| What makes Tantra unique from most spiritual | | | | Then, decide who will receive first and cover his/her |
| practices is that Tantra embraces the senses as a | | | | eyes with a blindfold. Help the receiver to lie down |
| path to the Divine. It sees the body as a temple for | | | | and get comfortable. The giver begins the ritual by |
| Consciousness to play and explore the material plane. | | | | stimulating the senses in whatever way feels right, as |
| Tantra uses the senses to expand awareness. One | | | | long as it honors the boundaries of the person |
| way this is done is through the Sensory Awakening | | | | receiving. Come from a place of devotion as you |
| Ritual. You and your partner explore the art of giving | | | | awaken and arouse your partner. Take your time. Be |
| and receiving pleasure by activating the senses. | | | | playful and creative. |
| There is something profound about surrendering | | | | The Power of Sight |
| totally and allowing all your senses to respond and be | | | | In this ritual, we limit the vision with a blindfold to |
| awakened. It is a sensuous process that can be light | | | | enhance the other senses and add an element of |
| and playful or erotically charged. This ritual is a | | | | surprise. Also, the removal of the blindfold and |
| wonderful way to begin a romantic evening or | | | | restoration of sight at the conclusion of the |
| weekend with your beloved. | | | | exchange often lends itself to a fresh appreciation of |
| Create a Sacred Space | | | | the experience of seeing by the receiver. It's as if |
| Turn your room into a temple. Begin by removing the | | | | the world is once again being seen through the eyes |
| clutter and creating an altar. Light some candles, add | | | | of a newborn baby. |
| a vase of flowers, crystals, a photo or object that | | | | The Power of Smell |
| honors your relationship to the Divine. Then, gather | | | | Scent is an important component of pleasure. Your |
| the items that can be used to awaken all the senses | | | | olfactory nerves pick-up chemical messages from the |
| during the ritual. Some possibilities might be massage | | | | air you breathe and conduct them quickly to the |
| tools, fur, feathers, fruits, chocolate, flowers, | | | | brain. Smells are often associated with memories. A |
| essential oils, music, bells, rattles, and eye covers. | | | | whiff of a particular food, perfume or place can |
| Bathe and dress in ritual clothes. The ritual begins by | | | | immediately transport you into a moment from the |
| blessing the space. This can be done with sage, | | | | past associated with that scent. Pheromones are |
| incense, bells, songs or calling in the directions. Put on | | | | chemical messages we send and receive. They |
| some beautiful music. | | | | affect who you are attracted to and are an |
| The Bubble | | | | important factor in whom you pick as a mate. Smell |
| Now, create a bubble around you and your partner. | | | | is a great awakener. |
| Do this by waving your arms around to define the | | | | The Power of Touch |
| shape of the bubble that surrounds both of you. | | | | Touch is a basic human need. We live in a culture |
| Take turns releasing one thing at a time that might | | | | where many people are often touch-deprived. Touch |
| keep you from being fully present in the ritual. As | | | | creates connection at the most basic level. The skin |
| you say the thing you are removing, (the past, | | | | is your biggest organ. It feels good to be massaged, |
| distractions, anger, worry, etc.) make a gesture as if | | | | kissed, caressed and held. The skin is sensitive to |
| removing an object from your bubble. Next, state | | | | many types of sensations. Explore nibbling, biting, and |
| the things that will enhance your connection (love, | | | | pinching if you want to add more excitement. |
| willingness, presence, trust etc.) and gesture, as if | | | | Exploring what excites and arouses you and your |
| bringing these things into your bubble. | | | | partner can be fun and bonding. |
| Share Your Desires, Fears and Boundaries | | | | The Power of Sound |
| Once the bubble is created, share your desires, fears | | | | Sounds create a mood and affect the emotions. |
| and boundaries related to this practice. First, one | | | | They can be intrusive or soothing. Pleasant sounds |
| person speaks while the other person listens without | | | | can help us to relax, be present and open. Stimulating |
| judgment or commentary. Then, you switch roles. | | | | sounds can enliven the body and mind. Music and |
| Here is an example: | | | | song are a great gift that can heal and transform. |
| "My desire is to stay present, open and connect | | | | Use music that is sensuous and arousing. |
| deeply to your soul." "My fear is that I will get | | | | The Power of Taste |
| self-conscious and shut down." "My boundary is that | | | | The mouth is a very sensitive sense receptor and |
| we both turn off our cell phones." | | | | highly developed in most people. Food is associated |
| Why boundaries? Boundaries are not walls, they are | | | | with survival as well as pleasure. Our taste buds |
| bridges. Bridges help to bring people together. | | | | detect sweet, bitter, salty and sour. Use a variety of |
| Intimacy happens when people have healthy | | | | your favorite tastes and textures-salty, crunchy, |
| boundaries. Healthy boundaries allow you to feel safe, | | | | sweet, juicy, to tantalize the lips and tongue. The |
| stay open and be present. Boundaries are dynamic, | | | | Sensory Awakening Ritual is a great way to open |
| so it is important to check-in periodically with yourself | | | | and expand your senses. It allows you to surrender |
| to see if your boundaries have changed. If they have | | | | into the pure joy of Consciousness celebrating in |
| changed, update your partner so he/she can honor | | | | human form. It is a gift to be able to connect and |
| your new boundaries. Here are a couple of examples: | | | | experience pleasure and ecstasy with your partner. In |
| "I am getting tired. I want to end by midnight." "I am | | | | a world where people are mesmerized by the |
| sensitive to perfumes, so don't use them, please." | | | | incessant stream of thoughts flowing through their |
| Once you've shared your desires, fears and | | | | head, it is refreshing to let go of the mind and |
| boundaries, offer each other a blessing, such as "I | | | | rediscover the pleasures of the body. |
| want to bless your hands for all they do for others." | | | | |