Tantra

Updated: APRIL 30, 2019

Tantra is a style of meditation and spiritual practice that originated in medieval India and influenced all major Asian religions from Hinduism to Buddhism. Its strongest modern influences can be seen in current yoga practices and New Age beliefs.

In North America, Tantra mostly refers to a combination of Eastern spirituality and sexuality, also called spiritual sex or sacred sexuality. Tantra has been used as a philosophy of sex meant to fight against the repressive Western attitude toward sexuality.

More About Tantra

Tantra can refer to such a diverse variety of techniques and practices that is has become hard to define precisely. At the core of Western Tantra (or Neo-Tantra) is the belief that one can dissolve his or her ego through the experience of sexual ecstasy that is beyond orgasm.

Practitioners of Neo-Tantra believe that they can access higher levels of spiritual consciousness through specific sexual techniques and activities. Those who don’t necessarily want to follow the spiritual path can use some Neo-Tantric techniques for greater sexual pleasure and a stronger connection with their partners and their own bodies. This can involve breathing exercises, sexual stimulation techniques and specific sexual positions.