Highest yoga tantra
by kam

Tantra (meaning continuity) is an ancient practice that aims to harness sexual energy and transform it into consciousness /bliss. In Tantra there is no sense of guilt, sin or shame, the sexual energies are utilised for spiritual purposes only. Tantra practitioners having hopefully attained a "realisation of emptiness" (see "Bliss in Samadhi"), and understand that if pleasure were to be generated that this would in turn generate attachment, which would in turn only lead to more suffering and afflictive states. Practitioners who abuse Tantra for selfish purposes create further problems and pain for themselves unknowingly.

The Tantrist's sexual energies are collected and channelled up through to the higher chakra centres for the expansion of consciousness, contemplation and enlightenment. Sexual union in this light is seen as sacramental (a.k.a maithuna), the merging of God and Goddess, Shakti and Shiva, yoni and lingam, Yin and Yang and transcending all these polar opposites into pure consciousness.

Tantrism requires arduous preparatory training to prepare the mind, lessening all attachments to the body, emotions, thoughts and desires. Lessening attachment to ego-grasping by investigating the true source of "I" which destroys the minds attachment to the "non-existent self". Tantric texts can be understood on a few differing levels: psychological as well as physiological but more importantly mystically as a door way to the divine.

There seems to be vast and accepted understanding in all human fields as to the power of sexual energy. There are sexual undertones in advertising, movies, songs, makeup, fashion, sporting events, the list is endless. There is, of course, a general public denial that this energy can be used in spiritual practices. Wisdom is rarely, if ever, wide-spread.

Both Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism dates back to 4th century AD. Both instruct on methods to obtain "religious ecstasy". Ecstasy results from weakening and dissolving of: the ego sense, misconceptions and preconceptions, past and future. The process is not to generate emotional sexual excitement but to intensify meditative depth within ones consciousness, allowing divine illumination.

To ensure this calmness the couple remain immobile, locked in embrace, accompanied by contemplation that lifts their minds well beyond bodily sensations and into spiritual communion. Loss of seminal fluid is avoided during practice. Seminal fluid is regarded as a gross form of concentrated psychic energy, within Ayurveda called ojas. Retaining semen (bindu) allows one to build up radiant energy (tejas) in the body and brain which is then used for the strength needed to meditate in contemplative equipoise as well as to regenerate the body and mind.

Tantrists worship the union of the feminine and masculine principles, the union of the negative, dark, and compassionate aspects with the positive, light and wisdom aspects of the universe. They discover, Nataraj "the dance of existence"-an infinitely complex energy consciousness which is experienced as "rapt absorption in an eternal present" without possible explanation. This state is lost (temporarily) to those who wait mistakenly, clinging to ego-projections and overly-rational explanations of God. It is here in the clarity of Bliss Consciousness that we experience our true nature. (*This is a very basic outline only.)

One of the qualifications for beginning the practice of Tantra in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition is said to be the drying of wet sheets with your naked body over night in the snow at altitude.  You have to laugh when Westerners want to do a weekend course in it! 
 
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