Tag: alchemical marriage

Shoot That Golden Arrow

 

Tantra Goddess of the Surrealist Movement 

Maria de Naglowska

Maria de Naglowska was a Russian occultist and author who was the founder of the Brotherhood of the Golden Arrow in Paris. In this occult society she lectured and taught about the rituals of Sex Magic and how orgasmic power can be harnessed for spiritually transformative purposes. She led her group from 1932-1935 and immediately became the darling of the French Surrealist movement. “The Brotherhood” included likes of Man Ray, André Breton and many other notable artists of that time. During these years she published a newsletter called “La Flèche (The Arrow) that featured contributions from herself and other occultists. Her writings were considered so revolutionary that it earned her the name of: “La Sophiale de Montparnasse” (The Wise Woman of Montparnasse). 

For someone who was so ahead of her time, Maria’s origins are decidedly bourgeois: She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1883 and after being orphaned at age 12 she was raised by her aristocratic relatives who expected her to become just another pretty face in St. Petersburg society. But Maria was having none of that; she eloped with someone outside of her social economic sphere and ran away to Geneva, Switzerland. As fate would have it, her jerk of a husband abandoned her and she was forced to go to work as a school teacher. In order to supplement her income, Maria also began working as a journalist and it was around this time that she discovered the works of an obscure American writer named Paschal Beverly Randolph, who was the founder of the American Rosicrucian Order and a practitioner of Sex Magic. As a result of his teachings, Maria began to advocate the power of Sex Magic in her writings and it caused so much controversy in stuffy Geneva that she wound up being imprisoned and eventually deported from Switzerland, as if such a thing were possible! 

Maria’s Lovers. Ritual led by de Naglowska at The Brotherhood of the Golden Arrow. Paris 1930’s

After her deportation, she continued working as a journalist first in Rome and then finally in Paris where her practice finally took off. She compiled and translated the writings of Randolph and had them published in book form. If it wasn’t for her proselytizing of his works, the world may have never heard of him, or Sex Magic. But again, the powers that be were out to get Maria and she found herself once again running afoul of the law. Fortunately the French were a bit more open minded than the Swiss and she was able to overturn her conviction for “outrage to public decency” in a court of law.

However she was not without controversy even within the parameters of her group. She was criticized for embellishing many of her rituals with satanism and the unsafe practice of autoerotic asphyxiation. Her explanation being that the latter helped the subject focus on their orgasm through sensory deprivation. I guess there are somethings which are too “out there” even for the French Surrealists. But I must say in her defense that there was an element of truth to her claim; Let me get one thing straight before going any further: I do not approve of the practice of autoerotic asphyxiation. It is too risky and we have lost many people as a result of this. (Can you hear me in the afterlife Messrs Bourdain & Carradine?) There is a safer way to practice sensory deprivation called the “Yoni Face Mudra” which allows the person to be in control of the sensory deprivation while preventing any unfortunate “accidents”.

Yoni Face Mudra-from my book “Tantra Massage for Lovers”.

Inspite of the prurient reputation surrounding her, Maria was a well travelled, cultured individual. She studied with many masters throughout the world, in Alexandria, Egypt she connected with followers of Madame Blavatsky and rumor had it that she became part of Rasputins inner circle when she was growing up in St. Petersburg. Maria was fluent in ten languages and in addition to publishing “La Flèche” she also authored over six books on the subject of Sex Magic  and worked as a journalist/translator. Click here to be directed to her Simon & Schuster Official Publisher Page.

Towards the end of her life, Maria became the muse of the Swiss architect, Le Corbusier. He was a serious occultist himself and found inspiration in her teachings and how they matched his own interpretation of sacred architecture. But Maria was not meant to be attached to her mortal coil for very long and in 1936 she a premonition of her own death in a dream. She decided to return to Switzerland where she died a year later. Leaving behind this little known, but very powerful legacy. 

Sacred Architecture: A church designed by Le Corbusier.

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Namaste!

Tantra Massage Unveiled

If I had a dollar for every time some one asked: “What exactly IS Tantra Massage?”, I would achieve a type of financial nirvana that would even make the Sultan of Brunei blush. But alas, it appears that the fickle finger of fate is too busy picking its nose. So I must instead lift the veil of mystery surrounding this often time misunderstood practice. 

