|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Masturbation is a controversial topic that has sparked many thoughts and opinions from different schools of thought. While some cultures and religious groups view it as a sinful act, others, like medical science and Tantra, consider it an enriching practice with numerous health benefits.
In this article, we’ll explore tantric masturbation with insights from Ma Ananda Sarita, a Tantra master with over four decades of experience. Having guided thousands of people in rediscovering the art of conscious connection, Sarita was trained directly under Osho’s guidance. She has dedicated her life to helping individuals and couples transform their relationships, unravel societal conditioning around sexuality, and experience intimacy as a path to spiritual awakening.
Understanding Tantra
Tantra, as defined by Sarita, is a way of life that embraces the entirety of human experience as sacred. It teaches that everything in life—physical, emotional, sensual, and spiritual—is an expression of the divine. Through this lens, Tantra becomes a transformative path that encourages us to witness the divine presence not just in the world around us but also within ourselves. 
This practice recognizes the immense power of balancing opposites: Shiva, the masculine consciousness, and Shakti, the feminine creative energy. “In Tantra, we learn that these two forces are not separate but constantly weaving together, creating a dance of balance within and around us,” says Sarita. This weaving, or ‘tantra’, allows us to experience oneness through duality, merging mind and body, love and awareness, and ultimately, the human and the divine.
One of the most important teachings of Tantra is its ability to transform what we might consider our challenges, fears, or even “poisons” into opportunities for growth and liberation.
Rather than rejecting difficult emotions, desires, or aspects of our humanity, Tantra invites us to embrace them fully. Through methods like meditation, breathwork, sacred touch, dance, and ritual, Tantra allows us to transmute these parts of ourselves into nectar—pure, life-giving energy that fuels our journey toward enlightenment.
According to Sarita, Tantra offers a map for awakening, but unlike many other spiritual paths, it doesn’t ask us to turn away from the world or our bodies. Instead, it teaches us to see the divine in everything, to honor the sacredness of our physicality, emotions, relationships, and even our sexuality.
Tantra recognizes sexual energy as life force energy (often called Kundalini), and when this energy is consciously cultivated and directed, it can lead to profound healing, deep self-awareness, and spiritual awakening.
Sarita notes that following the Tantric path means adopting a holistic approach to life, where we open ourselves to the beauty, pleasure, and wisdom that come from being fully present in each moment.
Through this presence, we realize that the divine exists within us, and we can experience the love, joy, and bliss of the divine in everything we do, whether we are meditating, moving our bodies, loving another, or simply being still.
“For me, Tantra has been a homecoming. It has taught me to relax into what is, with a deep sense of acceptance, compassion, and reverence for life,” she explains.
Sarita emphasizes that the path of Tantra isn’t about striving to be more or reaching some far-off state of enlightenment; it’s about waking up to the truth that we are already divine and that our existence is sacred. This realization brings a powerful shift, where every action, breath, and moment becomes an opportunity to connect with the divine essence within.
Through Tantra, we learn to embrace the fullness of who we are and recognize that our sexuality, emotions, and desires are not obstacles to spiritual growth but vital parts of our path toward wholeness. This integration of the human and the divine is the essence of Tantra—a life lived in harmony, joy, and deep connection to the divine in all things.
Understanding Tantric Masturbation
In Tantra, masturbation (or self-pleasure) is not seen as something shameful but rather as a sacred act of self-connection. Unlike many traditions that associate sexuality, especially self-pleasure, with guilt or suppression, Tantra teaches that sexual energy is a divine life force. This energy, when consciously cultivated, can become a powerful tool for healing, self-awareness, and personal empowerment.
Healing the layers of shame surrounding self-pleasure starts with recognizing that these feelings often aren’t inherently yours; they are inherited from generations of social and religious conditioning.
In Tantra, the body is seen as a sacred temple, and self-pleasure becomes an act of reverence for this temple. The focus is not on achieving a quick orgasm but on deepening your connection with your body, emotions, and energy.
