Tantra is not what you see on Pornhub

Tantra is not having sex with your Guru/Teacher

Tantra is not having unconscious sex with strangers

Tantra is the Path to Oneness

Tantra is the Path of Love

Tantra is a connection to the spiritual divine

Tantra is the Path to Love, Tantra holds roots in Vedic tradition, with its original forms practiced over four thousand years ago. With strong tenacity, it wove into Hinduism, Buddhism and other religions over the millennia, manifesting in various lineages of it, some still practiced today.

Definition - What does Tantra mean?

Tantra refers to both the philosophy and set of spiritual practices that emerged in India around the 6th Century, focused on the direction and manipulation of universal energy as a means of liberation.

Though it is most commonly understood to be a co-development of esoteric Hindu and Buddhism traditions, Tantra has also influenced a variety of Eastern religions such as Daoism, Shinto, Jainism and Tibetan Bon.

The term is derived from the Sanskrit root tan meaning "to weave" or ‘"o compose," and refers specifically to a type of instructional text, often presented as a dialogue between a god and a goddess. Shiva and Shakti the masculine and the feminine.

Modern Neo Tantra, developed in recent decades, from

the west brought into America in 1900’s. It derives from traditional Tantric lineages of Hindu Tantra and Buddhist Tantra and New Age ideologies. Tantric Massage is a creation of Modern Tantra. This practice is a deeply sensual, somatic and spiritual experience holding great beauty and mystique. With clear presence, one gives and one receives. In so doing, both can enter states of transcendent bliss. Continued practice trains our kundalini which restores our energy flow, youthfulness and joy.

The Difference Between Classical Tantra & Modern Neo Tantra

Classical Tantra and Neo Tantra are two different branches of Tantra, each with their own unique characteristics.

Classical Tantra refers to the original form of Tantra that emerged in India over a thousand years ago. It is deeply rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions and involves complex philosophical systems and spiritual practices. Classical Tantra focuses on the integration of all aspects of the self - physical, emotional, and spiritual - to achieve a sense of oneness and unity with the universe. It involves various practices such as yoga, pranayama, mantra recitation, meditation, and ritualistic worship of deities.

Neo Tantra, on the other hand, is a modern interpretation of Tantra that emerged in the West in the 1960s and 1970s. It is a more simplified and accessible form of Tantra that emphasizes the cultivation of sexual energy as a tool for spiritual growth and transformation. Neo Tantra often involves practices such as conscious touch, breathwork, meditation, as well as more intimate practices such as partner meditation and sacred sexuality genital massage. It places a greater emphasis on the physical and sensual aspects of Tantra, while still retaining some of the spiritual and philosophical principles of Classical Tantra.

One of the key differences between Classical Tantra and Neo Tantra is their approach to sexuality. While Classical Tantra recognizes the importance of sexual energy as a tool for spiritual transformation, it tends to approach it in a more ritualistic and symbolic way. Neo Tantra, on the other hand, places a greater emphasis on the physical and sensual aspects of sexual energy and seeks to cultivate it through various practices.

Another difference between the two is their cultural and historical context. Classical Tantra emerged in a specific cultural and historical context in India, whereas Neo Tantra emerged in the West during a time of social and cultural upheaval. As a result, Neo Tantra reflects the values and beliefs of modern Western society and often incorporates elements from other spiritual and philosophical traditions.

In summary, while both Classical Tantra and Neo Tantra share some common principles, they are distinct in their approach, practices, and historical context. Neo Tantra looks nothing like Classical Tantra.

The Colours of Tantra

White tantra – Red tantra – Pink tantra – Black tantra - Grey Tantra

What is it – how to choose…

There is an incredibly deep, complex history to Tantra (and Yoga), which would take years to learn. For an in-depth explanation of tantra, we refer to the key article Tantra explained. Here you’ll find some basic information about different types of tantra. There are four types:

White Tantra
Red Tantra
Pink Tantra
Black Tantra

White tantra

White Tantra is a form of tantra oriented towards spiritual growth. It is basically an individual path: the path of the right hand or Dakshini Marga. White Tantra is about transcending the ego through disciplined mental and physical practice. Mostly under the guidance of a teacher. White tantra resembles a bit to mindfulness and some yoga styles, e.g. Kundalini yoga. The tantric yoga practices are aimed at purification of the body and mind. White tantra uses rituals to liberate the soul. You can think of the use of mantras, mudras, yantras, and visualizations.

White Tantra is used to describe a spiritual path of tantra which incorporates meditation, breath work, sounds, and postures. Although all of the major chakras or energy centers are recognized in this practice, it is the upper two chakras; the third eye and the crown chakra that is the most important.

White Tantra has nothing to do with sexual expression. However, the white path does recognize the importance of the body and its energies. Physical touch and sexual practices are not necessary in order to advance on this path. White Tantra isn’t really focused on the physical act of sex at all!