A stand alone massage without the additional bells and whistles of Tantra can reap innumerable benefits: relaxation, stress reduction, lowers blood pressure, relaxes tense muscles, improves circulation, improves posture and strengthen the body’s immune system. One could go on and on singing it’s praises.

Tantra Massage Unveiled
Tantra Massage Unveiled

Now, couple this with the benefits of Tantra: balancing energies, more stamina & endurance, clarity of thought, deepening of relationships, emotional healing, spiritual awakening, releasing past trauma, etc. Now you are in whole other dimension. One that combines both physical and emotional wholeness.

By practicing the time tested Tantric techniques of Kriya Asanas followed by Pranic Breathing, the individual opens the energetic channels of the body known as Ida and Pingala. The aforementioned techniques work with both the physical and subtle aspects of the bodies to create what is known as the Shushumna Channel. According to Dr. Harish Johari in his book “Tools for Tantra”, in order to create this Middle Pillar channel, both Ida and Pingala must be balanced. 

Ida, Pingala & Shushumna
Ida, Pingala & Shushumna. From my book “Tantra Massage for Lovers”.

At this point the physical body is ready to receive the benefits of the massage and will reap these benefits more effectively since the balanced energy is flowing unencumbered though the body. Tapping along the Ida & Pingala channels helps to continue moving the energy and the recipient may experience some tingling throughout the body. This can also be enhanced with sound and/or aromatherapy to to help clear the Chakras and to enhance that feeling of blissful relaxation. Oh yes, and let’s not forget massaging the Sacred Spot! As one very happy client said to me at the conclusion of his session: “I feel both energized and relaxed!”

Learn how to share the sensual secrets of Tantra Massage with my popular ebook: “Tantra Massage for Lovers”, available through my web store:

Tantra Massage for Lovers eBook click on image to purchase

https://universaltantra.org/shop/

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Lusting for Lupercalia

The Erotically Pagan Origins of Valentine’s Day

Lupercal with whip

Nowadays Valentine’s Day is associated Hearts and Flowers. Friends, whether romantic or platonic, exchange cards, candy and ask “Will you be My Valentine?”. Maybe a romantic dinner between couples. Common knowledge is that it was an invention of American greeting card companies to create a holiday in order to fill the gap between Christmas and Easter. Its name is derived from an unfortunate Christian Martyr, Valentine, also known as the Patron Saint of Lovers. (more about this guy later). But did you know that Valentine’s Day actually has much deeper, darker origins? Origins which are highly charged with eroticism, Sex Magic and blood rituals? 

Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival that was celebrated around the 15th of February (or the Kalends of February according to the Roman Calendar). It’s a festival that involved animal sacrifice, blood rituals, nudity, public flogging, anonymous sex with strangers, lots of wine and other inebriates. Did I leave anything out? No? Good. What was the purpose of this public display of debauchery? Well, to ward off evil spirts and to increase the fertility of the women of course!

Revelers celebrating Lupercalia

The festival was also to celebrate the founding of Rome and to honor its founders Romulus and Remus and the She-Wolf who suckled them in her cave. And of course it’s important that a festival honoring the founding of this auspicious empire be celebrated by warding off evil spirits and ensuring the procreation of its citizens.

The event began in the Cave of the Lupercal, the mythical cave at the foot of the Palatine Hill on the Banks of the Tiber, where the mama wolf suckled her foundling twins. There, a group of young men, Rome’s best and brightest sacrificed one or more male goats, smearing their blood all over their naked bodies. The blood would then be wiped off with milk symbolizing not only male sexuality but the nurturing female energies as well. I find this to be an interesting correspondence between the red/white, Shiva/Shakti energies of Tantra. 

The Lupercal, as these young men where called, came from Rome’s finest families and some notable Lupercal where Marc Antony and Octavian Ceaser. If anyone reading this saw the HBO Series “Rome”, this festival was rather graphically depicted in the first season. All this blood ritual was followed by a feast involving lots of eating and drinking but it’s what comes next that is really interesting.

