What is Tantra?
A simple question without a simple answer, and any attempt at definition will
necessarily be incomplete. The roots of the word are Sanskrit:
Tan - thread, web, stretch, spread or expand, and
Tra - tool or instrument.
Tantra - tool for expansion or a weaving.
Through tantric practice one can experience an expansion of consciousness and
recognize the interconnectedness of the web of existence.
At the same time, "Tantra" can refer to any of a number of sacred texts in the
Hindu, Jain and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Many of these texts contain
detailed guidelines for spiritual practice. From this perspective, Tantra is a
vast body of spiritual and physical knowledge, encompassing an array of
practices, including all forms of yoga. These practices are aimed at expanding
consciousness and liberating oneself "through life and not through escape, using
the body as an instrument."* In Tantra, the energies of the body are used as the
fuel for spiritual development.
In the West, Tantra is often called the "Yoga of Sex." While there is a kernel
of truth in this phrase, the popular press has created a misleading impression
that Tantra is about having better orgasms or about becoming a better lover.
Since tantric practices are designed to expand consciousness, they can expand a
person's capacity to give, receive and experience pleasure, not only in the
sexual realm but in all areas of life, provided that person is willing to do the
work. It is important to be aware that Tantra is not an easy path; it is "the
way of the hero who neither rejects nor fears any aspect of life."
Many Western Tantra teachers emphasize very powerful techniques for enhancing
sexual pleasure and intimacy, while some traditional teachers discourage students
from exploring sexual Tantra at all. Our primary teachers have spent years studying
traditional, lineage-based Tantra in India. We try to incorporate some of the
best elements of American Tantra into our teaching while honoring tradition and
lineage.
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