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The basis of tantric philosophy is to experience the divine through the body. The word 'tantra' comes from the sanskrit words 'tanoti' meaning expansion and 'trayati' meaning liberation. Tantra is the practice of expansion beyond the limitations and boundaries we set for ourselves so we can realize our true divine nature. (Continued below)
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This is why tantra is usually associated with only sexual practices. The philosophy is misunderstood to some degree. Tantric philosophy teaches us to enjoy everything that the body and the spirit has to offer, including sex. It is by no means the emphasis of the practice. (Continued below)
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Other practices teach that in order to find this liberation we must transend the body. Tantric philosophy teaches non-duality. This means that unlike classical yoga philosophy like Samkhya, which views reality as dualistic and emphasizes the importance of spirit consciousness, tantra embraces spirit consciousness as well as nature and sees both as divine. (Continued at top of page)
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Hatha yoga (the physical practice of yoga) was developed as part of the tantric tradition. Hatha yoga is meant to purify and transform the body allowing it to take us on the path to self-realization. Tantra teaches us to embrace everything, all the polarities of life, and see everything as divine, including ourselves.
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