Embracing Clothed Tantric Work: A Path to Healing and Liberation

Dear Friends,

I often get asked this question: “As a tantra and meditation teacher, why do you teach clothed tantric work in your retreats?"

Understanding Traditional Tantra

First, let me clarify the type of tantra I teach. I focus on traditional tantra. Traditional tantra is about practices that help you know yourself at deeper levels. This ancient system can feel mysterious at times. If I had to distill the essence of traditional tantra into one concept, it would be meditation. All paths in traditional tantra ultimately lead to meditation.

But what exactly is meditation? Simply put, it's the process of connecting with that deeper part of yourself. This inner space is full of awareness, wisdom, and joy. Over time, meditation teaches you how to access this inner realm whenever you wish. In fact, tantra asserts that meditation is our natural state. It provides guidance on how to maintain this state, regardless of external circumstances.

Tantric meditation is accessible, straightforward, and fast. You only need to dedicate as little as 9 minutes a day to practice, and you will witness the magic of meditation unfold in your daily life.

The Choice: Clothed vs. Naked Tantric Work

Now, let's return to the difference between clothed and unclothed tantric work. There’s a certain honesty that comes with the naked body. We are born naked. It’s how we enter this world. Yet, we cover this natural state. It is ironic that many of us reserve some of our best clothes for our death. Throughout our lives, we shield our nakedness, influenced by societal norms that sometimes deem it sinful. This leads to inner conflict regarding sexuality. Issues like porn addiction, using sexuality as a commodity, and feelings of shame and fear around sexual expression emerge from this conflict.

Having experienced both clothed and naked tantric work, I recognize the value in both approaches. Naked tantric work offers immediate insights and can lead to significant spiritual growth. However, naked work in India is traditionally seen as delicate and potentially dangerous if approached carelessly, without proper guidance.

Understanding Trauma in Tantric Practice

A critical factor every tantra teacher must recognize is trauma. We all carry it; it’s part of life. Whether it's sitting by a dying loved one, losing a partner, experiencing violence, or grappling with mental or physical health challenges, trauma affects us all. I have my own traumas; so do you. It's part of the human experience.

According to traditional tantra teachings, trauma cannot be separated from life. In my work with diverse individuals, I often encounter trauma.

Here’s the uplifting part: traditional tantric practices are designed to help free us from this trauma. We learn how to acknowledge our pain, confront it, and ultimately let it go. This isn’t just a surface-level release; it’s about genuinely relinquishing what no longer serves us. Traditional tantra aligns with the kundalini shakti, which is the subtle power that liberates us from the barriers to our natural state of meditation.

True tantric work doesn’t add to trauma; it prompts us to confront it, allowing us to see, accept, and release it.

The Importance of Clothed Work

This is why I emphasize clothed work. It helps avoid the potential for re-traumatizing individuals who have already faced significant challenges in life. I believe clothed work can be just as honest, and in many ways, it offers a more straightforward approach.

When you work clothed, you can engage with kundalini shakti directly, free from distractions like sexual desire or attraction that may surface in naked work. Additionally, clothed practices can be adapted to more situations, making them accessible.

The mission of traditional tantra is to connect with the energy of kundalini shakti. When you learn to harness this energy, your understanding of your body, mind, and spirit transforms. You will find that your sexuality and spirituality unify. This is referred to as bhukti mukti, or "enjoyment and liberation." Yes, you can have both.

Finding Balance Through Tantric Work

The essence of tantric work is to facilitate both enjoyment and liberation. You won't have to deny your desires or indulge in them excessively. Instead, you’ll find the middle ground of balanced living. Authentic tantric practice should not compound trauma; it should liberate you from it. If it achieves this goal, then the work is both valid and invaluable.

Ultimately, tantric work aims to transmute trauma into the ecstasy of self-knowledge through its core component: meditation. Whether you choose to practice clothed or unclothed, this is the true essence of tantra.

Yours in Shakti,

Grant