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

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eating unclean things.” A relief sculpture of one person joyfully eating <strong>the</strong> feces of ano<strong>the</strong>r also<br />

decorates a <strong>Tantric</strong> Buddhist temple in Orissa.<br />

Group Practice<br />

The Tantras are in part manuals for orgiastic practice. Since much of medieval Indian culture<br />

was already orgiastic, orgies were not a <strong>Tantric</strong> innovation. However, <strong>the</strong> Tantras <strong>to</strong>ok <strong>the</strong>se<br />

popular practices <strong>and</strong> transformed <strong>the</strong>m in<strong>to</strong> opportunities for rapid spiritual growth. <strong>Tantric</strong><br />

feasts (gaṇacakras) in particular are group sacred sex rituals. The Tibetan master Jamgön<br />

Kongtrul calls group sexual yoga <strong>the</strong> Circle of <strong>the</strong> Assembly (Gaṇa Maṇḍala), <strong>and</strong> especially<br />

recommends it. For group sex practice, <strong>the</strong> Hevajra Tantra provides a ritual in which <strong>the</strong> male<br />

practitioner st<strong>and</strong>s in <strong>the</strong> center of a maṇḍala, surrounded by eight consorts: “In<strong>to</strong> this maṇḍala<br />

enter <strong>the</strong> eight great blissful consorts who are twelve <strong>to</strong> sixteen years of age <strong>and</strong> are adorned with<br />

garl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> jewelry. With intense embraces <strong>and</strong> kisses <strong>the</strong> yogi serves <strong>the</strong>se consorts.<br />

Removing all <strong>the</strong>ir clo<strong>the</strong>s, kiss <strong>the</strong>ir lotuses again <strong>and</strong> again. By uniting <strong>the</strong> sexual organs, <strong>the</strong><br />

erotic play arises.” The Tibetan master Marpa performed his Hevajra sādhana in this way. If you<br />

are drawn <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>se practices, you can form your own maṇḍala group, or join one near you.<br />

Concluding Lovemaking<br />

For <strong>the</strong> conclusion (samāpti) of lovemaking, The Kāma Sūtra advises, “After making love, one’s<br />

behavior should be affectionate. A solid attachment is established through friendly<br />

conversation.” It is a good time for hugging <strong>and</strong> kissing, with gentle, kind, <strong>and</strong> humorous words,<br />

<strong>and</strong> bounteous cuddling. A few bites <strong>to</strong> eat <strong>and</strong> sips of alcohol can ground you after <strong>the</strong> intensity<br />

of practice. Your connection, gratitude, love, <strong>and</strong> passion increase. The value of your long term<br />

relationship reveals itself <strong>to</strong> you both, <strong>and</strong> you cherish <strong>the</strong> journey you set out <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r on <strong>to</strong><br />

attain inner awakening. It is cus<strong>to</strong>mary in India <strong>to</strong> take a bath after lovemaking <strong>to</strong> cleanse your<br />

body, or you can just bask in <strong>the</strong> mix of your energies. You may also want <strong>to</strong> give each o<strong>the</strong>r a<br />

short massage. Afterwards you may enjoy a nice meal <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n rest, telling ligh<strong>the</strong>arted s<strong>to</strong>ries.<br />

Results<br />

“Setting <strong>the</strong> two organs in equipoise,<br />

<strong>the</strong> wise one’s happy accomplishment is known as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Great</strong> <strong>Bliss</strong>.”<br />

- Sarva Deva Samāgama Tantra<br />

From your overflowing of love <strong>and</strong> bliss, inner awakening is attained. <strong>Sex</strong>ual yoga brings <strong>the</strong><br />

subtle winds in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> central channel, clears <strong>the</strong> most subtle obscurations of your root ignorance<br />

of self <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>and</strong> unites you with <strong>the</strong> Clear Light. You see reality clearly. You gain radiant<br />

<strong>and</strong> awe-inspiring beauty, youthful vigor, worldly magical powers <strong>and</strong> omniscience. You<br />

overflow with wisdom, light <strong>and</strong> love, <strong>and</strong> your actions are graceful <strong>and</strong> delightful. You dwell<br />

eternally in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Great</strong> <strong>Bliss</strong>. The Hevajra Tantra reveals <strong>the</strong> result of sexual yoga is that “The<br />

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