The Art of Tantric Sex

100 Pages·1997·7.07 MB·English

by  Anne Johnson

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the art of tantric sex
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photography by Sal va to re
the art of tantric sex
Anne Johnson
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available from the British Library.
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Contents
Introduction 6
I Tantric Philosophy 14
1 1 Preparing the Body 24
III Preparing the Mind 32
IV Promoting Intimacy 40
V Giving Yourself Pleasure 50
VI Foreplay 58
VII Lovemaking 68
VIII Orgasm 78
IX Prolonging Intercourse 88
Glossary 94
Index 95
Useful Addresses and
Acknowledgements 96
l
nt rod uction
We are all familiar with
sex. It shouts at us from
every cinema screen, every
newspaper, every glossy
magazine. We nearly
all indulge in it, and most of us enjoy it.
Sex plays an important part in any intimate,
loving relationship and, for great many of us,
a
it is one of the most intense pleasures in life
Give me, my love,thatbillingkiss But Tantric sex? What's that? It probably doesn't ring bells
I taughtyou onedelicious night with quite so many people. But it's worth finding out what it
When turningepicures in bliss,
Wetried inventions ofdelight. is, because the chances are that anyone who enjoys sex will
(T. Moore) find the very real possibility of making a good experience
even better.
Western and Eastern attitudes
to sex
There is a lot more to sex than most people realize, and the
ancient Tantrists held the key to unlocking the possibilities ;
oftruly wonderful lovemaking. Even the most unexciting
ways of making love, which may have become routine and
boring over the years, can give a new thrill when Tantric
techniques are applied to them.
In Western society, sex is used mainly as a source of
enormous pleasure, as well as for the more practical
purpose as a means of procreation. In Eastern cultures, on
the other hand, sex has a third purpose. Here, sex is also
used as a means ofexpanding and exploring spirituality,
and - by so doing - as a route to enlightenment. This last
use ofthe sexual experience is known in China, quite simply,
as a way ofprovoking the spirit.
>
What is Tantra?
Tantra is not a particularly easy concept for many Westerners to
grasp. It is an ancient body of thought, dating back many thou-
sands ofyears, and it offers a complete approach to every aspect
of living - not simply to sex, though that is what we are mainly
concerned with here.
The word tantra' comes from the Sanskrit words tanoti, mean-
ing to expand', and trayati, meaning liberation. Tantra is an
ancient system of rites and rituals which expands the conscious-
ness and in this way frees us from the constraints ofour physical
being. To this end, Tantric sex teaches us to use all five senses to
their limits and - still more importantly - to push them beyond
their limits, thus expanding them through the consciousness of
the brain. In this way, Tantra views sexual union as a path to cos-
mic enlightenment.
Sex is regarded byTantrists as an entirely natural activity- per-
haps the mosf natural of all activities - and, again according to
Tantrists, what is natural can never be bad. It is not somethingwe
should ever feel guilty about. The only guilt that can reasonably
be associated with sex is ifyou debase orwasteyour potential for
sexual experience.
According to Tantric belief, nothing is forbidden. Everything is
allowed. Sexual experience is regarded as a positive opportunity
for learning. If it gives you pleasure, it is OK, and good for your
well-being, both physical and mental. Sexisan open, exciting and
uplifting experience.
Tantrism was not governed by any moral judgements on the
rightful place of sex within marriage, or the profanity of sex out-
side wedlock. However, the benefits of Tantric sex are at their
greatest when experienced within a loving relationship.
s important to point out that Tantra should not be inter-
a licence for sexual abandon. Far from it. Sexual energy
5t powerful energy that we know, and it is used in Tantra
liberation from the limits ofthe individual self. It is this
heightens our awareness of the value of each
vs us to penetrate the spiritual realms of
:overed that prolonged sexual union in
s a heightened sensitivityto the energies
than turning away from the 'illusions'
in enter that physical dimension
ofhuman perfection to the high-