The Slippery Edge of Six Western Neo-Tantric Styles
Somatic awakening is delicate, honest, unhurried, detached ~ even with excitement. Each step is a prayer, every boundary is a kindness, and each breath is a sacrament. For this writing, I shall address the western neo-tantra… associated usually with some sort of arousal. At some point in my past, I have worked with all colors except the red and black paths below.
Maui practitioners over the years have studied many types of tantra. Some more classical renditions involve solo meditation practices, often guided by a Hindu or Tibetan teacher. For educational purposes, six paths will be described that also include sacred healing touch, sensual body touch, and temple massage styles that have evolved over time, migrating and morphing over many years. These six paths are often described as: White, Red, Rose, Black, Shadow, and Indigo. Each rendition is defined here briefly, largely in relation to sexuality and the sensual. Of course, there is much more to this subject than stated in the simple fashion below…
These styles have naturally arisen for thousands of years and continue to evolve as eastern philosophy meets western psychology. Surrendering to what is ~ in every moment, with reverence to the miracle of Life, one asks: Who am I? What is True?
Six Colors To Consider
White
Often solo and highly spiritual, white tantra attracts natural celibates, mystics, and deep meditators. Steeped in mystery and often manifesting the very highest siddha powers, these persons often hide from view. Certain key persons, such as the Dalai Lama, are in full view. White tantra also can include subtle forms of energetic healing touch. Arousal is not so common, and if it’s there, it is soon re-channeled elsewhere.
White tantra can also include different combinations of yoga, dance, and song. Any creative expression of a devotional state that is somatic, slow, and not sexual at all… could be considered white tantra.
Red
Here, ritualized meditative and sensual practices are done with a partner. Red tantra can possibly involve sexual positioning, entering into openings, exchanging fluids. Almost no one on earth does red tantra correctly. Both heart ease and caution are needed. It is ultimately meant to be selfless, completely pure, detached, and one with one’s “Ishta Deva,” meaning chosen deified internal consort. Ejaculate is not supposed to be lost, as it usually drains the chi needed for liberation. Needless to say, tons of people enjoy red tantra and figure: “practice makes perfect.” However, there are many studious, more traditional enthusiasts who feel this is just a rationalization. Hence the term “neo-tantra” was born in the USA.
Rose
Rose tantra was birthed perhaps in the USA in the 80’s, very possibly on Maui. The idea is to strike a midway point between the white and red styles so traditional in India. In rose style, people can still partner up, but they play “on the edges.” They slow things down, breathe, contemplate, open their hearts… They can be yummy, touch gently, and do sacred healing massage work, while still practicing to move the energy upward and away from the need to enter into any orifices of the body. There is no sex of any kind, and it is a safer approach than red.
Black
Most people consider this to be evil, or void of the heart altogether. If while you are performing something tantric, you say or think: “God, you are not invited”… or… “Heart, you are not invited here,” you could find yourself in the black tantra department, creating black magic, not white. However, there are people with a completely different take on this. More people are beginning to think that black tantra has had a prejudicial “bad rap” for nothing… that it actually means “chaos,” or the dark hidden feminine being unveiled in all her power and mystique. Perhaps some people are turned off by dogmatic religion to such a degree that “God the Father” is no longer invited… but the Divine Feminine is, or one’s own true Self is invited. Still, with or without religion, like many, I do not dare risk any practice that could lose its central heart focus — head, heart, gut, or father-child-mother, or whatever triune balance is needed for a full rainbow spectrum of real love and compassion for the good of all. One’s sacred alignment and personal creed matter greatly when interacting with others.
Shadow
This “50 Shades” style seems to have lost some of its appeal in recent times. Here, two consenting adults push those edges more than the norm. It may be very mild, like some light rope restraint or a blindfold, though some persons do more daring practices. It is a way to see that pain and pleasure are both polarities that are either tools to, or distractions from, sitting in the center of Core Reality, which transcends both. It also teaches one to honor boundaries!
Some shadow play or edge work is enacted in what is sometimes termed D/S (domination/submission). Sometimes it’s just called kinky, more primal, darkish, or more eccentric. Actually, all tantra is supposed to address the shadow parts, not do spiritual bypass by hiding in the “light” while denying one’s own baggage. Some people are just naturally edgy, and they have every right to play safely and respectfully in this way. This path requires honest awareness. Without it, one often gets trapped in a set-up that never evolves at all. Teachings and guidance can help.
Indigo
Indigo tantra was born from my own personal longing for freedom as my truest self. It is to be in the world, but not of the world. Indigo tantra is highly esoteric and yet has no rules at all. It is filled with wonder and pure spontaneity, and can be playful or very serious, yet always vulnerable. It holds its own purity naturally, no matter what is happening. This is a genuinely light-hearted wish of mine, that perhaps others would relate to. You can make up your own custom “color” and style too. Who knows, maybe it will catch on with others. Lots of colors make up the rainbow. One is free to experiment and play, but don’t get your tail wet! These practices are actually a big responsibility, too.
A Bhakti’s Ode
This playful review, penned years ago by a staunch Kṛṣṇa devotee and Vedic scholar, beautifully illustrates the bridge between tantra and vedānta. Like the gopīs flirting with Kṛṣṇa ~ devoted, longing, yet remaining pure and surrendered ~ this man and I hardly touched. The connection lived entirely in the realm of the sacred >
“Ode to the good lady Hari…
I pursue thee at your beck and call.
Do thou now teaseth me like the usual beast?
(Causing my sky to go black like a midnight curse)
Harken fair maiden,
I pay with Hari Katha,
Be that not enough for thee?
And so shall I also entice the Goddess Vino to join us as we both concur.
What-for, where-else thou could ask of me, I shall provide thee…
…Oh carrier of the lotus lamp.
My heart weepeth and pounds with anticipation.
Torture me no longer, oh curseth moon.
‘Tis too many days before the lady doth attend this village.”
— M. (nuclear tech & vedic scholar)