Tantra.... My Thoughts...

I know when people hear of Kama Sutra and Tantra they think about Sex...
For me it is so much more than that.... it is about a lifestyle, choices...an inner connection... a connection with others even it is for just a moment .... in passing.... about being aware of your own inner awareness, spirituality, well-being on so many levels ...
There are so many components to Tantra practices... ..

I will share a little here but you can find so much more info on Wikipedia ..
Introduction..

Tantra- Sanskrit word to mean to weave, loom, system....  it is followed in both Hinduism and Buddhism ...

To know more about Tantra in both of these in a Religious sense please check out the Wikipedia Link ...


Rituals are important in Tantric practices...Tantra is not just one system but a collection of practices and ideas .. There is just not one practice but many different practices within it's Philosophy...


TAKEN FROM WIKIPEDIA

Components
André Padoux notes that there is no consensus among scholars as to which elements are characteristic for Tantra, nor is there any text that contains all those elements.[122] Also, most of those elements can also be found in non-Tantric traditions.[122] According to Anthony Tribe, a scholar of Buddhist Tantra, Tantra has the following defining features:[123]

Centrality of ritual, especially the worship of deities
Centrality of mantras
Visualisation of and identification with a deity
Need for initiation, esotericism and secrecy
Importance of a teacher (guru, acharya)
Ritual use of mandalas (maṇḍala)
Transgressive or antinomian acts
Revaluation of the body
Revaluation of the status and role of women
Analogical thinking (including microcosmic or macrocosmic correlation)
Revaluation of negative mental states
According to David N. Lorenzen, Tantra practices include the following:[64]

"Shamanic and yogic beliefs and practices;"
"Sakta worship, especially worship of the Matrkas and demon-killing forms of Hindu and Buddhist goddesses;"
"Specific schools of Tantric religion such as the Kapalikas and Kaulas;"
"The Tantric texts themselves."



Sadhanas
A number of techniques (sadhana) are used as aids for meditation and achieving spiritual power..

We will not cover all of them on this page but I will discuss what is important for me ....

Yoga, including breathing techniques (pranayama) and postures (asana), is employed to balance the energies in the body/mind.
Mudras, or hand gestures
Mantras: reciting syllables, words, and phrases
Mandalas- images that are patterns that work in reflection, meditation and Healing...
Yantras: symbolic diagrams of forces at work in the universe
Visualization of deities and Identification with deities
Ritual purification (of idols, of one's body, etc.)
Ritual Music and Dance.
Maithuna: ritual sexual union (with an actual physical consort).


YOGA..

For me I love Dru Yoga ...  Very gentle but at the same time  an incredible self awareness, a fitness.... a well-being...



Mudras- I find very healing though meditation ...  There are many but here are 10 that may assist you on your journey ...



Mantras- I find there are many different types of chants available in many different languages ....
For me  Here are a few of my favourites...



OM MANI PADME HUM



OM DURA DURA ZAYA MUKHE SOHA  (X 7)



TAYATHA OM PENTSA DRIWA AWA BODHI NE SOHA (X 7)



OM VAJRASATTVA HUM



TAYATHA OM BEKANDZE BEKANDZE MAHSBEKANDZE RANDZA SOHA



To REFLECT ON chants check out DEVA PREMAL   I have many cds and check out youtube ... for chants ...



Mandalas-There can be specific mandalas for Tantric practices ...

Take a moment . a deep breath.... inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth.... slowly and deeply, repeat ... becoming aware of how you are feeling... inner sensations, an awareness of self ...



Write down - journal how you feel  ....



Yantras-

From Wikipedia to know more ..



Deities ...
There are many from around the world but working with Deities from Hinduism has assisted me throughout my journey ....



n Hinduism, the tantric traditions are found in Shaivism's Shaiva Siddhanta and the Mantrapīṭha (Bhairava-centred), and in Shaktism's Vidyāpīṭha and the Kulamārga traditions.

