Sex, Tantra and the Evolution of Consciousness

All life here is a stage or a circumstance in an unfolding progressive
evolution of a Spirit that has involved itself in Matter and is labouring
to manifest itself in that reluctant substance. This is the whole secret
of earthly existence.

- Sri Aurobindo

From the Yogic perspective evolution is not just blind chance, but an interaction between immaterial consciousness and material energy. We are not talking about “intelligent design” as much as a process of creative unfolding. The Conscious Self has lost itself in objective, or objectified, substance and is gradually reawakening to its own nature. This is happening within and through each of us as human beings. The multitude of various yoga techniques are meant to facilitate and accelerate this process.

Human sexuality is central to understanding this process as it occurs on an unconscious, biological level. Sexual energy is at the basis of our beings. As Freud noted, it drives a substantial amount of our behavior whether we are aware of it or not. According to Tantra Yoga, sexual energy is the basis of consciousness evolution within us. It is a power which can either liberate or enslave us depending upon how we approach it.

On the unconscious, instinctive level, sex can inhibit spiritual development. It can keep us fixed and fixated at our particular stage of development. As such, when frustrated, it leads to numerous destructive outlets. The sexual inhibition almost universally enjoined by religion is a two-sided sword. On one hand, we need to overcome mindless indulgence. On the other hand, the shame and guilt that religion engenders creates its own breed of pathology. The poet William Blake wrote, “As the caterpiller chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.”

Unlike most of our mammalian forebears homo-sapiens do not enter a seasonal estrus. Instead women ovulate monthly throughout the year and men think about sex constantly. There is a story of a man who went to see a psychiatrist. The doctor decided to try a Rorschach test to find out about his unconscious motivations. He showed the man the first inkblot picture and asked him what he saw. “A man and a woman having sex,” the man replied. On viewing the second picture he reported seeing three people having sex. Another revealed bestiality. Finally the doctor stopped. “Well, it is clear that you are obsessed with sex!” “Me?” cried the man, “You’re the one with the dirty pictures!”

A study done in 2007 (http://www.ehbonline.org/article/S1090-5138(07)00069-4/abstract) seems to indicate that we have some of the same unconscious instinctual behaviors associated with animals. It followed a sampling of lap-dancers and found that on the average they made more money when they were ovulating than at other times during the month. This belies theories that estrus has been lost or “buried” in human beings. Instead, like with many of our unconscious behaviors, we have learned to rationalize our sexuality. It is not hard to notice how many puritanical public figures end up in trouble over their hypocritical sexual discrepancies. Although we are definitely more than just “naked apes,” there is a certain amount of truth in this assessment. Of course, we now have the benefit of technology to make pornography, a uniquely human form of sexuality, available to all.

Homosexuality is somewhat of a different story although not entirely separate. The subject is beyond our scope here suffice to say that it is an authentic, if not fully understood expression of human sexuality. There is a swami that I studied with, a medical doctor no less, who claimed that homosexuality is all but unknown in India. Studies, however, show that the percentage of homosexuals in any given population is generally the same. Unfortunately, I don’t know any particulars of a “Gay Tantra.” The overall message of Tantra though is, “start from where and who you (apparently) are.” Accept yourself, tune into Divine Love and Wisdom and recognize them as aspects of your deeper being; your authentic Self.

Tantra yoga is an approach that encourages us to develop self-love, acceptance and respect. Rather than identifying with our chronically insecure egos, we can consciously identify with our sacred Self. The ego is the seat of judgment, insecurity and need to control. Rather than judging our sexuality negatively, we can learn to explore its transformative energy. This path does require self-discipline, but it is a positive self-discipline not based in notions of sin, guilt and shame. It is not a path of complete license, compulsive or abusive behavior. It is first and foremost a path of love.

Sexual energy is an aspect of kundalini, the transformative energy at the base of our psyches. Tantra yoga utilizes various means of awakening this energy and guiding it through the chakras which are centers of psychic energy within the body. This science is outlined in detail in Swami Satyananda Saraswati’s Kundalini Tantra. This work is essential reading for anyone interested in this path. There is a great deal of misinformation out there on Tantra. Swamiji’s book is true to tradition and his own experience as an awakened being. In it he lists various ways of awakening kundalini. One of them is the sexual ritual practice known as “maithuna.”

Maithuna is part of a ritual which involves five “ingredients”: meat, fish, alcohol, sexual intercourse, as well as mudra. These, however, do not have to be taken literally. They have a symbolic significance which can be experienced either outwardly through the ritual or inwardly through meditation. It is up to the practitioner and depends on his or her level of consciousness. To practice this properly requires training in hatha yoga, meditation, mantra, etc. Sexual activity is not absolutely necessary and periods of celibacy are helpful in raising one’s energy level as well as consciousness level. The practice is meant to help us grow beyond our neurotic obsession with sex.

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