Have you ever felt there was something more to meditation than just sitting with your eyes closed? That perhaps, if done correctly, meditation could be deeply transformative – leading to states of enhanced awareness, tremendous insight into your true nature, and greater connectivity with the world around you? If so, then tantric meditation may be for you.
In this article, I’ll be sharing my own journey into tantric meditation over the past few years – including what it’s all about, how it works, why I was drawn to it, and how it’s changed my life. Think of it as a window into this often misunderstood world so you can decide if tantra resonates with you. Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways:
- Tantra uses the sacredness of the human body and sensuality to achieve spiritual breakthroughs
- It awakens a mystical ”life force” in the body through its practices
- Tantric meditation utilizes complex visualization, concentration, mantras, mudras, deity yoga and energy work
- Proper teacher guidance ensures safe, gradual unfolding of intense energetic openings
- Tantra’s ultimate goal is realizing your true nature as unbounded awareness mirroring as all forms
- Benefits include reduced anxiety, cellular rejuvenation, enhanced pleasure/intimacy, self-trust
- By methodically regressing limiting identity beliefs, tantra liberates you back to your divine essence
- Stay grounded in supportive life routines so your inner transformations can thrive
Guided Tantric Meditation Step by Step
- 00:13 🧘♂️ The Recognition Sutras teach that we are unique expressions of universal consciousness, requiring direct experience to understand.
- 01:10 🔄 Regular meditation practice can lead to a direct experience of one’s true nature and the nature of reality.
- 03:25 🌍 Meditation involves being aware of external phenomena, including sounds, smells, and sensations, as they arise and subside in your field of awareness.
- 08:07 🧠 Awareness remains constant while all phenomena, whether external or internal, arise and subside in their own timing.
- 14:19 🌌 Awareness is the unchangeable and untouched essence from which all phenomena emerge, are sustained, and eventually dissolve. Everything is what you are, expressed uniquely
For enhancing tantric meditation, Path to Mindfulness recommends engaging in “nadi shodhan” or alternate nostril breathing to balance the flow of energy in your body.
Set the intention
Tantric meditation aims to expand consciousness and achieve spiritual awakening. Set your intention to connect deeply with yourself, your partner, or the divine.
Create a sacred space
Clear your meditation space and make it comfortable. Light candles or incense if you wish. You can meditate alone or with a partner.
Sit comfortably
Sit with an upright, relaxed posture, either on the floor or in a chair. Make any adjustments needed so your body is stable and comfortable.
Focus on your breath
Start by breathing slowly and deeply. Feel your breath move in and out of your body. This helps calm the mind.
Visualize energy
Visualize energy (prana or shakti) flowing up from the base of your spine to the top of your head. Imagine each chakra lighting up along the way.
Chant mantras
You can chant mantras aloud or silently to yourself. Let the mantras resonate within you. Seed mantras like “Om” work well.
Practice mudras
Hand gestures like chin or chinmaya mudra can help direct energy flow in the body.
Move energy
Once energy is flowing freely, you can visualize moving it out through your third eye, heart, or hands. Or invite it back into your body and through the chakras again.
Merge energies
If meditating with a partner, let your energies intermingle. Make eye contact and synchronize breathing to help achieve an enhanced connection.I’m happy to clarify or expand on any part of the tantric meditation process. Let me know if you have any other questions!
What Exactly is Tantric Meditation?
Tantric meditation has roots in ancient traditions and mystical beliefs, but what does it really mean? Simply put, tantric meditation uses very specific techniques – often involving deep concentration, visualization, working with energy, chanting mantras, etc. – to achieve advanced meditative states and make spiritual breakthroughs not easily accessible through regular quiet sitting.
The key is using the physical to connect to the divine. Rather than trying to detach from the body and worldly sensations like in other meditation styles, tantra embraces our human existence – including sexuality – and sees it as a vehicle to untapped wisdom. More on how it achieves those aims soon!
Some tantric meditation key characteristics include:
- Sacred outlook on the body and sex
- Advanced visualization and concentration practices
- Mantras, mudras, deity yoga, and mandala drawing
- Belief in energy centers and mystical forces in the body
The goals aren’t just mental stillness or reduced stress – but complete spiritual liberation and awakened knowledge about the purpose behind reality.
