.: Tantric History

 Tantra is from India, formed before Hinduism and Buddhism over 5000 years ago. It had been passed down by word of mouth for thousands of years before it was then drawn together as a systematic spiritual path around 1500 years ago. It has very similar precepts as Pagan worshipping of union of a female goddess and a male god to produce balance in the universe.

As Hinduism was popularised within India, Tantra was frowned upon as it some of the core Tantric ceremony used things that were taboo in Hinduism - alcohol, meat, fish, kidney beans - an aphrodisiac and ritual intercourse.

Tantra broke through the intolerant and caste-bound hierarchy of Hinduism. Tantra was open to all castes and genders. The teachers of tantra did not advertise or preach their religion. People interested had to search out a teacher who was prepared to teach them.

Unlike other religions that focus on a spiritual deity, the Tantras lists practices and methods to reach self realization. There is no separation from heaven and earth. The two are intertwined with God being within everything. Understanding yourself puts you in touch with the God within.

Tantra also believes in the concept that each of us has an inner-man and inner-woman. Your partner is a reflection of this. When we unite with our partner, we unite with the other half of the reflection, making us whole.

The Tantric techniques convert sex into a divine experience. Paradise is not in the next world, but here and now, we just need to experience it.

Although Tantra was started as a religion a lot of it's techniques can be used which do not conflict with other religions. Western perception is that there is an aura of open sexuality or permissiveness within Tantra. The true Tantra is used within a monogamous relationship as a way of honouring your partner and yourself.