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Tantra is about profound well-being. The end of human suffering. This is achieved by self-mastery and self-realization. This occurs either through managing the currents of the life-energies, or through creating conditions for them to come naturally into balance. Another way to put it is that the supreme Realization is believed to happen either through "discipline", or by "surrender" and "grace". In Tantra, the "Masculine" and the "Feminine" are used as representations of the polarity of energies that together make all of existence possible. The ancients used powerful symbols that we now call "gods" and "goddesses". They also spoke of these energies as "Heaven" and "Earth". In these ancient times, the Feminine, and the Earth-Mother, was still honored as being at least equal to the Masculine, and to the "Heavenly-Father". |
For the full experience of the divine, there needs to be a balance of these forces within you.
The experience of balance leads to the experience of "Heaven on Earth".
This was also expressed traditionally as the sacred union of Shiva and Shakti.
Although Tantra was elaborated in India and Tibet, variations of the same teachings have arisen in many cultures.
Similarities or influences can even be found in Christian mysticism, Western Alchemy, and Sufism.
Today it is common to speak of "Red" and "White" Tantra.
In ancient times it was more common to speak of "Left-hand" Tantra and "Right-hand" Tantra.
The experience of balance leads to the experience of "Heaven on Earth".
This was also expressed traditionally as the sacred union of Shiva and Shakti.
Although Tantra was elaborated in India and Tibet, variations of the same teachings have arisen in many cultures.
Similarities or influences can even be found in Christian mysticism, Western Alchemy, and Sufism.
Today it is common to speak of "Red" and "White" Tantra.
In ancient times it was more common to speak of "Left-hand" Tantra and "Right-hand" Tantra.
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"RED TANTRA"
known also as "Left-hand Tantra". In this approach, the life-force is balanced and self-mastery is attained through partner practice of Tantric Yoga methods (also known as "dual cultivation"). Traditionally, this could only be practised with adequate preparation using inner "practices first. 
Photo credit: Gustavo Gonçalves
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"WHITE TANTRA"
The life-force is balanced and self-mastery is attained through individual practice of Tantric Yoga methods. This could either be practiced in celibacy by monks and hermits, or be used as a preparatory practice for "Red Tantra". 
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Once your true infinite nature has been recognized, you become able to surrender naturally and spontaneously to a state of mindfulness or "Flow".
Instead of effort and discipline, Spiritual practice becomes a spontaneous joyful flow of awareness.
- Peter Littlejohn Cook
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Authentic Tantra for modern times.
