What is a Tantra

Have you heard of Tantra?

Tantra is an ancient Hindu practice that is aimed to achieve personal growth, spiritual fulfillment, self-realization, and merging with the divine.

Tantra is also practiced in Buddhism and other Indian traditions.

Tantra includes a wide range of beliefs, practices, and rituals. It is referred to as esoteric, as it is practiced by a small, select group within certain communities in India, Tibet, and other Eastern countries.

When one hears Tantra, some people conjure up various ideas without understanding the deeper meaning.

In English, unfortunately, there is no easy way to pronounce Tantra. One may attempt to pronounce it as "Th" as in theta, followed by "nnn", followed by "Thra".

What is Tantra?

Tantra comes from the Sanskrit root words. The word "Tan" means "to expand," or "to spread," and "tra", means "instrument".

Tantra is a tool for expanding our consciousness beyond mundane activities to encompass the universe, and for elevating our knowledge from the ordinary to the divine.

Tantra has been described in various ancient scriptures of both Hinduism and Buddhism.

When the atma, loosely translated as 'soul,' residing within each individual body, undergoes self-realization, that person suddenly experiences joy and remains in a state of bliss.

Tantra practices are a means to discover oneself, achieve self-realization, and connect with the divine. Tantric practices facilitate the rediscovery of one's true nature and lead to a spiritual journey.

Other Understandings of Tantra

Various aspects of Tantra include:

• Certain tantric practices encompass diverse forms of yoga and mantra recitation, aimed at releasing energy - like Kundalini energy - from a dormant state to a state of self-realization. In this heightened state, individuals connect with divine beings or deities.
• Additional tantric practices includes rituals, meditation techniques, and philosophical teachings. By performing these rituals and techniques, practitioners strive to attain an elevated state of mind, experience peace, and acquire a deeper understanding of life.
• Tantric practices have also been utilized to enhance one's sexuality as a pathway to reach ecstasy and a blissful state. This is commonly referred to as Tantric sex. The practitioners aim to explore the divine nature through their six senses: touch, hearing, smell, sight, taste, and imagination, and apply that to arouse the sensual feelings to reach a blissful state.
• Tantric practices have also been used for personal development and spiritual growth among individuals who cannot engage in rituals or meditation.

Tantra is an extensive field of study that cannot be fully explored within this short essay. Tantric practices are intricate and encompassing. Unfortunately, on the internet, many Tantra-related topics are erroneously associated with sexuality, leading to misconceptions.

Tantra is a very vast and extensive topic of study that cannot be covered in this short essay. Tantric practices are very intricate and encompassing.

Unfortunately, on the internet, many Tantra related topics are erroneously associated with sexuality, leading to misconceptions.

The true nature or the essence of Tantra can only be understood by the practitioners of the tantric rituals, tantric medication techniques, and study of tantric philosophy.

These practitioners are primarily found in India, Tibet, and other eastern countries. Outside these regions, individuals who claim to follow Tantra often demonstrate a limited understanding of its true meaning, practices, and philosophy.

The ultimate goal of Tantric practice is to live in harmony with nature, experience divinity with you, and then finally merge with ultimate reality.

I hope you were to learn something new from this topic. Please leave a comment and any feedback.