So in short – tantric meditation is a structured system using interweaving physical, energetic, and mental methods to plunge into the deepest states of being and unlock our ultimate potential. Exciting, right?
Now let’s look back at where this unique style comes from.
A Brief History of Tantra’s Origins and Development
Tantric meditation’s origins are steeped in mystery but seem to date back over 5,000 years to India. The original system apparently developed alongside – or inside – older religious traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Yoga. As it evolved it adopted a wide range of local rituals and beliefs across different cultures. But certain core principles remained:
- Idea of “sacred sexuality” – using desire to achieve spiritual goals
- Awakening a mystical “life force” energy in the body
- Belief in opening energy wheels (chakras) along the spine
- Merging opposite forces – like masculine/feminine or stillness/movement
This idea of “weaving opposites” allowed people from many backgrounds to practice tantra – creating an adaptable, inclusive, and for some – liberating approach.
Over countless centuries, tantra spread across India, Tibet, China, Japan and only somewhat recently made its way to modern Western society. The 1960s sexual revolution led many pioneering Eastern masters to bring these teachings West – where seekers, especially women and marginalized groups, flocked to them for their liberating message of embracing the physical and using sexuality as a path to enlightenment.
And this “ancient practice” is still going strong today. In fact, old dogmas are collapsing as East/West blend seamlessly, science validates concepts like energy flow or altering states of mind, and people increasingly seek meaning beyond material life. Which brings me to just why I started this often misunderstood, even mystical, practice a few years ago…
But Isn’t Tantra Just About Sex? My Motivations for Starting This Practice
If tantra has one stigma – it’s that thanks to Western views on sexuality (especially historically), many reduce this multifaceted approach down to simply “sacred sexuality.” While enjoying sexual union can foster tremendously positive spiritual states according to tantra – it’s only one aspect among countless techniques aimed at inner awakening. My motivation? To tap into that richer reality I always sensed below everyday life’s surface…
See, I discovered tantra back in 2019 during – well – a rather difficult time in my relationship. We seemed trapped in painful cycles, feeling disconnected, frightened, and frustrated with each other. Seeking desperately to uncover deeper channels of trust, intimacy, and to just make sense of things – I stumbled into tantra’s world. Rather than chasing fleeting pleasure or “marathon sex” though, I hoped it would help me understand myself and partner at a core level to rebuild our fractured relationship. And it worked in unbelievable ways I never imagined…
Beyond this very personal entry point, I also remained open because I’ve had a lifelong calling to understand life’s mystical undercurrents. Meditation attracted me for its promise to delve below surface reality into subtler dimensions, brimming with insight about why we’re here and how to find meaning. Mainstream techniques left me wanting though – I yearned to plunge further into the absolute heart of the universe, and myself, once and for all.
And tantra’s fearless embrace of our human, sensual natures to channel higher wisdom sang to me. I respected its daring (yet practical) methods aimed precisely at dissolving rigid mental boundaries preventing deeper contact with existence. So off I went into tantra’s innermost sanctuary!
