The purpose of this website is to try to restore the true meanings of the terms “tantra” and “Western Tantra” to their correct meanings and to promote the practices of tantra in the Western countries, modifying tantric practices as needed to be compatible with Western thought.
True tantric practices arose out of the Hindu and Buddhist religions in order to accelerate spiritual development. Typical spiritual practices involve study of scriptures, meditation and contemplation, prayers, and performing devotional rituals designed to transform adherents’ thoughts and behavior into patterns established by the founders of religions. At best, the process of transforming humans in this way is very slow. At worst, religions often turn out intolerant humans whose behavior bears no relationship to the founders of that religion.
Tantra aims to speed up spiritual transformation and improve its effectiveness by reversing the process of transformation. Instead of studying to try to become more like our revered spiritual archetypes, tantric practitioners visualize themselves as if they have already become one of humanity’s revered spiritual archetypes in thought, word, and deed. By visualizing themselves in this way, and behaving as that archetype, they relatively quickly change their thinking patterns into that of their selected archetypes. In effect, the tantric practitioner becomes a version of the eyes, ears, and hands of our most revered archetypes in the world.
There are two main misconceptions about tantra that are found here in the West. The most common misconception is that tantra is mainly about sex. Many tantric sex manuals are available, but these typically use spiritual terms to justify having more sex. As if anyone needed an excuse for that! Having more sex without the well-established visualizations and methods of true tantra is not likely to result in spiritual development.
The other Western misconception about tantra is that it is an occult practice. This misconception comes from the Eastern religions that portray gods, goddesses, bodhisattvas, and buddhas in forms and images that appear to Westerners as demonic. Eastern people have no issues with seeing images of beneficial divine beings with animal or multiple heads, skull decorations, fangs and weapons, or crushing opponents. They have different mindsets, and these things are seen as symbolic. Without knowledge of the symbolism, Westerners see these things as worshipping evil. When tantric practitioners visualize themselves as divine archetypes and work soup kitchens, serve in hospitals, or help at disaster sites in order to emulate their heroes, occult practices could not be farther from their minds.
Hopefully, without these misconceptions, more Westerners will try tantric practices. What do you think?
Very thoughtful and concise discussion that makes tantra clear and useful for Westerners! I assume that there will in future be in depth discussions of various aspects of this practise?
Yes, we will discuss all the topics listed in “How to post comments” and will add new topics in the future. Thank you for your suggestion.
What, who are the divine archetypes for westerners?
In the West we have too many to list. Obvious examples of religious archetypes include Jesus, Muhammad, Moses, Buddha, Mary, Archangel Michael, Joan of Arc, and many others. Historical archetypes include Washington, Jefferson, Queen Elizabeth I, Cleopatra, Boudicca, Marie Curie, Ann Sullivan, and countless others. From literature and movies we have Superman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Elsa, Hermione Granger, to name a few. Idealized compassionate archetypes are best. Most of us already have heroes we admire. The tantric method is to see ourselves as that archetype and act in the world as that archetype would have acted (keeping the way we see ourselves private to avoid ridicule).
Interesting . You are saying, what matters more is to see ourselves and act as someone who inspires us. That reminds me of the role of Pretend Play in children. As children we have the capacity to immerse ourselves in an imaginary world, and experience being someone else.
True. Several spiritual traditions instruct us to attain the mind of a child, meaning to be free of preconceptions and retain a sense of awe. Tantra can be playful and joyful, but as adults, that is not the primary goal. We are hoping to gradually and permanently transform into a better version of ourselves, turning what we imagine into reality. Many saints saw themselves as the hands of Christ in the world. One could see oneself as Martin Luther King and demonstrate for better treatment of minorities, or see oneself as Wonder Woman and defend those who cannot defend themselves. Emulating these archetypes could be much more serious than playful.