What exactly is tantra?
Spoiler alert: it ain’t about sex!
Tantra is a wonderfully rich body of teachings that are designed to liberate the practitioner from the limitations of the body/mind, and, utlimately, lead us into Oneness with Absolute Consciousness which, in the Shaivite schools of Tantra, means Shiva and Shakti. The tradition features many elements that you may already be familiar with from yoga, such as meditation, pranayama, use of mantra etc., and is believed to be at the very root of systems such as Hatha yoga. Most likely evolved from shamanism, Tantra has different lineages and schools, some dualistic and some that are non-dualistic in nature. Shaiva and Shakta lineages of Tantra are non-dualistic, meaning, in the most basic form, that everything is interconnected and there is no separation from all that is. We live our lives as subjects perceiving objects but in moments of clarity, the veil lifts and we realise that we are subject, object, and the act of perception all in one.
Although the tradition is much, much older, the tantras (also known as agamas) began appearing in India around the 6th century CE and were almost wiped out during the Muslim conquest of northern India. Some of these scriptures managed to survive and were handed down before eventually making their way to universities in the west where they lay gathering dust until the 1960’s before they were slowly translated into English. Thus began a renaissance of the tradition which has flourished to this day.
As is usual with the Sanskrit language, there are many meanings of the word tantra: from “theory”, “doctrine”, and “system of practice,” to the most common translations of “loom” and “weave.” Tantra (pronounced “tun-trra”) is best translated as “wisdom that saves,” with tan having its verbal roots in “elaborate and expand on,” and tra meaning “save.”
An in depth explanation is way beyond the scope of this page. The most essential thing is to try the practice itself, rather than try and bog yourself down with the facts and figures. Tantra is an experiential path which requires our full embodiment and commitment to practice.
Oh, and all the stuff you might’ve seen about Tantra and sex? That is neo-tantra and bears very little resemblance to the spiritual tradition I’m talking about here.
Why do we practice it?
There are many, many benefits to practicing Tantra, with realising our Essence Nature being the ultimate goal. Some of these include:
A more intimate relationship with the self and a profound sense of personal embodiment.
A regulated nervous system and widened capacity for dealing with stress, anxiety, and trauma.
A sense of personal responsibility and an understanding of our patterns of behaviour, triggers, and beliefs.
Recognition of our stories and narratives and the ability to reframe them and work with them until their eventual dissolution - freedom from mental constructs (samskaras).
The ability to experience relationships with those around us in a more connected and profound way.
A balanced and healthy body/mind, and overall sense of well-being.
A sense of purpose and fulfilment.
A deeper connection to humanity, nature, and life itself.
Self actualisation. Permeating awareness that we are One with Consciousness: that we are Shiva made manifest through the the creative force of Shakti.
“To be knowledgable in Tantra is to get into it, and practice it with not only heart and soul, but with body too; for much of Tantra is just rigour, much more than mere denial; but most of it is self-analysis, and a deep understanding of the self. Tantra educates a person how to fight and win in the battle of nerve, body and mind.” ~ B. Bhattacharyra