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Kama Sutra
Tanra
Shakti and Shâkta
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Tantra
These texts describe the esoteric teachings of Tantra, a belief
system which originated in India, praticed by a small number of Hindus and
Buddhists. Tantra has become a synonym in the West for unbridled sexuality;
however sexuality per se is only one facet of this elaborate spiritual practice,
as a representation of the union of the soul with the Goddess. Rather, this
attitude reflects the spiritual vacuum of mainstream Western religions when it
comes to sacred sexuality. A deep study of Tantra can take a lifetime, and is
not for the undisciplined or the thrill-seeker.
Tantra does not advocate an epicurian or libertine philosophy. Quite the
contrary, the practices which involve behavior which is regarded by conventional
Hinduism as 'sinful' (such as eating meat, drinking alcohol, and having sexual
union), normally requiring expatiatory behavior, are supposed to only be engaged
in by spiritually advanced practicioners in the appropriate ritual context. A
set of alternative practices are recommended by Tantra for general use
(substituting sweets for meat, and praying and chanting for sexual union). (It
should also be noted the Hindu concept which we describe here as sin is somewhat
different than the Christian version).
Taken with these caveats, the assertion of Tantra that sexual energy can be
harnessed to achieve union with the divine is fairly unique among world
religions. The encounter with this school of thought by western occultists had a
profound impact on the development of modern Neo-paganism.
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Meaning of Love
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