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.

Ancient Tantra - The Key To Ultimate Relationship Depth

By Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta

Tantra is the key to deep emotional bonding and spiritualized relationships between men and women. It preaches that in relationships, we must find a balance between playfulness and seriousness while never losing sight of an essential erotic undercurrent. Tantra expounds the uninhibited expression of our humanness, and deplores the tendency of human relationships to become mechanical and soulless.

In our lifetime, we undergo several evolutionary changes. Tantra teaches us to meet these changes with enhanced awareness and self-honouring at every stage. By applying the precepts and practices of ancient tantra, we can ensure that our deepest relationships are rich in understanding, love and harmony.

We must learn to differentiate authentic tantra from the vacuous, superficial offerings being marketed by supposed tantra workshops. No 'tantra retreat' can hope to inculcate the necessary depth of spiritual awareness that defines pure ancient tantra.

Remember, genuine tantra practices guided by an accomplished tantra master actually paint the tapestry of your life in new and joyous ways. As any qualified tantra master can affirm, there will never be any shortcuts to such a divine goal.

In present times, many relationships blow hot and cold, lacking in the depth and abundance that Nature decrees they should have. These relationships become uncomfortable and barren for both partners.

This is because the partners love for themselves and harmony with each other, rendering them incapable of feeling expressing joy in the relationship. Sadly, the sacred message of tantra either never reaches their ears, or is garbled and rendered impotent by inept interpretation.

An authentic tantra teacher works with his pupils to bring the joyful "Ohs" and "Ahs" back into their relationships by addressing physical, emotional and spiritual lacunae. The ecstasy returns - it seeps back in at the emotional and spiritual levels, and then spills joyously over into the physical realm. This is how expertly guided tantra practices heal our relationships, and help them be all they can be in our existence here on earth.

The sacred scriptures of ancient tantra are explicit on how spiritual harmony makes any relationship truly complete. To quote from the 'Yoni MahaNirvan':

"Hold me close, profoundly and spiritually So as much as His arms were around me, I feel a sense of peace and complete acceptance And.....desire to be like this forever!

Sexual attraction has ended; spiritual attraction has begun (spiritual attraction has begun... spiritual attraction has begun"

Most women know deep down that they possess the seed of profound harmony within. Most men know that their male energy is capable of balancing this harmony to completeness - to the joyful fulfilment of both partners.

Enabling this blissful state of harmony is the sacred promise of tantra. Let nothing keep you from drinking deep of this ancient font of wisdom, and from taking your relationships from barrenness to divine levels of delight and harmony.

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

---

True Crime Review

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.

How to Bake Without Baking Powder

A Woman's Guide to Tantra Yoga

A Woman's Guide to Tantra Yoga, Vimala Schneider McClure. A multi-disciplinary approach for an intelligent 90s woman who is seeking greater tranquillity, right relationships and health. McClure makes it easy to adopt the ancient wisdom and practices from the East by blending them with medical and social commentary from the West . In the section explaining yoga postures, readers will thank the author for many thoughtful details. For example, the illustrations depict an Everywoman in a sweatsuit rather than a wasp-waisted model with flowing locks. Especially interesting is her description of kaoshikii, an aerobic dance that can be done when other yoga postures may upset hormonal balance. And the chapter explaining how yoga affects the emotions as well as muscles, joints, and internal organs, makes you want to begin the postures immediately to gain the benefits. What sets the book apart, however, is McClure's discussion of the specific traditions of Tantra, the "yoga of everything" in which the spiritual is united with every aspect of life. Through numerous examples in parenting and socio-political choices, she translates principles like acceptance, honesty, and following God into terms 90s women can understand and emulate. Reading A Woman's Guide to Tantra Yoga feels like having a wise and compassionate teacher at your side.

Tantric Sex for Women: A Guide for Lesbian, Bi, Hetero, and Solo Lovers

Tantric Sex for Women: A Guide for Lesbian, Bi, Hetero, and Solo Lovers, by Christa Schulte. Using an inclusive, empowering approach, this book explains how every woman - lesbian, bisexual, heterosexual, or solo - can add relish to sexual encounters and increase her pleasure through tantric methods. In a warm, knowledgeable tone, Christa Schulte explains the basics of tantric sex, including how to become more body-aware, how to cultivate pleasure using all five senses, and how to practice "Tara-tantra," a woman-centered tantric method of her own creation. The book includes 20 helpful introductory solo exercises, exercises for couples, transformation rituals, love games, meditations, and massage techniques, and covers numerous practical strategies for helping women enhance their sensitivity, remove barriers to fulfilling experiences, and explore the spiritual dimension of their sexuality. Not only does Tantric Sex for Women show its readers how to expand and enhance sexual gratification, it promotes an attitude of remaining open to the many ecstasies of everyday life.

Independent Literature Gallery

---

The World Will Be Saved By the Western Woman