Tantra: Cult of the Feminine

Tantra: Cult of the Feminine, André Van Lysebeth. Known only for the virtues of its sexual practice, ancient Tantric ideology is a universal and wide-reaching ideology virtually ignored in the West. In Tantra: The Cult of the Feminine, one of Europe's foremost Tantric authors and teachers, Andre Van Lysebeth, gives readers a balanced, well-informed, modern examination of the secret teachings and symbolism of Tantra. Espousing no dogma, Tantra involves a search for reality that contradicts neither science nor religion. For Tantra, all of the myriad energy forms in the universe -- gravity, nuclear cohesion, electromagnetism -- exist throughout the cosmos. "Scientifically speaking, the universe is a gigantic continuum ranging from sub-atomic to astronomical dimensions. Tantrists have perceived this unity for over thirty-five centuries," points out van Lysebeth in his introduction. Originally published in 1992, Tantra has become the classic text on the subject, the source for serious students. Eight full-color illustrations and 36 line drawings complement a comprehensive and contemporary explanation of Tantra, complete with meditations. Andre does a remarkable job of bringing ancient theories into the modern world.

André Van Lysebeth has practiced yoga since 1945 and is the founder of the Belgian Yoga Federation and co-founder of the European Yoga Foundation. In addition to Tantra: The Cult of the Feminine, he is the author of five books on Yoga. Click here for more information or to order.

Renowned Goddess of Desire: Women, Sex, and Speech in Tantra

Renowned Goddess of Desire: Women, Sex, and Speech in Tantra, by Loriliai Biernacki. Tantra is a family of rituals modeled on those of the Vedas and their attendant texts and lineages. These rituals typically involve the visualization of a deity, offerings, and the chanting of his or her mantra. Common variations include visualizing the deity in the act of sexual union with a consort, visualizing oneself as the deity, and "transgressive" acts such as token consumption of meat or alcohol. Most notoriously, non-standard or ritualized sex is sometimes practiced. This accounts for Tantra's negative reputation in some quarters and its reception in the West primarily as a collection of sexual practices.

Although some today extol Tantra's liberating qualities, the role of women remains controversial. Traditionally there are two views of women and Tantra. Either the feminine is a metaphor and actual women are altogether absent, or Tantra involves the transgressive use of women's bodies to serve male interests. Loriliai Biernacki presents an alternative view, in which women are revered, worshipped, and considered worthy of spiritual attainment. Her primary sources are a collection of eight relatively modern Tantric texts written in Sanskrit from the 15th through the 18th century. Her analysis of these texts reveals a view of women that is generally positive and empowering. She focuses on four topics: 1) the "Kali Practice," in which women appear not only as objects of reverence but as practitioners and gurus; 2) the Tantric sex rite, especially in the case that, contrary to other Tantric texts, the preference is for wives as ritual consorts; 3) feminine language and the gendered implications of mantra; and 4) images of male violence towards women in tantric myths. Biernacki, by choosing to analyse eight particular Sanskrit texts, argues that within the tradition of Tantra there exists a representation of women in which the female is an authoritative, powerful, equal participant in the Tantric ritual practice.

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Sophia Returning: The Path to Planetary Tantra

Sophia Returning: The Path to Planetary Tantra, by John Lamb Lash. Directed by Jay Weidner. In this fascinating DVD, John Lamb Lash, comparative mythologist and author of the classic book, Not In His Image, offers an examination of the truths hidden deep within the ancient Gnostic sects of Europe. Two thousand years ago the Pagan religion of Gnosticism was one of the world's largest religious belief systems. The Gnostics held a deep reverence for the earth in all its wonder and beauty. In contrast to the teachings of the patriarchal and monotheistic religious traditions, the Gnostic creation mythos was centered upon the compelling story of the Wisdom Goddess Sophia. This knowledge, which offers us new insight into the power of the earth as a vital living being, has been brought forth today as a fundamental part of the Gaia theory.

The Gnostics had many beliefs that were considered heretical by the emerging Christian populations of classical Europe. John Lamb Lash acquaints us with their unique perspective on the nature of human experience and the destructive power of the mysterious beings they called the Archons whose dark influence has led to the fear-based, chaotic character of the times in which we live. By assisting us in comprehending the Gnostics vast knowledge of nature, the Earth, and the intimate relationship between the Goddess Sophia, and we who are her creation, he reconnects us with our ancient heritage and offers a sacred path toward the future. Click here for more information or to order.

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Yoni Tantra: Worshipping The Tantra Goddess

By Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta

Yoni is a Sanskrit word for the vagina, which ancient tantra considers a lot more than just a sexual reproductive organ. The yoni is nothing less than the Sacred Temple of the Tantra Goddess. In fact, the vagina is also known as the Yantra - the dwelling place of universal tantra energy, or Shakti energy. Yoni tantra is a sacred and secret scripture for initiates of the Tantra tradition, since it is the celebration of the Tantra Goddess. There is great benefit for couples who study this scripture, and also for women who want to understand their real inner strength - and their true place in the Universe.

The sacred text from Bengal (16th century) that concerns itself with this aspect of tantra describes the Yoni Tantra Puja (worship). In this ceremonial tantra practice, the ordinary rules for tantra worship are suspended for the one who follows 'Siddha Shakti' precepts. The following verse, when translated, yields the true meaning behind the concept of the Tantra Goddess: 'Women are jewels, women are life, women are, truly, jewels.' Invoking the tantra goddess within through this puja is an established path towards conscious self-realization. The process requires that that the Goddess be worshipped along with her yoni and the lotus budding from her neck, which signifies creation.

The Dasa Mahavidyas (or the Ten Divine Studies) are listed in the third patala of Yoni Tantra as Kali, Tara, Shodasi, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagala, Matangi and Kamala, and associated with the different parts of the yoni. This can, of course, be very confusing for those who have just embarked on their study of ancient tantra and its profoundly mystical truths. To encapsulate the concepts in these scriptures - the vagina is a triangular form of Mahamaya or Prakrit, or the origin of the world. The three corners of the yoni are Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara. The vagina is divided into ten, each of which is considered a manifestation of the divine feminine (Tantra Goddess).

The shlokas (verses) are extremely explicit, and a new student of tantra is apt to misunderstand their real meaning. Tradition therefore requires that yoni tantra be studied only under the auspices of an authentic tantra master. Closely guarded, these tantra secrets are passed down from tantra teacher to tantra teacher and cannot be fully grasped from mere literature. Attempting to practice it without expert guidance is a corruption of energy and can lead to degradation of the Sacred Feminine - and this always has adverse consequences.

Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with an in-depth knowledge of traditional Indian sciences and Sanskrit literature. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons, kriyas and mudras from this young Tantra Master.

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