Key elements white tantra

Path of the right-hand.
Mostly an individual practice – which can however also be practiced in a group (=trend).
Discipline and perseverance are needed. Starts with consciousness (breathing) and bodywork.
Aimed at the purification of the mind and the body. Spiritual path to transcend the ego.
Meditations and rituals based on breathing practice, mantras, mudras, yantras, visualization.
(Kundalini) Awakening, transforming and connecting energy to the 3e eye & crown.
Mastery can be reached. Taught by a Tantric – master.
Focus on awareness, revitalization, healing.

Red Tantra

Red Tantra is a form of tantra oriented towards the ecstatic experience of sexual union: the divine union of the male and female principle. It is basically a path that you practice with a partner. It’s referred to as the path of the left-hand (“impure”) or Vama Marga. Red tantric practice historically is a bit rebellious. It involves the ritual use of substances that were traditionally prohibited to Brahmin priests – meat, wine, fish, parched grains, and sexual union.

Red Tantra is a path of tantra best known for bringing us Tantric Sex. So red tantra is primarily a practice that you do with (your / a) partner. Red Tantra is focused on sensuality and sexuality (lower chakras). However, all of the chakras are involved in the sex act, leading to orgasmic being and connection. There is a tendency that red tantra also includes a lot of lovemaking.

Key elements red tantra

Path of the left-hand.
Duo practice – which can also be practiced in a group.
Courage and self-acceptance are needed. Starts with facing sexual conditioning and judgment (limits, shame & fear).
Aimed at sexual union – Merging of male and female energies in orgasmic oneness.
Meditations and Rituals are highly sexual and provocative. Pushing limits.
Awakening sensuality and sexual energy are key, however, all chakras participate.
Mastery can be reached. Being fully energized and multi-orgasmic seems to be the goal.
Focus on pleasurable sensations (senses) – sensuality – sexuality (orgasm).
Best known for tantric sex and sexual indulgence.

Pink Tantra

Pink Tantra is the middle path of both white and red tantra. It’s individual because there are a lot of meditation and exercises you can do on your own. It’s duo because there are plenty of meditations that are designed to do with a partner. Sexual energy is part of this practice, but there’s no sex act. The heart seems to be the prime focus, integrating both the lower and the higher chakras.

Pink Tantra is about opening the heart chakra and healing. Growing in love and consciousness are central themes in this practice. Pink Tantra teaches us body awareness. To cultivate love without attachment, ownership or expectation. With pink tantra sex becomes lovemaking. Sexual energy is transformed and added to the stream of love/life energy. It is a merging of embodied souls, for both pleasure and enlightenment. Connection is not only self-love or melting with a partner but also making a connection with existence.

Key elements pink tantra

Path of both hands
Individual and duo practice – which can also be practiced in a group.
Love and consciousness are needed. Starts with breathing, awareness of conditioning. Lovingly embracing everything that is there. Nothing has to be fixed.
Aimed at loving connection – The opposite sex is unmasked as the prime object for projection and a source of learning and expanding. Union is still the aim, polarity the means, unity with your inner men/women the result.
Meditations and Rituals are heart-oriented. Highly intimate and energetic. Expanding.
Awakening lust/love/life energy is key, all chakras participate. Balancing energies.
There’s no mastery to attain. It’s a growth path in love and consciousness.
Focus on love/life energy. Integration and transformation of emotional and sexual energy.
Best known for loving duo meditations and ecstatic (evening) rituals.

Black tantra

Black tantra is a form of tantra oriented towards exercising certain magical powers (siddhis). The human body can be powerful. The human mind can be powerful. Combined magic can occur. Sex magic uses sexual energy to envision certain desires during orgasm which then come true – manifest- in real life. It’s the power of body and mind. Power releases also dark forces. Using tantra techniques to project alternative realities (levitation) and/or to overpower other people. This has more to do with manipulation and control. Black Tantra, however, is poorly understood because it’s mostly practiced in secrecy.

Gray tantra

Gray tantra is oriented towards exercising certain magical powers (siddhis) for spiritual development. Cultivating your kundalini energy for improving your spiritual skills is a distinct practice. Sex magic uses sexual energy to envision certain desires during orgasm which then are realizedin one’s spiritual life. It’s the power of body, heart, soul and mind. Explore Gray Tantra to cultivate your sexual energy for the purpose of spiritual development, using all the chakras with a partner.

Source: Online Tantra

WHAT IS TANTRA?

Tantra is a 5000-year-old philosophy of functional health and wellness that is also thought to have had a fundamental impact on every major religion. Tantra gave birth to yoga, the chakras, sound healing, pranayama healing (healing through breathwork) meditation and more.

In Sanskrit, the word Tantra means woven together. People who practice Buddhist and Hindu meditation may also practice tantric sex as a way to “weave” the physical with the spiritual. This practice brings together spirituality and sexuality and emphasises the importance of a sacred union and intimacy within your sexual relationship with your beloved.

The lingam (also spelled as linga) is a sacred object in Hinduism and is a symbol that represents Shiva. (Masculine God Shiva) The lingam is often found in temples dedicated to Shiva and is the form in which this Hindu deity is most commonly worshipped. The lingam has popularly been considered to be a phallic symbol, with the yoni (vagina) being its female counterpart.