The She Wolf suckling Romulus & Remus

The drunken revelers then skinned the sacrificed goats and cut the leather into long bloody strips that where fashioned into whips. Yep, then they proceeded to march through the streets of the Eternal City flogging female revelers who would purposely get in their way so that they could receive a taste of the whip. And did I mention that all parties where naked? I believe this would probably get a lot of likes on PornHub! The belief here was that if their naked bodies where flogged by the whips of the Lupercal, it would increase fertility while at the same time ward off evil spirits. Makes total sense to me. 

But wait, there’s more!

The festival doesn’t end there, because after that the names of the celebrants would be pulled from a jar and paired with someone of the opposite sex. They would then have to engage in public sex in the Forum for the rest of the festival. Reminds me a bit of the “Swingers Key Parties” of the 70’s. 

Lovers Pairing during the festival

So how does this all tie in with the martyred St Valentine? Well, it appears that during the reign of the Emperor Claudius, christian marriage ceremonies were illegal and there was one individual named Valentine who defied the emperor’s order by secretly marrying christian lovers. The Emperor caught wind of this and before you could say “Isis Caliphate” had the poor guy beheaded. So once christianity spread through the Roman Empire, the festival of Lupercalia was appropriated by the new religion and it became “St. Valentine’s Day”. Now, I must say that by the time this conversion took place, the original festival of Lupercalia was only a shadow of its former self; gone was the nudity and public flogging and instead the acts were performed “symbolically”. Ie fully clothed, just a tapping with a hand and you could forget about pulling the names out of a jar. However you can still see some vestiges of these practices in modern day Mardi Gras events and in Holy Week in Spain.

 

So the next time you buy a Valentine’s Day Card or decorate your home with the colors of red and white. Remember the ancient origins of this Holiday and its earthy, pagan origins. 

 

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Angel Lust

 

What do Lord Byron, Christopher Reeves and John Dillinger have in common?

Angel Lust

Angel Lust

A man is born with an erection and dies with an erection and in between those two events he will average about 15 to 25 erections a day during the course of his life. 

Angel Lust is also referred to as a “Death Erection”, an involuntary response that occurs at the time of death, particularly if that death was a violent one, although it’s not always the case. Some men who have died with this condition were: Lord Byron, Christopher Reeves and John Dillinger.  There was also a reference to this in the book/film “The World According to Garp”, when T.S. Garp finds out from his mother that his father was a comatose man with a terminal erection who was mounted by his mother. After she had her way with him, his last dying words according to her were: ‘good’. Then he died!

So what is the symbolism here? Our Life Force Energy, or Shakti Energy is also our sex energy. And in particular in the case of men can manifest in an erection during challenging or traumatic life experiences. That is because our sex energy is not always an erotic reaction but a survival instinct. Which is a reason why rapes occur during wartime and in prison. The rapist isn’t especially in a romantic mood; instead they feel threatened in some way and so must act on it by subjugating another. 

But let’s switch from this depressing subject to one that is more enlightening. That being Death. WHAT?! You say? Dear Reader, before you get your panties in a knot or worse still, unsubscribe from this blog. Just hear me out. Read this with no judgement.

The French call ejaculation ‘Le Petit Mort’, ‘The Little Death’. That’s because every time a man ejaculates in the conventional manner they do experience a form of Death 2.0. The erection represents a desire to spread their seed before exiting this plane of existence permanently and at the moment of ejaculation, all functions stop for a plot second. A bit like a sneeze. Just like flowers will increase their pollen production before withering away, we want to make sure that we leave a lasting imprint on this earth.

Women also experience a similar phenomenon at the time of death such as expulsion of blood or fluids form the vagina. But let’s face it, a dead guy with a giant boner is defiantly more spectacular and attention grabbing.  

Understanding the cause and effect of this function can also help us to raise consciousness and awareness as it relates to the relation between our Mind, Body and Spirit. If we understand that our energies are cyclical, that they ebb and flow as a result of a multitude of variables. Then it’s easier for us to harness and re-harvest this energy in a safe and efficient manner.

