Tantra places a significant emphasis on expanding consciousness. Alan Lowen, another prominent teacher, also highlights the importance of mindfulness and presence in the Tantric lifestyle. He advocates using sensuality as a vehicle for achieving deeper states of awareness. Lowen often speaks about the transformative power of conscious touch and intimate connection, stating, “In Tantric practice, we are invited to make love to life, and through our heightened senses and deep presence, we can access profound states of consciousness.”

In Tantra, sexual energy is seen as a powerful force that can be harnessed to elevate one’s consciousness. It’s about transcending the physical to reach a state of unity with the universe. Osho succinctly captures this idea, saying, “Tantra is the science of transforming ordinary lovers into soulmates. And that is the grandeur of Tantra. It can transform the whole earth; it can transform each couple into soulmates.”

In terms of something like tantric massage, the physical sensation of the masseur’s ‘conscious and loving touch’ helps the recipient experience an enhanced awareness of themselves, but also of their metaphysical being. In another context, sexual energies, including those of the root chakra, can be channelled through higher chakras and transformed.

When expressed through the heart chakra, it becomes compassion and an enhanced ability to both give and receive love. When it rises to the throat chakra, it empowers the creativity of one’s voice. If channelled through the third eye chakra, it empowers one’s ability to intuit and analyse information. If this channelling is completed to the crown chakra, it allows one to open themselves to the divine, universal consciousness. This is how Tantra can transform mere lovers into true soulmates. This channelling of energies is what creates presence and awareness, compassion, tolerance, patience, non-attachment and all the other qualities that give sustainably and longevity to relationships.