Modern Tantra or Neo Tantra

In the words of George Feuerstein, the American author of: ‘ Tantra – the Path of Ecstasy’:

‘With the arrival of Tantra in the Western hemisphere, this ancient tradition is experiencing new challenges.. All too often students transfer western competitiveness to their spiritual practice where it has no place. This attitude has led to a mushrooming of Neo-Tantric schools, many of which are little more than caricatures of traditional Tantra.Many are attracted to Neo-Tantrism because it promises sexual excitement or fulfillment while clothing purely genital impulses or neurotic emotional needs in an aura of spirituality. Yet the real substance of’ the Tantric teachings is as hidden as ever and is disclosed only to those who have received proper initiation from a qualified guru. This is why genuine adepts continue to be vitally important on the spiritual path. Without initiation and oral transmission the teachings will not come alive. Today, translations of several major Tantras are readily available in book form. This gives would-be Tantrics the opportunity to concoct their own idiosyncratic ceremonies and philosophies, which they can then promote as Tantra .’

Lately, Tantra has become a bit of a buzz word,

and if you search on the internet you will find countless pictures of lovely naked ‘goddesses’ promising all kinds of heavenly pleasures. As with many teachings from the east, the western world has been very creative in its understanding and practical interpretation of Tantra.

Modern understanding of tantra has blended the ancient teachings and wisdom of the east with the insights of modern western psychology.. This is largely a result of the teachings of an Indian guru called Osho, and his followers. When translated into our day to day experience, it has come to be understood as a way of living more consciously, with more harmony and love in our life. We have a sense of inner fulfilment, our soul is nourished – we become more open hearted, spontaneous, inwardly peaceful and content and more able to nourish and empower others as well as ourself and to relate in a more honest, intimate and authentic way.

We also begin to experience the magic and spiritual dimension of our sexual/sensual energies – hence the expression ‘sacred sex’. The kundalini energy, which lies dormant at the base of the spine, when awakened, can lead to an elevated experience of our own sexual energy. We learn to to let go, to just be, to allow the masculine and feminine energies within us to harmonise. As we become more open, in body, mind and spirit, we experience heightened and more fulfilling love and ecstasy within – we deepen our capacity for intimacy and our ability to identify and merge with the other in the transcendant experience of blissful oneness.