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Benefits of Tantra
- By Robert Frey, MA
Having taught a blend of traditional and modern Western
Tantra for nearly twenty years, I am well aware of the many
benefits available to its students and practitioners. From
my experience and perspective it is much more than a non-essential
luxury item. In response to common curiosity about Tantra,
here then is an overview of some of its most notable benefits.
* Tantra, the ancient sacred approach to sexuality, has
much to offer modern men and women. Tantric teachings are
both a spiritual approach to sexuality and a sexual/sensual
approach to spirituality. As such we can learn to use our
natural sexual energy to enliven and heighten our spiritual
awareness. Also Tantra offers a well-developed spiritual
orientation to sexuality that is based on respect, honoring,
openness, and love.
* Tantra offers easy, effective, reliable methods for meditating,
quieting the mind, and reaching positive states of consciousness.
These methods often work well for Westerners who either
haven't been able to learn to meditate or who are beginners.
Tantric meditations utilizing breathing, undulation, and
energy awareness, especially when coupled with sensual or
sexual arousal, have been measured to consistently produce
alpha and theta brain wave shifts more significantly and
rapidly than any other traditional or non-technological
technique. In short, Tantra is a great way to learn to meditate!
* Substantial healing of most sexual problems is a common
side benefit of practicing Tantra. Relief and often complete
resolution can happen for men who prematurely ejaculate
as well as for those who would simply like to last longer.
Further relief is offered men who have suffered from performance
anxiety as Tantra serves to de-emphasize the goal orientation
of performance sex. Men who practice sufficiently enough
to learn to have and enjoy full-body non-ejaculatory orgasms
are nearly always very pleased and satisfied. Tantra is
also excellent for the health of the prostate gland, and
at least one study seems to indicate that regular practice
of certain techniques helps to prevent prostate cancer.
* Women who are "pre-orgasmic" or who haven't
been able to orgasm often become multi-orgasmic through
Tantra. Some-times PMS symptoms or menstrual cramps are
alleviated or completely disappear when a woman diligently
practices Tantric energy work, alone and/or with a partner.
* Couples who have been in relationship or marriage for
many years and have lost the sexual "spark" often
regain it through Tantra.
* Tantra offers a marvelous and satisfying resolution to
the age-old dilemma of "Should I have sex (even though
it doesn't feel right for me) to keep this person's love
and interest, or should I say 'No' and risk losing the connection
and the romance?" With Tantra many other enjoyable,
intimate options are possible, creating and sustaining plenty
of sensual pleasure, heart connecting, and shared, turned
on, blissful states -- all without penetration if so desired.
* Practicing Tantra is wonderful for developing self-love,
confidence, and trust in oneself, both sexually and in a
more total sense. Learning to know and command how energy
and awareness move through one's body can be both delightful
and very empowering. Likewise becoming familiar with one's
own unique sexuality and sensual personality creates an
ease and acceptance of self, as does having a repertoire
of skills for love-making. One of the most common healings
I see in the workshops is the way Tantra can free people
from sexual guilt and shame, allowing them to embrace and
confidently love and enjoy their natural passion and sensuality.
* The techniques of Tantra teach lovers to guide their
sexual energy from their heart, to meet in heart-centered,
honoring ways. The methods also train the powerful sexual
passion energy to generalize from the genitals, moving up
to open the heart, the mind, and the spiritual centers.
Tantricas learn to move into states of consciousness together
where they can see the presence of the divine One life force
in each other, and thus merge into ego-free states of unconditional
love for extended moments.
* The practices also allow trained practitioners to make
love and explore shared bliss states for hours at a time.
It's not unusual for a Tantric love making session to last
two to four hours, or even more. And the experience is usually
both relaxing, invigorating, and mutually satisfying. In
fact women are generally much more satisfied with Tantric
love-making than with typical Western sex (usually over
all too soon!).
I've seen many back problems diminish or disappear, and
if nothing else this is certainly one of the most pleasurable
of all aerobic exercises!
* As a footnote, almost everyone agrees that they learned
Tantra best by beginning with one or preferably several
workshops before turning to one or more of the many excellent
books on this inspiring topic.
So if any of the above areas interest you I encourage you
to continue to investigate Tantra in whatever form you can
find it and allow yourself to benefit as other Tantricas
in many cultures have for centuries. If I can serve you,
feel free to contact me. Perhaps this article about "the
basics" will also be useful to share with curious,
interested friends, or perhaps it will serve to remind you
to dive deeper into your own Tantric practices and discover
your own rewards and ecstasy. May your life be filled with
passion, and may you be guided by your heart and soul!
© 1998, Robert Frey
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About
Cynthia
Cynthia Lamborne is a leader in the field of
sacred sexuality and Tantra. Her background and training
includes: comprehensive study with several Tantric Masters;
extensive travel in Egypt, India and Nepal; 30 years of
training and experience with thousands of men and women
as an intimacy coach and workshop facilitator; and teaching
Transcendental Meditation for 10 years.
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