Tantra Types, Your Guide to Tantra
Tantra types, your guide to tantra helps to demystify tantra and tantric practices.
Tantra means “to weave” in the Sanskrit language, the term is derived from two words: tanoti, which means “to stretch” or “to expand,” and trayati, which means “liberation.”
Traditional tantra originates from ancient Eastern religions that evolved in 6000bc in India, China and Tibet, including Hindu and Buddhist practices.
Traditional tantra can be described as a complete life system and way of consciousness, involving mind, spirit and body, which includes but is not limited to sexuality. Neo tantra is a modern form of traditional tantra incorporating tantric massage.
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Buddhist Tantra
Buddhist tantra is extremely complex to practice due to its highly secretive nature and strict regulations. Essentially, the practice of tantra in Buddhism is to achieve purification and a state of enlightenment. This is practiced through the Repetition of dharanis (Buddhist chants and affirmations similar to mantras), expanded yoga techniques (look up Trul Khor), Pranayama breath control and the use of special mudras, which are hand positions.
Vajrayana Buddhist tantra teaches four types of tantra Sarma traditions. These are Charya Tantra – the outer purification of the body, Kriya Tantra – focussed on reaching inner tranquillity, Yoga Tantra – aiming attention on the feeling of pure emptiness in a tranquil state and Highest Yoga Tantra – achieving solidarity in the mind stream to unite the inner mental state and wisdom.
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Hindu Tantra
The ancient teachings of Hinduism that come from the Puranas and contain sacred teachings, actually contain much information that is borrowed from the occult Tantra Shastra. The Hindu Tantras total ninety-two scriptures. This is a very secret and powerful science practiced by Indians for centuries and claims to unlock supernatural powers. It is a whole system of techniques and practices related to a person’s power, knowledge and develops a greater depth of human consciousness.
Tantric mantras, (repeating words to help concentration), is used in Hindu tantra worship to solve problems. They are thought to produce instant results by awakening the energy which empowers spiritual growth. Mantras are assumed to have four layers, including the word and its meaning, the feeling of a mantra, intense awareness, and a state in which the mantra is fully understood.
In Hindu traditions, tantra texts and scriptures usually mention the worship of a Hindu goddess, known as Shakti. Shakti refers to a complex part of the universe which boasts several nuances, including a seductive woman, cosmic force, devoted sister, mother nature and more. Shakti can manifest in varying ways and her divine energy can be in any form. She also represents the orgasm or divine tantric love, and is often known as ‘the one who plays’.
In Indian tantra, there are three tantric traditions which all represent the powers of Shiva. These are, Vama – an impure form of tantra, Dakshina – for good purpose and Madhyama – of a mixed nature.
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New Age or Neo Tantra
Tantra worship has flourished in popularity in the Western World, establishing a reinterpretation of Hindu and Buddhist practices. This new, modern practice is often referred to as Neotantra. As time progressed, some of the ancient outadated teachings of tantra have been readopted to suit a modern lifestyle. These new teachings are still very closely associated with the origins of Tantra and manly focus on the importance of sexuality and sensuality in achieving a path to the divine.
For many neo tantra therapists, this practice now also combines tantric yoga and sexuality to explore a hidden spiritual energy. Tantric massage which is taking the world by storm uses many physical and sensual aspects of tantra whilst removing many of the religious practices. This is again an example of the relentless integration of ancient tantra, adapting for a modern, new world and society.
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Yoga Tantra
According to Rod Stryker, one of the most renowned teachers of Tantra yoga, the goal of Tantra Yoga is three-fold.
- To thrive
- To prosper
- To bring the spiritual world and the material world into one
he idea with Tantra yoga, then, is to weave together many yoga practices, and other spiritual styles and teachings, in order to connect with others and the universe. When practiced consistently, Tantra Yoga can help you get in tune with who you are, achieve your goals, and, when done with a partner, deepen your relationship.
The already well known history and integrity of Yoga is an ancient pillar of mindfulness. Yoga, in its own entity, uses very similar techniques to tantra such as specific breathing techniques and body poses. The methodologies of yoga also include particular focus on awareness and connection so it’s no surprise that there is a direct link between yoga and tantra.
Tantric Yoga teaches us that sensual energies that are generated in your lower pelvis, can be released and enjoyed through certain tantric yoga poses that open your hips and chakras. The first stage is always becoming aware of these desires and sexual energies and then connecting with your body through movement to release them. Not only will this help you to exhume sexual energy in a pleasurable way, it also helps to balance your mind while finding peace.
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Tantra as a Lifestyle
In medieval texts, ancient Sanskrit philologist Pāṇini says that tantra is associated with the principles of the sacred mantras, (repeating words to help concentration) and provide personal liberation. He describes individuals who have mastered tantra as “one who is self-dependent, one who is his own master, the principal thing for whom is himself”.
From this, we learn that tantra is not only designed to elevate sexual consciousness but your awareness as a whole. Those who walk the tantra lifestyle, use the philosophies of ancient tantra and combine them into a balanced embodied tantra lifestyle. Of course this can include the sensual intimate aspects of tantra, however that is not always the case.
Tantra can help you to discover an enlightened daily life that is fulfilling and pleasurable.
So living a tantric lifestyle seems to be all about connecting internally within yourself to be balanced and gain the ability to utilise your awareness to improve your life.
What is a Tantric Lifestyle?
- Tantric practices can be used to focus on your life
- It’s about personal liberation and understanding yourself
- You can overcome difficult situations and fears
- It can help with your confidence and understanding others
- It doesn’t need to include the intimate sensual aspects, but can if you wish
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Tantra and Tantric Massage
At the beginning of your tantra massage your tantric massage therapist will ask you if you have had a tantric experience before and talk with you about how best to tailor the tantra massage experience to you individually.
An authentic tantric massage can enable you to prolong the sensations of arousal, resulting in a full and deep orgasmic release. An authentic tantra massage can also enable those who experience premature ejaculation to hold back and prolong their experience by teaching some very simple techniques.
Many have described an awakening experience as a result of receiving a tantric massage; a very full and deep release can potentially be experienced. There is the potential to experience a full body orgasm as the result of being truly relaxed by tantra massage, breathing deeply, experiencing relaxing touch, allowing the climax to rise and fall, leading to the experience of a deep release during your tantric massage.
Each person is at different place within their sexuality and experiences of their sexuality. Tantric massage can enable you to explore being relaxed by touch, body massage and prolong the sensations of arousal, giving rise to a deeper body orgasm.
The way we touch and receive touch can be very healing for the whole body. Tantric massage allows the exploration of a new experience that brings an awakening for your whole being, including your sexual senses. Realising that the body, mind or consciousness, emotions, sexual awareness and spiritual awareness are all connected.
