In recent decades, Tantric practices have been of interest to Westerners who wish to rediscover a gentler and more conscious sexuality. When we dig into the Asian roots of Tantrism, we can see that as this Hindu practice has traveled to the West, it has changed considerably. In fact, André Padoux, a world-renowned Indian specialist, states that the importance of sex in the ancient Tantric traditions should not be overestimated. Our contemporary Western reading has put sexuality at the center of Tantrism, whereas sex represented, at the time (8th – 11th century), only a small proportion of this practice. The goal was to guide a small number of followers of the Hindu socio-religious community towards a spiritual quest for self-improvement. This initiatory path went against Hindu orthodoxy by undermining certain rules of propriety and purity. Thus, these tantric practices were quickly associated with black magic throughout the ages, because the adepts could consume drugs (cannabis and ayurvedic medicinal plants) and practice sacrifices. And what about sex? As stated above, sex was not central to the ancient Hindu Tantric traditions. However, sex was considered a practice requiring a high level of technical mastery of Tantrism: it was one of the means to achieve ultimate spiritual liberation. In addition to this dissonance between ancient Hindu practices and our Western reading of them, Tantrism is nevertheless associated with sexuality today. The popular medias recurrently talk about tantric massages, tantric sex or tantric orgasms. But popular newspapers are not the only ones to take a look at Tantrism. The scientific community is also studying its effects on the sexual physiological response, and in particular, its impact on the orgasm phase. According to several researchers, a meditative practice called "tantric" could even have effects on sexual dysfunctions (anorgasmia and rapid ejaculation).
Recension • Tantric traditions and sexuality
22 February 2023
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tantra, tantrism, tantric tradition, spirituality, black magic, Asia, sexual dysfunction, orgasm, East, buddhism, hinduism, religion, esoterism
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