So in understanding more about Shaivism can be an important aspect on this journey...



Shivam Shakti

Sadasiva,  Rudra,  Bhairava Parvati,  Durga,  Kali
Ganesha,  Murugan,  and  Others


Please check out these individual Deities before working with them in any way....... Have respect for them as individuals in being able to assist you on your journey...



RITUAL PURIFICATION-

a shower, a bath ... through the use of oils and salts can be a very important part of cleansing one's self  of the past....



For me also I love the use of incense and essential oils within the sacred space ...

Choose carefully the types of essential oils and incense... you want to create the right mindset.. the right sensations within ...



Lavender- can be relaxing, a sedative but in overuse it can be stimulating

Tea tree- always cleansing but not a good one for meditation or romance ...

Sandalwood- relaxing, very masculine woody fragrance

Cedarwood- as above

Neroli- orange scented -.. a great mix with cinnamon and Sandalwood ... Romance

Rose- Flowery, romantic fragrance....



Mix together these Essential oils to create your own Aphrodisiac Blend

Lavender, Orange Sweet, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood & Jasmine Absolute



Try this for meditation,

A Blend of Frankincense, Myrrh & Orange Essential Oils



TO have clarity within self

 Blend of Basil, Bergamot, Grapefruit & Lemon Essential Oil



Just some ideas.. checkout Essential oil websites for more ideas ...



RITUAL MUSIC AND DANCE..

Rituals- creating a procedure, a sacredness with intent of desired results ...



These can be created by self through own music or choosing music that enables you to be truly aware of self ... Chakra awareness through dance can be amazing

Chakradance   find out more about this from the link ....

Dancing through a specific  Ritual can be amazing ... find the appropriate music in relation to what you want to achieve and truly listen ..notice the inner sensations....

Music can be used in loads of different ways through Ritual.... Can be explored further ...



Maithuna:
This for me is so much more than just SEX...... a quickie .. wham bham thank you Mam ....

So much more than self- satisfaction ... This is about a physical connection with another human being ....

In understanding your own sensations, feelings,  first totally surrendering to them ....

and then being able to be fully aware of your partner... truly exploring who they are on so many levels .. this union can be incredible ....

There are many  practices you can try .... we will explore them slowly .... 

To Breathe... breathe slowly.. inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth , slowly and deeply ..

being very aware of self, the inner sensations..... Surrender to it completely ...

With partner sitting across from each other - you can both do this together .....

You can both journal how you feel afterwards...

You can also explore Chakra  connection with  meditation.... connecting your Chakras with visualization..

With your eyes explore each other without touching, noticing how you feel .....

A massage with oils can be an amazing way to explore your partner .... 

with eyes closed explore your partner slowly with your fingertips .... noticing how you both feel .... notice sensations ...

explore partner slowly with kisses all over .. noticing responses .....

Cuddling naked enjoying the moment .... notice how you feel .... the inner sensations ... notice your partner's responses

Don't forget to inhale, slowly slowly... being aware of self and your partner's responses through all of these ...

Take your time, never in a hurry ....


Maithuna for more details .... there is so much more so you are able  to reach an heightened sense of awareness within self ....   during an intimate connection with another Soul ...



Yet it is possible to experience a form of maithuna without physical union. The act can exist on a metaphysical plane without sexual penetration, in which the shakti and shakta transfer energy through their subtle bodies alone. It is when this transfer of energy occurs that the couple, incarnated as goddess and god via diminished egos, confronts ultimate reality and experiences bliss through union of the subtle bodies.

I do love this aspect and is a practice that can be practiced between two consenting adults ....




To awaken the  Kundalini aspect , Chakras etc  take a peek at some of the amazing Youtube Videos that are available ... Type in Tantra,  Kundalini and Chakra Meditations, Music, Yoga , Mudras, Chants ..... Check out some of the Tutorials also ... to get a clear understanding

Make this a daily practice ....

Here is one of the Best Tantra Videos on YouTube I have found ...