Through the practice of Tantra it’s possible to allow this energy to flow unencumbered while at the same time giving the person better clarity of thought and more stamina. That’s because these techniques not only work with the endocrine system of your body, but also your Mind and Spirit. After all, the are all interconnected! 

Many men, in particular younger ones, are constantly plagued by sexual thought that can cause unnecessary distractions during the course of the day. They find that if they self pleasure themselves or engage in sexual activity upon waking, that they can experience higher levels of concentration and more productivity during the course of the day. This is only a half measure. By practicing techniques such as the Kriya Asanas, Pranic Breathing and The Orgasmic Meditation©, it’s possible for them to be in better control of their faculties, thus elevating them to a state of Higher Consciousness.  

This Wholeness will help to unite and balance our polarities, allowing us to experience a healthy detachment that make us the observer in this journey through life’s transitions and preparing us for the inevitability of the final transition of life.

Would you like to learn more about the techniques covered in this post? Please contact me personally by email: Looking forward to hearing from you!

The Ascent of the Thin White Duke

 

~Somewhere between Kether and Malkuth~

David Bowie drawing the Tree of Life. His artist’s hand poised somewhere between Kether and Malkuth.

Or so go the lyrics from “Station to Station”. David Bowie was more that a musician, he was an artist and a mystic whose talents transcended those of mere mortals into an esoteric sphere most of us lacked the capacity to comprehend. But he somehow made it palatable for the masses, bringing those arcane realities down to a level that made it enjoyable for us lesser mortals to swallow.

The “David Bowie Is” exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum did not disappoint in terms of showing us not only Bowie the Artist, but Bowie the Magus; The Man who not only Sold the World, but travelled between several of them.

“Here are we, one magical movement from Kether to Malkuth

There are you, you drive like a demon from Station to Station”

So what are ‘Kether and Malkuth’ and what is the Tantric equivalency?

Table of Correspondents Sephiroth v Chakras
Table of Correspondents Sephiroth v Chakras

Kether and Malkuth are Are Sephoroth (spheres) on the Tree of Life in the tradition of the Kabbalah and they represent emanations/attributes similar to the Chakra Tree of Life in Tantra. According to Aleister Crowley in his book ‘777’, which contains multiple Tables of Correspondents referencing equivalencies form traditions to traditions, Kether would correspond to Sahasrara (The Crown) while Malkuth corresponds to Muladhara (The Root). So in essence, Bowie’s song lyrics represent the quest to achieve that Alchemical Wholeness that many of us strive to achieve yet seldom maintain. The “Stations” refer these spheres through which he alchemicaly transmutes. So you see, in the end it all comes together and David is the glue.

A highly symbolic pencil drawing by David created early on in his career. The occult meanings in the images later translated into some of his most popular songs.
A highly symbolic pencil drawing by David created early on in his career. The occult meanings in the images later translated into some of his most popular songs.

David’s early life was fraught with fractionalization and conflict. These traumas were best expressed in his painting and I was particularly struck by one particular painting that looks like a collage with many occult symbols that translated into his future opera. There was one detail showing a man in a pierrot costume comforting a little boy who is obviously disturbed. I immediately saw the early of his Pierrot/Major Tom persona from the ‘Ashes to Ashes’ video.

A detail of the above mentioned painting showing an early incarnation of what was to become the "Major Tom/ Pierrot" persona from the song/video "Ashes to Ashes".
A detail of the above mentioned painting showing an early incarnation of what was to become the “Major Tom/ Pierrot” persona from the song/video “Ashes to Ashes”.

Then there’s the little boy: Is that David or could it be someone else? Terry Jones was David’s half brother, who suffered from severe schizophrenia resulting from early childhood emotional abuse. He was a tragic figure who was in and out of mental institutions most of his life. David tried his best to be ‘his brother’s keeper’ but it was to no avail: Terry died by suicide in 1986. The fear of mental illness and a sort of survivors guilt was something that haunted David throughout his life and was the subject of many of his songs.

"Ashes to Ashes" costume for the music video by the same same. The costume was exquisitely designed by David's long time collaborator, Natasha Korniloff.
“Ashes to Ashes” costume for the music video by the same same. The costume was exquisitely designed by David’s long time collaborator, Natasha Korniloff.

