Over the last 20 years my lifestyle and thought process has altered dramatically. After leaving professional Sport in my mid 30’s there was a great void in my life and a realisation that there was a lot more to it than high steaks sporting competition.
I had always been spiritual but my lifestyle never allowed me to fully explore the spiritual path until I met an older (and wiser) Massage Therapist who introduced me to the word “Tantra” for the first time. And even though I found out later that she was using that word incorrectly and in the new age “Neo-Tantra” definition, it still ignited my curiosity which took me into a new world.
Tantra is NOT a dirty word but an incredible lifestyle choice of self awareness and a level of openness and consciousness that most people never experience in the short time we, as humans, are all breathing.
Beginning to study this ancient tradition opened my mind and heart to so many new experiences. To form better connections with loved ones and to be open, patient and accept people and situations that maybe did not feel so good in the past. It lets you form your opinion and worldview and to see other people and the world as a whole in many different ways through many different perspectives.
What is “Neo Tantra”
The question about Neo Tantra is a big one and it may change your outlook and attitude towards the word Tantra. I am not your (or anyones) Guru. I am not a teacher. I am not a preacher. I just try to live my life in the best way I can. And I am not educated enough in Tantra or articulate enough for an in depth analysis.
But if you ask the question of “What is Tantra?” then the first thing that you have to do is forget anything that you think that you know or what you have heard second hand about the word Tantra and also its association with the word “Sex” or “Massage”. They have absolutely no right to be used together and as a Tantra Spiritualist and also Massage Therapist it’s incredibly frustrating to be asked for a “Tantra Massage”.
Tantra is a Tradition dating to Medieval times where all Eastern religion has been based upon including Buddhism, which is actually Tantrik, but with a deity figure. Its practice is self awareness and connection to energy in everything. The word being “Self” and for no-one else.
The next problem is the public perception of Tantra as primarily connected with sex. With regard to the Indian tradition this is manifestly untrue. None of the scriptural sources of Śaiva Tantra teach a sexual ritual or sexual techniques of any kind.
One of the post-scriptural sources does teach a sexual ritual drawn from the Kaula tradition. But this is not the source for modern European and American Neo-tantra since it has never been translated, and the meditative rite it describes is almost wholly unlike what is taught in “Tantric sex” workshops which is maybe your experience of Tantra thus far.
All teaching of so-called Tantric sex in North America and now Europe can ultimately be traced back to Pierre Bernard, a.k.a. Oom the Omnipotent, who taught a bizarre and idiosyncratic version of yoga and tantra beginning in San Francisco in 1905. He was the first spiritual teacher in America to use Tantrik teachings to satisfy his own personal and prodigious sexual cravings.
Anyway, if I go too far down this route now I will never get back… Basically these workshops and seminars etc. have evolved from there. And even though they have absolutely nothing to do with the word Tantra, that is to say there is nothing inherently wrong with them.
I myself as a Massage Therapist, understand the power of touch. I understand connection, openness and the mediative power to release ones self from the tyranny or modern living. And if these seminars are held with no personal gain for the teacher and the students are willing to participate in this environment, then that can only be good for the world. More people with better understanding and self awareness is only a good thing. This then of course will bring peace to yourself and make you a better person and the benefits being that you are a better person for others, friends and loved ones.
A book I would like to mention is Tantra Illuminated by Christopher Wallis. This book goes with me everywhere, either in paper, E-book or audio format and is my direction for continuous spiritual growth and the grounding of which I now live my life upon.
I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone on the planet but too be honest its a tough read if you are not already somewhat aware. So if you have no real idea or interest of what Tantra actually is or if you want to associate the word Tantra with sex then give it a very wide birth… but if you are spiritual, feel yourself being drawn to an alternate way of thinking, or are just completely lost and have no idea what is going on, then I recommend listening to what this man has to say. And if it’s too deep to start then perhaps begin with his YouTube videos on various smaller subjects and grow from there.
The goal is not to live like someone you see or read about but to find a lifestyle that only you can do in a meaningful and fulfilling way.
I have been fortunate to have found my path and if you are seeking something different in your lives then begin your true Tantra journey. The more you read, the more you understand, the more curious you become.
Best spiritual greetings.
