Tantra And Neo Tantrism

Within many known religions, the devotional practices has been known to acquire great importance. The essence of practicing what you preach has scolded many religious groups, introducing true beliefs, righteousness, and a wider connection to the supreme being . In the book entitled “ Living religions” by Mary Pat Fisher, clarified and firm descriptions were introduced about religious rituals. Surprisingly; the author utilized small parts of modern concepts, limiting the reader from a full comprehension of religious practices today, therefore; I will only discuss the basic and traditional rituals. To elaborate; in this paper, I will be providing an opinionated but also, comparative description of the major practices and rituals that undergo in both the Abrahamic and indigenous religions.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a reflection on the field trip to the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago. After a brief Introduction to the Context, the Watercress tool will be used to highlight my observations.

The Illustration-Encyclopedia of Active New Religious, Sects, and Cults, by Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi. Published in 1993, by the Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

It can be uncomfortable to discuss with family, friends, partners and in academic settings. Furthermore, “in certain spiritual and religious traditions, sex is seen as sinful, evil or too carnal or animalistic, and rejected in favor of celibacy” (Diamond). Sex can be taught to have negative associations starting in childhood. Therefore, when experiencing such strong sensations as Diamond described, it is understandable that our judgement may be clouded. With other aspects of life, we may find it easier to think rationally; however, when it comes to sexual intimacy, all can seem to be at stake (Barnet).

According to the philosopher Thomas Nagel, the concept of “sexual perversion” falls under the rubric of psychological rather than biological, anatomical, or reproductive categories. Psychological rather than physiological since sexual perversion does not occur in lower life forms and it is the psychological aspect of it that makes the distinction. Not just for reproduction

Not surprisingly for quite a few people, there seems to be a cloudy undertone in their consciousnesses that something exists amiss; as if a component within them became ill-informed or altered. Perhaps wondering why one’s Creator would be extremely generous to grant a person the incredible gift of their sexual beings, giving to them a desire for the warmth of love that longs for intimate closeness, sexual contact, and the romancing of their beings. Yet sadly, a great deal of the time, “this exact matter” dispenses a devastating amount of ungodly pain, causing misery and heartache. Undoubtedly, this perplexity transpires into confusion; for within this paradox dwells the sexual ‘bondage’ of humanity. From the elite superstar, to the down and out

Often in history, when something is done right and praised by the masses, it is mimicked in some way in future instances. This can be seen in the variety of religions that have sprung up over time and gained large followings. Although they are all unique in their own way, certain aspects connect them and allow one to see how they all, in some way, influence each other. When analyzing the founding and spread of Buddhism, Sikhism, Confucianism, and Hinduism, it is evident that although there are many distinguishing differences between the four religions, there are multiple similarities that link them all with each other.

'They tie you by your thumbs, one arm over the shoulder, the other pulled around the front of the body. Or they stretch out your legs and tie your middle fingers to your big toes-' He showed me. A skinny old man in Tantric poses, he looked faintly preposterous. During the auto he flinched, then, a smile springing to his face, asked me to help him...”

Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of being human all through life and includes gender identities, sex, and sexual orientation, roles, eroticism, intimacy, pleasure, and reproduction (Chapman, 2008). Sexuality is expressed and experienced in thoughts, ideas, fantasies, desires, manners, values, behaviors, roles, relationships and practices. Though sexuality can encompass all of these aspects, not all of them are for all time experienced or demonstrated (Hunter, 1992). It is influenced by the interface of biological, social, political, psychological, ethical, economic, cultural, historical, legal, spiritual and religious factors (Simoni & Walters, 2001). There

Over the centuries, there have been a number of religious practices that were not received as well as others. For instance, Bacchic cults appeared in the fifth century B.C.E. in Greece, as Euripides wrote Bacchae in 405 B.C.E. While this religion held a prominent position in Greece, it was perceived negatively in Rome in 186 B.C.E. through the writings of Livy. Digambara also generates mixed reactions about its practices today, as it began in the fourth century B.C.E. according to a written account in the tenth century C.E. In this paper, I am going to discuss the general practices of the Bacchic cult in Greece and Rome, and compare it to the sect of Jainism called Digambara. I am also going to examine how each religion is received by its

Hinduism and Buddhism affect one another from numerous points of view. The Buddhist idea of preservation and love toward every single living thing found it’s begins in India, while Mahayana Buddhism took its customs from Indian practices for reverential love. Buddhism also had a hand in influencing the development of the art and architecture of the Hindu religion and also contributed to the art of mediation and higher conditions of awareness. Yet the Hindu tantra impacted the inception and advancement of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Love is a powerful feeling; it makes you do crazy thing. Many people spend years trying to find it, others give up thinking they’ll never find it. Love has been defined as an intensive feeling of a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone. Of course, Love doesn 't have to romantic and/or sexual. People who are ace, as in asexual, aromantic and agender, can still be in relationships that are satisfying for them without the needs of a romantic relationship. Familial love is also non-romantic-sexual. However, in this paper, we will be talking about romantic-sexual love, what it is, and why I believe it’s so important to understand and experience.

The poem “Sex Without Love” written by Sharon Olds is a poem about how people who do not love each other still manage to have sex. She begins with the question many people ask, “How do they do it, the ones who make love without love?”, which immediately gets readers intrigued and to contemplate the question at hand. The author’s use of imagery allows the reader to feel like he/she is actually experiencing the contemplation that Olds is experiencing. Many people argue that sex without love is not morally correct and that it can often give off a negative reputation for many people. However, some people believe the opposite and think that no prior connection is required to have sex. Sex is a very interesting topic because it stirs up many different conversations and opinions. According to Sharon Olds poem, people should have meaningful sex and connections with other humans rather than empty, careless relationships. Most people today prefer having the easy, casual relationship that does not require the extra work entailed in a loving relationship. Olds is able to use imagery, religion and metaphors to express her dislike towards loveless sex.

Throughout history it is evident that human sexuality changes do to religious, governmental and societal influences. The perception of human sexuality has gone through many changes such as being very open and unlabeled activity; to being very “conservative” and a topic that shouldn’t be talked about in public or at all. In any case, human sexuality has always been a topic of interest because humans are sexual beings who want to understand the consciousness of themselves as male or female and see their personal response when encountered in erotic experiences with other individuals. Unlike many other species whose sexual force is strictly for reproduction, human’s sexual drive seems to be driven by many factors that intertwine with each other which leads to very different outcomes. Do to these obscure human emotions and personal gratification, sex is always shown every culture’s art, literature, social norms, and laws.

As the practitioner of Tantra unites with the cosmic energy through their sexuality, they also learn to direct and control this energy in order to put it to use in other rituals and practices within the religion. "The energy, once aroused, is harnessed to rituals, meditation and yoga, turned back up within the human energy-mechanism, and used to propel the consciousness toward blissful enlightenment" (Rawson, 30). To transcend this world and unite with the cosmos is a step to achieve enlightenment. Thus, sex is a logical solution in achieving this goal of self-enlightenment.