Jim, Tantra is an entire approach to life. Teachers may focus on any aspect of that, ranging from philosophy, divination, physiology (both physical and non-physical) healing, martial arts, spirituality, real magic, religion, and much more. Sexuality, as a part of life experience, has been explored by Tantrics since the beginning of Tantra--some claim that beginning is about 1500 years ago (earliest writings) while others point to a much earlier beginning (5,000-10,000 years ago show proto-Tantric evidence). Western researchers have really only examined and explored sexuality over the last 100-150 years or so.

There may well have been a Tantric masturbation class at Burning Man. It may have presented good things and may have been, in some way, related to Tantric concepts. I have books that claim Tantra came from the Pleiades or that it was practiced in ancient Egypt. Both concepts are demonstrably false--but that doesn't mean the books don't have good ideas. They may not be Tantric but that doesn't mean they're wrong.

Some "authorities" really hate the focus many people have that puts Tantra in the category of anything sexual other than wam-bam-thank-you-ma'am! Personally, I think that such workshops, classes, and teachings wouldn't be popular if people didn't want and need such classes. Sometimes, I admit, I get testy when people claim something that is entirely non-Tantric is part of Tantra. For example, Taoist spiritual sexuality--which goes back to alchemical practices--has some very good concepts and techniques...but it isn't Tantra. "Tantra" has become a "catch word" used to get money from people hungering for information.

I also get testy with self-proclaimed Tantric experts who have "secret" knowledge and powers beyond anyone else. That's just egotism. It doesn't mean that they might not have something very valuable to share, just that they are buttheads. In the West, we tend to demand that spiritual teachers "walk their talk." If a televangelist turns out to be a closeted homosexual, people abandon him and his teachings. In India, people tend to separate the message from the messenger. Thus, although it's been shown that Sai Baba convinces people of his powers by using magic tricks, that doesn't deny what he teaches or the hospitals, schools, and water projects his organization funds.

I have never talked on Tribe about workshops I have taught on any subject. I'm trying to share information rather than use Tribe as a promotional venue. Since you asked, however, I'll talk just briefly about one workshop I give. It is focused on what may be the most sacred symbol in India, the Sri Yantra. If you're unfamiliar with it do a web search and you'll find out about it.

During this workshop I teach concepts of non-physical physiology (the koshas), a chakra system that is composed of 8 or 9 major chakras, as compared to the usual 7 (the additional chakra is actually composed of two chakras), goddesses, mantra, yantra, japa, use of mala beads, karma, and much more. I would contend that all of these concepts originated within Tantra and later became adopted into the Sanatana Dharma, or what most people call Hinduism.

Jim, I'm not trying to convince you to change in any particular way, nor am I promoting myself or any other particular teacher. I was just trying to hook you up with a teacher who might help you achieve what you are looking for. In this post, I am trying to share with you (and other readers) that while Tantra includes spiritual sex, that is only a small part of Tantra as a whole. Some people claim that "Tantra is this" or "Tantra is that." The truth is that there are many schools of Tantra and nobody--including myself--speaks for Tantra. When anyone writes, "Tantra says..." or "According to Tantra..." they are at best only partially correct and often quite limiting or even outright wrong. But that is just for me. For others, even a small learning can be quite beneficial. So I don't really scoff at anyone except frauds and egomaniacs--and even they may have some good information and techniques to share.

Many years ago I came to the conclusions that schools and teachers can't teach anything--they only give the opportunity to learn. It's up to a student to take advantage of the opportunity given to him or her and make use of it by learning. Such learnings can come from anywhere...and everywhere.

In another Tribe focused on Tantra I suggested that two films, "Brainstorm" (Natalie Wood's last movie) and "Star Trek--The Motion Picture" (the first movie with V'ger) both had highly Tantric aspects. Learning is where you find it.

Namaste!