Conscious Sexual Loving

But Tantra's goals are more exalted and broader in scope than simply to accomplish proficiency in sex. The ultimate goal is union with God, the cosmic consciousness, or whatever your words are for a higher power. Tantra can elevate a couple's relationship to the level of art; we refer to it as the art of conscious loving. What follows are some of the basic principles and exercises in Tantric sex-steps that all lovers can follow in their dance of love.

Focusing one's mind on one's partner and nurturing the relationship are at the heart of conscious loving. Therefore, the act of love is performed quite literally with pre-meditation. Conscious lovers ritually designate a time for loving trysts; they prepare themselves mentally for their lovemaking; they prepare a place to assure privacy and comfort; and they bathe and prepare their bodies for the delight and delectation of the other.

In the dance of love, each step has two aspects, the receptive yin and the active yang. And each step has seven gradations or levels of expression-from the slowest and most gentle, or most yin, to the fastest and firmest, or most yang. This yin/yang concept is really the foundation on which the love dance rises to its astonishing heights.

Another important element of Tantric sex is the concept of chakras, or disks of energy, that correspond to specific areas of the body; the base of the spine, the genitals, behind the navel, the heart, the throat, between the eyebrows and the crown of the head.

Each one of the seven chakras represents a different natural human desire-to possess, to copulate, to achieve, to love, to communicate, to understand, and finally to ascend; to exceed ourselves by touching God. The tantric way uses these natural urges in men and women as the basis for establishing a continuously passionate loving relationship.