School Journal
8th March 2007 - NITSA
8th March 2007 - A memorable day!
Today is a memorable day - the National Institute of Tantra South Africa was founded today. It's affiliation to the International Institute of Tantra and the Jade Lotus Tantra Group as well as the International Institute IASECT is of great importance to the development of Tantra is South Africa. It is my vision that earnest Tantra trainers and masseurs will affiliate with the National Institute so that Tantra can grow in quality and professionalism during the next few years as the interest in Tantra grows. And it will grow! Going by the growth of the tantric community internationally, we have to foresee that many will use the buzz word "tantra" to market what are essentially erotic services. While Tantra does not judge this in any way, it is essential to differentiate what Tantra really is from usual erotic services, no matter how sensitively these services may be offered by some. Why is this important?
It is important to ensure that the full qualities of Tantra passed on down the ages by the sages and mystics of the various world religions may be preserved and protected. Tantra is a spiritual path, a method, a science, a way of life, a path to enlightenment, a path to Bliss in a very deep and true sense. It is ultimately a way of understanding life, Existence, the Divine, God and our relationship within this. This is far fetched from the usual practices of our human experience that tempt us to seek ever more thrilling effects, be it in the way of sport, lifestyle or sexuality. These are symptoms of what we have become and not the reality of who we are. It is the conditioning and suppression brought about by our upbringing, our culture, our religions and our education that promote the thrill-seeker nature of our modern lifestyle. Life has become mundane, fast moving, disappointing, stressful and is essentially achievement motivated. Not that there is anything wrong with wanting to achieve something in life ? it is simply that this cannot bring us the fulfillment we deeply seek. Our attachment to things, people, situations, and vastly meaningless ritual ? anything that allows us a short lived thrill, a brief feeling of satisfaction and a good feeling about ourselves - prevents the deeper fulfillment we naturally seek. We are only able to experience this when we slow down into the moment - each moment, from moment to moment - experiencing fully what the moment actually holds. Do we do this in daily life? No! We run from one appointment to another, from one relationship to another, from one thrill to yet another. And the moments of life fly by essentially unnoticed. It is only the moment that is real. One moment past is already only a memory and one moment ahead is simply a vision. Tantra teaches this slowing down in every aspect of life, so also in the sexual. Sexual practices focused on quantity rather than quality, on the physical aspects of orgasm and completion rather than sensual loving touch which embraces the whole person fall into the thrill seeking category of life experiences mentioned above. It not only possible but also inevitable that when we touch tantrically, when we love with all our being and not only our bodies, that the sexual becomes a meditation. It becomes a union of energies allowing for the transcendence of our separateness from one another and from life itself.
The School of Durga Tantra endeavors to relate this to individuals seeking more fulfillment in their lives including in their expression of sexuality. A series of weekend retreat workshops are being planned. It will be possible to experience many aspects of Tantra ?in action? so to say and this will hopefully change the way we see ourselves and others, the way we live our lives.
I have been asked by the International Institute of Tantra to form our own National Institute and to take on the role of Director and I do so with great joy and appreciation of the responsibility placed on me. May Tantra grow in our country in a way that will touch the hearts and lives of many people.
Namaste
Leandra