Tantra: Beyond Sacred Sex. The Discovery of the SELF

Learn how this tool not only balances your energies but also allows you to discover your deepest essence description.

By Dayana Barros

9/29/20246 min read

Sacred Sexuality, or Tantra as it is known today, is a relatively new term that has gained popularity over the past decade. But… where does its importance lie today? To answer this question, we need to delve a bit into its history.

Tantra originates in India. Its texts were developed based on Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, and since ancient times, they emphasized the importance of integrating feminine and masculine energies in every conscious being. And... I’m not referring to our appearance! In fact, a physical law known as the Law of Gender states that while every body has a physical sex, energetically, it is made up of two energies: one masculine and one feminine. Together, these form the vital energy that keeps us alive. The masculine or Yang energy is associated with thought, the mind, action, expansion, and determination. On the other hand, the feminine or Yin energy embodies calm, emotions, the heart, patience, intuition, and surrender (or non-action). These are opposing but complementary forces that make up vital energy, also known as Chi in Chinese medicine or Prana in yoga.

Therefore, the balance of these energies represents vitality, which is what keeps our body alive. If both energies—mind (Yang) and heart (Yin)—are aligned, Chi/Prana will flow smoothly through our body, giving us greater vitality, love, compassion, and wisdom. This will not only be reflected in our inner world but will also attract the same energy externally. This is where its importance lies: it is the vital energy that sustains everything.

Tantra as a Tool for Self-Discovery

Far away from what has been said in the West about Tantra, which is usually associated with a sacred union between man and woman during an  intercourse, Tantra goes far beyond a conscious sexual act. From my experience, Tantra is a tool for self-discovery.

And this is what I want to share with you: it is a series of simple yet powerful exercises that will allow you to recognize your essence as a whole, including your dark and light parts. In this blog, I only describe one exercise for each of your bodies (mental, emotional, physical). However, if you want to learn more and dive deeper, you can sign up for my online course to discover your creative power and recognize who you truly are: a divine being.

Tantra Exercise at a Mental Level

Observation of Your Thoughts: Although this exercise may sound difficult, over time, if you practice it, you'll realize that it's easier than you think. You might be wondering, what is the goal of this exercise? The answer is just as simple: to become aware of how you think or how you talk to yourself.

No one taught us that this world is governed by universal laws, and knowing about them allows us to create what we call 'reality.' The main law is called mentalism, which in psychoneurology is known as neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). This explains that when an idea (thought) is combined with a strong and intense emotion, it leads to an action, and the repetition of continuous actions over a set period of time leads to a habit. In the book Atomic Habits, the author explains that only through the implementation of habits can we change the beliefs, thought patterns, and behaviors that many of us unconsciously repeat in our daily lives.

Did you know that almost 90% of our thoughts come from the ideas/behaviors we received in our childhood from our caregivers or parents? While this is not scientifically backed, many psychological theories claim that childhood experiences do have a significant impact on how you react to situations in the present. With this in mind, we could conclude that, in reality, you are partly a continuation of your parents' thoughts, with a specific personality, and these ideas govern your current world as an adult.

So... how can we break this cycle? Simple, by observing our thoughts without judgment or favoritism in our day-to-day life. How to do it? Once you have a thought or reaction about a specific situation or idea, observe it immediately once it has appeared in your mind without judging whether it is good or bad, simply as what it is: an idea. You can start by observing one thought per day and gradually increase the time and intensity of this exercise. You’ll see that over time, you will achieve a calmer mind, and you might even make better decisions in your present that will positively impact your future.

white and brown round decor
white and brown round decor
group of people doing yoga
group of people doing yoga

Tantra Exercise at the Emotional Level

Emotions are undoubtedly what we struggle most to integrate as beings. Especially 'negative' emotions, or those that leave us energetically drained due to their impact on our physical body and the environment around us (people, spaces), usually because we don't know how to deal with them effectively.
However, there are many ways to integrate these emotions into our physical body in a wise and mature way.

I will describe one of the many exercises that exist, which has been very effective for me, and it is the following:

Observation of the sensations in your physical body: Who would have thought that simply stopping for a few minutes of your day to feel all the sensations in your body from the crown of your head to the tips of your toes could have so many benefits? The key is to feel all the sensations that arise without attachment or rejection, accepting them all equally, without any favoritism or exclusion.

With practice and time, this allows you to recognize all emotions, releasing them from your physical body, even past attachments/experiences associated with emotions that at one point created incongruence or duality in your subconscious and that may still be influencing your reality

Tantra Exercise at Physical Level

In my opinion, the physical body is where everything is: your mind, your soul, and your matter (body). It is also the medium through which we express our emotions and through which our thoughts manifest. Therefore, if we take care of our physical body, we are also taking care of our mental and emotional bodies.

There are many ways to take care of our physical body, but there are two key measures to keep it in shape: including healthy eating habits and engaging in physical activity.

Yoga, although not considered a sport, activates and strengthens the muscles, and thanks to breath control, it can bring mental and emotional balance to your being while you exercise. Likewise, having healthy eating habits will not only benefit your body but also your mind and emotions, as everything that enters our mouth becomes energy, the raw material for thoughts and emotions.

There are countless diets available today, and it is essential to discern which type of nutrition best meets your body’s needs. If it gives you more confidence, seek recommendations from a professional before starting a specific one, and observe if that diet fits well with your lifestyle

There are many Tantra exercises beyond those already mentioned, and not only in these areas but also in other important aspects, such as social, sexual, behavioral, and more.

For those who feel drawn to this topic and want to discover how Tantra can transform their way of feeling, thinking, and acting, reach out to me on my social media to book your free session. If you enjoy it, I can offer you a special discount on my online course, along with practices designed exclusively for you.

In conclusion, I leave you with this phrase inspired by the ancient teachings of this practice, which encapsulates its meaning very well: 'Tantra teaches you to transcend your mind, body, and emotions, and to reach a state of unity with the universe.

woman in white vest and black bikini with hand on chest
woman in white vest and black bikini with hand on chest
woman doing yoga
woman doing yoga
vegetable salad on white ceramic bowl
vegetable salad on white ceramic bowl