David was an accomplished painter and he used this medium to help him overcome his drug addiction during his “Berlin Era”. As has been documented elsewhere, towards the end of the 70’s he felt washed up and had run out of ideas. He was addicted to cocaine and his marriage to Angela was on the rocks. Bowie’s idea of rehab was to move to Berlin and to bring along his friend Iggy Pop. Seems like an extremely counter indicative approach to getting the monkey off your back but it worked for Bowie; He cleaned up his act and produced some of the most innovative music of his career. He even managed to elevate Iggy Pop to a new level of respectability.

Disturbingly intense portraits by David of his friends Yukio Mishima and Iggy Pop.
Disturbingly intense portraits by David of his friends Yukio Mishima and Iggy Pop.

The exhibit showcased many of his paintings and two that really caught my eye were the portraits of the Japanese Nobel laureate Yukio Mishima and the portrait of his friend, Iggy Pop. The solarized colors used in these paintings seem to bring out the demons that possessed these two very different men. Mishima was a controversial figure during his lifetime and rather than getting into details about his life, I will refer you to this link here to read more about him. Iggy’s portrait, like Mishima’s, looks like David was trying to draw out the inner demons that possessed both men in their lifetimes.

"Like Some Cat from Japan". Kansai Yamamoto discussing his collaborations with Bowie. He felt that costume was the best media through with David could express his music.
“Like Some Cat from Japan”. Kansai Yamamoto discussing his collaborations with Bowie. He felt that costume was the best media through with David could express his music.

David Bowie Is showcased a lot of his iconic costumes too. Some of which are pictured here. According to designer Kansai Yamamoto, the man who collaborated with Bowie on the creation of the “Ziggy Stardust” character, costumes where David’s favorite medium for expressing his music. And it was evident in the wide range of styles and characters.

A bonus for my readers: The original, unexpurgated "Diamond Dogs" art work by Dutch artist Guy Peellhaert created for the controversial album by the same name.
A bonus for my readers: The original, unexpurgated “Diamond Dogs” art work by Dutch artist Guy Peellhaert created for the controversial album by the same name.

So in conclusion, the exhibit was a culmination of David’s quest for Alchemical Wholeness that I think came to a full circle towards the end of his life with his revisiting of the Major Tom character in his final album “Black Star” and his opera “Lazarus”. Come to think of it, almost all of Bowie’s albums seemed to have an operatic narrative anyone of his albums would work well as a stage adaptation.

Periodic Table of David Bowie. An interesting Alchemical interpretation of David's evolution and the people influenced by him.
Periodic Table of David Bowie. An interesting Alchemical interpretation of David’s evolution and the people influenced by him. (Hint: Iman is listed as one of the noble metals)

 

Here is an early interpretation of his quest for wholeness in an early song from the 60’s called “Karma Man”. Click on the image below to have a listen:

Our Karma Man in a meditative pose. Click on the image to listen to this absolutely delightful early composition.
Our Karma Man in a meditative pose. Click on the image to listen to this absolutely delightful early composition.

~*~

Welcome to the Dinner Party!
Welcome to the Dinner Party!

The Brooklyn Museum, which hosted the David Bowie Is exhibition, is also the permanent home of a permanent installation honoring the Divine Feminine. “The Dinner Party” by Judy Chicago showcases a virtual dinner party in which the guests are influential women who were overlooked by history.The artist chose to highlight skills which traditionally been derided as “woman’s work” skills such as sewing, weaving, embroidery, pottery making, cooking. By including these media within the parameters of the installation, she brought them into the realm of “Fine Art”.

Guess who's coming to dinner? Welcome to this iconic installation by Judy Chicago celebrating the Divine Feminine.
Guess who’s coming to dinner? The iconic installation by Judy Chicago celebrating the Divine Feminine.

Each place setting offers a unique vulvic plate and like all vulvas, each one is unique. The fabric embellishments echo a them related to the dinner guest. This exhibit is so overwhelmingly feminine that one “art critic” crudely referred to it as “vaginas on a plate”. But to walk into the installation has a very moving effect on the observer, its as if one where to walk into the Sistine Chapel or the Taj Mahal. Please enjoy these images and the provenance behind them.

