Benefits of Tantra

Benefits of Tantra - By Robert Frey, MA                     Having taught a blend of traditional and modern Western Tantra for nearly twenty years, I am well aware of the many benefits available to its students and practitioners. From my experience and perspective it is much more than a non-essential luxury item. In response to common curiosity about Tantra, here then is an overview of some of its most notable benefits.* Tantra, the ancient sacred approach to sexuality, has much to offer modern men and women. Tantric teachings are both a spiritual approach to sexuality and a sexual/sensual approach to spirituality. As such we can learn to use our natural sexual energy to enliven and heighten our spiritual awareness. Also Tantra offers a well-developed spiritual orientation to sexuality that is based on respect, honoring, openness, and love.* Tantra offers easy, effective, reliable methods for meditating, quieting the mind, and reaching positive states of consciousness. These methods often work well for Westerners who either haven't been able to learn to meditate or who are beginners. Tantric meditations utilizing breathing, undulation, and energy awareness, especially when coupled with sensual or sexual arousal, have been measured to consistently produce alpha and theta brain wave shifts more significantly and rapidly than any other traditional or non-technological technique. In short, Tantra is a great way to learn to meditate!
* Substantial healing of most sexual problems is a common side benefit of practicing Tantra. Relief and often complete resolution can happen for men who prematurely ejaculate as well as for those who would simply like to last longer. Further relief is offered men who have suffered from performance anxiety as Tantra serves to de-emphasize the goal orientation of performance sex. Men who practice sufficiently enough to learn to have and enjoy full-body non-ejaculatory orgasms are nearly always very pleased and satisfied. Tantra is also excellent for the health of the prostate gland, and at least one study seems to indicate that regular practice of certain techniques helps to prevent prostate cancer.
* Women who are "pre-orgasmic" or who haven't been able to orgasm often become multi-orgasmic through Tantra. Some-times PMS symptoms or menstrual cramps are alleviated or completely disappear when a woman diligently practices Tantric energy work, alone and/or with a partner.
* Couples who have been in relationship or marriage for many years and have lost the sexual "spark" often regain it through Tantra.
* Tantra offers a marvelous and satisfying resolution to the age-old dilemma of "Should I have sex (even though it doesn't feel right for me) to keep this person's love and interest, or should I say 'No' and risk losing the connection and the romance?" With Tantra many other enjoyable, intimate options are possible, creating and sustaining plenty of sensual pleasure, heart connecting, and shared, turned on, blissful states -- all without penetration if so desired.
* Practicing Tantra is wonderful for developing self-love, confidence, and trust in oneself, both sexually and in a more total sense. Learning to know and command how energy and awareness move through one's body can be both delightful and very empowering. Likewise becoming familiar with one's own unique sexuality and sensual personality creates an ease and acceptance of self, as does having a repertoire of skills for love-making. One of the most common healings I see in the workshops is the way Tantra can free people from sexual guilt and shame, allowing them to embrace and confidently love and enjoy their natural passion and sensuality.
* The techniques of Tantra teach lovers to guide their sexual energy from their heart, to meet in heart-centered, honoring ways. The methods also train the powerful sexual passion energy to generalize from the genitals, moving up to open the heart, the mind, and the spiritual centers. Tantricas learn to move into states of consciousness together where they can see the presence of the divine One life force in each other, and thus merge into ego-free states of unconditional love for extended moments.
* The practices also allow trained practitioners to make love and explore shared bliss states for hours at a time. It's not unusual for a Tantric love making session to last two to four hours, or even more. And the experience is usually both relaxing, invigorating, and mutually satisfying. In fact women are generally much more satisfied with Tantric love-making than with typical Western sex (usually over all too soon!).
I've seen many back problems diminish or disappear, and if nothing else this is certainly one of the most pleasurable of all aerobic exercises!
* As a footnote, almost everyone agrees that they learned Tantra best by beginning with one or preferably several workshops before turning to one or more of the many excellent books on this inspiring topic.
So if any of the above areas interest you I encourage you to continue to investigate Tantra in whatever form you can find it and allow yourself to benefit as other Tantricas in many cultures have for centuries. If I can serve you, feel free to contact me. Perhaps this article about "the basics" will also be useful to share with curious, interested friends, or perhaps it will serve to remind you to dive deeper into your own Tantric practices and discover your own rewards and ecstasy. May your life be filled with passion, and may you be guided by your heart and soul!
© 1998, Robert Frey   http://www.darlingsite.info