Tantra, some believe, is hocus-pocus mumbo-jumbo. May be! But, those that know tantra, take it to mean 'weave'. And, in a sense, that's exactly what it is for tantra weaves a thread called an individual into a fabric called the universe. Yes, it helps an individual transcend the limitations of his self to become part of creation.

When someone mentions a tantric, images of a sorcerer or evil magician lay siege on our minds and we are filled with awe and fear. But, fear not, for tantra is not about evil, magic etc. It is about breaking taboos which are essentially like chains that bind us to our limitations.

Take sex, for example, the simplest and most universal act, other than eating, drinking etc. How does man (and woman, too, of course) approach sex?

With shame? Guilt? Fear?

All negative emotions!

To talk of sex is considered boorish, uncultured, unsophisticated behaviour. Yet we think of it all the time, well almost!

To show interest in sex is considered worse. Yet, we are all interested in it (degrees may differ, depending on our libidos!)

Yet, it was sex - the same shameful, guilt-ridden, fearful - act, that brought us to being! Tantra helps us break through this tangle of shame, guilt, fear and negative emotions and to see it as a beautiful act - an act, that should be enjoyed with all our senses and savoured with great delight. No 'slam, bang, thank you ma'ams' for tantra-followers. No cowering in the dark, shamefacedly covering body parts for the tantrists. They will do it in light and go to greater light!

Yes, tantra is a way to enlightenment.