Great-Bliss-Tantric-Sex-and-the-Path-to-Inner-Awakening

Introduction
“Consecration is the cleansing, with the waters of wisdom, of all the veils.”
- Kṛiṣṇācārya, The Yoga of the Jewel Garland
116
Tantra is a graded path to enlightenment. You
pass from one level of knowledge, practice and
realization to a new and higher one. Tantric
Buddhism is based on a system of
consecrations that qualify you for different
levels of instruction and practice. Each
consecration also includes vows that you must
uphold in order to make rapid progress.
Consecration (abhiṣeka) is an event that marks
you as a new, more pure and sacred person. It
demonstrates your ongoing commitment to
following a spiritual path to completion. The
consecration ritual is a coronation - you release
your ideas of yourself as an ordinary person
and are ennobled and transformed, rising to
become the king or queen of your own reality.
Tantric consecrations are extremely powerful,
and are in no way “merely symbolic” acts. The
Tibetan master Jigten Sumgön (1143-1217)
remarks, “The difference between the sūtras
and Tantras is the consecrations.” They lay the
seeds for your quick transformation into a
buddha. Without the consecrations, as a
bodhisattva you must follow the most arduous
path to enlightenment that takes three incalculable eons. Yet because of the consecrations, you
can attain enlightenment in a single lifetime. Each is a doorway into a potent new stage of your
path. Integral to all consecrations is sexual yoga, and the level of bliss produced in each one
marks your progress. Consecrations are extremely juicy, and bring you new love and zest for life.
At each consecration, you take vows (samaya) regarding practice and daily conduct. The vows
are your stated commitment to success. They are not simply about making promises and keeping
them - they guide you in every moment and support you in your path. Through continuous
practice and maintaining your vows, your own spiritual advancement becomes clear. As you
advance to the highest levels, however, you release your vows. Seeing them as mere conceptual
constructs, more and more you are guided by the Innate presence of perfect wisdom.
In order to take a consecration, you must be qualified (adhikara). Qualification means that you
are ready for a certain level of practice. You must demonstrate the proper motivation, keep up
your practices and vows, and reach the necessary benchmarks that indicate you are ready.