Following is a quote from the introduction to Rocky Horror Tantra (see previous blog post for more) and ensuing conversation/debate between Rahasya and Anne-Marie Clulow, a tantric practitioner.
Rahasya:
"The first task of any teacher of tantra is to scare you off the idea all
together. This is a compassionate measure designed to spare those without the
calling, saving them considerable effort, pain and time.
Tantra is also known as the Path of Bliss, the Lightning Path and the Royal
Road.
Bliss, because pleasures and pains are embraced, not avoided. Bliss is the
integration, the encompassing acceptance, of life’s pleasure and suffering as
one suchness.
Lightning, because the path is notable for its extreme speed.
The Royal Road, because it is a path designed (at least the Buddhist version)
originally for the elite of a culture, who’s worldly involvement and
responsibilities make a monastic life impractical.
The personal characteristics that produce achievers in any area of human
endeavour are essential to tantra: Ambition, determination, responsiveness and
especially hubris."
Anne-Marie:
Hmmm.
And scared off I would have been. And run I did. And hide. And fear. And
then...
You cannot not do it.
You can send any challenge into the universe.
And you cannot not be it.
I am looking fwd to reading this book, as for so long my inner
voice/guide/channel told me to learn through my own experience, not through
those of others. That my learning had to be my own, that my path was unique. In
my opinion I believe that true of everyone now, and I subscribed differently
for a long time. Rahasya, I often do not agree with you, finding many things
that you say elitist. Yet, I am so grateful to you. For what would any of this
be if we were all in agreement? And what does Tantra teach if not acceptance of
everything? Part of my path presently is truly listening to those I do not
agree with. If I have gathered anything from your posts, it is that you would
not be offended by this at all, that you enjoy a great debate, and that your
views on many things do not subscribe to the norm?
And I
had to look up hubris!! Hahaha!!!
Rahasya:
A lovely
word, Anne-Marie, and
it looks to me like you have at least your fair share of it :)
Elitist - absolutely!
Special forces soldiers consider themselves an elite among the military,
although 'regular' soldiers could be offended by that idea.
Tantra is not something 'everyone can do'. It just is so. Just like not every
enlisted man has the capacity for special forces work.
Acknowledging actual differences is not a superiority/inferiority thing though,
any more than Inuit are 'superior' human beings because the handle cold that
would kill other people.
Tantrikas often would not wish what they have to go through on anyone, even if
they have a worst enemy.
Anne-Marie:
I
agree with some of this, and disagree too. False dichotomy... As it is not an
either or actually.
I agree that it would be easier to not have this calling which I have perceived
through my experience as being a conduit to energy outside of myself as well as
using my own sexual energy to specifically channel into another's body,
enabling a body experience that leads to many things, emotional release,
insight, visions, change in consciousness, increased sexual energy and
heightened energy for actual physical healing too. I would have preferred to
wear white and meditate a shitload like the Buddhists. Until I saw the
hypocrisy of not being able to save a drowning woman because you can't touch a
woman, yet completely missing the point of the original precepts of do not
kill. Obviously, allowing to die was seen differently. I was
tired of splitting hairs. I wanted something that encompassed all, did not
judge, did not deem itself "better than" I wanted to be
"holy" not dealing with the nitty gritty of people's bodies.
So I agree with the not wishing it on your enemy, yet I have also known a
deeper more connected space in healing than almost any other space. Meditating,
singing ( sometimes) and making love are the only other places I have that
"flow" although I am wary of terminology as often it leads to dissent
if it is not the same as others' .
I do feel that Tantra in the form of opening to self, balancing light and dark,
the fullness of the human experience and linking the spiritual journey with
sexual energy is not only to be mainstream, but an absolute necessity to the
awakening of mankind's consciousness as we move into a new era. Many spiritual
teachers in differing modalities are beginning to awaken to the linking of all
energies in the body to raise consciousness.
If the folk in the Tantric world keep it elite, and don't share practical ways
to open energy up for people to have their awakenings is that not the ultimate
separation? Maybe all are not meant to be healers or teachers, but how does
keeping it elitist truly share love in its most unconditional form?
Rahasya:
Anne-Marie,
"If the folk in the Tantric world keep it elite, and don't share practical
ways to open energy up for people to have their awakenings is that not the
ultimate separation?"
One better known example, which means that it is not very well known outside of
tantra, is the practice called Mahamudra, aka Sacred Union.
This is commonly (in the greater world of tantra as therapy, healing,
sexuality, poly, bdsm, etc) taken to mean 'penis in vagina' sex.
In the old and dusty schools, it is ritualised and has mostly lost its
power/function.
The 'elitist, secret' version of this practice is a neurological bonding of the
masculine and feminine energies within.
Some of the method is known, some is hinted at in old literature. I have taught
'partial' and 'diluted' versions on what we call 'practitioner level'
workshops.
The reason for all the caution is simple. It is a seriously dangerous practice.
It has very powerful real-world consequences.
If, for example, someone suffers the usual Western condition of a divided,
divisive, mutually antagonistic relationship between their inner masculine and
feminine aspects, this practice will add rape, not love to that relationship.
This is likely to make the inner war so intense that it consumes all the
person's prana (nerve-system energy). This means they become completely
inwardly focused and have no outward energy, no capacity or capability of
communicating outside of their own mind. In other words, a psychosis. Likely
permanent.
We deal in love and other very powerful energies. It is part of our compassion
and responsibility that we are careful in how and when we apply them.
Someone who hides the matches when you are in a room full of dynamite may be
your friend.
Anne-Marie:
Rahasya,
I can only speak from my own experience and from my inner guide. You have more
experience than I. I have much to learn and experience, so even though I don't
understand this, I will listen to your book. Yes, I get the concept of passing
"dynamite" to those who have methods of dealing with it. Perhaps I
saw elitism where there was caution. In my learnings with Taoism that concept
of passing down carefully to avoid the misuse of "dynamite" has
purpose.
Perhaps I have been guilty of drawing conclusions through vocab and words and
for that I apologize :)
Rahasya:
No
apology – I enjoy this discussion much.
As people read on, I wait for much more difficult criticism/exploration
(wince).
I did find a lot of it very difficult to read aloud. Different from the quiet
hours over the last few years, just me and the muse, just writing it down.
My favourite question so far emailed by a listener/reader:
"in your audio book, when you said Wendy had "ruined 3 or 4 men
during her training" Were you speaking figuratively or literally? Might I
ask what form of "ruin" are seekers likely to face? (The rocket
scientist risk calculator is buzzing in my brain.)"
and, yes, he is a rocket scientist.
… The discussion continues in the Rocky Horror Tantra FaceBook group.
Listen to the Rocky Horror Book Introduction:
Track 1 Track 2 Track 3