Snake Goddess: because you can't have a Tantra Blog without a reference to Kundalini Energy!
Snake Goddess: because you can’t have a Tantra Blog without a reference to Kundalini Energy!
Primordial Goddess, the Universal Soul who is the Creatrix of All Life.
Primordial Goddess, the Universal Soul who is the Creatrix of All Life.

~ All Roads Lead to Bowie~

So this New York Trip was not without its Synchronicities. It seemed that everywhere I turned the roads led back to Bowie or to a particular aspect of my past.

All roads lead to Bowie: Nikola Tesla Corner in Manhattan. Bowie played Tesla in the film "The Prestige", his final film role.
All roads lead to Bowie: Nikola Tesla Corner in Manhattan. Bowie played Tesla in the film “The Prestige”, his final film role.

Case in point was stumbling upon “Nikola Tesla Corner” in Manhattan. Bowie’s last film role was playing Tesla in “The Prestige”. David was one of those actors who totally disappeared into his role and this was no exception. Witnessing this coincidence also reminded me of an older Blog post “Tesla and Tantra”.“If you want to understand the secrets of the Universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.”

World Trade Center Memorial. This fountain is one of the 'footprints' of where the towers one stood.
World Trade Center Memorial. This fountain is one of the ‘footprints’ of where the towers one stood.

A couple of days later, there were some further synchronicities when I visited the World Trade Center Memorial. What an event. As many of you may already know, I lost some friends, during the attacks. I blogged about in in “The Transcendental Delegate”, but going to the memorial and seeing their names inscribed in the walls of the fountains had a profound impact. Perhaps this New York visit served as a bit of a closure for me as well.

 

Linda Loves Bingo!

But I don’t want this post to be a complete downer. My visit ended on a high note with my reunion with a dear friend from college, who is now the Doyenne of the New York Drag Scene!

Linda Loves Bingo at the Poisson Rouge!
Linda Loves Bingo at the Poisson Rouge!

I’m speaking of course about Linda Simpson whom I have known for almost 35 years. I think that I would like to take a little bit of credit for giving her some make up tips early in his career, but her achievements are all her own. Congratulations Dear!

Linda Simpson and Ragamuffin make me a sandwich
What becomes a Legend most? Drag Icon Linda Simpson and her assistant Ragamuffin make me a sandwich at Le Poisson Rouge.

I have always been a great admirer of Drag Queens because of their originality of style and their openness. This fits in very well with the concept of duality in nature and the unification of opposites. I feel that DQ’s are one of the fortunate few who have managed to reconcile these polarities and what emerges is a beautiful rainbow of infinite possibilities. Reminding me of that other Tantric Deity: Ardhanarishwara. The God/Dess who is both an ultimate man and an ultimate woman.

"Tantric Marriage" by George Atherton depicting the trans deity Ardnawarishwara
“Tantric Marriage” by George Atherton depicting the trans deity Ardhanarishwara

But back to Linda, we met up for dinner shortly after I arrived in town, then she invited me to her Saturday night show “Linda Loves Bingo” at Le Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village. Of course I could have always gone to see an overpriced Broadway Show like any other tourist. But how often can you see NYC’s #1 Drag Queen Bingo Show?

~*~

So in closing, I think that my return to my beloved New York served as a kind of Self Realization and a raising of consciousness that can only be achieved in an environment where so many diverse points of views can come together as a cohesive whole. This was something I observed when I would visit the corner deli in the Central Park West neighborhood where I was staying with friends. As I watched the Palestinian employee in the Jewish deli prepare a lox with shmeer bagel for an African American customer and her Asian American friend, I said to myself: This is the real America, not the “Make America Great Again” bullshit barfed up by the knuckle draggers in the flyover states. The real America is this diverse group of humans living together on this tiny island Manhattan. Each person is unique and different from the other but they manage to make it work and live in harmony.

This is the beauty of the Real America. Somewhere between Kether and Malkuth.

Did you enjoy this post?

Please visit my website universaltantra.org for more information.

