Tantra, Not For The Faint Of Heart
Hi Friend,
I’ve spent the last few days rewriting and editing my professional bio for a project I’m working on. With my brain on fire and trying my best not to sound like fancy pants, or better yet as one of my good friends likes to say, a dickette, I must admit, I’ve studied a long time, with the real deal fancy pants scholars. Lord, I’ve been blessed!
It occurred, as I was writing and listing in my head the incredible teachers I have learned from over the years, that while I understand what the word Tantra means, and what Tantra is, a lot of folks do not.
Tantra is a word that’s bandied about quite frequently as if discussing the weather. So, I’m surprised, though I don’t know why I continue to be surprised, that in general when people hear the word Tantra, they automatically think – yep, the S…word.
SEX!
Truth - a small percentage of Tantricas follow the left-hand path that ascribes to heterodox experimentation and practices as the way to enlightenment. However, the right-hand path does not ascribe to non-conforming methods to achieve enlightenment.
But leave it to our Western culture to manipulate ancient teachings for self-gratification and shock value.
Let me take a moment and clear up this misconception by starting with -if Tantra doesn’t mean sex, what does Tantra mean?
Keep in mind that we live not only in the paradox but in nuance. Plus, Tantra also refers to spiritual yogic texts.
For our purposes today I want to begin with a simple translation of the word itself.
Tantra is made up of two Sanskrit roots: tan and tra.
Tan = to expand. Tra = a device.
These root words refer to the fact that Tantra is a device or method that expands wisdom.
Tantra is often defined as a loom and a warp. The idea is to weave together our expanding level of consciousness with our heightened awareness that we cherish the bodies we live in AND that we are more than our bodies.
The study and practices of Tantra are meant to shake up preconceived ideas about who we are and expand our thinking to create new ways of viewing life itself.
Another way of saying it is that Tantra is a methodology for living an embodied life with grace, grit, and growth.
Tantra is also a path for courageous spiritual seekers. Those who are looking for a roadmap on their journey to achieve higher levels of consciousness and perception.
Tantric yoga includes asanas or poses, the practice of meditation and contemplation. The study of spiritual texts provides a direction that guides the practitioner into a greater understanding of the human condition. What it means to be embodied and how to find meaning and purpose in a world that often feels overwhelming and confusing.
The stream of Tantra I’m most aligned with asks us to be spiritual grown-ups and take responsibility for our lives.
UGH, seriously? But yes, it does indeed. It’s not a path for the faint of heart, those not willing, or too afraid to look closely at their F-ups.
Tantra is the inner GPS that also asks the practitioner to live fully engaged. Even when the shit hits the fan. Or maybe, especially when it does. That’s the real and raw, the messiness of life I often refer to.
Long after my yoga mat is rolled up and put away, I continue to practice. I practice trying to live the best version of myself no matter what life is presenting at the moment. Some practitioners of Tantric yoga never step foot on a yoga mat but seek the teachings to become the best version of themselves.
Now the myths and stories of Tantric yoga; well they are a bonus.
Even though ancient, the mythologies help us to make sense of life.
The stories of the gods, goddesses, demons, and deities give us the courage to look in the mirror of radical self-truth and own our BS, our self-limiting and false beliefs, negative self-talk, the mean inner critic, and the coulda, woulda, shoulda’s. Tantric myths provide context and support the path to acknowledge our inner demons, befriend them, and transmute them.
When you walk the path as a Tantric yogi you are saying yes to life. With all that it offers. The good, the bad, the inspiring, and all the gray that lies in between.
If you’re not convinced yet, here’s another bonus for you, as a Tantrica you may just learn to enjoy deeper intimacy with a loving partner.
I’m curious, before reading this article how did you define Tantra?
With love and appreciation, Paulette
Love you Paulette! Can't wait to read that fancy pants bio! Thank you for these clarifications and summaries of Tantra! We continually need them in the yoga/seeker realms and beyond. I am so grateful for all the introductions, glimpses, and lessons of Tantra you "wove" into your asana classes (back in the day), and during our life-changing coaching sessions. If it wasn't for you, I never would have been introduced more deeply into to Classical Tantra, especially via your recommendation of "Tantra Illuminated" by Christopher Wallis. (Fast forward years later, I journeyed to Kashmir, the heart of Tantra, with Christopher Wallis, for a truly transformative and deeper understanding of the path.)
What a wonderful exposition on a much misunderstood concept, thank you!
I am by no means a scholar on Tibetan Buddhism, so I had my own very simple interpretation of tantra -- while I understood it wasn't about 'sex' per se, I have thought of it as about practicing with desires of all kinds, and going right up to the edge of indulgence and then pausing to see what happens. I used to put a piece of chocolate on my bedside table and stare at it for hours without actually eating it, seeing what that was like : ) But your explanation is so helpful for understanding more nuances. Thank you!