Why Should You Practice Tantra?

Tantra is an ancient spiritual practice that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is a multifaceted tradition that encompasses various practices, rituals, and philosophies. Tantra holds a unique place in spiritual development and can be important for several reasons.

Two Good Reasons to Practice Tantra

By Chandi Devi

The Practice of Tantra recognizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of human existence, including the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual realms. It emphasizes the integration of these dimensions, allowing individuals to explore and develop their entire being. By acknowledging and embracing the totality of human experience, Tantra provides a holistic approach to spiritual development.

Tantra embraces the totality of human experience, including the so-called “shadow” aspects of oneself—those parts that are often repressed or denied. Rather than seeking to transcend or reject these aspects, Tantra encourages individuals to embrace and integrate them. By acknowledging and working with the shadow elements, Tantra supports psychological healing, personal growth, and spiritual integration.

Tantra Brings You Playfulness and Pleasure

One aspect of Tantra that has gained attention is its exploration of sacred sexuality. Tantra views sexuality as a powerful force that, when approached consciously and with reverence, can be a pathway to spiritual transformation. By integrating sexual energy and expanding the experience of intimacy, Tantra seeks to deepen connections, dissolve boundaries, and tap into the ecstatic states of being.

Spirituality is taken very seriously; often, seekers become rigid and serious instead of flexible and light-hearted. To embrace life, as Jesus said, we need to become like children again. This is the virgin spirit of the goddess Kumari– the sweet innocence and pure joy expressed through life’s exuberance. Unfortunately, we often suppress our childlike qualities of wonder and enthusiasm and replace those feelings with complacency, boredom, suspicion, seriousness, skepticism, and other emotions that stop the flow of joy.

Tantra recognizes the presence of subtle energy within and around the human body. Through specific practices like Kundalini yoga and pranayama (breath control), Tantra aims to awaken and channel this energy for spiritual growth. By understanding and harnessing these energetic forces, individuals can enhance their vitality, raise their consciousness, and experience higher states of awareness.

Evoking feelings of happiness is something that we all have to work at. It’s not always automatic. We have to make a conscious effort to create, develop and maintain emotions that sustain our feelings of well-being at all times. And we must learn how to live in a perpetual state of loving awareness. Sometimes, this is a huge challenge, but no one else can do this for us. Since we create our own reality every moment of every day, we really have no choice.

Part of tantric work requires playfulness as we explore our sensuality through music, dance, movement, singing, art, and sexuality. In fact, play and pleasure, as well as every other aspect of life, such as work, eating, and lovemaking, are regarded as opportunities for spiritual development.

The mind is a world of complex images and concepts, but the body’s world is one of sensation. So we can only experience pleasure through the senses. Our bodies want to feel pleasurable sensations constantly — touching, breathing deeply, dancing, looking with curiosity, walking rhythmically, and making love.

Tantra Increases Intuition and Psychic Abilities

Intuition has also been called insight, revelation, inspiration, direct apprehension, gut instinct, a flash, a hunch, a premonition, “Eureka” or “Aha,” a sixth sense, an inner voice, “vibes,” a feeling, “reading between the lines,” “red flags,” a “nagging” feeling, sensitivity, “ringing true,” “an educated guess,” “reading him (or her) like a book,” “inner radar,” “a light coming on,” preconscious concept formation, and ESP (or “being psychic,” although intuition is not truly a psychic phenomenon).

Intuition is a natural function that we all possess. It cannot be developed; it is already fully functioning and accurate, such that this part of us always knows everything that affects our lives or will affect our lives.

But a reliable sense of “knowing” is developed only when our minds are free from thought, for only through this inner silence can a message from our higher self-reach us.

Tantra work helps us maintain inner silence and stillness even when we are busy. I call it “active body, still mind.”

Clairvoyance… clairaudience…clairsentience…the abilities to see, hear, and feel through paranormal senses could become prominent, as well as the ability to heal, see, feel, and manipulate energy.

Manifestation of thoughts may occur, and with that comes the realization that one has to be very cognizant of his or her thoughts, feelings, and actions. With power comes grave responsibility.

I might add that this phenomenon is not sought. It is earned. It is a gift.

It’s important to note that Tantra is a complex and nuanced tradition, and its practice requires proper guidance, respect, and ethical considerations. Misinterpretations or misapplications of Tantra can lead to misunderstandings or misuse of its teachings. Therefore, seeking authentic sources of knowledge, qualified teachers, and approaching Tantra with sincerity and discernment is essential for reaping its potential benefits in spiritual development.