what is tantra
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand
it well enough." - Albert Einstein
general philosophy
By knowing the microcosm (human), we can know the macrocosm
(universe). We study the universal from the point of view of the individual, to
know the universe we simply need to go in.
Tantra philosophy is grounded in Non Duality, the supreme truth, which affirms
that everything in this multiverse is an embodiment of Supreme Consciousness,
which at its essence is pure awareness and the highest bliss that we call
Self. What does that mean in simple
terms? All is connected, all is pure
consciousness, all is Divine pressence. It's a nice thought, but to realize
this potential as individuals (pure bliss consciousness or Divine pressence),
we tap into/embody a state of Self awareness.
Meditation is the venue that we use to facilitate transformation, as
this stillness- which is full of potential, is the essence of all things. In truth no transfornmation occurs, we are
just able to apply conscious focus on a process that is natural and perpetual-
this is awareness. Awareness simply
allows us the opportunity to choose our state of being, thus we are liberated
from the fog of seperation that clouds our interconnectedness
history
Tantra spans many years, cultures and styles of
expression... (more soon)
traditional practice
New Age practice differs from this traditional take on
Tantra. This is not about pleasure, you
will learn to move beyond pleasure into a deeper state of being. This is not about relationships, you will
learn that all around you is in you and ultimately that all is related. This is about aligning with the philosophy of
Non-Duality at the core. This is about
harnessing energy and learning to work with it.
This is about mastering sexual energy.
But in truth its about non body orgasms and seeing the body as a tool
while recognizing yourself and the animating energy in other beings as one
living entity. We will explore concepts
through the body and we will work on building/preserving energy, rather than
over-expending it. Each will take what
he/she needs from practice, but ideally, we will aim at Self awareness.
two traditional path schools of thought
vamachara
Tantra meditation is varied and takes on many faces. We
imagine Kundalini, we imagine Devi (Goddess) and Deva (God), We imagine our
Chakras... Yet, Vamachara takes a literal stance. This interconnectedness is
experienced individual to individual in nature, as the sexual dynamic provides
us a view into the interplay between these distinct yet inseperable energies.
Thus, amongst the most refined Tantra meditators, the sexual act is a logical
threshold by which Tantrikas or Tantrik Yogis tap into the connected flow of
Shakti and Shiva by embodying them while practicing active meditation.
Manifest Ecstasy offerings
My sadhana (practice) is centered in fusing Tantra
Meditation with Tantra technique to create themed mind/body experiences, I
intertwine three traditions- Tantra, Ayurveda and Ashtanga Yoga. In groups or white practice for individuals,
we follow the eight steps and engage in shivasana for a stillness
meditation. Occassionally we may engage
in ecstatic dance, do traditional abhyanga (massage) or walk in mouna (silent
observation). One-on-one, we can do the
same or we can engage in pink practice and utilize a more detailed abhyanga
(massage) to facilitate active meditation.
Either way, our entire eight step ritual is designed to explore our
inner space, learn how to passively control our mind/body system and enter into
a deep state of relaxation by which we may access states of Self Awareness.