HOW TANTRA EMPOWERS FEMALE SEXUALITY

Female sexuality as well as the control and regulation of it have been hot topics in both political and cultural arenas. Most recently, the potential U.S. Republican presidential candidates have all but declared war on reproductive justice as abortion once again makes its way into political debates and media headlines. And let’s not forget the continued discussion on consent and rape culture with the bevy of women (I believe the number stands at 49 so far) pouring out of the woodworks with allegations against Bill Cosby.

The landscape of female sexuality looks quite grim. It’s literally the proverbial one step forward, two steps back come to life. So, where can female sexuality be celebrated and expressed without shame, control or fear? The 5,000-year-old Eastern spiritual practice of tantra is a start.

Tantric Sacred Sexuality

Fortunately, the practice of tantra offers a more positive view of sexuality and the female body. Tantra’s tenets provide an opposite view of the current image of female sexuality. It goes beyond the reduction of sexuality to mere physical contact between individuals.

Tantra refers to the liberation or expansion of consciousness. Expansion of consciousness is achieved through everyday acts such as eating, breathing and having sex. It asserts that everything in creation is a form of the one divinity. Those who practice tantra view sex as a vehicle for spiritual formation and transformation. Thus, life without sex is devoid, hollow and lacks spirituality.

Tantric sex is based on levels of consciousness. As one reaches higher levels of consciousness, they climb to higher levels of sex. There are three levels: The first level is tamasic sex, which is described as compulsive, selfish and demanding sex. You know, the type of sex that usually involves headboard banging and a back brace. This type of sex is directed towards self-pleasure that is often a competition between two partners. The second level is rajasic sex, which is described as dynamic sex. Rajasic sex is a passionate type of sex that conveys mutual need between partners. Finally, sattvic sex is transformative. In this type of sex, partners are open to the sacred within one another. Sattvic sex is the level to which practitioners of tantra often aspire.

Spiritual energy is awakened through the practice of tantric sex. This spiritual energy passes through “circles,” also known as chakras, located in the spine. The energy courses its way up and through the spine to reach the seventh and final chakra, where one becomes in union with the Supreme Lord. It should be noted that achieving this level of spiritual union takes discipline, time and a deep commitment to the practice.

The most empowering aspect of the religion (or belief system) is that sex is approached without the stigma and fear of damnation. Thus, both males and females can develop a more positive view of themselves and their sexuality. Tantra aims to decondition the effects of shame and guilt normally associated with sex.

Since sex is viewed as divine, it is less likely to be approached with trepidation, shame and doubt. Sex is seen as more of a celebration of life and spirituality rather than an object of dominance and control. This is certainly a welcomed departure from the current discussion of female sexuality we often find in pop culture.

Equality and Tantra

As opposed to the traditional male-dominant view of sexuality, tantra stresses equality of the sexes. Sexual harmony is achieved through union of both male and female. The energies of both partners work to move toward a higher level of consciousness. Sexual interaction is not seen as an isolated activity, where one partner benefits while the other remains unsatisfied.

The practice of tantra requires equal participation and mutual engagement. Both partners must have the right intention in order for sex to be a spiritual experience. The practice of tantra can not only help women feel equal to her partner, but also as much a recipient of pleasure as a giver.

This sharply contrasts both past and present sexual practices, where male pleasure is often placed above that of the female as we often see even in media targeted towards women. How many articles have you read that describes 454,974,728,374 ways to give a blowjob? Can we get love too?

The practice of ejaculation retention, where men delay ejaculation for the purpose of maintaining spiritual energies, further demonstrates the regard for the female in tantric sex. This practice illustrates that the purpose of sex is for spiritual fulfillment and not male pleasure. Semen is viewed as a life-sustaining substance, and when a man is depleted of it through ejaculation, he then absorbs the woman’s fluids to sustain life energy.

The female body is viewed as a vital and important source of spiritual energy and not simply a womb for the purpose of reproduction. Thus, tantra provides women with a different perspective that allows them to appreciate their identities as sexual beings. It creates the opportunity for women to rebuild the sexual self and fully enjoy the experience of sexual pleasure.

So, how does tantra empower female sexuality?

Basically, tantra provides a more positive view of female sexuality as it regards male and female as equals. It creates an opportunity to address previously accepted negative messages about female sexuality. Sex is more than a physical act; it helps partners achieve a higher level of consciousness, which creates the space for a deeper level of intimacy. The female body is viewed as an important and vital aspect of the sexual experience. It can certainly be viewed as a tool to help women explore and experience female sexuality and pleasure.

For more information or if you might be interested in practicing tantra, try these resources:

Passionate Enlightenment: Women in Tantric Buddhism Miranda Shaw Princeton University Press, 1995

Tantra: Sex, Secrecy, Politics and Power in the Study of Religion Hugh B. Urban University of California Press, 2003

Kiss of the Yogini: "Tantric Sex" in its South Asian Contexts David Gordon White University of Chicago Press, 2006

#tantra #femalesexuality #equality