Spiritual guide: what is tantra and how can it help you

The word “tantra” often invokes a sexual thought in most people. While tantra is strongly associated with sex its definition is much broader. Tantric teachings are ancient Hindu and Buddhist doctrines revolving around mental and physical exercises for the purpose of harnessing and maximizing personal energy. The fundamental teaching of the tantric doctrines is based on the notion that tantra can be applied to any aspect of life and will result in deeper interpersonal relationships and increase self-peace and self-harmony.

Tantric power starts with controlled and effective breathing. By breathing deeply, as the tantric doctrines instruct, you bring more oxygen to the lungs. An increase in oxygen will trigger an increase in fuel to the body and mind and results in a more active state. To breath with tantra you must not only draw in deep breaths, you must visualize the air moving down into your lungs, through your stomach, your legs, and into the ground below. Repeated imagery will reinforce the breathing tactics, and soon deep-breathing will be second nature.

Tantric power uses motion to foster positive energy, therefore dancing, exercising, or even jogging in place will promote tantra. Stopping abruptly mid-exercise will result in a sudden feeling of pumping blood and tingling muscles and your awareness of your own energy. Yoga and stretching will produce sensations in your body that, with tantra, you will be made aware of and be able to harness simply by recognizing the strength present in your own body.

Physical motion coupled with mental imagery will produce the best tantric results. Challenging yourself by varying your daily routines or breaking habitual activities will increase your tantric power by allowing yourself to be aware of your ability—your personal power to use your energy to change.

If you master the breathing tactics and are able to recognize the power of your own mind and body you can benefit in several ways. Tantra will first and foremost get you into a good mood. Tantra teaches that smiling and laughter frees the mind from anxiety. Recognizing the energy in your own laughter and others will promote a healthy mental state free from excessive worry. The ability to harness your personal energy will translate into openness that is uncommon in many people.

Tantra also increases your power of self-control. When you find yourself in an emotionally fragile or anxious state using tantric exercises will produce a calming effect. Taking a moment to stop and breath will be beneficial. Breathing in deeply while envisioning yourself brushing the anger and frustration out of your body and ladling a handful of positive emotions into your heart will lead to state of easiness. After you consciously practice tantric breathing when you find yourself stressed, angry, or frustrated eventually the calming procedure and its effects will become second nature.

Aside from improving your personal state of mind, tantra can improve your relationships. One of the pillars of tantric teachings is the notion that we transfer energy, positive and negative, to people we meet. The single most important tantric quality in a person during a conversation is maintaining eye contact. Teachers of tantra believe that imagining a strand of love flowing from your eyes to the person you are talking to will strengthen the energy between you two. The person you are facing is likely to instinctively pick up on your strength and love, and therefore, will reciprocate.

Above all else, tantra stresses the need for light-heartedness and play. Feeling carefree is something embraced by tantric feelings because fundamentally it is taught that our minds are the most creative when they are allowed to roam holds true.