Two Major Misconceptions about Tantra
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1. Tantra is another name for spiritual Sex - Usually when people hear the word Tantra they think about sexual practices or rituals involving sex. In reality Tantra is a profound science. It is a precise system that employs methods like Pranayama, mantras, and meditation as well as vedic astrology, and Ayurveda to work with the energies in the universe to transform your life and transcend this plane. The predominant energies in the universe are creative, the sexual energy being the grossest manifestation of energy. If you focus on this one element of Tantra and say this is what Tantra is then you're missing the point. That's like equating yoga with only postures (yoga is so much more than that!) Yes, Tantra includes sex as well as anything that is of the world because it knows the world as creative energies that are in constant play, it allows for variations, and these variations are what sustain the world allowing it to manifest.
2. Tantra deals with magic and rituals - while Tantra encompasses these things it's not the focus of Tantra. As we know Tantra deals with the Shakti energy, the creative energy that is all pervasive. It's from this energy that we have come to be... this energy is neutral until you bring it to life through intent and purpose. So it depends on the person who is wielding this energy how he or she will choose to use it. If it is used in a way that is for self gratification or to harm others then the energy will do just that, but come back to the source with equal force, hence karma.
These two misconceptions are all most people know about Tantra, so there is a taboo, understandably, but that is because people that practice at this level are the ones that exploit these powerful energies and are personalities that want to become known, want to use Tantra at its basic level. Tantra can be used for transformation and liberation as well by using the more subtle forms of energy through the higher chakra centers; Used this way Tantra becomes pure and powerful, a way for you to master the world with all its differences and variations. Tantra accepts all that is the way that it is, bringing you into alignment with yourself and nature. In the tantric view, nothing is good or bad; it just is... when you can start to work on yourself from where you are then you are moving in the right direction. Tantra helps you to look at yourself honestly and openly and gives you techniques to start the journey now! I hope people can start to embrace this practice without the misconceptions, if you can, you will come to find an eastern science that will transform your life. I believe the world is now ready for these teachings.
Chitra Sukhu
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Some people live their Life for a Cause. And Chitra Sukhu is one such Lady. She has committed her Life in diligent Service (Seva) to enhance the Lives of so many Others. Her Cause is, “To Enrich, Empower, and Enlighten (E3) through Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedanta, and Meditation.” Her Purpose (Dharma) is, “To raise the Consciousness of the World, so that All may live Happier, Healthier Lives together as a Whole.” Chitra was born in Guyana to a Family of Indian ancestry. Although raised mostly in the United States, She also grew up in the many Sivananda Ashrams scattered around the world. Chitra’s parents, Yogi Hari and Leela Mata, joined the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organization when She was four years old. And since the tender age of four, Chitra has practiced Yoga and Meditation daily. Such immersion in this Classical Culture, Discipline, and Celebration of Life has given Her a rather rare orientation for someone in the Western World. Reflecting Inner Wisdom She says, “Even though I come from the Sivananda lineage and respect all Teachers, I don't claim any Guru. My Guru has been Life – and through Life, I have learned My greatest Lessons.” During her University years, while continuing Her “Foundational Practice” of Yoga and Meditation, Chitra also developed an interest in “the pleasures of the material world”, and pursued a career in Modeling and Acting. And while garnering success in this area, She did not attain Fulfillment. Later on, following the 9/11 attacks, Chitra experienced a powerful Spiritual Calling. She recognized the need to provide answers to the multitude of (often disregarded) questions inside a Child’s mind – questions about Terrorism, Killing, Death, Suffering, and the many other complexities of Life. People everywhere were fearful and confused, and these young minds were hardly ever given straightforward answers. She soon realized that many more and more people find it difficult to face stressful and demanding situations, and this inability to cope could be attributed to a failure to recognize One’s Inner Self. Being a Mother, Chitra has always encouraged her Children to meditate and find Inner Peace, a state of Mind, which helps them find the answers themselves. Chitra is an experienced Yoga teacher, registered with The Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT 500 level. She has a Diploma in Ayurvedic Sciences from Kerala Ayurveda. She is also an accomplished Indian classical dancer in the ancient style of Bharata Natyam. Chitra’s Mother, Leela Mata, passed away in Oct. 2021 but was also a spiritual guru and bright light who led many to higher consciousness. She traveled the world teaching Ayurveda, Yoga, Vedanta Philosophy, and Meditation. Leela had a Spiritual Center (Leela Mata Peaceful Valley Ashram) in Pennsylvania. Her Father, Yogi Hari, a Master of Hatha, Raja, and Nada Yoga, is well known and respected around the world, has an Ashram in Florida, and has published over 20 CDs and 3 books. Chitra now continues the distinguished legacy of her Parents' LifeWork. She teaches and leads many Retreats around the world for adults and children. She has “birthed” the organization, New Age Kids Inc. -- a sincere effort to generate well-balanced individuals with a Sense of Self, from an early age. She has eleven Guided-Meditation CD’s and one CD where she sings Vedic slokas. Some of her CDs have become part of the Curriculum at schools. They have proven to reduce stress and confusion for Children, propagating healthy lifestyle, creativity, happiness, and success. She has authored an acclaimed Children’s book, “Elven Rhyme – Journey through Time”. Chitra is now a published Playwright with Her play “To My Amazement”, garnering praise from recent performances in Canada. Chitra was the first to create the Youth Yoga Teachers Training Course (YYTTC) for Youth ages 16-21, Herein, young people can come together to learn more about Higher Consciousness and the Journey of the Self, while becoming Certified Yoga Teachers. Chitra is currently working on a book - Yoga Nidra Awak{end} Sleep. When She is not traveling, she resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