My simple motivation was making life’s purpose clear and unlocking my greatest human potential. Aren’t those aims we all share? If so maybe my story will inspire you too. Now here’s an overview of my incredible journey…
From Beginner to Advanced: An Overview of My Tantric Meditation Journey So Far
Starting tantric meditation felt akin to learning a whole new language! I remained dedicated though, and began with simple steps anyone can take before working up to more advanced techniques. Walking this road changed me profoundly – and still continues today. Here’s a broad look I’ll expand more on later:
Beginner Practice
- Basic breathwork, mantras and concentrating on energy centers (chakras)
- Awakening and “stirring” dormant inner mystical energy (kundalini)
- Training in proper structural form and alignment for stability in practices
- Performing cleansing rituals; establishing positive lifestyle regimen too
| Duration | Main Results |
|---|---|
| First 3-6 months | Feeling energized and focused during/after practice. Slight sense of inner connectivity emerging |
Intermediate Practice
- Incorporating deity icon visualization and “yantra” sacred geometry drawings
- Mastering specialized breathing techniques (pranayama)
- Chanting more complex bija (seed) mantras to alter consciousness
- Simple form of ritual “puja” worship and “yoga asanas” for preparing meditation
| Duration | Main Results |
|---|---|
| 6 months – 1 year | Increased peacefulness; tantric philosophy intellectually making sense. Mystical experiences during meditation – feeling universal unity, energies awakening |
Advanced Long-term Practice
- Very complex visualization/mantra combined practice
- Internal alchemical practice with psychic energy channels
- Esoteric tantric techniques like mystical hand positions (mudras)
- Serious focus on living virtuously; helping other beings selflessly
| Duration | Main Results |
|---|---|
| 1+ years | Profound sense of connection to all existence. Feeling divine love and wisdom permeating everything. Knowing reality as consciousness projecting infinite forms, including my human self. |
As that synopsis shows, over three years, I slowly graduated from tantra’s broad outer techniques aimed at comfort and stability to the more esoteric inner practices designed to rewire consciousness itself! The journey takes dedication but offers rewards beyond comprehension.
Why is Tantric Meditation So Different Than Other Types? It’s Special Qualities
Don’t confuse tantra with mindfulness meditation done eyes-closed quietly noticing your breath and thoughts! Tantric practice works with sacred inner sounds (mantras), elaborate mystical diagrams (yantras), alters awareness by rousing slumbering inner energy, and uses highly specific alignment, breathing, and concentration on psychic energy centers (chakras). Teasing apart how it achieves such powerful results helps clarify what makes tantra so unique and transformative.
Three key elements form tantra’s engine of awakening:
- Advanced Visualization: central to tantric practice is extraordinarily vivid visualization of deities (Buddhas or Hindu gods), gurus, yantra geometric maps, etc. Honed concentration from years of meditation creates inner images tangible as the outer world. This fuses our usual subject-object split causing breakthroughs.
- Mantra Recitation: internal chanting of ancient “seed syllable” mantras like OM or HAM penetrate deep consciousness, recalibrating its habitual activity. Their vibrations align our energy fields allowing mystical experience.
- Energy Work: tantriks occultly map the body’s energy currents (nadis) running through seven wheels known as chakras. Through visualization, breathing moves energy stimulating these spiritual organs bestowing radically transformative insights when awakened.
Clearly tantra is meticulously engineered to restructure consciousness itself using aspects of the body rarely tapped by regular meditation. Let’s analyze next just why it takes this radically ingenious approach…
The Ultimate Goal of Tantra: My Understanding After Years of Practice
Yes, taboo-breaking, counterintuitive tantric techniques aim for maximum impact by utilizing tools we often demonize like desire or anger and redirecting their power inward for inner alchemy. But the highest goal of tantra isn’t just having amazing mystical trips or mind-blowing sex. Tantra’s ultimate aim is ending all personal suffering by completely awakening from the illusion trapping all humans that we have a truly existing separate self at all.
It seeks utter liberation from the near-universal delusion that we’re isolated beings anxiously needing to manipulate people and reality to achieve happiness and security. Tantra melted my painful delusion of being an anxious, limited self isolated from increasingly chaotic modern life. It revealed finally how that false sense of division causing all my suffering arose from consciousness temporarily forgetting its inherent unity with all existence.
Yogajala emphasizes the importance of integrating body, mind, and spirit in tantric meditation to create a harmonious whole.
I saw directly for myself modern physics’ and ancient mysticism’s truth that no one’s inherently separate because there is only one seamless energy sea we all belong to, mirroring on vast scales within every atom. By methodically tripping neural circuit breakers through its advanced techniques, tantra jars consciousness outside rigid habits upholding this fiction of isolation.
My endless mental chatter about past and future finally disappeared too – replaced by freedom of simply resting in each precious present moment exactly as it is. Tantra’s alchemical fire burned away limiting concepts about who I am, leaving only sweet release of recognizing myself in everything. Of realizing the dazzling dream-like play of forms never obscured eternal intrinsic spirit of awareness.
