Tantric Yoga in the west is often misunderstood so the purpose of my writings today is to demystify this powerful ancient practice and the Kundalini energy.
Kundalini is a Sanskrit word that literally means “snake.” Kundalini is also called “serpent power” because this sleeping spiritual force in every human being lies coiled at the base of the spine. Once awakened, it rises through a series of centers, also called chakras, and finds expression in the form of spiritual knowledge and mystical visions. According to the Tantric tradition, the human body contains seven centers of subtle energy (chakras), referred to as “lotuses,” through whose channels the kundalini rises.
The kundalini rises through these centers from the base of the spinal column all the way to the top of the head, where the thousand-petaled-lotus chakra is located. When kundalini reaches the seventh chakra with its entire power, this spiritual energy develops its full majestic force in the form of enlightenment.”
Tantra was initiated into Persia at the end of the 18th century, and by the Swinging 60’s, it’s popularity had accelerated. Contrary to modern popular opinion, Tantra is not defined only by the act of sex itself, or is it wholly about SEX and nothing else.
Classical Tantra is an ancient art, science and spiritual path, originating from the East, but since it’s introduction to the West, these important aspects have been habitually overlooked and overshadowed by the sexual elements.
A modern version called Neo Tantra, sometimes referred to as Pop Tantra or California Tantra, makes modern interpretations of the traditional Indian and Buddhist Tantra and is basically a watered down Westernised version of it’s traditional roots. Neo Tantra has taken the traditional Eastern tantric teachings and has predominantly focused on the sex above everything else.
There have been many interpretations of the ancient Art of Tantra and the famous guru ‘Osho’, developed his own version of Tantra, including breathing techniques, yoga, massage and bio energy. He wrote many books on Taoism, Mysticism and Buddhism, as well as six books on the subject of Tantra.
Sex is just a dimension of our journey on this spiritual path, but the actual goal is to become aware of our vital life force energy, our sexual energy and use this energy to expand our consciousness in order to experience our true self. Tantra is unique to other spiritual practices, because it does not deny sexuality, but embraces it, therefore integrating spirituality and sexuality.
Religions with the many limiting doctrines and misrepresentations, and dictating to us, that in our devotional worship to God, that we should abstain from sex, except in the marital bed, has caused such damage and been a destructive influence for humanity for far too long. I praise any spiritual path that doesn’t associate any guilt or shame with the sexual act, which liberates rather than imprisoning it’s disciples. I for one, am deliriously happy, to have found a system or practice that infuses one with pleasure, joy and bliss and that permeates life with bountiful energy.
Tantra can often be confused with the ‘Kama Sutra of Vatsyana’, an ancient Eastern text describing the 64 sexual positions, or the ‘Ananga Ranga’ of Kalyana Malla, and Sheik Nefzai’s ‘The Perfumed Garden’, which celebrate the principles of sensual pleasure, which are rather like ancient versions of the modern day sex manual, ‘Joy of Sex’ published in the early seventies.
The ancient texts and modern alike, are merely guides for the man and woman in their marital bed, whereas the beauty of Tantra, lies in the fact that it is concerned with expansion of consciousness, and the merging of feminine and masculine in it’s energy form.
Here is further reading on Kundalini and Tantric Yoga. http://jambalayaforthejourney.weebly.com/candlelight-tantric-yoga.html
