Claudia Blake - Secrets of Tantric Sex

CLAUDIA BLAKE

First published in the UK in 2018 by

Ivy Press

An imprint of The Quarto Group

The Old Brewery, 6 Blundell Street

London N7 9BH, United Kingdom

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2018 Quarto Publishing plc

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage-and-retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright holder.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Digital edition: 978-1-78240-689-1
Softcover edition: 978-1-78240-575-7

This book was conceived, designed and produced by

Ivy Press

58 West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RA, United Kingdom

Publisher: Susan Kelly

Creative Director: Michael Whitehead

Design & Art Direction: Wayne Blades, Kevin Knight

Editorial Director: Tom Kitch

Project Editor: Caroline Earle

Photographer: Neal Grundy

Illustrations: Nicky Ackland-Snow, Peters & Zabransky

Assistant Editor: Jenny Campbell

Tantric Consultant: Bryony Henderson

Models: Bryony Henderson, Luke Lambert

Make-up Artists: Justine Rice, Bella Hamilton

Cover image: Shutterstock/Grinnum

Note from the publisher

Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented in this book is correct, the authors and publisher cannot be held responsible for any injuries that may arise.

This book is intended as an introductory guide for those interested in exploring the delights of Tantric lovemaking. Tantra is an ancient and complex tradition, and if you want to look into it as a religion, there are many books and teachers: this is a book for lovers eager to put a first toe into the deep waters. It is divided into five chapters, beginning with meditation and sensuality practices you can do by yourself, and then moving on to ways you can use Tantra to enrich your sex life with a partner. While you can dip in and out, it is recommended you read the chapters in order.

Important Notice

When it comes to lovemaking, safetyboth emotional and physicalis the foundation of any ethical relationship, Tantric or otherwise. Tantra was created in the days long before safe sex, but thats no reason not to practice it now. Unless you and your partner are absolutely sure theres no risk, always use condoms and pay good attention to birth control. Theres nothing unspiritual or unromantic about making sure sex brings only pleasure instead of problemsquite the opposite!

Harmony
The Tantric couple doesnt have to be perfectjust willing to give ourselves to the experience and enjoy what comes. Harmony doesnt mean perfection: it just means we move together.

Background
The introductory section of this book looks at the history of Tantra in the context of worldwide religion.

Understanding
Approachable explanations of the central concepts in Tantric lovemaking are provided to give the reader a good grasp of the basics.

Exercises
The book covers both spiritual and physical exercises you can use to deepen your Tantric experiencesome to be tried solo, and some with a partner.

Step by step
Clear and detailed illustrations will take you through the stages of Tantric rituals and techniques to make it easy, even for beginners, to take their first steps into Tantric pleasures.

Introduction: What is Tantric Sex?

T antric sex is one of those phrases that most of us have heard somewherebut if we get down to specifics, most of us find that, actually, were not sure what it means. Probably weve heard the stories about how certain celebrities can make love for hours using magical techniques, but what are those techniques? And is making love for hour upon hour actually possibleor even still fun after the first hour or two? The answer can be yesbut the essence of Tantra is that we broaden our understanding of sexuality. Despite how interested we generally are in sex, and how much time we spend thinking, dreaming, fantasizing, and reading about it, the truth is that we also spend a lot of time worrying about it, or feeling disappointed or inadequate.

Tantra is an ancient set of practices that has been adopted and adapted by every culture it settled in. Its message is about breaking down barriers. Sex and spirit are not two sides of the same coin in this tradition: they are intimately intertwined. We suffer from a lot of such dualities, in fact, and Tantra is there to free us from them. Activity and meditation are opposites? Not necessarily. Peacefulness and excitement cant happen at once? Actually, they can. Were either perfect or imperfect? Not at all: we are both and neither at once. Tantric insight is here to free us from the limiting ideas that stifle our natural capacity for joy.

This process of freedom doesnt just come from insight and meditation, although theyre certainly part of it. We learn by doing and being as well as by hearing and thinking. In this book well be talking about some very practical activities you can do, either with your chosen lover, or with the lover youve always hadthat is, yourself. Some will seem like fun right away; others, you may have to try out to discover the pleasure in them. Forget who you thought you were: its time to try a new world and start rejoicing in it.

New beginnings
Through Tantric practices, we can free ourselves from old inhibitions and find a new experience of joy.

Tantric Sex Worldwide Traditions

T he history of Tantra is long, multicultural, and often shrouded in mystery. Its earliest practices seem to have begun in India around the second and third century CE, although some people believe that its roots may go back still further. What we do know is that the Indian practice proved influential throughout Asia, and as Tantra spread across the continent, it adapted to new cultures. Tantra is not a religionrather its a kind of religious practice that can be incorporated into any number of faiths, or indeed, non-faiths. Nowadays, you can practice Tantra within the context of a religion if you choose, but its also possible to approach it as a secular learner.