Tantra Talk
February 2023
Hey there Caddyshackers
Welcome to Feb 2022
Guest blogger Jen here kicking off our first blog of the year with some sex positive content (of course).
The Caddyshack team have well and truly started the year strong with plans for new updates and more engaging content on our socials. So keep your eyes peeled, give us a follow and slide into our DMs to tell us what you think!
Cups of tea & sweet treats on our planning day
Looking for a sex positive show to binge?
Did anyone watch “Sex, Love & Goop” over the summer holidays?
It’s a Netflix documentary series in which Academy Award-winning actor and now entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow helps couples improve the quality of their erotic lives!
We got on the binge wagon late in 2021. Polarised reviews, still didn’t detract from this being fascinating viewing. It follows real couples as they're guided by experts who advise them on intimacy and pleasure, largely driven by the results of each couple's erotic 'blueprint' quiz.
It's similar to a personality quiz, but for your sex life, and categorises people according to five types;
Energetic
Sensual
Sexual
Kinky
Shapeshifter
In case you don’t know, Gwyneth established her wellness company, Goop in 2008,
“to unearth cutting-edge ideas that could really help us optimize our lives”
Not without its controversy over the years (vagina steam cleaning anyone?) it seems the intention behind the brand is a good one, sharing wellness knowledge and cutting edge practices.
Tantric Sex
Anyway, that was a good segue into talking about Tantric Sex, because we amateur futurists predict we are going to be hearing a whole lot more about it, along with the ever increasing rise of sexology. That’s a whole other blog, for later in the year (we have some exciting stuff coming to you in 2022!), but in the meantime check out the Society of Australian Sexologists.
What is Tantric sex?
Tantric sex is a sexual practice that's part of the ancient spiritual path known as tantra. Tantra (pronounced tahn-tra, with an ahh sound in that first syllable) is a Sanskrit term that translates to "weave." It originated in the North of India over 1500 years ago and refers to weaving together or uniting the masculine and feminine forces within all of us, heaven and earth, the human body with the transcendent, collapsing the polarities (which has nothing to do with gender). Phew!
cool, But why?
The purpose of tantra is to discover an ecstatic union with all of life beyond the separate sense of self. Sacred or tantric sex—an aspect of tantra—is seen as one doorway to that transcendent truth, once we learn how to harness it.
Still with us?
Not scoffing about Gordon Sumner aka Sting and his alleged 7 hours of nonstop tantric sex with his wife?
Google it.
Ok good, let’s keep going.
Tantra is a little bit like yoga, in the sense that the West has taken a whole body of work and extracted aspects of it, making it more about sexual techniques & practices.
Tantra originated as a way of life, a spiritual path. Still, there is much to be explored.
Prior to 2005 there were very few people working with Tantra in Australia, however, since then, the market has grown considerably. There are now many teachers and facilitators offering a wide range of experiences in the name of Tantra, including;
Classical Tantra - focusing on spiritual practices such as meditation, chanting & mantras that support one’s journey
Neo-Tantra - which aims to improve relationships and sexual experiences.
Tantra Core Concepts
At the heart of connecting in a Tantric way are the core concepts of respect, intent and consent. Love that consent is a core concept - so important!
Will you have better sex if you start doing Tantra?
Not necessarily but probably, because it’s also about setting boundaries, saying no, and developing the deepest sense of self-respect for oneself.
Ok, so where to start?
It’s impossible to wrap up such an enormous practice in this short space and we are mindful of not reducing Tantra to a “tip sheet”, here are, nonetheless three suggestions to consider or try when you are next with a partner (or even alone):
Bring your mind to the present moment and focus your awareness.
Look into your partners (own) eyes, really look, and hold that gaze. This could feel overwhelming and intense, but is worthwhile.
Gently practice synchronising your breath together. If alone, focus your attention on your breath, the inhale and exhale, observe each breath without trying to adjust it; it may help to focus on the rise and fall of your chest or the sensation through your nostrils.
Want to know more?
There are a number of excellent books & online resources available about Tantra so if your curiosity is piqued, enjoy exploring further and check out “Sex, Love & Goop” on Netflix if you haven’t already done so.
What we are loving right now
At the end of each blog we like to leave you with something we are loving right now. Sometimes it’s a podcast, a show, a book, a website or service. Promise it is not always about sex!
Why not go back in our blogs to catch all the things we are loving, or jump on our socials and give us your recommendations on what you think we would love!
Right now we are loving another summer binge Shane Jenkins AKA Courtney Act’s book “Caught in the Act”.
A truly insightful read into all things sexuality and gender, and an exploration of Courtney’s journey to date.
Laugh, cry and snort out loud, it is equal parts educational and entertaining.
Chat next month, as always,
Peace, Love & Protection
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