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What Is Tantra, Anyway?

July 6, 2007

I performed three public interviews last month, all of 
which kicked off with the same question: What is tantra? 
After ten years of studying, practicing and teaching 
tantra, I'm still pondering the same question. It's like 
that Zen koan: What's the sound of one hand clapping? But 
with the question of tantra, people tend to accept partial 
answers which lead to the common assumption that tantra 
must be some kind of sexual yoga. Isn't it? 
Of course, I could easily spout off my favorite text 
book definition: The Sanskrit prefix tan means expansion 
and tra implies liberation. Thus, tantra is interpreted to 
mean liberation through expansion of consciousness. Sure, 
it's a poetic answer, but it's too intellectual a 
definition. Mere words on a page cannot convey the depths 
of the tantric experience.  
 
My tantra quest has led me through a vast continuum of 
practices from goddess worship to shadow work; from mind 
altering meditations to transcendental lovemaking, from 
erotic massage to chanting in cemeteries; from sex magic to 
self inquiry. After many encounters with various branches 
of tantra, my beloved and I quested after the source by 
going on pilgrimage to India.  
 
We were astounded to discovere that the mere mention of 
tantra to a common Indian villager connotes something akin 
to black magic or witchcraft. At first I thought this was a 
misunderstanding or a pious fear of sex. But the more we 
sought, the more we understood that advanced tantric 
practices can produce siddhis (or supernatural powers.) 
Today, there are tantrikas throughout India who are like 
hired wizards, witch doctors or shamans. They are sought 
after only to cast love spells or burn down someone's farm. 
There are both beautiful and horrible applications of 
tantric alchemy.  
 
Not wanting to incur more karma, we kept our focus off 
of black tantra and continued to search for white 
(spiritual) or Red (sexual) or pink (spiritual and sexual) 
tantric teachings. We traveled through temples, ashrams and 
cults practicing a variety of secret rituals which seemed 
to be nearly lost by history and only recently rekindled by 
popular demand from western travelers. We found the 
guru-disciple hierarchy oppressive. Beautiful rituals like 
the chakra puja were laboriously prepared and austere in 
practice.  
 
Ultimately my partner and I concluded that tantra is 
more alive and integrated in Southern California than in 
its country of origin. California Tantra also has a vast 
array of influences. Some of these branches include: 
Tibetan tantric Buddhism, Kashmirian tantra practiced by 
Muslims and Hindus alike, Left handed tantra as taught by 
Rajneesh, Kundalini tantra as taught by Sikh yogi Bhajan, 
Quodoshka practiced by native Americans and Shamanic tantra 
practiced by aborigines across the globe.  
 
Of course our study is in no way exhaustive or complete, 
but we can conclusively say that Tantra is not a religion. 
We encountered Muslims and Hindus alike practicing tantra. 
(Some Christians even argued that Jesus practiced tantra 
with Mary Magdalene.)But regardless of the beliefs of your 
church, tantra is a personal path towards the embodiment of 
your divinity. 
 
Instead of continuing to research the history of tantra 
it seems more practical to ask yourself: What is my nature? 
Am I more spiritual and meditative, sex and body centered, 
or do I want to open my heart more? Then seek out the style 
of tantra that suits your nature. This vital inquiry is not 
to be conducted with your head alone, we encourage you to 
immerse yourself in the experience of each. Ultimately, 
it's an intimate and personal choice and I want you to 
enjoy living a spiritual path that allows for variety, 
sensuality and play, even if it is not easily defined.  
 
 
 
This excerpt is from Kamala Devi's new book: Sacred Sex for 
Profit. If you are interested in deepening your exploration 
of: what is tantra? We invite you to purchase Kamala Devi's 
book Don't Drink the Punch: An Adventure in Tantra by going 
to www.partnerplayshop.com Or if you're in San Diego, come 
to any of the following events:  
 
 
 
 
 
B) What is Tantra? Potluck and MeetUp Social! 
THIS Saturday July 14th from 3-6pm at the Emerald Temple in 
PB Cost: FREE 
This month we'll kick off our monthly potluck with the time 
honored question: What is Tantra? We've started a NEW Meet 
Up San Diego group to explore, experience and discuss 
Tantra. To Join, go to: http://tantric.meetup.com/21/ We'll 
come together at least once per month to connect, network, 
cuddle and play. At 4pm we'll offer icebreakers and 
introductions. Then we'll open a discussion about tantra in 
a panel format. We'll eat at 5pm and may even have some 
live comedy improv. Performance art is always welcome. 
Bring an open mind and a yummy dish and meet new friends or 
re-connect with the tribe! NO alcohol, Drugs or Red Meat 
please. Clothing is optional in the hot tub, please bring a 
towel. To RSVP write Kamala@blisscoach.com 
 
