What do I mean when I use the word 'Tantra'

Tantra can be described as a spiritual path which includes philosophy and practical instruction in the use of hatha yoga, pranayama, meditation, mantra, yantra, mudras, rituals and hundreds of esoteric techniques for engendering worldly and spiritual prosperity.

 Definitions of Tantra

The Sanskrit definition of tantra can be broken down as tan: expansive and tra: weaving. The esoteric traditions of tantra can be found in Hinduism and Buddhism from 1st AD onwards.

Tantra in the west has been ritualised to be very sexualised, which classical tantra teaches think is odd, especially as the original tantric texts talk about sex in only two of the texts. In fact many historical tantra teachers would even say the west has sexualised Tantra and are demonstrating it in a form that is nothing like the ancient tantra practices.

One of the reasons for this is the partially due to the school I learned tantra at. The Source School of Tantra, which teaches Tantra Yoga: Oneness. My teacher Charles Muir was a Hatha Yoga Teacher for many years before he started teaching Tantra Yoga which is different to classical tantra.

Neo-Tantra

Hence, many classical Tantra teachers and people who follow the tantra lineage would suggest that the western interpretation of tantra (Neo-Tantra) as it is often referred to isn’t tantra and they do have a point. What I learned is a western interpretation of specific elements of tantra and many of the tenants may not be in the original tantra texts. Rather, Charles Muir used his Yoga aspects of his years as being a yoga teacher which led to the what he describes as Tantra Yoga which his school ‘The Source School of Tantra’ teaches and it does include sexuality and the use of sexual energy.

It is very different from the ancient tantra texts. In fact, the original texts were hardly mentioned at all during my training. Nevertheless, there are elements of tantra are taught by the ‘Source School of Tantra’ which are linked to the classical teachings of tantra.

These elements include the use of yoga as an embodied practice. Yoga is a great way of being flexible and quietening the mind, whilst building a mind, body and spiritual connection. It also facilitates people in being able to feel more sensations and have more energy. It can be a great practice to learn to love one’s body.

Mediation is also another practice which can allow us to be present, with ourselves and others. In fact, by being present, we give people our undivided attention without asking anything in return and this attention can be healing and rewarding and opens new possibilities in loving relationships. In fact, what Charles taught was that we can use Tantra practices for healing, pleasure and rejuvenation.

Connection is another practice that is linked to the original tantric texts. Firstly, considering how I connect to myself, on a physical level, how I have electricity and neurons firing from my brain which ‘talk’ to different parts of my body and how they in-turn respond.

Seeing how I connect to others, from my body and verbally. How I connect to forces or energies beyond myself, such as spiritually, to God, through the heavens, via Mother Nature or through animals.

Now many of you may be saying that you can practice such states away from tantra practices and you would be right! People can be present when they are engaging in physical activities such as martial arts, riding a motorbikes, making music, by creating art, there are many ways that a person can practice being presence. It doesn’t just include sitting down, meditation and breathing.

The use of rituals is another practice or tantra, that the ‘Source School of Tantra’ use extensively, as is the use of specific meditations that enhance breathing. They also emphasis the setting of a ritual space, which can include having the Tantra Masseur (Daka) or Masseuse (Dakini) run a bath for the person who will receive their tantric offering, the use of scented candles, redecoration of the room into a temple space, playing soft relaxing music among other activities which all enhance the senses and create an atmosphere of tranquility and spirituality.

Sacred Spot Massage/Tantra Massage/Yoni Massage

Bringing these elements of Tantra together is what my Tantra School and Charles taught. He placed all these components together as he created the ‘Sacred Spot Massage’. Charles describe it as “It is not an ancient practice from India, but rather is derived from my study and use of a tantric practice called Nyasa (ritual charging and awakening of the chakras), energy, mudra, massage, and psychology. Thirty years later, it is a worldwide movement with over a million Google hits, and it is part of most tantra teachers’ courses. There are many who teach a watered-down version of the practice—people who have learned it second-hand. I have trained and certified about 120 teachers worldwide known as “Certified Tantra Educators,” including myself.

 The Sacred Spot is a specific point in the yoni that is stimulated and can often lead to an experience of oneness and healing. Mistakenly labelled the G-Spot it is more of an acupressure point that can feel exquisitely pleasurable. Stimulating the sacred spot leads to the pelvic nerve being activated.

If there is simultaneous touch on the clitoris or internally on the roots of the clitoris, then the pudendal nerve is activated, which can be 8,000 nerve endings in itself. Orgasmic Meditation is a practise that I have done for over 5 years focuses on the stroking the clitoris. Furthermore, stimulating the base chakra, or the nerve endings around the rim, connects to the hypo-gastric nerve.

Combining simultaneous touch to all of these regions leads to a huge influx of stimulation and pleasure, which also connect neural pathways in the brain. which can means a person experience far more pleasure and sensation in their lives.

Charles Muir says he’s helped people use tantra yoga practices to become a better lovers, husbands, wives and  better partners. His book “Tantra: The Art of Conscious Loving” is used by couples to increase their intimacy and become better lovers. He is also featured in DVD’s “Secrets of Female Sexual ecstasy”, “Sexual Healing: The Tantra way” and was first the first person to demonstrate sacred spot massage leading to female ejaculation which often referred to as ‘amrita’ on camera. The ancient Hindu texts describe ‘amrita’ as nectar.

For more details on Tantra Massage and Yoni Massage you can view https://www.schoolofsquirt.com/yoni-massage/

Certified Tantra Educators

I am one of these 120 Certified Tantra Educators and the Sacred Spot Massage is the energetic massage that I incorporate. It is a massage that is focused on women receiving a huge amount of pleasure and having over 10,000 nerves endings stimulated leading to them having deeper, more fulfilling orgasms and greater sexual experiences. This description is more accurate of classical Tantra Massage.

I would prefer to describe my sessions in this manner and not use the word Tantra. However, most people searching for the type of massage would it described as a Tantra or yoni massage. For this reason I use this terminology although I do agree with the Classical Tantra teachers from India who say that what I do is Neo-Tantra and not really a pure form of classical Tantra, even though it does embody specific tantra practices.

I do enjoy giving Tantra/yoni massage. My clients feel alive, connected to their true form, one of them describes the experience of coming back to herself and having the rust removed from her body/system and being in her true Goddess form. My clients feel energised, alive, loved and take that feeling into their relationships.  I enjoy offering this gift and seeing the positive impact tantra/yoni massage makes in their lives.