Lesson 39 - Principles of Tantra and Homosexuality

From: Yogani
Date: Thu Jan 13, 2005 1:28pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of this
tantra yoga archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this
one. The first lesson is, "What is tantra yoga?"


Q: Hello. If you would, I would like you to clarify what you mean
by "destructive" behavior when responding to the question about
pornography and masturbation. Is it the pornography itself to which
you refer? Or the obsessive relationship with it? And, what do you
mean by pornography? Also, surely you're not referring to
masturbation as destructive are you? Is it ejaculation to which you
refer? Excessive ejaculation?

As someone who has struggled with negativity and fear surrounding
sexual energy and expression, these comments make a deep impression
on me. I would appreciate hearing your view on these topics more
fully.

Also, I haven't come across any specific mention of homosexuality in
these writings. What is your view of homosexuality in relation to
these practices?

Thanks for your help and time.


A: From the standpoint of yoga, a destructive behavior is one that
weakens our nervous system, and adds physical and karmic obstructions
to it. This is in the opposite direction of the aim of yoga, which is
to strengthen and purify our nervous system so that inner silence,
divine ecstasy and outpouring love can become gradually more a part
of our daily life.

In AYP there is not much moral judgment about conduct beyond
encouraging everyone to obey the laws of the land and not harm
others. The main handle on conduct in AYP is the practices
themselves. With daily deep meditation, spinal breathing and other
advanced yoga practices, including tantric methods, conduct
automatically and gradually comes around to the bright side through
the connectedness of yoga in our nervous system. If the desire is
there (the divine stirring within us) then daily practices can be
undertaken and sustained. Even a little meditation can move a
mountain of obstructions within us. We want to be removing the
mountains, not making them bigger. It is logical, yes?

If additional help is needed with a strong obsessive
behavior/addiction, then using a twelve step program is recommended.
See the previous lesson #T38 and the links section for "Twelve Step
Programs."

Pornography itself is only imagery. It is designed to be sexually
stimulating, and nothing else. So may be a provocatively dressed
member of the opposite sex strolling down the street. Clearly the
effect of these things is in how we respond to them. We may try and
control our outer environment to reduce temptations, and even succeed
at that for a while. But, in the end, the transformation must be an
internal one. Once we have begun to make inner changes we will be
much less a slave to external erotic stimulation. As a matter of
fact, as has been discussed in recent lessons, such stimulation can
then be used for a higher purpose with tantric techniques.

One will be wise to undertake daily deep meditation and other sitting
practices as a prerequisite to using tantric methods. Then even our
obsessions can become yoga, shifting from outer objects to the
ecstatic bliss of the divine within. The only difference between a
sex addict and an advanced yogi/yogini is in what they are obsessed
with! This is why desire/bhakti has been stressed so much in the
lessons. Always favoring a high ideal with our desire is the key. In
the twelve steps it is referred to as "giving ourselves to a higher
power in our life." Make a habit of that and be willing to act on it,
and positive changes will be occurring like magic.

The same thing goes for masturbation as for pornography. It can be
friend or foe, depending on the direction of our desire and how the
energy is managed. This is especially important for men, and has been
covered in detail in the early tantra lessons.

In yoga, ejaculation is mostly foe, but we are not fanatical about it
in the lessons. Occasional ejaculation is not a serious barrier to
yoga. Frequent ejaculation is. This is not a moral judgment. It is
just a fact of prana/energy management. The neuro-biology of higher
states of consciousness cannot reach full potential without sexual
vitality available in the body. If we are draining it to excess all
the time, we will be limited in how far we can go in yoga.

As our desire/bhakti calls us to a higher purpose, it becomes clear
what direction we should gently favor to progress. Notice I
said "gently favor." Not condemn, fear, self-hate, chastise, etc. We
just learn some good methods and favor them systematically. That is
how enlightenment is achieved, no matter what level we are working
at -- by gently favoring our ideal in each moment we realize we have
strayed off a bit. If we develop the habit of gently favoring our
ideal and practice, all can be accomplished. We learn how to do this
with the method of deep meditation in the lessons. Then the habit of
favoring expands into all areas of our life. AYP is the art of gentle
persuasion applied through time-tested techniques that promote human
spiritual transformation.

Regarding homosexuality, while this has not been my personal
lifestyle, the principles of tantra are clearly beyond such
distinctions. For example, celibates have a clear path to
enlightenment, as do heterosexuals. Neither is inferior to the other.
The principles underlying both are the same, and the methods are
similar. If you review the tantra lessons, you will see that this is
so. Brahmacharya is the key, which is preservation and cultivation of
sexual energy. See lesson #T9 on this. There is no reason why
homosexuals cannot travel the road to enlightenment within the
lifestyle they are living. I am sure many have over the centuries.
The sitting practices will be just the same, including those that
cultivate the expansion of sexual function upward in the nervous
system. The holdback method (#T4), blocking (#T5), count method
(#T23) and other aspects of tantra yoga can all be applied in
homosexual relations.

The goal in the tantra lessons is to provide principles and practices
that can be used successfully in any lifestyle. AYP does not endorse
any particular lifestyle. Neither does it condemn any that does not
willfully harm others.

I wish you all success on your chosen spiritual path. Enjoy!

The guru is in you.

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