Tantra is the True Path of Non-Duality

Classical Tantra is the endless weaving of the sacred with the mundane.

Classical Yoga (as organized by Patanjali) is a dualistic path. The Yoga Sutras as based in Samkhya philosophy, which divides all things into two distinct categories: cosmic consciousness (Purusha) and physical matter (Prakriti). Yoga is often defined as the union between these two polarities. Another common understanding of Yoga is the transcendence of the material world in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

In Tantra, these polarities do not exist in the first place because there is no distinction between the two. Transcending the physical body is not a goal of Tantra because awakening happens from within the body, not outside of it or “above” it.

Anything becomes potentially sacred — cooking food, making art, making love, listening to music, going for a walk, watching a film, or sharing a conversation. Tantra poses the question: how can my material life become material to my spiritual growth?

I love studying the Yoga Sutras. However, one thing about Patanjali’s philosophy that I do not agree with is that our mind, thoughts, and imagination are unproductive and distracting to our spiritual growth. I believe the human mind is quite beautiful. I feel lucky to have this experience body through which to have a spiritual experience.

“You are not the body nor the mind. You are the soul.”

I’m not so sure. Instead of discarding our identification with our bodies, maybe the real power is transforming how we relate to the body. Instead of only identifying with the soul, maybe we are the soul as well as the body and mind. Why is there a need to pick, choose, and separate?

The body houses the soul which contains the elements of the spirit. The soul sits behind the mind and underneath the heart. Am I that which lives in the house? Or am I the house as well? Maybe I’m also the tree in the backyard. Maybe I’m also the bird sitting atop the tree. Maybe I’m also you.

Maybe awakening happens on the inside when we find union with all things on the outside.