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

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Introduction<br />

“At <strong>the</strong> center of <strong>the</strong> maṇḍala, oh beautiful one, I am <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with you,<br />

impassioned with <strong>Great</strong> Passion, <strong>the</strong> essence of <strong>Great</strong> <strong>Bliss</strong>.”<br />

- Hevajra Tantra<br />

Tantra is not only a set of practices but a lifestyle. It is a<br />

way of living freely, passionately, <strong>and</strong> au<strong>the</strong>ntically, fully<br />

focused on <strong>the</strong> present yet with <strong>the</strong> ultimate goal of<br />

blissful perfection always in mind. Buddhism is <strong>to</strong> a great<br />

extent a group path. You take refuge in <strong>the</strong> Buddha, <strong>the</strong><br />

Dharma <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Saṅgha, <strong>and</strong> rely on your fellow<br />

practitioners <strong>to</strong> support you following <strong>the</strong> path <strong>to</strong> inner<br />

awakening.<br />

You live in a <strong>Tantric</strong> universe, but in your ordinary life<br />

you do not live <strong>Tantric</strong>ally – that’s why you suffer.<br />

Living <strong>Tantric</strong>ally means being richly engaged in <strong>the</strong><br />

world, taking in all <strong>the</strong> beauty around you. Moving<br />

sensuously <strong>and</strong> erotically, you boldly say “Yes!” <strong>to</strong> life.<br />

You do not let your thoughts rule you, but exp<strong>and</strong> your<br />

being in<strong>to</strong> an inner wisdom. You allow your emotions<br />

arise fully without judgement, but always taking<br />

responsibility for <strong>the</strong>m <strong>and</strong> not blaming o<strong>the</strong>rs for what<br />

you feel. You do not allow anything ever <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p you<br />

from loving strongly. You see all of life is an ocean of erotic heart energy, <strong>and</strong> you swim in it as<br />

<strong>the</strong> greatest gift you will ever know. The more you allow nature’s primal energies <strong>to</strong> flow<br />

through you, <strong>the</strong> more your own erotic <strong>and</strong> blissful energies flow <strong>to</strong>o.<br />

You perform all activities as <strong>the</strong> deity. You visualize yourself as <strong>the</strong> goddess Vajravilāsinī or <strong>the</strong><br />

god Padmanarteśvara throughout <strong>the</strong> day, feeling one with her. Bathing is a consecration by <strong>the</strong><br />

gods <strong>and</strong> goddesses. Eating is a sacrificial offering <strong>to</strong> your deity. Sleep is union with <strong>the</strong> Clear<br />

Light. You experience yourself <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> world blissfully, <strong>and</strong> your work is <strong>to</strong> give bliss <strong>to</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />

The <strong>Tantric</strong> lifestyle is ideally supported in community. The Tibetan master Jamgön Kongtrul<br />

honors <strong>the</strong> power of group practice, joyfully encouraging <strong>Tantric</strong> practitioners <strong>to</strong> see that, “The<br />

greatness for both self <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs is <strong>to</strong> become enlightened <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> community of<br />

practitioners as one group.” You are <strong>the</strong> greatest gift that you could ever give <strong>to</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r person.<br />

Your wisdom, love, <strong>and</strong> powers are incalculable. But that gift of your own true self <strong>to</strong>o often lies<br />

hidden behind your inner obstacles. As you purify yourself through <strong>Tantric</strong> practice, <strong>the</strong> gift that<br />

you are becomes manifest, <strong>and</strong> you can give yourself effortlessly. Supported in your practice as<br />

part of a <strong>Tantric</strong> community, <strong>the</strong> pleasure is greater <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> rewards greater still.<br />

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