C) Tantra & Polyamory Playshop:  
THIS Sunday July 15th 1-6pm Emerald Temple PB Cost: $49 We 
welcome you to a community of beings who are actively 
exploring or practicing either tantra, polyamory or both as 
paths towards self realization. This day-long event will 
use tantric energetic exercises to help you explore your 
core beliefs about love, jealousy, sex, letting go of 
control, poly-geometry and compersion. We’ll be sharing 
experiences and techniques to help you resolve old hurts 
and transform fears. Learn to live without guilt and shame. 
Try out new communication tools. Connect with other open 
minded lovers. Experience more love and less pain. All 
levels welcome. Kamala@blisscoach.com RSVP required. 
(Space is limited --love is not) 
http://www.partnerplayshop.com/tantra_Polyamory.html 
 
D) Calling all Creative Peeps: Artist's Way Open House  
Thursday July 19th 6:45-8:45pm at the Emerald Temple in PB 
Cost: Free  
Come to this no-obligation interactive experience to boost 
your creativity and meet other artists. This one evening 
guarantees a Quantum leap forward in your Artistic 
expression! You will also get a taste of what it would be 
like to join a Transformative 12 week coaching course. The 
Artist's Way will unblock your limiting beliefs and 
patterns to allow your full spiritual and creative 
expression. Join Kamala Devi and other like minded 
artistic souls in a spiritual course based on the book by 
Julia Cameron. This is a powerful path towards Self 
Realization that will change your life! Dates: *Course runs 
Thurs. Nights Aug. 9, 16, 23, Sept. 6, 13, 20 Oct. 4, 11, 
18 Nov. 1, 8,15 The date for the graduation party will be 
decided during the final 
class.http://www.partnerplayshop.com/artists_way_group.html 
 
 
E) Women Healing Men w/Rundy  
Saturday July 28th 2-5pm in SD Cost: $35 (Discount if you 
register for multiple classes.) 
Last time Rundy came to San Diego he touched and 
transformed a full house of tantra enthusiasts. The subject 
was how to sexually satisfy a woman. Afterwards, we were 
dying to hear his philosophy and experiences on healing and 
massaging MEN!? Now he's offering a 3 hour workshop for 
men, women, couples and singles. Women will learn new 
tools on how to touch a man and men will learn to develop a 
super healthy vital sexuality. This is a very interactive 
workshop with lots of group sharing and delving deep into 
men's sexual issues. The class will help you better 
understand the male psyche, how to use conscious sexuality 
towards healing and how to hold a safe and sacred space for 
men to facilitate an internal prostate massage. Why is 
prostate healing so important? Because, as the mystics 
teach us, most trauma lies hidden in a woman's g-spot. The 
prostate is the male equivalent. A prostate session helps 
men unlock and open their bodies on all levels and 
experience true vulnerability which ultimately leads to 
personal growth, intimacy, health and empowerment. There 
will be no nudity or explicit sexuality in this class. For 
more info go to 
http://www.partnerplayshop.com/page/page/4652174.htm or 
RSVP kamala@blisscoach.com  
 
F) Nude Couples Puja with Rundy  
Sat. July 28th 7:00-10pm in SD Cost: $35 per person 
(Discount if you register to multiple classes.) 
For Couples Only. Every now and then there must be some 
really juicy, hot, and fun events for couples. I mean come 
on, relationships aren't always easy. So this is a great 
event for couples to come play and really let go. I want to 
make it very clear that this is not an orgy, swinger event 
or anything like it. It is sacred, erotic, high energy play 
with the couples partnering exclusively with each other. 
The participants systematically open each chakra one by one 
using tantric breathing and techniques, archetypes, 
movement, transformative music, theatre, and play, falling 
more deeply in love with each breath. You are naked; the 
room is private, warm, clean, and very, very dimly lit. All 
the couples are in their own worlds. This promises to be a 
very steamy and erotic event. Sat July 28th 7-10pm. For 
more info go to 
http://www.partnerplayshop.com/page/page/4652174.htm or 
RSVP kamala@blisscoach.com  
 
F) Speaking Your Needs in Relationship w/ Rundy  
Sun. July 29th 11:00-2pm in SD Cost: $35 per person 
(Discount if you register to multiple classes.) 
For singles and couples. How can couples improve relational 
and sexual intimacy? This workshop is a system designed to 
help human beings transcend limitations and reach higher 
levels of integration. We'll utilize a variety of 
techniques such as contemporary psychology, communication 
and ancient yogic techniques to enhance bonding and create 
richer relationships. These workshops awaken essential 
instincts necessary for a healthy, creative and vibrant 
life. Participants are guided to feel powerfully 
energized, desire and the pleasure of their sensuality and 
to learn to relate and bond with others. For more info go 
to http://www.partnerplayshop.com/page/page/4652174.htm or 
RSVP kamala@blisscoach.com  
 
Infinite Love,  
 
www.DontDrinkThePunch.com www.PartnerPlayshop.com 
www.BlissCoach.com  
 
kamala@blisscoach.com  
 
 
 
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We will never sell or trade your contact info. For details about our events call 858-272-2254 or  Kamala@Blisscoach.com  We try to return calls within 72 hours, if you don't hear from us in a timely manner, please try again.  Kamala is the author of Don't Drink the Punch, Sacred Sexual Healing and a intimacy and creativity coach leading people Toward Success & Self Realization!  Zendow, Inc. Copyright 2008