I still sometimes slip into old contraction habits under stress. But tantra gave me reliable tools to recognize all conditions and experiences are fleeting, dreamlike arisings. This frees me to embrace life’s vibrant dance without clinging or pushing away anything appearing each instant.
So in conclusion – tantra’s highest aim isn’t the magic powers or special experiences arising along the path, but recognizing your true undivided nature. Are you ready to wake up from the dream of separation too through this powerful practice? I sure hope so!
Now here are tantra’s main tangible, even miraculous, benefits that arise enroute to total spiritual freedom…
The Many Benefits I’ve Experienced Using Tantra Meditation
Don’t assume tantra’s aims are only mystical or abstract. Surely awakening from our false separate self sense – realizing finally we’re all brilliant mirrors for absolute awareness delighting in taking on all shapes – is crucial. But tantric practice also delivers down-to-earth psychological and health boosts too! Here are its many evidence-backed upsides I’ve enjoyed beyond its spiritual gifts:
Reduced anxiety and everyday stresses: via balancing key stress hormone cortisol and GABA neurotransmitter lowering anxiety Deep pleasure and ecstasy: blissful neurochemicals like anandamide (our “inner bliss molecule”) flood tantra practitioners’ brains! Self-confidence and radiance: tantra instilled greater trust in my inherent goodness needing no external confirmation
Slowing biological aging: studies on tantrikas (adepts) show remarkable longevity, youthfulness via boosted DHEA, human growth hormone! Reawakened passion and intimacy: sans repression or neediness is possible through tantra’s sacred outlook on sensuality Harmony with all people: tantra’s all-embracing worldview instills appreciation of our shared essence with everyone!
Clearly aside from lofty talk of “spiritual enlightenment”, tantra offers down-to-earth mental health and wellbeing perks too. But navigating inner dimensions requires proper guidance for avoiding overzealousness. Let’s discuss properly learning at the feet of wise teachers…
Can Tantra be Dangerous? The Great Importance of Proper Guidance
Exploring your own consciousness can be intense! Without wise mentoring, prematurely awakening dormant inner energies risks anxiety, overstimulation even reactivating past psychological trauma. Luckily, tests show under qualified teachers, tantra’s safe, effective and powerful. But proper guidance prevents struggling alone through difficulties that can arise opening mystical aspects of embodiment.
Teachers passing extensive training are experts at avoiding overintensity. Initially that meant travelling abroad for my instruction then connecting online during the pandemic with authorized Western tantra teachers. They ensured steady balanced progress tailored for Western limitations adapting these ancient Eastern teachings here.
What characterizes genuine masters? Patience, compassion and living tantra’s values of integrity themselves. Their melodious voices, gentle nourishing presence itself dissolves inner hindrances as they customize practices for your unique disposition and karma. By surrendering to focused periods of guided practice with them, obstacles blocking your freedom naturally get lovingly removed.
My respect deepens daily for these humble cosmic doctors administering precisely the right consciousness-healing medicine. Their blessing gave me priceless tools for overcoming suffering. Is it time you seek out wise tantric guides too?
If you feel that pull, what might your own journey look like? Here’s a broad overview of what to expect.
An Inside Look: What Really Happens During a Tantric Meditation Session?
Wonder what those strange tantra practices actually look like? In this section I’ll walk you through the flow of a typical guided session. While advanced students self-direct with complex visualizations and energy work, beginners start by receiving initiation from accomplished instructors. You’ll get a feeling for tantra’s inner workings by glimpsing into this legacy given from teacher to student across millennia…
We begin bowing with palms joined in front of our hearts, honoring the sacred lineage blessing our practice. Softly chanting “Om”, I feel cradled in deep serenity as though this single tone strings the universe’s pearls of wisdom into a necklace circling infinity. My teacher guides us to visualize golden light streaming from mystical beings to dissolve our bodies into rainbow light. Merging with this divine nectar, dense separation of self and other starts softening…
Sitting straight, spine elongated, we chant Creation’s primordial vibration – “Om” – as undulating waves of sound and light spiraling clockwise and counter-clockwise. Their friction ignites inner fire burning dense thoughts of past and future leaving only silent presence. “Hamsa” mantra echoing on inhales/exhales makes breath palpably ride these growing energy swells. Inner flames shoot upwards, downwards, melting rigid psychic knots crystallized long ago in embodied consciousness.
