Tantra for Gay Men (Paperback)

by Bruce Anderson (Author) "While Tantra is one of the most powerful approaches to spiritual development, it is also among the most misunderstood-not only here in the West, but..." (more)
Key Phrases: upa gurus, baseline posture, root lock, Golden Straw (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Western cultures have often thought of the ancient practice of tantra as a form of super-sex. However, as scholar and teacher Bruce Anderson makes clear in this guide for gay men to the art of tantra, it is actually a rigorous practice that harnesses sexual energy as fuel for spiritual development. In eight empowering chapters, Anderson explores and explains the spiritual concepts that practitioners must fully integrate into their lives before experiencing the transformative effects of tantra.

How does Tantra facilitate the awakening and rise of Kundalini?
What is the relevance of Tantra today for men who love men?
What are the origins of Tantra?
What is the goal of Tantra?

Readers will be guided through the process of incorporating Tantric philosophy and practices into their sexual and spiritual through multiple excercises on:

Harnessing breath as a means to awakening development.
Achieving bliss through posture.
Strengthening abdominals, and erections.
Lovemaking techniques for achieving sacred unions.
Postponing and prolonging orgasms.

Bruce Anderson’s astute and unaffected approach to both the technical and spiritual elements of tantra will allow gay men to enhance the power of their lovemaking and the strength of their orgasms to reach a state of cosmic bliss.

Bruce Anderson has studied with Amazonian and Plains Indian shamans as well as Tibetan, East Indian, and Egyptian tantra teachers. He is a third-level cobra breath practitioner and teaches the class "Tantra for Men" at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books; 1 edition (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555837492
• ISBN-13: 978-1555837495
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #232,446 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Schindler Knows What He's Talking About, February 4, 2004

By	"whitecranejournal" - See all my reviews

As an activist for the erotic liberation of my fellow men I found William Schindler's new book Gay Tantra particularly fascinating. One thing I've long been aware of is that in the Western World we misuse the term Tantra to mean any kind of enhancement of sexual pleasure through prolonged or nonejaculatory practices. So it's refreshing to read this book that explores the authentic meaning of the term. It actually indicates a wide range of techniques both ascetic and ecstatic for training the senses toward heightened spiritual awareness.

Clearly Schindler, a long-term practitioner of Tantra and student of Sanskrit, knows what he's talking about. Early on he makes it clear that this is not a sex manual or sex how-to, but an examination of these concepts related to Hindu religious practices, yet potentially relevant to anyone. In particular I appreciate how the author relates the subject to gay men, with our special awareness of gender fluidity and the outsider's perspective.

He explains: "Ultimately, Tantra will teach us to find our true identity as pure consciousness, the essence of the Divine. The individual body/mind will be seen as part of the content of consciousness, and we will experience the true Self as pure consciousness." This basic insight of seeing beyond duality to essential Oneness is a message that seems to be coming at me personally from every direction these days--also from this book. As a gay man, I feel my life experience has enhanced my awareness and curiosity about the nature of things. Schindler states: "Tantra says take the whole experience as it is, ignoring nothing. Feel the pleasure and the pain. See what is there and what is not there. Know that the Truth resides in every experience and learn."

He pulls no punches in presenting aspects of Tantra many might find distasteful, including animal sacrifice and a tradition of offering severed heads on altars. While some of these optional practices don't thrill me, I appreciate the challenge of moving beyond my own likes and dislikes to consider their real significance. "Severed heads, for example, often represent ahamkara or ego, the mental function that makes us believe falsely that we are separate from others and from God." Other matters are more familiar to students of Eastern religions: "Above all Tantra emphasizes practice, sadhana, methods for realizing our true nature and for connecting with God."

Another common misconception is that sacred images of Shiva and Shakti copulating validate heterosex over homosex--in fact such images represent integral forces and noduality. The book argues persuasively that gay men's awareness of how arbitrary gender roles are can be an asset."A true integration of gay identity requires discovering the unique gifts of being gay along with the unique hardships. It requires coming to appreciate how the hardships have contributed to gifts of greater insight and emotional strength." This only begins to suggest the rich concepts found in Tantra.

But I appreciate the simplicity of the essence: "The ultimate affirmation is the affirmation of Oneness." That is not to suggest that such awareness is easy to achieve. Still I especially enjoy how the author sums up his discussion of mindfulness: "Ultimately mindfulness is all about getting one's ego self out of the way and experiencing the unbroken flow of attention that is the true Self within." So if you're curious to know what Tantra is really about, this book is a fine place to start.

Reviewed by Bruce P. Grether in White Crane Journal #50

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for gay partners!, May 16, 2003

By	Jake Witte (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

All that I can say is "wow!" This book worked wonders on my sex life. It helped me to feel sensations that I never thought were possible. A must buy for all sensual gay couples in an exploration stage.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars OK but not great, March 25, 2007

By	B. Braithwaite "B" (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Interesting book. I suppose I was expecting more instructions where love making was concerned and less information about ancient ritualistic living in general.