Through slow, conscious touch and breath, you learn to awaken your senses and feel your body’s energy flowing. This practice allows you to fully embrace your sexuality in a way that honors your whole being—body, mind, and spirit.
The Benefits of Tantric Mastubation
Self-pleasure, when approached with awareness, allows one to touch the core of their being. This practice, often referred to as “self-honoring,” helps you connect with your body’s rhythms, revealing the deeper layers of desires and needs. It can also become a form of meditation, where each sensation becomes a doorway to understanding your own emotional landscape.
When done consciously, masturbation releases built-up tension, brings clarity to the mind, and can even feel like a spiritual cleansing. It’s a moment where you are truly present with yourself, allowing emotions like joy, sadness, or ecstasy to arise and be witnessed without judgment.
When Masturbation Becomes Problematic or Addictive
From a Tantric perspective, problems arise when self-pleasure becomes an escape rather than a path to self-discovery. Addiction often signals a deeper imbalance in the body’s energy flow. For example, if you use masturbation to avoid confronting deeper emotions like sadness or emptiness, it may indicate that you are using it to fill a void.
Pay attention to how you feel before, during, and after. Is there urgency or a need to distract yourself? Does the act leave you feeling disconnected or empty? These signals suggest that self-pleasure is not nourishing but draining you. In such cases, redirecting that energy into creative or meditative practices can be helpful, allowing your desire to be expressed in different forms.
Role of Tantric Masturbation in Sexual Health and Relationships
Self-pleasure, when approached with intention, can be a gateway to deeper intimacy with oneself and, by extension, with a partner. It is through knowing your own desires and rhythms that you can communicate more authentically in a relationship.
In Tantra, this is known as cultivating your “inner lover”—understanding your own needs so well that you can bring this awareness into your intimate connections.
Techniques for Tantric Masturbation
1. Set the Environment: Find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Light candles, burn incense, or play soft music to create a calming atmosphere. Focus on being fully present in your body and letting go of distractions.
2. Practice Breath Control (Pranayama): Start with deep breathing where you breathe deeply into your belly, inhale through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. This helps you tune into your body’s sensations and calms your mind.
Incorporate circular breathing by inhaling deeply, holding the breath for a moment, and then gently releasing it. This technique builds internal energy and heightens sensation. As you continue, visualize your breath moving throughout your body, particularly along the spine and pelvic area.
Imagine the energy rising from your root chakra at the base of your spine to the crown chakra at the top of your head. This flow of energy not only intensifies the experience but also deepens your connection to your body and spirit.
3. Be in Sync with Your Body: Caress different parts of your body, i.e., your chest, thighs, and abdomen slowly and sensually. This brings attention to areas that may be overlooked during typical masturbation.
Instead of focusing immediately on your genitals, build anticipation by exploring other erogenous zones. Feel the sensations fully and resist the urge to rush.
4. Set Intention and Visualize: Tantric masturbation involves setting an intention, such as deepening self-love, releasing emotional blockages, or simply enjoying pleasure without guilt.
5. Exercise Control and prolong Pleasure: Engage in the practice of edging by bringing yourself close to orgasm and then stopping or slowing down. The goal is not to achieve orgasm quickly but to enjoy every sensation. Stay present with your body’s responses and let go of the pressure to finish. This helps build sexual energy and intensifies the eventual release.
6. Make Use of Sound (Mantras): Tantric practices often encourage using sound to express and amplify pleasure. You can chant mantras like “Om” or simply allow yourself to moan and sigh, which can help release energy and deepen the experience.
7. Reflect on the Experience: After orgasm, focus on calming your breath and grounding your energy. You can place your hands on your heart and belly to feel connected and centered.
Spend a few moments in quiet reflection and note any emotions or thoughts that arose during the practice. Use this as a time for self-compassion and self-awareness.
Final Words
Instead of seeing masturbation as a release or escape, Tantra encourages you to approach it as a form of meditation, allowing you to listen to your body and emotions. With the right intention and awareness, self-pleasure becomes a means of self-exploration and transformation that leads to a fuller experience of your divine nature.
