Frequently asked questions

1. What is Tantra?

Tantra is an ancient concept of Indian origin aiming at living a blissful life. The meaning of the word is 'liberation by expansion', applying to the realization of spiritual liberation and expansion of energy. This energy is mainly in the forms of body vigour and mind awareness. What Yoga does by using Yogic methods, Tantra achieves by using Tantric ones.

The most significant of the Tantric methods is the use of ritualistic sexual interaction in order to achieve heightened states of consciousness. The usual psychological term for such mental states is "altered stated of consciousness".

The tradition of Tantra we follow is the Kaula Tantra School. This ancient branch of left-hand Tantra is well described in the Tantric literature. However, many of its practices and acquisition of knowledge has been hidden for a long time. Only in the last decades spiritual permission was given to spread to knowledge because of the influence of the Kali Yuga (age) being stronger. We teach this form of Tantra under the name of Tantrananda School of Tantra. Our attention is focused on teaching the relevant Tantric and Yogic methods to achieve good health, good social and personal relationships, be professionally successful, have a life fulfill with joy and become a source of inspiration for others.

This school was founded in the year 2002. Its founder and director Maria Martins (Ma Bhakti Shakti) is a Kaula Tantra guru empowered to continue this lineage and perform various kinds of initiations. People initiated with the highest form do become themselves Kaula Tantra gurus. Our lineage is not of a Yogic kind; the rules and regulation pertaining to Kaula Tantra School are quite different. We teach also the Tantric sex techniques according to our lineage.

2. What can I learn during the first session?

The first session guided by a Kaula Tantra teacher is basically an assessment of personal needs and goals of an aspirant. Various kinds of simple examinations are performed. For example the balancing of Cakras, the breathing process, the checking of the flow of energy within the channels known as Nadis. Some questions might be asked in order to evaluate what the aspirant expects from learning Tantra. Here are some:

Do you have any previous experience with Tantra?

What do you want to learn?

To what degree you can control your exjaculation (for men only)?

Are you practicing some Yogic techniques? What are they?

How do you evaluate your health overall?

Do you want to embark on a personal program alone or together with your group of people or partner?

Overall the first session makes an assessment of the suitability of a Tantric aspirant to prepare for practice and learning of specific Tantric ideas.

3. How do I start learning Tantra?

After the basic assessment is complete, the teacher will present the range of options, like workshops, seminars, Tantric Yoga Nidras and mediation practices, massage, etc. The teachings could be done for a group of people or private sessions. Plenty of written materials are available along with excellent books. The teacher will always recommend the workshop of Kaula Tantra Mantra initiation as a beginning of learning Tantra. This workshop aims at introducing the aspirant to the simplest way of preparing the minds to learn about Tantric ideas and the use Tantric methods for various other goals. The basic Mantra initiation has also the purpose to link the aspirant to the lineage and all the people belonging to this spiritual tradition. After the Kaula Tantra Mantra initiation is performed, and the aspirant decides to continue on the Tantric path, there are many other workshops to choose from. A list is provided on any of our websites.

4. Why do I need to learn Tantra?

The answer to this question comes naturally by knowing the benefits Tantra can bring in one's life. First of all Tantra creates a balanced life. There are methods to enhance one's intellectual abilities, heal body and mind, and create harmonious relationships. A Tantra practitioner becomes a better person, a better lover and enjoyer of the gift of a human life. A Tantric person becomes blissful, has an excellent health as much as the age permits. Mind's abilities go beyond the normal.

5. What about the practice?

Practicing Tantra has many aspects. There are Yogic methods used which almost anyone could follow. In advanced stages there are specific Tantric methods suitable for certain kinds of people who are ready for it. Yoga practices have to be seen as preliminaries before the Tantric methods per se are employed.

The pertinent Tantric practice is known as Maithuna Tantra, the ritualistic sexual interaction between a man and a woman. Teaching this ritual is for advanced people only. Printed material is available, however, a more practical approach is when a Kaula Tantra guru explains the intricacies of Maituna Tantra and makes some kind of demonstration.

6. With whom do I practice? Do I need a partner?

In advanced stages of learning Tantra any aspirant needs a partner of opposite sex. Sometimes we organize special parties to allow people to find a suitable partner. Alternatively, people could search for a partner at www.tantrananda.com website and register there. Our database dating service allows finding other people interested into Tantric partnership.

However, in initial stages of learning Tantra a partner is not necessary. Tantra aspirants need to consolidate a good amount of knowledge as preparation for the interaction with people of the opposite sex. Couples are welcome to learn anything they want in special workshops for couples only. Special Sadhanas (practices) could be prepared for anyone sincere to learn Tantra.

7. Why do I have to control ejaculation?

It is true that Tantra teaches a man to control ejaculation and a woman to help the man doing it. The control of man's ejaculation is part of the self-control process Tantra envisages about anything a man does. Tantra maintains that there is power behind the man's sperm. By wasting it, the health is diminished and the life shortened.

Tantra teaches various methods for man's sperm preservation that is a self-control action well appreciated by his woman partner. Women are also subject to learn what is specific regarding their human design and the capacities of their anatomy.

8. What if I am very young or very old?

We discourage very young people (those who are underage) for knowing about sexuality, make inquiries to us or practice anything from our printed materials. We cooperated only with persons who meet the age criteria that are legal in their countries for being seen as mature enough to learn about sexual issues.

For older people apart for the limitations regarding physical abilities there are of course no other restrictions. The older people are advised to apply for a personal Tantric Sadhana aiming at invigorating body and mind and expanding the capacities to enjoy life.

9. How do I make an appointment?

An appointment can be made by contacting us by email or by calling Sydney, Australia on 1300 888 379. You will be talking to one of our office assistants who will make an appointment at a suitable time to meet a teacher.

You will be informed about the price of your tuition and mode of payment. Price reduction applies to those interesting to become Tantra teachers. Our websites should be consulted prior to making an appointment, in so the student could decide about the kind of teachings wanted and way of doing it.

10. How can I become a Tantra teacher?

For would-be teachers we have a program called Tantra Teacher Training. The program is very flexible allowing someone to specialize in particular areas of Tantra teachings. Information is provided on our websites.

However, a Kaula Tantra teacher is not a Kaula Tantra guru unless initiated as such. People appointed teachers by Tantrananda School of Tantra receive certification to teach those subjects, which were passed as written assessments. Contact us for details.

Please note: Once you have made the commitment and signed the agreement, the full amount of the tuition is due and payable and there is no refund of the tuition.

11. What if I live outside Sydney? Can I receive Tantric initiation?

For people not able to come to Sydney, Australia, for a personal encounter with a Kaula Tantra teacher of our school, we have an Open Learning program for distance education. Our websites provide information about it.

There is a possibility to obtain even the Kaula Tantra Mantra initiation by email and ordinary mail. Teaching materials will be sent to the aspirant via email. The instructions within have to be followed. Return the answers to the assessment questions and any other query on a separate piece of paper.

Only after passing the assessment questions the Mantra initiation is given by receiving the Kaula Tantra Mantra Initiation Paper by ordinary mail. On it, the spiritual Tantric name is written along with the Mantra given, date of Mantra initiation and Kaula Tantra guru's signature. The would-be Mantra initiate has to touch the forehead with that paper which was previously energized by the Kaula Tantra guru.

12. After I've signed the credit card authority and paid can I receive a refund if I change my mind?

NO.

It is not possible to get a refund because we have our business commitments and have invested the time, which means we are not gaining and providing training and services to other clients.

We also make commitments with suppliers and advertisers, once we create a commitment we cannot go back.