Tantra, Tantra Yoga, or Neo Tantra?
What do we mean when we speak of Tantra in the West? Below is my response to a friend and fellow Tantric practitioner, Kara-Leah Grant, who teaches Classical Tantra and Hatha Yoga. Kara-Leah was bringing forward that Tantra and Neo Tantra need to be clearly defined, so as to avoid misinformation in the current spiritual spaces of "Tantra."
As a fellow Tantra practitioner and teacher, I think it is vital that this information gets out there so people are informed. Yes, it would be simple and awesome if we all agreed to clearly use the terms “Classical Tantra” and “Neo Tantra” to distinguish which modality we are referring to: one, a system of philosophy and practice that is thousands of years old, the other, a tradition created in the West around two hundred years ago. Notice I say “tradition” for both modalities. Traditions have to start somewhere; they have to begin where they begin, and then grow and evolve from there. Tantra, as you have beautifully put, is about seeing everything as sacred, not just sex and intimacy. And yet, sex must take its seat in the tradition, as Tantra is a tradition of radical inclusivity: nothing is not sacred. Everything is Consciousness. Everything is a way back home to who we truly are.
Something that is often overlooked in this conversation is the vāma-mārga: the left-hand path of Classical Indian Tantra, which includes sexual practice. There is a reason for this. It is practiced in secrecy. Even academics in the field do not usually have access here. Practitioners are rigorously chosen and sworn to secrecy to protect the practices, practitioners, and teachers. That’s all I’m going to say here.
The tradition I teach, Kashmir Shaivism, is primarily a householder path. It takes the transgressive elements of vāma-mārga and transforms them into a primarily internal practice that can be safely practiced by householders. What this means is that you live your life in the world, with all your worldly responsibilities, while pursuing your sādhana. As you say, it teaches “how to awaken to the nature of Self (essence nature), liberating you from believing in and reacting from the machinations of your mind.” Over time, Kashmir Shaivism frees you from everything you thought you were and reveals to you that which you already are. This is pratyabhijñā, recognition.
Kashmir Shaivism teaches that everything is sacred because everything is an expression of divine Consciousness, citiśakti. And guess what? This is where it gets really interesting….Because the practitioners of Kashmir Shaivism are usually householders, the awareness that everything is Consciousness needs to include sex also. Why? So that sexual enjoyment and expression can be seen as an expression of divine Consciousness, as a doorway into expanded awareness and realization of our true Nature as Śiva (Śiva as in all-pervasive Consciousness, the One without a second.) This is so sex is not an impediment to us understanding our true nature, but another way to do exactly that.
Also, it is important to note, not all Tantric teachings are written down in scripture. I had a teacher in India, and I am not even allowed to utter their name, let alone share the intricacies of the Tantric teachings and practices I received. Only when, (and this is important), the person in front of the teacher demonstrates adhikāri, the qualifications of a student who is ready to be taught, can the teaching begin. This is to protect both teacher and student, as this kind of Tantric work is incredibly powerful and is not to be toyed with.
In the West we are so hung up on sex and sexuality, so of course this has had to play out in our relationship to Tantra and Tantric practice and how we attempt to define these things. But there is the opposite side also. What about all the Gurus and Swamis who have asserted the importance of “Tantric Celibacy” and then have been found to have indulged in all sorts of sexual misconduct?
The whole state of affairs is fraught.
When it comes to authentic Tantric practice, it starts and ends with our personal responsibility. And our intention. What are we practicing for? Are we practicing for better sex and intimacy? Well, then the goal of Classical Tantra, which is complete realization of our true nature as Consciousness, has been diverted to something which can keep us bound to the material sphere. Conversely, are we engaging in sexual practice as a way to merge into divine Consciousness? This is closer to the original intent of Classical Tantra, and yet, it still needs to be approached with discipline, discernment, and right understanding. The more we discuss this subject, the more we understand it together, the better. In this way, we grow not only in our understanding of what Tantra is and isn’t, but also in our understanding of each other as the manifestations of Consciousness that we truly are."
If this resonates with you and you would like to know more about how Conscious Pathways can help you on your Tantric journey, book a Finding Me Conversation here:
Yours in Tantra,
Somanath
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