Tantric Sex

It is said that the tantric path can be a slippery slope without proper understanding and guidance. Without the amount of preparation, self-cultivation, and deep understanding of the principles involved, one will only be indulging in low-level desires and not truly experiencing the tantric path of ultimate freedom and awareness.

In ancient tantric texts from India we see that sex is viewed as having three distinct purposes — procreation, pleasure, and liberation. Spiritual seekers are able to use this most fundamental of human expressions to facilitate greater communication and trust levels with their partners, and are able to improve their health physically, emotionally, and psychologically. They can also use this powerful form of energy cultivation for further spiritual growth.

In India many types of sexual rituals were practiced. Some of them involved elaborate preparation and purification rites. In these rituals, the male and the female were seen as living embodiments of the primordial aspects of the universe—Shiva and Shakti. When they are joined physically these Shiva and Shakti energies are fused, resulting in a powerful energy field. This energy field then allows both the male and female to achieve higher states of consciousness as well as greater levels of health and spiritual insight.

An important part of this practice was seminal retention. It was believed that semen, being full of life-giving properties, was too precious to be lost.