Teacher reminds us to breath fully, guiding awareness into flowing sensations. Feeling growing connectivity to the whole group’s breath and subtle bodies, mystically merging as one organism guided by teacher’s skillful orchestration. Her timely instructions help avoid getting overwhelmed by intense pulsating energies brewed. Heart and groin subtly throb as practitioner and guide join. I know techniques for alchemizing desires, anger and confusion into generative spiritual balms.
After fruition phase gently consolidating realizations, we dedicate benefits from practice to all beings to relieve suffering. ChantingHeart Sutra in unison invokes timeless truth of consciousness projecting varied forms. Coming out silent, energized with blessings of lineage, I prostrate honoring the mystery.
While necessarily partial, I hope this depiction conveys some flavor of what guided tantric practice is like from the inside! Before wrapping up, let’s cover key safety precautions so you avoid difficulties using these potent methods at home…
Is Tantra Safe? Key Precautions and Considerations
Make no mistake – tantra’s profoundly transformative. Yet without proper support, over-practice causes avoidable problems. Critical guidelines include:
Get Qualified Teachers
Their guidance ensures steady safe progress benefiting you and others
Start Slowly
“Too much, too quickly” causes setbacks. Crawl deeply before trying to fly!
Daily Life Conduct Matters
Ethical living gives practice necessary roots to blossom.
Adhering to these prevents difficulties that can arise exploring consciousness so intimately through such potent methods. Take time finding wise mentors attuned with the sacredness of your unfolding. Gather support establishing healthy routines so inner work can thrive. Beginning this journey alone usually backfires – stay grounded in common sense.
If you take it slowly and reverently – tantra meditation can bless you beyond imagination. Which leads to final thoughts on taking your first steps…
Getting Started with Tantric Meditation: My Advice for Beginners
Curious if tantric practice is right for you but not sure where to start? As someone
who’s walked the road of tantra for years now, here is my advice to you as a beginner:
Start with an Open Mindset Leave expectations behind. Tantra has deep layers of wisdom to unveil if you remain open. Reserve judgement and see what arises working with these ancient methods.
Tune Into the Heart Don’t get trapped in intellectual analysis. Tantra is a path of feeling – lean into intuition and explore what brings aliveness. Follow your inborn radiance guide.
Find a Teacher Who Inspires Trust Learn tantra’s Foundation from someone embodying its qualities of presence and care. Test that your resonance aligns then fully receive their guidance.
Establish Supportive Lifestyle Routines Your inner work thrives when outer life feels harmonious. Make time for sound nutrition, gentle movement, supportive community and nature.
Practice in Beginner-friendly Spaces
See if local tantra or yoga studios offer intro classes on techniques like energy awareness or conscious breathwork. These prep you for deeper practices later.
Keep a Journal Tracking progress, insights and challenges helps integrate this powerful work. Write out discoveries from practice and readings so they anchor.
Read Beginner-friendly Resources
Immerse in tantra’s key concepts and tools through books, articles and talks so you don’t get overwhelmed once directly applying practices.
I hope these suggestions help orient you for starting out strong. Tantra’s journey transformed me profoundly through its skillful and nuanced system. May it awaken boundless joy, inner freedom and clarity of purpose in your life too!
In Conclusion, Should You Explore Tantric Meditation
Does tantra’s dazzling world call to you like it did for me years back? I won’t deny taking these life-changing steps takes courage and willingness to overhaul limiting beliefs about life’s meaning. But if you feel even an inkling of attraction – I say wholeheartedly…follow that draw without hesitation!
What I discovered working intimately with the best teachers available didn’t just upgrade skills or reduce stress. It shook free my deepest identity myths about being an isolated fragment in random reality. Guided masterfully into life’s pulsating heart, I awakened to timeless freedom realizing I’m seamlessly one with existence’s intelligent loving awareness.
I finally understood through direct experience why sages across history use tantra’s alchemy. Skilled initiates helped me open inner gateways to realize firsthand that consciousness – right now reading these words AS these words – isn’t my private property but the radiant ground weaving the universe of diverse forms.
