Tantra Then and Now by Alchemy

A Devi Article: TANTRA THEN AND NOW..

By Devi Alchemy 2004.. all rights copyrighted.. zero reproduction without permission.

BACKGROUND OF TANTRA
“Tracing the meaning of Tantra invokes a mystical odyssey into its history. Scholars believe Tantra originated with the indigenous aboriginal Indians in the second millennium BC. We know that within a few centuries Tantra attained pan-Indian influence. Tantra is defined in many traditions: Tibetan Buddhist Tantra, Hindu Tantra paralleling Vedic traditions of India, Shaivite Tantrism, Natha Tantrism, Shakta Tantra, Cosmological Tantrism, Jain Tantrism, Vaishvana Tantra, Taoist Tantra of China, Shingon of Japan, and Tantric traditions from Cambodia, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Burma, and Mongolia.”

“Western authors and practitioners wrote about Tantra in the 1800’s/early 1900’s. Sir John Woodroffe’s (Arthur Avalon) published The Serpent Power, in 1919. Focusing on the chakras and Kundalini yoga, Woldroffe translated and gave detailed instruction and commentary on two sixteenth century texts on Bengali Tantra, Shakta metaphysics, cosmology, Patanjali Yoga, Tantric practice, and the chakras. His book served as an inspiration and a reference text.”

“Popular authors such as Joseph Campbell looked at Tantra’s Buddhist-Hindu roots and focused on Kundalini yoga, mediation, and rituals to unite spirituality with the forces of the universe. Strands of Tantra were again brought to the United States in the 60’s by Indian gurus such as Osho where they evolved into two branches: sexual practices and useful methods used by  therapists to promote healthy rewarding partner intimacy.”

“Contemporary Tantra, also referred to as Neo-Tantra, practiced in the west and in Europe, is based on strands that were taken from the dense ancient spiritual texts and various Tantric traditions. Methods and constructs of Neo-Tantra are derived from ancient Indian language or Sanskrit. In Sanskrit Tantra involves the significance of “body”; the “weaving or stretching” of beingness, realization and consciousness; the connection of “strands” from devotees to deities or to divine spirit; the “Interior”, secret or coveted knowledge; and the “loom” or weave of the universe.”

“Sexuality and Tantra Today
Tantra is a fusion evolving with consciousness-methods and strands of non-dogmatic spirituality, yoga, sexuality, meditation, holistic health, shamanism, and neo-Pagan/Wiccan, matriarchal, and divine feminine forms of worship. Evidence is everywhere that Tantra has been and continues to permeate all aspects of our culture, civilization, and collective consciousness.”

“Sexuality in Civilization Transitioning
Yet, as a civilization, many may still feel confused and torn about sexuality socially and spiritually. Sex scandals, shame, prostitution sexploitation, hedonism/sexual addiction, sexual objectification, sexual addictions, unplanned teen pregnancies, concerns of STD’s, religious dogma, and sexual predators are real. Many have struggled with some of these behaviors and choices that reflect imbalances within ourselves in our cultures. Our reactions to others caught in these webs can be intense and stem from reacting with ego attachment, self rightousness, fear, anger, attempts to control impulses, and judgment of those lost in the world of addiction and lust.”

“The exciting news is we are all on the path towards sexual healing, integration, and enlightenment. We are healing wounds from sexual imbalances, oppression, repression, suppression and NOW moving towards integrating all aspects of human mind, body, spirit. I choose to use the awesome power of sexual energy and the power of attraction to enlighten …via education, conscious facilitation and visionary endeavors.”

“Ethics and Intention
The KEY is intention. When you choose to participate in a Tantric encounter with me, you are choosing to awaken consciousness by healing, expanding, integrating sexual potency with creativity, vitality, and spirituality and the infinite realm of consciousness. While I use the word Tantra, for consistency in communication, I mean and gift you with the new imprint of “Enlightened Sexuality”. It is my intention to be a guide who embodies and channels divine love and light. I am committed to using, sharing, and cultivating my powers ethically. In our ecstatic dance, I see us all healing, balancing, and awakening our highest destinies.”

“I look forward to collaborating with you on the sacred and divine pathways using the sensual arts to awaken conscious living.”

Namaste,
Devi Alchemy