 

Holi! Holi! Holi!

The Hindu Festival of Holi happened about a week ago, but I think that its message should resonate all through the year. Although Holi is primarily celebrated in India, it has grown in popularity all over the world and depending on the region in which it’s observed,  it can be a festival celebrating the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring, the love story of Krsna and Radha, the victory of Vishnu over evil and so on. The participants celebrate the holiday by throwing bright colored powder or water at each other and for that reason it’s referred to as the ‘Festival of Colors’. One could say that it’s a combination of Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, New Year and Easter all rolled up into one great big beautiful multi colored ball.

But one of the most significant meanings of Holi is that it is also known as a “Festival of New Beginnings”. It is customary to forgive transgressions, forgive or repay debts and to make new friends. What could be better than that? If only we could carry this attitude of a fresh start throughout the year instead of waiting for one particular day to express these thoughts and deeds. It’s said that life is a gift and every morning that we wake up that gift is given to us all over again. So why not see every day as a fresh start? Each new day is an opportunity to shed what no longer serves us and to move forward into our future.

Putting this into a Western perspective, the Kabbalah mentions that there is a negative aspect to the Sephiroth on the Tree of Life and it’s known as the ‘Qiploth’ or ‘Kingdom of Shells’ referring to the shell or skin that an animal sheds when it no longer serves them. I think that this serves as a good metaphor for Holi. And so in the spirit of this festival why not begin the day by casting off those unnecessary shells to renew and move forward.

Vishnu

Here is a simple exercise that one could perform to cast off unwanted energy:

Naulis are belly rolls that help to clear the Third (Manipura) and Fourth (Anahata) Chakras respectively. These two chakras work in tandem to either brighten your day or sour your day since they possess a symbiotic elemental correspondents of wood and fire. So it’s important to keep these two energetic centers in a state of balance.

Begin by taking a deep inhalation through the nose, followed by a complete exhalation through the mouth. Be sure that your lungs are completely devoid of air and when they are, begin to roll your belly as if you were drawing a circle with your navel. Up, down, out, in. As you roll your belly say these words to yourself: ‘Forgive, forget, let go.’ See whatever memory or emotion that vexes you disappear with each roll. Keep rolling your belly until you need more air then stop rolling; inhale deeply and exhale completely then begin rolling again. Repeat this sequence over and over again until you are exhausted and your stomach muscles can no longer roll.

anahata & manipura

This exercise helps to simultaneously massage the organs and glands of Manipura and Anahata allowing for the production of hormones that promote positive thoughts and general well being. One of my students who happens to also be an endocrinologist told me once that most of the serotonin in out body is produced in our stomach so it’s important to maintain a healthy diet and practice this exercise for a healthier outlook on life.

Practicing Naulis also helps to strengthen the Uddiyana Banda which is an important energetic lock found in the solar plexus and is responsible for assisting safely awakening Kundalini flow through the Subtle Body. The other two locks being Mulabanda (root lock) and Jalandhara Banda (throat lock). Below is a link to a very good video demonstrating Nauli rolls. The Yogi also shows variations on the roll that can suit a persons personal ability.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog and encourage all to visit my website: universaltantra.org for more information about my practice. Namaste!

Tantra Massage for Lovers Returns November 11, 2017

‘Tantra Massage for Lovers’ Workshop returns!

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Please join us for the final workshop of the year. This is my most popular workshop and space is limited. In this workshop you and your partner will share sensuous Tantric Massage techniques that will awaken and deepen your relationship in a safe, non judgmental environment. This event is open to couples only and advance registration is required.

~*~Space is limited so please register early.~*~ 

When: Saturday, November 11, 2017 ~ 7:00pm to 10:00pm

Where: Universal Tantra Temple, Houston

(location will be provided upon registration)

Registration Fee: $150 per couple, $100.00 repeaters

All participants will receive a complimentary copy of my eBook:

‘Tantra Massage for Lovers’

For more information or to register please call : 281-832-1191 or email:

Or visit my website: universaltantra.org

Hope you can join us!

 

 

The Woman in Your Mind

The Woman in Your Mind

Inside every Brain is a Woman at it’s Core.

