Good sex ultimately culminates in an orgasm, ideally experienced by both the male and female partners. But few are fully able to realize what exactly is pulling the sexual partners through from the initial sexy look to the final thrashing and ecstatic moments of the orgasm. The secret lies in a deep and energy embedded in the core of the man and the woman’s being, directing them irreversibly to the ultimate point of climax. Tantric sex, also known as Tantra Yoga, is a method of sexual interaction that acknowledges this force-and delays it-to prolong the sexual act and heighten the sensation and energy experienced all the way through.

Derived from the mystical practices ancient India, through the knowledge of the Kama Sutra and other revered texts, Tantric sex utilizes a prayerful and meditative approach to bring lovers closer together, casting away tired routines and elevating sexual sensation to a whole new level entirely. Most people in today’s society regard love and sex as processes that sap the energy and distract people from productivity, and they are mostly right. This is because the way sex is commonly practiced in the Western world today is through energy being lost, not gained. Tantric sex reverses this process completely, giving both the man and the woman a longer, more meaningful and more stimulating experience. In fact, Tantric sex is in no way guided by a destination-oriented mindset. Instead it involves focusing on the present moment-being right here, right now- and feeling everything there is to feel. One of the most important aspects to this is the appreciation of the sexual partner, an almost worshipful reverence to the love and sensation one is sharing with him or her. It is about being together, and feeling good, and indeed reaching enhanced levels of physical and spiritual awareness.

The way Tantric sex used to be practiced long ago and far away in the holy land of India was, according to the customary way of doing things, through years of sacred purification and mastery of the mind, body and soul. As an occult practice there were highly involved rituals over the years designed to activate certain mental energies. Only in the end were the most qualified students graduated into the manifestation of Tantric sex with a companion. One of the key results of Tantric sex was the attainment of self-realization through the concordance of both the masculine and feminine forces, bringing out the two aspects within each partner to create a more comprehensive sexual union.

But today those in the western world who are sexually active live in a much different society. Yet with less time than ever to devote to becoming the perfect sexual machines, there are still many ways to successfully apply the methods of Tantric sex to the encounters between the modern man and the modern woman. Although it wouldn’t hurt, taking years of perfecting the perfect yogic sex positions isn’t necessary to enjoy Tantric sex in this day and age. It is more about the attitude with which one approaches the sexual act. A couple engaging in Tantric sex should at first shift the expectations that both partners have regarding the normal race to the orgasm. Indeed, the worship of the orgasm has no place in Tantric sex, but rather the worship of the force that motivates a sexual encounter. The goal of achieving a higher state of consciousness through sex that is absent of an orgasm is perfectly attainable for couples in today’s world.

But how, it may be asked, can sex occur in the absence of an orgasm? To understand this phenomenon, it is important to wrap one’s mind around the ancient Indian mentality towards the potency of sexual energy. It is this force, they claim, which can actually be lost upon the completion of an orgasm. Why? Because it is embodied in male semen and female orgasmic secretions, and with the release of these fluids also comes the loss of the energy. But if that same energy is cycled back into the body, it is then delivered to the man or the woman, ultimately increasing their energy levels, regenerating their passion and thrusting them into higher levels of awareness and appreciation of the intensely erotic sexual encounter they are experiencing.

To prepare for Tantric sex, it is important that both partners are properly nourished. By its nature, the ritual is goes on for quite a long time, and requires ample stamina in order to be sustained. The ancient Indian dietary tradition associates fish, meat and honey with genital vivacity, although generally any foods that contain good amount of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates will prep the bodies for this extended mental and physical workout. Sharing delicious food together and drinking wine before beginning Tantric sex bodes well for the vitality of the experience.

Indeed, from the very beginning, the ritual of Tantric sex involves both partners. One of the first steps should involve mutual bathing. This method of achieving a tranquil and relaxed state of mind should not be rushed. In fact, it should be enacted in an almost worshipful way. Treat the woman as if she is a holy goddess, and treat the man as if he were a god. One should take in the physical form of his or her partner and be in awe of it. Through this process the cleansing is not only physical, but spiritual as well. A crucial aspect of Tantric sex is the avoidance of thoughts and worries that will distract from the experience, and while bathing will rid both partners’ minds of unnecessary thoughts, it will also further each person’s ability to focus solely on the other partner.

The environment in which the Tantric sex is performed is also very crucial. Creating a space that is simultaneously calm as well as energizing is important for the success of this act. Dim light, candles and the like are highly recommended. In addition, the use of incense to stimulate the senses is very beneficial. While partners can start out entirely in the nude, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have some thin silky clothing to throw off along the way. Once the two partners are ready to come together, it is of the utmost importance to go slowly. Breathing regularly and holding back the powerful urges to complete an orgasm are the key components of this timeless experience. Tantric sex is a slow, extended and meditative process likely to be different from anything one has experience before.