Mmmm, once in a while, everyone has one of those days, or even weeks, or years, when they just don't feel sexy. When you're tired, stressed, ill or otherwise unhappy with your body (and let's face it, Darlings, even Ringo has the occasional tummy-tuck-urge from time to time), it's hard to let yourself really, really go. Fortunately, there's an ancient art that helps us mere mortals feel the sexy powers of the Goddess, and allows us to get soooo turned on, soooo pleased with our own bodies, that we naturally awaken to erotic pleasure.

What's this magic elixir? It's Tantra, Darlings, and I'm sure that you've probably heard of it. But how much do you really know? The lovely Alexandria and Joe, a couple of Tantra specialists up in Cobble Hill (who also conduct workshops, in case you want more hands-on info), helped me come to a deeper understanding of this sensual tradition. Here's what I found out:

Moi: What are the fundamental principles of Tantra?

Alexandria: Tantra is based on a scientific understanding of the body's energy system and how the Chi or flow of energy affects our health. Tantra's ability to give good health is related to a holistic point of view, taking into consideration the mind, body and spirit.

Tantra's methods use all the senses, and bring an opening to a state of Bliss. When this state of ecstasy is obtained, radiant health and vitality are the result. This radiance affects the couple's family, then reaching out into the community and in turn to the surrounding environment, and also to the world as a whole entity.

Moi: What are the main misconceptions about Tantra?

Alexandria: The idea that women are the weaker sex. In Tantra the woman's role is created by her natural beauty, and her receptive energy system. The female is in control of the doorway that is either opened or closed, according to her state of mind, body and spirit. That is what Tantra is based on, the male counterpart having a reaction to her every unfoldment like a flower in stages.

Tantra does not fit into boundaries of time and space. When two people come together with open hearts, their minds and bodies become as one. When Tantra is practiced a soul-mate relationship develops. A deep trust and ability to compromise and sacrifice for the partner comes about. This is true for same-sex couples also.

The main misconception about Tantra would be that an orgasm or ejaculation is necessary to reach a heightened state of pleasure. In Tantra, every part of the body becomes sensitive to touch, all senses become awakened, taking the urgency and tension out of the genitals.

Moi: How does a "typical" Tantra massage session unfold?

Alexandria: The Tantric massage focuses on unblocking your energy system. The methods are applied using intuition, touching and feeling die body.

Laying on of hands awakens the body to touch, Shiatsu releases pain, stress, and works the pressure points in the body, Taoist Massage, using oil activates all essential glands, and clears and balances the meridians, crystals and gemstones unblock the chackras and raise the vibration of the energy systems, soft music clears the mind and lifts the spirit. The sessions last from one to two hours, depending on the client's body size and state of health. The mind becomes cleared of worry and the mundane world. The entire body becomes awakened giving the feeling of a full body orgasmic experience. Any sexual dysfunction can be eliminated, including any decease caused by lack of use or energy flow. A state of floating and light-headedness can result as tensions and toxins are released from the body. You lose the sense of desire for ejaculation or orgasm as the feeling of pleasure is spread throughout the body, mind and spirit. You are open and circulating Chi, a whole complete entity being filled with renewed energy with each breath. Health problems relating to stress and tension, which cause pain and emotional outbursts,can be relieved. Sexual dysfunction such as premature ejaculation and lack of orgasm can be cured . . . When massage is given between a couple a deepened sense of trust develops, and a feeling of giving and receiving on an equal balanced level is attained.

Moi: I hear more and more about Tantra in the mainstream media. Why do you think that is? Is it an accurate portrayal?

Alexandria: Mainstream media exposes Tantra to bring attention to sex, as in all advertisement to sell something. In actuality the word Tantra means "weaving energy."

To bring back the needed connection to our spiritual lives, Tantra is getting a lot of attention. But its real meaning and practice will take sincere dedication and wisdom to re-awaken. Many people today exist within a spiritual void. They attempt to find comfort in the material aspects of daily living while their inner spirit continues to be left wanting. Being as the spiritual and sexuality aspects of one's psyche are interconnected, the lack of development as spiritual, sentient beings has a direct effect on their daily life, relationships (interpersonal and others), and intimate relationships with a partner.

For the most part, North American society today is still about repression of one's sexuality, not enlightenment. Tantra is about being in touch with the various inner elements that shape each one of us as an individual. To see the body, mind, spirit and sexuality as component parts connected together to form the whole being.

Unfortunately, mainstream media takes the myopic view of only focusing on the sexual aspects. They simply cannot seem to get past the first rnree letters in the word "sexuality." Sex sells, period. All too often the word "Tantra" is misused in the media as merely another method to entice and sell sex to the public, with little or no regard for what the term actually means. The end result of this is doing injustice to the healing and intimacy that so needs to be recaptured in our society.

Moi: Amen to that, sister!

Mail: ringowilde@yahoo.ca