Tantra: Part II

Phil Johncock

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Creating Sacred Space: Tantra-Part II

By Philip D. Johncock

This is Part II of a 3-part series of articles on "What IS Tantra?".

In the previous article on "Getting Started", we learned that Tantra is an ‘energetic merger and exchange’. In Part II, we will focus on creating safe and sacred space to begin our Tantric practices and allow magic to come in.

Dr. Jean Houston says that "we may be on a brink of a transformational sexuality in which our sexuality becomes … a godding exchange so that larger creative powers emerge to restore the body and mind and to transform the spirit…" Creating a magic circle activates the larger creative powers of archetypal and nature energies and of our own higher selves in a safe and supportive environment. These higher powers aide us in our sexual and spiritual transformation.

The ritual of creating a sacred space begins with the attitude that the upcoming union with a Beloved will lead to higher consciousness and the unlocking of our ‘godded potential’. All parts of the ritual cultivate a Divine mood, one of playful reverence, purity, awe, wonder, innocence, and NO MIND.

Margo Anand (The Art of Sexual Ecstasy and The Art of Sexual Magic) says that the rituals are "intended to call forth the sacred, spiritual dimension of our lives—both outer and inner—in which deep mystical states can be experienced."

David and Ellen Ramsdale, authors of Sexual Energy Ecstasy, advise that these rituals "are all about how to achieve this alchemy of mood… Spend most of your time creating the mood. The sex will take care of itself. As long as you are thinking, ‘We are a man and woman making love’, then it is not yet Tantra."

Steps to Creating a Safe & Sacred Space:

Here's one approach that I have used in my own Tantra practices. I have successfully taught these seven basic steps to hundreds of people in the U.S.A. and Canada.

#1 - LAY OUT THE SPACE. Delineate borders around your space with stones or rocks (for grounding), colored scarves, and/or small alters set in four corners. The later acknowledges the elements and qualities associated with the directions: East-fire, South-water, West-earth, North-air. A magician learns to master the use of the elements. Add another alter for power objects or symbols of personal significance (crystals, stones, feathers, pictures, statues, etc.); it gives a boost. Some Tantrikas create the outline of a merkaba (3-dimensional star of David), a symbol of integration of male/female, earth/sky. Decorate the space around your circle with flowers, candles, fabrics, special lighting, pictures, statues, or simple objects from nature that draw your attention (a feather, branch, leaf, clump of moss, etc.). Add pleasurable aromas: incense, oils, essences. Our taste buds are turned on by such delights as chocolates, a bowl of fruit with whipped cream, and something to drink.

#2 - REMOVE THE NEGATIVE. Smudge with sage or sweet grass, burn some incense, or spray the room with water and your favorite special oil or essence. Walk around the perimeter of the circle three times, counter-clockwise, with the intent of removing all negative or unwanted energies. Make gestures with you hands, scooping negative energies and sending them out an open window or door to be transmuted by nature. Vocalize the negative energies you want removed: fear, anxiety, scarcity, shame, guilt, etc.

#3 - BRING IN THE POSITIVE. Make three circles, clockwise, singing, chanting, and playing an instrument (bells, chimes, drums, two sticks, etc.). Invite in and vocalize positive, supportive energies you would like: love, trust, sexual delight, clarity, peace, abundance, etc. Face each of the directions and invite in the elements and qualities of each: East-fire-passion-illumination-light, South-water-innocence-fluidity-trust-emotions, West-earth-grounding-balance-transmutation, North-air-wisdom-discrimination-knowledge. Invite in the energies of vertical direction: Father Sky-cosmos-guides-teachers and Mother Earth-animals-plants-rocks-trees.

#4 - PURIFY THE BODY (YOUR TEMPLE). Take a bath or shower and cleanse your body. The Ramsdales state that the purpose is to "literally transform the body into a temple of cosmic consciousness, an appropriate vessel for the divine descent." Brush your teeth. Shave, if you shave. Take enough time to honor all the parts of your temple. Wear delightful fragrances. Adorn yourself with belts, jewelry, robes, lungis, pareos, kimonos, or sexy lingerie, your magical costume.

#5 - ENTER THE SACRED SPACE. Meet your Beloved at a specific time and enter the sacred space together. Eliminate any negative energies in each other’s auric field with Aura-Soma essences, bells, Tibetan bowls, rattles, etc. Invite in Shiva & Shakti (the divine archetypes of male and female within each of us) and any additional positive energies.

#6 - PRACTICE THE ART OF GIFTING. Give something simple or elaborate, a poem or song (your own and others’), a flower, jewelry, stones, rocks, clothing. Be creative, use your imagination. The important thing is that the gift come from your heart.

#7 - HONOR THE DIVINE IN EACH OTHER. With hands in a prayer position at the heart, lean forward at the waist and gently touch foreheads. On the next breath, lean back. I also like to say the Hindu word ‘Namaste’ and its’ meaning to me: "I honor the place within you where the entire universe resides. I honor the place within you that is of love, light, and peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, there is only one."

There is incredible transformational power in the ritual of creating a sacred space. Maintain the sacred intention, and magic will happen!

(This article appeared in In Light Times and also Sunrise Magazine in 1996)

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