Tantra

Tantra is an ancient spiritual path that arose from Hindu practices around 500 AD, and later merged with Buddhism. The first Tantra practices and observations of energy were recorded in the sacred Vedic texts of India more than 1,500 years ago. Though it is an obscure path, Tantra has remained in the spiritual landscape for hundreds of years and made its way to the Western World in the 1960s.

Tantra is a multidimensional philosophy and practice that harnesses the divine energies surrounding us, activates the subtle-body energies within us, and merges the two for profound spiritual experiences.

Rituals, practices and tools expand consciousness of our Selves and our world, and releases us from the suffering that often comes with attachments to the material world, ourselves and others.

Tantra honors the Divine feminine energies of Shakti and the Divine masculine energies of Shiva and strives to balance both energies within us.

Hundreds of Tantra schools and paths have existed over time, yet many of the same tools are used by each path to create a connection with the Divine, including:

  • Mantra

  • Yantra (sacred geometry)

  • Meditation

  • Pranayama (breathwork)

  • Asanas (body postures)

  • Visualization

Tantra practitioners experience a deep sense of peace and joy, often called bliss.

Incorporating even one or two practices into a daily routine increases feelings of love and well-being, connectedness, full-presence and a greater appreciation of life. Tantra can improve our outlook on life and can help us see others as Divine beings.   

Tantra teachers or classes can guide you through practices and philosophies, though many learn on their own through certain books. Recommended Tantra books include:

Jewel in the Lotus, Bodhi Avinasha and Sunyata Saraswati

Tantra Bliss, Bodhi Avinasha

Tantra Illuminated, Christopher D. Wallis

Introduction to Tantra - The Transformation of Desire, Lama Yeshe

Desire: The Tantric Path to Awakening, Daniel Odier

The Art of Sexual Ecstasy, Margot Anand

Meloney Hudson is a certified Ipsalu Tantra teacher. Read an article about Tantra on IpsaluTantra.org. Click below.