Frequently Asked Questions
What is ShivaHeart?
ShivaHeart is a social community for men interested in exploring tantra and other forms of conscious sexuality.
What is tantra?
The word “tantra” is typically used in two different contexts.
In most English-speaking countries in the modern day, people use “tantra” to refer to neo-tantra, a set of techniques for using erotic energy for personal development and spiritual growth. These techniques were developed in the 1960s and sought to integrate the ethos of the free love movement with Eastern spirituality, and include energy practices from tantric and Daoist traditions to achieve multi-orgasmic states.
The original tantra, now often referred to as classical tantra, is a group of spiritual paths from the Indian subcontinent that emphasize (among other things) a nondual perspective (i.e., you are a manifestation of the divine), embracing life in relative reality (particularly the body), and using ritual practices to condition the mind to see through its own illusions to pursue ultimate truth. The two main living traditions of classical tantra are Buddhist tantra, also called vajrayana (“the adamantine path”), which has survived in Tibetan Buddhism, and nondual Śaiva tantra (NST, sometimes called Kashmiri Shaivism). While some details between the two versions differ, they are very similar philosophically, though they often diverge in what terms they use to refer to things.
At ShivaHeart, we believe that neo-tantra can be a useful part of a tantric journey, and thus we welcome both expressions. To us, tantra is a spiritual path that is meant to lead to awakening, the realization of ultimate truth. We refer to the collection of erotic techniques developed by neo-tantra as sexual yoga; a tantric path may or may not include sexual yoga.
What does tantra practice look like?
Many elements of tantra have been incorporated into new age movements, and so you may already be familiar with them.
- The use of mantras, phrases that are repeated to invoke certain energies or mental states;
- Awareness of the subtle body, the energy fields that interpenetrate and extend beyond the physical form;
- Working with energy channels, including the chakras, places in the body where energies meet;
- Ritual practices called sādhana (SOD-uh-nuh), which are designed to invoke and personify different manifestations of universal energy;
What is sexual yoga?
If you’ve ever heard tales of “tantric sex”, where participants go for hours in states of continuous ecstatic orgasm, that’s sexual yoga. Fundamentally, it is a form of meditation that uses the body (and specifically pleasure) as the object of meditation. This allows you to go beyond your ordinary experience, limited as it is by the ego, and experience your totality as a divine being. Sexual yoga practices can also help you to connect with your erotic energy, to expand your ability to give and receive pleasure, and to achieve multi-orgasmic states.
Where can I go to learn more?
The good news is, you’ve already found one resource! ShivaHeart’s goal is to be a central location for tantra study and practice, where practitioners can learn from teacher and each other.
- You can see our listings of professionals to find a practitioner in your area to learn from
- You can find upcoming events in your area, or online events accessible from anywhere
- You can use the community finder to find a local partner or group to practice with
- You can ask questions and get perspectives from multiple teachers and other practitioners in our Study Tantra category
- You can check out the #resource tag to find books, websites, and other materials that can help you further your understanding
Can I learn tantra by myself?
Traditionally, tantra is an initiatory path, meaning that direct experience with an authorized teacher is necessary to access most of the practices. This approach has benefits and drawbacks, and some traditional teachers have opted for a more open approach, making teachings and practices widely available. Nonetheless, it is still highly recommended to work with a teacher or coach; while it’s theoretically possible to learn to play the piano by reading a book, it is challenging at best without a qualified teacher helping you along the way. Like the scales and simple melodies in a piano book, however, there are tantra practices that are simple enough for a beginner with no previous experience to practice and enjoy on their own.