As we gestate in our Mother’s womb, our gender is at first female and at around 16 to 20 weeks the embryo either stays female or evolves into another gender. So I guess that it is only natural to say that there is a female in our core. Metaphorically speaking, of course! But then, the other day as I was browsing though a dear friends FB page, I saw this GIF that he had posted with the commentary alluding to the Venus of Willendorf. Indeed! I thought. There really is a Goddess lurking within our deepest consciousness. And it’s only natural that she should resemble one of our most beloved and ancient archetypes. 

The image in the above animation is actually a representation of the Corpus Callosum complex within the human brain which houses the Pineal gland, the Hypothalamus and connects to the Medulla Oblongata. Or as we refer to it within the Alchemical process of Tantra: Bindu, The Hidden Chakra. This concept can also be referenced in Western Esoterica as the ‘Abyss’. I guess that makes our Venus the ‘Babe’ of the Abyss. Would it not? But let’s save that for another blog post. Shall we?

*Image of The Venus of Willendorf courtesy of the Natural History Museum in Vienna*

I recall that during one of my visits to the Glastonbury Goddess Conference that I attended a presentation by Katinka Soetens describing how the Yoni can be found in all shapes of nature. It was a fascinating lecture featuring all sorts of beautiful images of canyons, waterfalls etc. All bearing a remarkable similarity to the female genitals. This presentation later served as an inspiration for my two books ‘Yoniverse’ and ‘Worshipping the Goddess’. 

So going back to the image, it’s only natural these organic archetypes should be embedded within us. As Above so Below, from a Macro/Microcosmic point of view. So let’s honor and achieve this balance. Regardless of our orientation or point of view. The Hypothalamus embraces the Pineal gland much like the way the Yoni embraces the Lingham and the Cosmic Mother embraces us all.

Disclaimer: Any medical reference is strictly my own opinion and is not meant to be interpreted as medical advise. 

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Sex and World Peace

Sex and World Peace

world-peace

True Harmony and Equality can never be achieved until we learn to balance the energies within ourselves.

Having grown up in a house household where one of my parents worked for the State Department, there were always copies of ‘Foreign Affairs’ magazine laying around the house. This magazine was the trade journal for those in the diplomatic corps. A publication that offered an analysis of world affairs and how it related to american foreign policy. Even after my fathers retirement and transition, I continued to browse their website every now and then to get a different perspective on what was going on in our world. So imagine my surprise when one day I happened to click on to their site and find a review for a book entitled, ’Sex and World Peace’! 

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’Sex and World Peace’ is a book written by Texas A&M professor Valerie Hudson and in this book, she outlines the direct connection between achieving world peace and how it atomically correlates with society’s treatment of women. The author’s premise is that the treatment of women affects, on the most primal and taoist level on human interaction at all strata of society. In short the security of our planet and the future of our survival as a species depends on rectifying the inequalities between the genders and how this inequality can eventually unravel the security and survival of all. 

yoni-mudra

Given the recent turn of events in the US elections, this message comes hammering hard on our heads with a deafening resonance; I am not going to use this blog as a commentary on the misogyny, ignorance, racism and bigotry that fueled our electoral process, I will leave that to the paid talking heads in the media. But I would like to share that this book, along with our current state of affairs, reminded me of another message from the mystic Christian de la Huerta. I have always admired Christian’s approach to achieving harmony and balance both within and without.

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Our world is in a dangerous state of imbalance. It falls upon us to correct this and strive to achieve the ‘more perfect union’ ascribed by the Freemasons and Rosicrucians who founded this great experiment known as the The United States. According to Christian, true harmony cannot be achieved until the emancipation of women is complete. So in essence he takes this statement many dimensions further than the concept shared in Ms Hudson’s book by saying that only when we achieve the full emancipation of women can we achieve true harmony and world peace. That not only is it important to balance both male and female energies with equanimity but more importantly that this alchemical marriage must take place within ourselves. ‘A more Perfect Union’.
Listen to Christian in his own words:

https://www.facebook.com/lgbtcenternyc/videos/t.1374905031/71338023742/?type=2&theater

universal tantra houston om

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