Urban Tantra: What's Tantra and Myths part 1
Tantra is a sanskrit word that means "loom" or "weaving". Tantra can also mean "a continuous process", "the carrying out of a ceremony", "a system", "a theory", "a doctrine" or "a section of a book"
(...)
The tantric belief that to feel sexual excitement is to experience a taste of divine energy was a profound and revolutionary thought. It was then and it still is today. Where tantra came from or how exactly it was practiced is a lot less important than what tantra has given us: the notion that sex can be sacred, and that all of life can be both included and celebrated on the path of enlightenment. Inclusiveness and celebration are key factors in Tantra's increasing popularity today. However, Tantra is still misunderstood by many people.
So here I will state myths about Tantra. In the book they have put 10. I will pick those I think are more important to know.
Myth #1
Trantra is religion
If it were a religion, I wouldn't be doing it. You do not have to join any group, take any vow, or say any special words to pratice Tantra. You do not have to swear allegiance to anyone, and nothing bad will happen if you do it "wrong" or differently from other people who practice it. (interestingly enough, the word religion derives from Latin words meaning "a healing of the wounds of separation" or "a making whole". So if that's what you're looking for from a religion, then yes, you could certainly find that in Tantra.)
Tantra is a spiritual practice. In an effective spiritual practice, the spirituality comes to you. You open yourself up to it-you dont have to chase after it.Or, as i like to think of it, the spirituality does you; you don't have to do it.
Myth #4
Tantra and BDSM doesn't mix
Do you think Tantra and BDSM are about as opposite as you can get? Remeber, Tantras is based in paradox (yin/yang, female/male, moon/sun...). You can enhance your tantric practice by borrowing not only conscious sex techniques but also sensation-producing devices from the world BDSM (bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, sadism/masochism). Both Tantra and BDSM rituals are about raising erotic energy. Both practices involve concious giving and receiving. Both encourage risks-be they physical or emotional. Both erotic arts encourage personal freedom, individuality and imagination.
Myth #6
It takes too long
What's with those endless rituals? Well, it does take longer to create a gourmet meal than it does to microwave a frozen dinner. But you won't have to quit your job or give up your gym membership to pratie Tantra. It may mean that you have to turn off the TV. One of the payoffs of a Tantric life is that you will probably find that your priorites change toward more pleasurable and meaningful relationships and activities.
Not all tantric experiences involve rituals-long or short. However, I will be encouraging the use of ritual in this book. Ritual has been given a really bad rap. Rituals simply encourage focus energy. Your rituals might be simple or widly elaborate. In tantra, you can create both a ritual and a ritual space that suit your style-and your schedule.
Tantra is a sanskrit word that means "loom" or "weaving". Tantra can also mean "a continuous process", "the carrying out of a ceremony", "a system", "a theory", "a doctrine" or "a section of a book"
(...)
The tantric belief that to feel sexual excitement is to experience a taste of divine energy was a profound and revolutionary thought. It was then and it still is today. Where tantra came from or how exactly it was practiced is a lot less important than what tantra has given us: the notion that sex can be sacred, and that all of life can be both included and celebrated on the path of enlightenment. Inclusiveness and celebration are key factors in Tantra's increasing popularity today. However, Tantra is still misunderstood by many people.
So here I will state myths about Tantra. In the book they have put 10. I will pick those I think are more important to know.
Myth #1
Trantra is religion
If it were a religion, I wouldn't be doing it. You do not have to join any group, take any vow, or say any special words to pratice Tantra. You do not have to swear allegiance to anyone, and nothing bad will happen if you do it "wrong" or differently from other people who practice it. (interestingly enough, the word religion derives from Latin words meaning "a healing of the wounds of separation" or "a making whole". So if that's what you're looking for from a religion, then yes, you could certainly find that in Tantra.)
Tantra is a spiritual practice. In an effective spiritual practice, the spirituality comes to you. You open yourself up to it-you dont have to chase after it.Or, as i like to think of it, the spirituality does you; you don't have to do it.
Myth #4
Tantra and BDSM doesn't mix
Do you think Tantra and BDSM are about as opposite as you can get? Remeber, Tantras is based in paradox (yin/yang, female/male, moon/sun...). You can enhance your tantric practice by borrowing not only conscious sex techniques but also sensation-producing devices from the world BDSM (bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, sadism/masochism). Both Tantra and BDSM rituals are about raising erotic energy. Both practices involve concious giving and receiving. Both encourage risks-be they physical or emotional. Both erotic arts encourage personal freedom, individuality and imagination.
Myth #6
It takes too long
What's with those endless rituals? Well, it does take longer to create a gourmet meal than it does to microwave a frozen dinner. But you won't have to quit your job or give up your gym membership to pratie Tantra. It may mean that you have to turn off the TV. One of the payoffs of a Tantric life is that you will probably find that your priorites change toward more pleasurable and meaningful relationships and activities.
Not all tantric experiences involve rituals-long or short. However, I will be encouraging the use of ritual in this book. Ritual has been given a really bad rap. Rituals simply encourage focus energy. Your rituals might be simple or widly elaborate. In tantra, you can create both a ritual and a ritual space that suit your style-and your schedule.