Tantric sex activates energy centers in our spine affecting our health, mind, emotions and spirit. But, just like driving around in LA, getting around this tantra grid is impossible without some guidance, a map to follow, good eyesight and a reliable car. Then all you have to do is fasten your seatbelt and drive safely.
Tantra is no different. You need to understand the energy system based on the chakras before you travel that road.
Tantra Chakras, or wheels of life, are energy centers located along the spine in the etheric body. Each chakra is related to a corresponding endocrine gland. A healthy chakra should be spinning rapidly with each chakra moving the next one along. A weak chakra spins very little, if at all, and can therefore slow down the spinning of the subsequent chakras.
When any chakra is halted or slowed down, illness sets in because the flow of energy is impeded. Active, healthy chakras not only stimulate our physical being, but they also keep us healthy and balanced emotionally and mentally.
The study of chakras is based on Tantric philosophy, a branch of early Hinduism referenced to in just about every culture.
Kundalini, sometimes called life force, ki, chi, prana, energy, shakti, is represented as a sleeping serpent coiled three and a half times at the base of the spine. It remains dormant until awakened. We can safely awaken her by energizing our bodies through our exercises and movements, (such as hatha yoga, meditation, tantric union) and we must be prepared to handle the energy that will begin to flow through our bodies as we progress.
The first chakra, prostate gland in men, and near the cervix for women, is called the Muladhar. The energy here is of the earth element. This chakra rules the physical body. The associations in this chakra have to do with survival, possessions, early life, the "tribe", meaning family, church, teachers and others who influenced us as a child, molded and made us conform to the rules and traditions of acceptable behavior, the status quo. We store all our traumas, and samskaras, early impressions from this or any lifetime in this chakra. Most of us live in this chakra throughout our lives. It is only when the kundalini is awakened that we begin our ascent to the higher chakras.
The second chakra, or Swadhistan, the water element, is located in the testes or ovaries in the area just below the navel. We store our emotions here, conscious or unconscious memories from this lifetime or past lives, including our negativity and dramas. This is the sex center of the body and the storage place of sex issues and lower “love” placement.
The third chakra is the Manipur, which is located at the navel. This chakra controls our vitality, willpower, perseverance, power and strength.
The fourth chakra, located near the heart, is called the Anahat, and its element is Air. We live in harmony through the association of love and marriage...marriage not only between man and woman, but the marriage of the Yin/Yang energies within ourselves. The experience here is of compassion, surrender, and devotion.
The fifth chakra is located at the throat and the neck. This chakra called Visshuda rules communication, self-expression, hearing and listening to the inner voice. The element is ether, from which all elements came. Clairaudience sets in here. At the location of the medulla, where the skull meets the spine, great pressure is felt, as “guards” prevent the opening to the next chakra until the aspirant is ready. This is the hardest chakra to break through.
When the “guards” feel it is safe, we move to the next chakra, called Ajna, the Third Eye, located between the brows. Ajna has to do with inner vision, intuition, seeing beyond eyes sight. This chakra is related to the pituitary gland, which regulates the endocrine and hormonal glands.
The Sahasrara, the seventh chakra, is located at the crown of the head. We associate this chakra with the pineal gland and the brain, the Void, Parama Purusa, Supreme Consciousness, Infinity.
We may experience all sort of phenomena as these chakras open. Because your experiences are impossible to predict, we recommend that you please consult a physician before embarking on any form of chakra practice.
Chandi Devi has always been involved in the creative arts and mystic arts, which eventually led her to completely immerse herself in the study and practice of tantra. Through the tantric path, the Shakti (goddess energy) awakened in Chandi a profoundly deep and broad passion for the diversity of life's treasures, from spiritual studies to politics to tango and more. Her book, “From Om to Orgasm: The Tantra Primer for Living in Bliss” has been described as “outstanding and has full potential to become a classic reference work”.
Dubbed the “Dear Abby of Tantra”, Chandi writes a question and answer column on tantra/sexuality/spirituality called “OMG!!! to OM” for Om-Times.com and AscendingHearts.info. Additionally, she has written film and television treatments that cloak ageless wisdom under the veil of entertainment and she invites industry people to partner and manifest this vision together with her and create a new paradigm for the 21st century. She can be reached at chandi@humanityhealing.net or www.theworldoftantra.com.