Tantra History
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Some research shows that Tantra has been practiced for some 4,000 years, originating in India. It has connections in the Hindu and Buddhist belief systems. Some people believe that Tantra is a form of yoga, since Yoga means union and many of the techniques are about understanding and controlling the body.
The confusion in understanding the source of Tantra, is because variations of the practice have been found in many different cultures including; the Taoists in China; the Cheyenne in North America; and the Buddhists in Japan. Some even think that the Roman Orgy was a Tantric ritual. Each of these practices are different, but all focus on the cultivation and use of sexual energy for spiritual growth and healing.
Whatever its origin, it is a way of life. A way of celebrating the union of body, mind and spirit while striving for a prefect peace of the soul and union with the divine. The Tantric tradition encompasses both sexuality and spirituality, regardless of one religious beliefs.
British scholars and travelers of India in the 1800s were the first to bring the concepts of Tantra to the Western cultures. In the 1960 there was a revival of Tantra by gurus and teachers in the ashrams of India. This led these practices to become more popular in Europe and North America. With movies such as “Go” and “Bliss” and celebrity involvement from the Beatles to Sting, Woody Harrelson and Tom Hanks – Tantra has become a “fad”.
Unfortunately, the fad has become big business in North America with some questionable moral and business ethics. One self-proclaimed master has gone so far as to issue certificates for teaching Tantra.
Becoming a Master of Tantra is a life time goal that few achieve. One of Tantra’s basic concepts is “it is not the destination that is important, but rather the road traveled”.