That discovery forever relieved anxiety about finding security in ephemeral worldly identities and situations. How could I fear future loss when future itself danced within the play of awareness now? My teacher showed I’ve never been separated. This glimpse sparked inexpressible trust to embrace life’s uncertainties as opportunities…not obstacles. Everything that unfolded in awareness’s media became fuel for spiritual opening when seen accurately.
If you too want relief from stress rooted in feeling disconnected from existence, turn within through tantra’s portal. Let chosen mentors remove your obstacles exactly when they’re ripe. Then help other souls find their way back to intrinsic freedom.
This path asks much – but gives beyond measure. I can’t imagine life without tantra’s blessing. My heart longs for your liberation too. Now take courage and come home!
I hope this inside look at my journey inspires you to explore tantra’s meaningful world! Feel free to reach out with any questions. Here the lamp of guidance gets passed from my teacher’s hand to yours…receive it and walk freely beyond all fear. The path of truth awaits!
FAQ on Guided Tantric Meditation
Q: What is guided tantric meditation?
A: Guided tantric meditation is a spiritual practice that uses specific meditation techniques to cultivate mindfulness and inner peace. It mainly focuses on the interplay between the masculine and feminine energies within the physical body, with the goal of achieving spiritual awakening and oneness with the divine energy.
Q: What principles of tantra meditation are generally followed in a guided meditation?
A: The principles of tantra meditation often practiced in a guided meditation include ‘weaving’ or the unification of energies, nurturing one’s inner peace, and the cultivation of mindfulness. It also involves focusing on the chakra, or energy centers, to harmonize and heighten one’s spirituality.
Q: How does guided tantric meditation help cultivate intimacy?
A: Guided tantric meditation helps create intimacy by teaching individuals to merge with another energetically, deepening relationships and enhancing emotional connections. It also highlights the importance of mindfulness as a tool for increasing attention and awareness towards your own and others thoughts, emotions, and sensations.
Q: How can I make guided tantric meditation a personal practice?
A: You can incorporate guided tantric meditation into your personal practice by regularly setting aside time to meditate. Apps like Insight Timer have numerous guided meditation practices offered by experienced meditation teachers. This practice allows for spiritual growth, consistent mindful presence, and inner peace.
Q: What are some recommended techniques used in guided tantric meditation?
A: Some recommended techniques used in guided tantric meditation include mindful breathing, where you inhale and exhale consciously to foster calmness and focus. Other practices include yogic practices that celebrate the divine union of energies, body scans to cultivate awareness of the physical body, and visualizations to connect with the spiritual energy.
Q: What are the recent reviews of people practicing guided tantric meditation?
A: Recent reviews of people practicing guided tantric meditation have generally been positive. They report that this form of meditation often enhances their spiritual practice, nurtures their capacity to find joy, and helps them experience a level of intimacy and self-love they didn’t know was possible.
Q: How does guided tantric meditation relate to mindfulness?
A: Guided tantric meditation is a form of mindful practice. It trains individuals to pay particular attention to their physical body, thoughts, and emotions while cultivating a deep sense of peace. By embracing a tantric approach, participants learn to heighten their sense of awareness and develop a deeper understanding of their spiritual nature.
Q: Can I find a guide for a Tantra meditation retreat?
A: Yes, there are many retreats led by experienced meditation teachers specifically designed to deepen your understanding of the tantric approach. These retreats provide excellent guidance to help refine your practice, develop spiritual growth, and cultivate inner peace, among other benefits.
Q: How can guided tantric meditation be used to cultivate inner peace?
A: Guided tantric meditation cultivates inner peace by teaching individuals to focus on their breath, thoughts, physical sensations, and the interplay of energies. This focus diverts attention from external distractions, promoting a calm and peaceful state of mind.
Q: What is meant by ‘divine union’ in the context of tantric meditation?
A: Divine union, in the context of tantric meditation, refers to the ultimate goal of tantra- merging the masculine and feminine energies within the self, achieving spiritual awakening and experiencing a state of oneness with all that exists. This perceived oneness can lead to profound feelings of inner peace and a heightened sense of spirituality.
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