Tantra in the Third Millennium

By Robert Frey, MA

This is the first in a series of articles by Robert Frey exploring the application of Tantra in the 21st century. There is much for us to learn and to benefit through these ancient practices that, although they embrace sexuality, have far more to teach us. It has been said that Spirit meets us at the point of action. What Robert brings us is a method of action in our lives that is rewarding, enriching, and fulfilling.

As the pace of cultural change continues to accelerate, driven to a great degree by technological advances, it seems that the basic understanding of human life is also shifting. For example, recent archeological discoveries are beginning to shake the standard Western story of human history. A growing number of more open-minded archeologists and historians are beginning to question and rethink the traditional Judeo-Christian historical story. Improved technology has enabled archeologists to make remarkable discoveries over the last 10-15 years. The finding of more ancient "cities under cities" from the Mediterranean Sea to Southeast Asia have begun to reveal a pattern that describes a previously unknown culture. By examining tools, art, buildings, etc. the researchers have clarified a picture of a sophisticated culture that defies one of our most commonly held human myths - that humans are warlike by nature. Centered in India/Pakistan and stretching across Asia and the middle East, the "Dravidian" culture lasted roughly from 6000 to 3000 BC without war(!).

Archeologists found little evidence of war weapons or war art, but instead are finding the remains of a culture that worshiped the goddess, honored the Earth and its cycles of nature, and celebrated life with art, creativity, and ritual. Harmony and balance between the genders was maintained by the practice of "making love, not war." Furthermore, there is evidence that the emphasis on ritualized lovemaking and sexual practices was an important aspect of maintaining harmony between nature and humanity. Creativity, art, sexuality, farming and gathering, and ceremonies were all somehow integrated into a peaceful, community-based way of life. For a very, very long time (nearly 3000 years!) the ancient Dravidians demonstrated that it is quite possible to make love, not war.

Then some 4000 years ago this ancient, goddess/earth honoring, centuries-old culture was wiped out by invading warlike tribes. The teachings of the ancient goddess ways managed to survive and re-emerge around 1000AD in India as a spiritual path called Tantra. In China, a parallel philosophy called Taoism emerged. Taoist teachings contain many of the same beliefs and practices of Tantra, and include teachings on sacred sexuality. In Tibet Tantra was integrated with Buddhism and shamanic ways. That revival lasted several hundred brilliant years until the militant arrival and sexual repression of first the Muslims in India, then later the British. Again the teachings went underground. The great, enlightened Tibetan Tantric master, Padmasambhava, realizing that many of the important teachings would need to be rediscovered at a later era, hid the teachings in the pure nature of awareness in the "mind stream" of his disciples and their lineage. He attached a subtle type of time-release quality to these hidden teachings that would only be activated under the necessary favorable cultural conditions. Padmasambhava was not the only Tantric master to sense the coming repression of Tantra and make preparations for safeguarding the teachings in ways that would allow them to re-emerge at the proper time in the distant future.

Now, a thousand years later, the west is experiencing yet another sexual revolution and with it many of the ancient traditions, rituals, techniques, and meditations are again re-emerging. An increasing number of people are beginning to awaken to a deep desire for integration of their sexuality with a personal spirituality. In their search they are finding Tantra, and authentic Tantra is very much about making that integration. Originally, Tantra focused on much more than sexuality: It was a path for becoming a lover of life, a healing presence, and a master of relationship - with yourself and with all living things and all situations. Traditionally the use of sexuality would come later at a more developed stage where the student had transcended desire and cultivated a mastery of energy and awareness. This was accomplished by regular practice of specific methods that quiet the mind, open the heart, raise the vitality and flow of energy, expand the capacity for pleasure, and cultivate the ability to be fully present and sustain intimacy. Many sophisticated techniques were developed incorporating breath, movement, meditation, sound, and refined sexual practices. Therefore, skills such as becoming a great lover and being able to create blissful lovemaking experiences were traditionally seen as bonus benefits and steps on the way to a much greater, more profound prize: having a life of personal freedom and an abundance of love, inner peace, and joy. In doing so, one becomes a cup that consciously overflows in service to a divine plan for evolution and happiness for all.

As our young Western culture moves rapidly into the "Third Millennium" the likelihood is great that increasing numbers will have healed enough of their personality wounding and sexual issues and progressed enough on their inner journey to begin embracing true authentic Tantra and living and sharing a life of spiritual love. And if humanity is able to survive its current challenges, and if the acceptance and practice of Tantra is sufficiently widespread, then perhaps a new culture can emerge - one that integrates sexuality and spirituality - a culture that can embark on another long, peaceful era of making love, not war.

Robert Frey, MA, PhD (cand, Psychology) has been teaching Tantric practices and meditations and Sacred Sexuality since 1979 and has presented many hundreds of events, seminars, conferences, and retreats about Tantra, Sacred Sexuality, Relationships, meditation, and related topics, such as Inner Male / Inner Female, Male sexual health, Inner child healing, etc. He has been involved with Science of Mind, Vipassana Insight Meditation, and Sufi Dancing since the mid '70's. Robert has extensive training and practice in yoga, various meditation methods, Tai Chi, movement therapy, Bioenergetics, Wholistic health, NLP, hypnotherapy, Psychology, and various counseling approaches. He has published many articles, is a columnist for Tantra Magazine, and is the on-camera host of the highly successful video "Ancient Secrets of Sexual Ecstasy". He is also a popular recording spiritual singer / songwriter and is well known for his style of leading Sufi dance circles and devotional singing. Robert has a private counseling practice, offers counseling/coaching by phone, and occasionally appears on radio & TV. Visit his website for more information and his calendar of workshops and retreats. E-mail or call 818-784-0110. (Previous articles)